Bob's Fastpitch Bulletins
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 9, Number 2 :: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Bulletin #2
Getting Ready! The WFSCA clinic is just two weeks away so be sure to get those registrations sent to Jane Briehl in the next day or two as there is a $10 fee for being past the early registration deadline. Instead of getting into the clinic for 70 bucks, it will cost you 80. Take advantage now.
Membership in the WFSCA is 30 bucks per year so the clinic and dues are $100. Take a look at the WFSCA website to see the list of speakers at the clinic. I’m looking forward to seeing and chatting with Chuck D’Arcy, former Guanella Brothers Floormen pitcher. Guanella Brothers, for years was one of the top men’s major level fastpitch teams in the world. I had the opportunity to cover Chuck’s “on field” exploits in my newspaper The Fastpitch Chronicle. He is a great guy and will be a great speaker at the clinic.
The WIAA tournament brackets are posted on the WIAA website so be sure to check those out if you haven’t already (I can’t imagine that there are any coaches out there who don’t already know what pool they are in).
The season gets underway much later than every before and the state tournament is not until June 17-19[sup]th[/sup] this year. That is all due to an advisory vote by softball coaches one year ago when asked about starting later due to a later start for girl’s basketball in this state. For those of you that have been asking for summer high school softball, the 19[sup]th[/sup] of June is getting about as close to summer action as we can get without actually being in summer – just your team safely to Goodman Diamond and stay in it until the final day and you’ll be just two days short of summer high school softball action.
The umpire rule books, case books, and umpire’s manual along with the test and answer sheets arrived in mailboxes this past week.
Here are some highlights from the rule books and the most recent WIAA bulletin as things pertain to softball in Wisconsin.
Rule Changes for 2010
Rule 1-1-2b – Changed the female fast-pitch pitching distance to 43 feet effective with the 1010-2011 academic year. NOTE: Individual state associations are permitted to adopt the 43-feet pitching distance in 2009-2010, if desired. FURTHER NOTE: After a survey of high school coaches by the WFSCA and The Fastpitch Chronicle, and action taken by the Coaches Advisory Council, and so on up the chain of command and action within the WIAA – the pitching distance in Wisconsin for 2010 is 43 feet.
Rule 1-5
Identified and specified guidelines for each part of the bat, including: knob, handle/grip, taper, barrel and end cap. In addition, the rule clarifies that the taper must be a solid suface.
Rule 3-2-12
Added an exception to permit, hard, unadorned devices, such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips, no longer than 2 inches, to be worn to control a player’s hair.
Rule 9-6-6
Changed the required number of innings pitched to half of the total number of innings played in the game for a starting pitcher to be credited with a win.
2010 Major Editorial Revisions
Rule 1-3-3
An eighth of an inch was added to the maximum circumference of both 11- and 12-inch softball, to 11 ¼” and 12 ¼” respectively.
Rule 2-20-11
Clarifed that a batted ball is fair if it first falls or is first touched on or over fair territory beyond first, second or third base.
Rule 3-1-3
Clarified that a team’s lineup card shall include the first initial and last name of each player.
Rule 8-2-9 Note
Added a note to clarify that the batter-runner is called out when she hits an infield fly even when the infield fly is not initially called, if brought to the umpire’s attention before the next pitch.
2010 Points of Emphasis
1) Illegal Pitch Enforcement
When the pitcher completes the delivery of an illegal pitch, and the batter hits the ball fair of foul, or becomes a base runner, the coach of the team at bat has the option of the result of the play or the penalty for an illegal pitch. The penalty is a ball awarded to the batter and all base runners are awarded one base without liability to be put out. A delayed dead-ball is signaled by the umpire by extending the left arm horizontally. If the illegal pitch is called by the plate umpire, it should be in a voice loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear it. If the illegal pitch is called by the base umpire, it should be called loud enough for the nearest fielder to hear it. The failure of players to hear the call does not void the call. Batters should be coached to know they can swing at illegal pitches, which results in options for their team/coach.
