LL Senior Division Softball championship on TV

did anyone see this on ESPN today? it was a team from New Jersey vs. Puerto Rico. PR won 3-2.

I was not really impressed with the overall play. Bunt execution not good. Didn't notice any slap hitting while I watched it. Questionable coaching decisions, I thought. Defensive play not up to par. PR won despite making 6 errors.

On the final batter of the game in the bottom of 7th inning, score tied, PR had runners on 2nd & 3rd , 1 out. So NJ's only chance was play the infield & outfield in and try to make a play at home or walk batter intentionally to set up a force play at home. The result: Ground ball to 2nd baseman, who throws the ball to 1st while the winning run slides across at home. HUH?? It did not look like to me that the NJ infield was playing in. ???

 

Yeah, I saw it and I agree. Poor decision making all around really but mostly with the coach of the NJ team when he pulled his pitcher. She was throwing well and they were not hitting her. She was throwing low 60's and he pulled her after the third inning. They were up 1-0. I would have kept her in till they started hitting her at least. The second pitcher was getting hit from the beginning. Not one slap in the entire game but a little bunting, not well executed.

 

Little league has inning and pitch count rules in fastptich. I watched the game on and off so I don't know for sure if the first NI pitcher reached her limit.
L.L. is more like HS then Travel ball in as much as you have a very well defined area that you can get players from, I am sure that they also compete with TB just like our rec leagues do which would also limit the player pool.
Congrats to PR for winning the senior softball LLWs.
The thing that bothered me the most was the venue at which they played. It looked like a typical LL field nothing close to what the baseball LLWS plays in and the girls stayed with host families or in hotels I think. Rather then the Dorm / village set up in Pa.

 

There are no pitch count rules in Fastpitch play in LL. There are Innings/Day and Consecutive Day rules though and it makes it tough when you play back to back or day to day games. You run out of pitching. LL has archaic rules and what you saw is the result of those rules - no one wants to play LL at the older levels.

Your right about it being still very much a "neighborhood" team with very strict rules regarding where you draw your players from(geographic boundaries). It wouldnt have to compete with travel ball. I think many dont realize that LL lifted the rules regarding playing in another program several years ago(for JR and SR level play) and they usually play most of their games during the week.

It is not a hand-picked group of kids but just a different type of venue for girls to play softball... it could be better but LL has to make the changes.

 

Thanks for the update and I agree it could be much better if LL wanted it to be.

 

llws, fastpitch

I know in Babe Ruth, at that age there are no pitching limitations, not sure about LL. I did see the game and agree, the play was not at the level we are used to seeing. LL and Babe Ruth could do much more to make things better.
I think most girls around here are playing TB instead because the competition level is much greater. If these 2 orgs. don't do something, they will be left out in the cold. Most girls I know, my DD included started playing in Babe Ruth. It would be a shame to let it get so far down.

 

boundaries

can you imagine if LL , Babe Ruth, and other associations of rec ball all-star teams did not have geographic boundaries? talk about stacked teams that you would see. It would be just another TB team competition. I like the boundaries rule. keeps the local community "feel".

 

South team is undefeated and will be on ESPN2 Tuesday

Simpsonville, SC All-Stars Little League World Series Portland, OR
These young ladies are doing their part to representing the South,our state and their community. They are currently 3-0 and play live Tuesday on TV ESPN2 9:30pm. If things go in their favor the championship game is Wednesday 7pm on ESPN2.
They also have a game today at 5pm. You can follow the team at the link below.
Carley Hoover has two shutouts for the South team. Carley is rising 8th grade pitcher for Daniel High School (SC). She also plays with the 14U Carolina Crush (SC).

http://www.softballworldseries.com/

 

Educate Me

I thought travel ball players couldn't play for the LL World Series ??


Guru still learning !!!

 

misc

apparently they changed that rule.

so the senior league that played Sat., won by P.R., was ages 13-15. ??