I went to my first softball game....

Watched Providence play South Meck.....I can officially say I am a softball expert now ...seriously, I enjoyed watching the ladies competing. Brittany ?? for Providence is a heckuva pitcher....but the one aspect that amazed me was the "slapping"...the girls could teach the boys a thing or two about that art.

I have to tell a story: It was a very close game at one point and Katie Eaker, SM, was the batter. After working the count to 3-2, she watched a 3rd pitch strike. Instead of coming back to the dugout shaking her head, stomping her feet or complaining about the call, she came back smiling and said, "That was a beautiful pitch"...Girls...ya gotta love 'em!!!

 

thanks for sharing your experience, Braves!

when you going back??

 

1st fastpitch Impressions...

Ah, a chance to do a little reminiscing... the first time I saw anything having to do with fastpitch was when we watched a movie back in the eighties called "On Cannery Row" starring Debra Winger and Nick Nolte. Anyway, they were playing a true sandlot softball game and the girl pitching had a full windmill and threw the ball as fast as I had ever seen. I remember thinking "Well... what have we here now? That's gotta be the strangest thing I've ever seen." Little did I know then that I'd end up having three beautiful daughters, all of which enjoy playing the game.
But like that girl in the movie throwing the ball undoubtedly 60 mph+ from 40 feet away, I've always been struck with the speed of the game (being an old baseball player). From 2.??? seconds to first base to a screamer at the third baseman to... well, trying to hit a ball from 40 feet away going 60 mph, I am still very impressed with how all these girls handle the speed involved with all aspects of the game. That's what struck me most when I first watched.

ps - can't anyone talk to the man and do something about this weather? I can't handle one more cancelled ball game.

 

the game is indeed awesome but as usual.......weather isnt cooperating!!!

Prayer seems to work this time of the year!!

 

As another old baseball guy, I'd have to agree with Pop44 about the speed of softball. I watched my daughter get plunked several times from 35 ft in 10U rec ball, due to lack of reaction time. And the infielders, especially pitcher and 3B...geez, a fake bunt and a smashed line drive is dangerous. And I've always thought it was too much pitcher-dominated. I don't want to make it into old man slow-pitch softball (I can say that since I am one), but was there ever any thought to moving the rubber back and maybe the bases back? I'd love to see a little more offense! I know I'm treading on thin ice here...softball is a great game as is. Just my opinion that with a few minor tweaks it could add to the excitement, lower the danger, and bring more girls into it because the fear factor would be reduced. Love to hear other opinions...