2) Three Foot Running Lane
The three-foot running lane is a space defined by a line drawn 3 feet from and parallel to the first-base foul line starting halfway between home and first base and extending to first base in foul territory. In all situations when the batter-runner is entitled to run (i.e., a batted ball, a base on balls or a dropped third strike), she must use the three-foot running lane. An award of first base on a base on balls does not negate the requirement to use the three-foot running lane. The batter-runner is out if she runs outside the three-foot lane and, in the judgment of the umpire, interferes with the fielder making the throw to first base (there must be a throw); however, the batter-runner may run outside the three-foot lane to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. A runner is considered outside the running lane if either foot is completely outside the lane and in contact with the ground. Players must understand that once they reach the running lane they should run completely inside it.
Non-Traditional Equipment
Many new equipment products continue to be introduced into interscholastic softball. Rule 1-8-1 states that, “non-traditional game equipment must be reviewed by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee before it will be permitted.” NFHS staff and the committee continue to consider non-traditional equipment as it is introduced into the game. However, many products seem to appear in competition without the committee being given an opportunity to review the items. Coaches and administrators should contact their state high school association to have non-traditional equipment reviewed. Manufacturers are encouraged to contact the NFHS prior to introducing, distributing or selling non-traditional equipment to interscholastic programs.
DP/FLEX Rule
It is believed that many coaches and umpires still may not completely understand the DP/FLEX rule (3-3-6) since it was passed in 2004. The committee felt another “refresher” would be appropriate to more fully understand and utilize all options available with the rule. The DP/FLEX rule was originally adopted because it provides more participation opportunities for student-athletes and more flexibility to coaches.
For Coaches – Basic Rules to Remember. Keep these basic rules in mind: 1) Decide the 10 players you want to designate as starters: 1) list the nine players you want to have in the batting order on lines 1 through 9; 2) list the name of the remaining player (FLEX) on the 10[sup]th[/sup] line.
2) Fill in the defensive positions and list the player not initially playing defense as the DP:
3) When making lineup changes:
a. The DP cannot play defense only and the FLEX cannot play offense only.
b. When the DP spot in the batting order comes up, either the DP, FLEX or legal substitutes must bat or run the bases. It is the only offensive spot the DP or FLEX player may hold.
c. The DP can replace anyone on defense any time, any number of times while the FLEX player may replace the DP any time, any number of times.
d. When any of the first nine players listed on the card leaves the batting order, she has left the game and when the FLEX player leaves the game on defense, she has left the game.
For Coaches – Basic Utilization Strategies. The following are two basic strategies a coach might utilize to match the skills of the DP and FLEX players to complement on another. Further examples can be found on the NFHS website ([link=http://www.fnhs.org/][size=3 font="times new roman"]www.fnhs.org[/link]. Objective: To utilize a fast runner who is a weak hitter (FLEX) to run for the solid hitting DP. a. Matchup: assuming your pitcher can hit for herself, pair up a solid hitter (DP) with a player of exceptional speed but who is a weak hitter (FLEX).
b. Typical sequence: DP hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; DP re-enters and hits safely: FLEX enters to run for her; sub #1 hits for DP (since the DP already used her one re-entry), FLEX enters to run for sub #1; sub #1 re-enters and hits safely; FLEX enters to run for sub #1; sub #2 hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her, and son on.
Objective: list a power hitter as the FLEX player when you have a platoon of players who will be the DP’s. Matchup: assuming your pitcher can hit for herself, pair up an average player (DP) with a good hitting, but slow runner (FLEX) who also plays defense. Also used for a good-hitting pitcher (FLEX) who you do not want running the bases unnecessarily. Typical sequence: as the spot in the batting order comes up, enter the FLEX who hits safely, re-enter the DP, enter the FLEX who hits safely; sub #1 enters to run (since the DP already used her one re-entry); enter the FLEX who hits safely; sub #1 re-enters to run; FLEX hits safely; sub #2 enters to run; and so on.
For Umpires. The following are helpful hints in properly maintaining your lineup card:
1) A team may use the DP/FLEX option provided it is made know prior to the start of the game
2) The DP’s name is indicated on the lineup as one of the nine hitters in the batting order.
3) The name of the player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) is placed in the 10[sup]th[/sup] position in the lineup.
4) The DP maybe substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the FLEX may play offense for the DP. In either case, the DP has left the game.
5) The DP may play defense at any position
6) The FLEX may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the DP may play defense for the FLEX. In either case, the FLEX has left the game.
7) Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the DP’s position is considered an illegal substitution.
8) A team may go from 10 to 9 players and back to 10 any number of times during the game; the game may also end with 10 or nine players.
9) The DP and FLEX may never be on offense at the same time, however, they may play defense at the same time.
When talking about the new pitching distance for 2010, be forewarned that Minnesota did not make the move to 43’ for 2010. If you play against a Minnesota team you most likely will be facing batters and pitchers from 40’ as before. We listed a tournament at North St. Paul this past week and got a note from the coach reminding everyone of that fact.
Have a great day and
Keep it Rising!
Bob
The Fastpitch Bulletin, Volume 9, Number 1 :: Sunday, January 31, 2010
It's time to play ball!
It's January 31st and time to fire up the Fastpitch Bulletins for another season. This is Volume 9 issue #1 with about 70-80 more to come and perhaps even more than that.
The WFSCA coaches clinic is on February 20, 21 in Stevens Point so be sure to go to the wfsca.org website, print out a registration form and get that taken care of. You can pay your association dues at the same time and be a member of the WFSCA for 2010.
Remember to add this to your "to do" list for the upcoming season -- move those pitcher's plates back to 43 feet from their long-time buried life at 40 feet. All levels of high school girl's fastpitch will move back to 43 feet in 2010 whether we like it or not.
With the move to 43 feet all school records and state records including state tournament records will be affected. There is a heap of difference with just that 3 extra feet of time for batters to see a ball. Say what you will, not all high school pitchers can throw hard enough or have enough spin revolutions on their stuff to make a ball move so much more than their strikeout totals will be the same. It's a given that your pitchers will not strike out as many batters as they did before.
Speaking of records, Freedom pitcher Jamie Schuh enters her senior season in 2010 having fanned 696 batters over the past three seasons. 304 more will give her 1000. With the new formula for scheduling started last year, a team could get enough games in to get a top notch hurler 304 strikeouts even with the pitcher's plate being back at 43 feet.
It's still about six or seven weeks till the season officially gets underway and experienced coaches as well as new coaches probably are putting some notes together, either mentally or actually on paper covering aspects of the game they want to have taught and covered before competition gets under way.
Here is a list of things for you to contemplate.
1) Bat length and weight - what is your preference for high school players?
2) What skills do you plan to teach in terms of stance, timing, loading, swing breakdown, and adjustments to be made
3) How about the short game and a slap game?
Be sure to check out that wfsca.org website and get the membership and the coaches clinic registration taken care of and if I don't see you before then, I'll see you at t he clinic.
Keep it Rising!
Bob
Chula Vista to be venue for three indoor tournaments :: Sunday, October 11, 2009
John Roth, a huge friend of fastpitch softball and Coordinator for the Xplozion Softball Club has annnounced three indoor tournaments that he will be coordinating at Chula Vista Resort's facility just north of Wisconsin Dells on Highway 13.
Roth, who ran the first-ever indoor tournament at Chula Vista last winter was so impressed by what took place there that he has embarked on a three-tournament schedule.
The first one will take place in November and is called Fall Xplozion in the Dome. The dates are November 27-28 and 29 and the tournament is open to any and all teams interested in taking part. The age categories are 10U through 18U but entries are limited to a total of 32 teams inclusive of all age categories.
The entry fee is $400 which includes a four-game guarantee. In addition to that Wisconsin NAFA Director Bob Tomlinson has also announced that a NAFA National Tournament berth for next summer will be available in each age bracket.
The other two tournaments will take place over the December Holiday time. The first will be on December 26-27 and 28 and is open to 14U through 18U with the same 32-team limit which is inclusive to all age categories. The entry fee for that event is also $400 with a four-game guarantee and a NAFA National Tournament berth for the summer of 2010.
The final event for 2009 will be December 28-29 and 30th and is open to 10U, 12U and 14U. The entry fee is $400 with a four-game guarantee and a NAFA National Tournament berth for summer 2010.
John Roth can be contacted by calling 920-344-5732 or by e-mailing to [email=xplozionsb@gmail.com]xplozionsb@gmail.com[/email]. You can also write to John Roth at 479 Fuller Street, Columbus, WI 53925.
Bob Tomlinson can be contacted at [email=faspich1@aol.com]faspich1@aol.com[/email] or 608-635-4552.
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 52 :: Wednesday, August 05, 2009
[size=3 font="times new roman"]High and Tight![/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"] [/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"]Ken Dischler, Head Coach at Chequamegon High School (new consolidation of Park Falls and Glidden) has some game shorts for sale at a reasonable, very reasonable price. [/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"] [/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"]I saw Ken at our one-day softball clinic in Gilman back on July 22[SUP]nd[/SUP]. We had a great morning there and in the process of conversing he told me about his shorts.[/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"] [/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"]Here is his note to me.[/size]
[size=3 font="times new roman"] [/size]
Hi Bob,
Here's the shorts I've got for sale if you could pass the word:
16+ pairs of Bristol softball shorts. Silver/gray with black waistband and black piping. Asking $100.
20+ pairs of Bike softball shorts. Silver w/black pinstripes, belt loops. Asking $100.
Contact Ken Dischler, 715-492-0980 or [email=coachd@teamfca.com]coachd@teamfca.com[/email].
Thanks,
Ken
If interested in more information contact Ken ASAP.
Have a great day and
Keep it Rising!
Bob
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 51 -- July 29, 2009 :: Wednesday, July 29, 2009
My friend Tim Husted sent me this press release. I chose to use it as a Bulletin as well as an Opening Pitch Blog item. Have a great day as you Keep it Rising! -- Bob
Like many teams, The [b]Danes Travel Softball Program[/b] has limited roster spots for talented players for the 2010 summer season and is looking to add players this fall to compete in fall and dome softball to prepare for the 2010 summer season. Unlike many teams, we don’t believe that a tryout is an effective way for players/families to make important decisions.
The Danes are looking for strong athletes who have the honest goal of playing college softball and are willing to make a commitment to learn and prepare for that goal. The Danes are not for everyone, but for players who like intense softball, top coaching, strong committed teammates and a focus on player development; the Danes is a proven program with a resume of long term success in providing that experience.
In their 14[SUP]th[/SUP] year, the Danes will support only one 18U team, to ensure that every player who wears the Danes uniform and associates with the Danes is recognized as playing in an elite program. We have tremendous goodwill and brand value in the Danes name, we take care to ensure that every player, coach and parent who represents our program helps to increase that brand value as an program of excellence.
Since the pitching distance of 43 feet will be the HS standard either in 2010 or 2011; we are open to players from the 2011, 2012 graduation years and 2010s who are committed to playing softball at the college level. We can also help 2010’s through fall softball to find college playing opportunities.
All Danes players will be coached by Tim Husted and a strong experienced Danes coaching staff. Coach Husted has coached at the college level, has developed all of the current Danes alumni and is well respected as a clinician for many college clinics. Coach Husted does not have any children on the team and is an unpaid volunteer coach. His returning staff will include 2 coaches with strong background in both softball and the Danes Style Sheet and before spring will hire a Danes alumni/former college player to serve as an assistant coach as well. With 4 experienced coaches on staff, the individual coaching opportunities for players is second to none.
The Danes are unique, and instead of tryouts; we’d ask you [b]contact us[/b] to learn more about our team, our approach and our goals. In that process we’ll want to get to know the player, their goals and ambition and determine if there is a mutually beneficial opportunity.
We will ask all interested players to compete in fall ball on available weekends to get to know the team and our style before making final decisions on roster commitments. Certainly many players may worry about the loss of other opportunities, I can assure you teams will be looking for players well into the winter season.
We believe that “club” softball has become too generic to honestly describe the current options. Within the Club softball umbrella, there are many A, B, C and D level teams and many are simply community coaches with open rosters. The Danes are [b]not[/b] just another club team like the many listed for tryouts this fall.
The Danes have a proven history of developing players not only who compete in college softball, but who are accoladed with post season awards like All Region and All American. The Danes are not coaching for the benefit of a single high school program, solely to win a ASA State Tournament or for their daughter’s opportunity. The Danes have a proven history of coaching for the benefits of the individual players in our program, our goal is to maximize the opportunities for each player’s future success in softball through teaching of proper mechanics, strategy and game understanding.
We believe that the time, talent and treasures that go into a program like the Danes are truly an investment in the long term sustainable success of the student-athlete not only as a softball player through their college career but as a lifelong member of a larger community. In the process of learning about the Danes, we’ll open our family to you; allowing you to discuss the program with current and former players and families. We’ll allow you to ask questions and be candid in our response. Our goal is to find the right kids to fill out our roster, not just the best kids. We believe that the right kids with our coaching/approach is a much better team than the best kids at a 2 hour tryout.
If you want more information, check out our web site at [link=http://www.danesfastpitch.org/][color=#0066cc]www.danesfastpitch.org[/color][/link] and fill out a player prospect form. We’ll contact you quickly and discuss our team, answer questions and start the process to determine if we can meet your needs and help you to achieve your goals as an elite softball player.
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 50 July 28,2009 :: Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Hello Everyone - Everywhere I go the number one question I get is: "So when are we moving to 43 feet?"
I don't have that answer and I have little to do with getting it (if anything).
My survey of 300 respondents indicates that 63% think we should move to 43 feet in 2010. The WFSCA is conducting a survey of just WFSCA member head coaches but I have not heard from Rich Frost yet on how that survey is going.
I have not talked to Marcy Thurwachter about her thoughts on it either. However, knowing how the political system works within the WIAA, I'd guess that the WIAA Coaches Advisory Committee will meet this fall and talk about it and the process will proceed from there.
As for the Capitol Area Fall League, I'll be surveying the team leaders very soon to find out if they want to move to 43 feet this fall even if we have no definitive information on when Wisconsin will make the move. Remember, the state must move there no later than 2011.
I heard some interesting conversation about that issue while taking part in the Wisconsin Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame inductions on Saturday. The conversation that took place involved a respected and noteworthy umpire or two, a very respected and noteworthy collegiate pitching coach who, during his playing career, was a world-class pitcher for such teams as Pay n' Pak, the Farm Tavern and others.
Speaking of respected and noteworthy umpires -- our Fastpitch Chronicle/WSN umpire answer man, John Peterson received the Wisconsin Amateur Softball Association Umpire of the Year Award for the year 2008. Congratulations to John for that honor. It surely is well deserved. It was a pleasure sharing time with him at that induction ceremony on Saturday.\
Two other noteworthy Hall of Fame inductees were Joann Krueger and Jean Rivette. Both were interesting and well deserving of the honor.
That's about it for this Bulletin. Watch for upcoming bulletins that will be geared toward technology in the game today.
Have a great week! and as always
Keep it Rising!
Bob
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 49 July 15, 2009 :: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Up and in!
Hello Everyone – It’s midweek and time for another Fastpitch Bulletin which will include some thoughts and some announcements that others have requested me to make for them.
First – Pepin is holding a summer tournament on the weekend of July 24-25-26 and has a couple of open spots that they’d like to fill in order to complete a tournament bracket. Matt, head coach at Pepin is working hard to assure everyone that the tourney in Pepin will be a notable one for all the teams involved. Matt has told me that he has two openings for the 14-U division and one opening for the 18-U division.
Speaking of Pepin – I was in that community last week conducting a two-day fastpitch camp for players from Pepin, Spring Valley and Durand. It’s a treat to go there and work with those kids and coaches. Matt from Pepin, Earl from Spring Valley and the legendary Jim Haines from Pepin (now the principal at Greenwood) are great fastpitch people. They run a great show there and have a fantastic facility. The softball was good, the food was great and the chatter was superb!
I’ll be in Gilman on Wednesday of next week so I’m really looking forward to that trip as well. Brian Phelps does a fantastic job up there!
John Roth is busily getting ready for the annual End of Summer Xplozion tournament in Columbus (and some other venues as well). In addition to that he is working on some projects that will give players some opportunities to play some fastpitch in the late fall and winter (indoors) as well as working on some new summer fastpitch projects as well. There are many people in the state that work tirelessly for the game and the players who play it and John is surely one of them. Keep watching upcoming bulletins for some announcements from John about the projects he’s working on.
I’ve posted some tournament results on the Opening Pitch Blog of the WSN site so be sure to check those out.
Have a great day!
Keep it Rising!
Bob
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 48 -- July 9th :: Thursday, July 09, 2009
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Coming to You from 43 feet away![/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Hello Everyone – If you’ve been checking the WSN website religiously like all fastpitch enthusiasts must do, then you read the press release I posted from the National Federation. (Thanks to Rich Frost, WFSCA President for forwarding that release to me).[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Rich also called me on Wednesday and caught me during our lunch break at the Pepin/Spring Valley/Durand Fastpitch Camp. We talked about the move to 43’ and each other’s feelings about the move and when Wisconsin should make it.[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]My thoughts, of course and as always, are just my thoughts. They certainly do no have to be the same as the thoughts of everyone else. With that in mind here are my thoughts on moving to 43 feet in 2010 vs 2011.[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]The vote is in and we lost. We, being the overwhelming majority of high school coaches in Wisconsin who had voted 72% to keep the distance at 40 feet. We must move to 43 feet no later than the 2011 season. The data that prompted the move by the voters within the NFHS came from Florida and Oregon. [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Initially the reasoning behind the move was to make the game safer for the pitchers. The thought was to move her back three feet so she doesn’t risk as much injury from line drives hit right back at her. Now, the reasoning appears to have switched to getting more offense into the game (read the release again from NFHS). [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]So when should Wisconsin make the switch? How will that decision be made and by whom? Is there a plan to survey the state coaches?[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]I don’t have the answers right now to the last two questions above but I have some thoughts on them.[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]First of all, everyone knows that I was in favor of keeping the distance at 40 feet. Now that it’s inevitable that we are moving to 43 feet, my thoughts are to do it next spring – 2010. [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]In an effort to satisfy my curiosity I am going to put up a surveymonkey survey for Wisconsin coaches to complete to get an idea of what your thoughts are. [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]I’m in Pepin this morning and don’t have time to get that survey up and running so keep checking the Opening Pitch Blog headlines on WSN site. Survey Monkey is free to post the survey but the free stuff only allows for 100 coaches to complete it. Once the first 100 are in I will put up a second survey that is worded just a little bit differently but will offer the same choice.[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]I’m not the only one interested in what the state’s coaches think about this issue. Rich is very interested as well. Since I have the tools to reach everyone very quickly I’ve chosen to collect the data.[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3] [/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Have a great day![/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Keep it Rising! Complete the Survey when it’s available![/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=3]Bob[/size][/font]
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 47 -- 6/29/09 :: Monday, June 29, 2009
Out on the highway!
Looking for Adventure.
Taking whatever comes my way!
Hello Fastpitch World – It’s Monday, June 29[sup]th[/sup] and it’s been an interesting day. A pitching and hitting lesson here at the Legend’s Field facility in my back yard followed by a neat session with a friend and former Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year and WFSCA Division 2 Player of the Year.
That player is Stephanie Schmikla of McFarland. Her and her dad Steve came up for a little session on pitching. She taught me some things she’s learned and I taught her some things I’ve learned. It was a great morning here with great fastpitch conversation, some learning going on both directions. On top of that, it’s always great to chat with Steve, a certain Hall of Fame coach who retired with more than 450 victories.
Here are some musings after the past two weekends spent at ball yards in different parts of the state and at a very differing level of play as well.
On Friday night I spent some time at Carson Park watching the men’s fastpitch tournament there. I need that kind of fix from time to time. Just watching pitchers and pitches and the hitters who bang those pitches around is a great time. It pretty much grounds me in the fastpitch world. To me there is something magical about guys can throw the ball upwards of 80 mph and faster. The hitting is amazing too.
On Friday and Saturday of the previous weekend I was in LaCrosse and Baraboo while Saturday and Sunday past I was at ball fields at Eau Claire North and the Town of Seymour Complex east of Altoona.
Those four days of watching girls play are interesting too. It’s an entire different fastpitch world from that of watching men play, however.
I always chuckle at the ball yard banter and chatter from the stands, dugouts, concessions areas etc. when I go to ball yards. At girl’s games I see kids pop up to the short stop, ground out weakly back to the pitcher or to an infielder and I often hear somebody in the stands yell, “Nice hit.”
Nice hit? Only a mother or father could shout something as foolish as “nice hit” to a player who just popped out or grounded out weakly. That’s not a nice hit, it’s an easy out and not a quality at bat.
I’d just tell that kid, “Better luck next time or get ‘em next time” but never would I say nice hit.
I really like Rule 11 at the Seymour Slam! It was a pleasure being at the ball yard with that rule in place.
As I sat in my car on Saturday in Eau Claire waiting for our next game I overheard a conversation between two fathers in the parking lot. They were discussing the game that just got over or a game somewhere that went overtime.
Overtime? Overtime? Softball like baseball tends to be timeless (other than time limit games) but even with time limit games, softball games do not go overtime. They go into extra innings!
I saw Dale Ferron at the Seymour Slam. Now there’s a guy who works hard for the game. He’s the state ASA Junior OIympic Commissioner and does a great job with that. I’ve known Dale for many years and always enjoyed it when he would umpire our games. One game that comes to mind to place in McFarland in the spring of 1987 and I’m sure Dale remembers it well too. It involved defacing the ball and a set of keys tossed into the pitcher’s circle as I sauntered back to the first base side bench area. It was Dale and Dennis Gilbertson working the game that day.
I’m not sure who the home run champ was at the Seymour Slam but Kirsten Tomlinson of our Poynette 16-Under team hit three of them in successive games on Saturday and just missed a fourth one when we played on the field with the longer fences. I see in the State Journal that she was listed as the Utility Player on the WSJ Second team.
There were some excellent players at the Seymour Slam. I’ll go back there again next year. One rule that should change, in my humble opinion, is the one where a team playing with eight players to start a game does not have to take an out when the 9[sup]th[/sup] batter is due up. In fastpitch, it’s easy for 8 to beat 9. There is no #9 batter to make outs in an 8-batter lineup. We were short of players and invited two players from the Dells to go to make sure we had enough to fill-out a 9-player batting order. Actually we chose to use a 10-player order so, in the game where the other team only had eight. We were using 10. That changes the game immensely. Just call em out when it’s their turn to send a #9 batter up there.
Have a great day!
Keep it Rising!
Bob
The Fastpitch Bulletin Volume 8, Number 46 for 6/28/09 :: Sunday, June 28, 2009
High and tight!
Hello Everyone – I’ve been in Eau Claire since Friday night watching some world class softball, watching some 18-U girl’s softball, coaching some 16-Under softball and just generally observing and listening to ball park chatter and conversation.
The world class softball was taking place at Carson Park on Gelein Field where the 43[sup]rd[/sup] Annual Eau Claire Classic Men’s Fastpitch Tournament was being held. I was in the bleachers on Friday night and got a chance to see Tomah Head Girls’ Softball Coach Dan Wall pitch against a team from somewhere in or around St. Paul. I’ve known Dan since for quite a few years and have watched him progress throughout his career. A lefty, he’s a great competitor who just doesn’t give up or give in. On this night, his team and a former team of mine, Wilber Lime of Galesville got nipped in the bottom of the 7[sup]th[/sup] 6-5. Dan and I had a nice chat after the game. Tomah High School is fortunate to have Dan at the helm of their program.
The other game of the night featured one of the world’s greatest men’s teams and of course some of the world’s greatest fastpitch players regardless of gender. The older people reading this diatribe surely remember the name Goolagong. Evon Goolagong was a highly ranked female professional tennis star from Australia. A number of years ago the Australian National Men’s team toured North America and played in the ISC world tournament in Kimberly. Their shortstop was a young kid by the name Jeff Goolagong so I asked him if there was familial connection. “Sure mate, she’s my auntie,” was in his answer. Great genes eh? Jeff plays third base now of the Farm Tavern team based out of Madison and owned by Rod Peterson, a Rio, Wisconsin native. The Farm also features Colin Abbott, arguably still the top lefthanded hitter in the men’s game. He’s from the Newfoundland. Donnie Hale, a tall strappy Kiwi (New Zealander) is back with the Farm Tavern. Robbie Gray from Ontario is also a Farm player who is one of the most feared right-handed hitter in the game. These guys can flat-out hit today’s pitching. They’re hitters using the leading technology and balls that fly like 90 mm projectiles. If you ever get to Carson Park, take a close look at the tree line on the back side of the parking lot in left field on Gelein Field. There is an oak tree back there with some dead limbs on it way up at the top of the trees. A few years back during the ISC World Tournament in Eau Claire I watched Donnie Hale hit a Worth K-Master off the great Darren Zack go through the top of that tree. Now, I’m not saying that Hale’s blast killed that limb on that oak tree but until somebody else tells me what did, I will tend to think that way because that limb is exactly where that ball hit. I know, because I was in a lawn chair right behind the outfield fence and that ball went directly over my head and I’m the guy who walked into the woods to retrieve it and get it back into the game. I have witnesses who were sitting there next to me to confirm the launching of that projectile.
It was a good night with some good hitting and some pretty good pitching from The Farm’s Darrell Tilley who was quite impressive but not so much to a guy holding the radar gun who has seen men from the past deliver the ball another 10 mph faster with just as much movement and more. He was throwing his drop ball 76-77 mph, his rise ball 73-75 mph and his change up at 65 mph.
I also had a chance to visit wth Al and Sue Lundberg of Pigeon Falls. Al is a Hall of Fame pitcher whom I have competed against and with in my playing career. A great guy! Sue is the head softball coach at Osseo Fairchild High School.
On Saturday I spent the entire day at Eau Claire North High School for the 16-Under and 18-Under Seymour Slam Tournament. Our Poynette 16-Under team is competing there and we’ve added the Smith twins from Wisconsin Dells to give us a 10 girl roster for the tournament. The Smith twins are the grand daughters of Dale Gray, head softball coach at Wisconsin Dells High School and who is also a former teammate of mine dating way back to the mid 1960s. We’re both dinosaurs I guess.
The Seymour Slam is a great tourney with some excellent teams and players. It gives our girls a chance to play against kids from parts of the state that they don’t normally get to see. We played Seymour, Hallie, Tri County (Chetek) and Bay Port on Saturday. We were on top of things most of the day and find ourselves in the hunt on Sunday.
Brad Ceranski, Head Coach at Thorp was there with his team and I got a chance to talk to Jared Faherty, Head Coach at Chippewa Falls High School. A couple of the guys in blue were fun to talk to as well. The pitching coach from Altoona, Whitey and umpire Tom Seelow who hails from Butternut but lives in Eau Claire. I always enjoy listening to Whitey while Tom and I go back to our college days at UW-LaCrosse. I can’t ever remember coaching a game while standing next to a guy in umpire attire but I did that during a game on Saturday when Tom joined me in the bench area while he was off duty.
It’s sunny and cool up here today, after a day of scattered showers.
Have a great day!
Keep it Rising!
Bob
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