Fastpitch Softball 2008

[BDA]

First, why would anyone EVER throw a fastball??? Someone please tell me. Why would you throw a pitch straight on plane when you can throw a pitch that moves and hit the same spot? What does it tell you about an instructor who has their student throwing a fastball? I will let you draw your own conclusions. A real pitching instructor would improve this kids pitching by leaps and bounds simply by dropping two of those pitches, focusing on the drop and change and hitting her spots with them.

If you don't have a fastball, then what's a "change?"

[surfishin]

if you don't have a fastball, then what's a "change?"

lol!!

[screwball]

Hey, what's wrong with having 6 pitches?

From http://www.catosterman.com/bio.html

"A left-hander, Cat stands 6-2, with hands so large she can grip a softball entirely with her fingers rather than having to cradle it in her palm. That allows her to put above-average spin on the ball and surprise batters as arguably no one has. She has command of six pitches but claims she rarely throws her fastball. "

Shouldn't every 12 year old be like Cat Osterman? Hey, add the 7th and top her.

Here is one woman, the best movement pitcher of all time and she throws 5 pitches and I would bet she only really ever used 4. She is one in a million with this ability and with the time to focus on pitching every day for years. Comparing her to any other pitcher at nearly any level is not logical. I will concede that if a pitcher can master the three bread and butter pitches that I have mentioned, will be facing the top hitters in the world, and has the time and talent, to add a curveball would be an option. Here is a trivia question for our board members, what standout pitcher did exactly this and what did she accomplish?

[Softballfan]

Not to move away from a fascinating subject that has been explored only 20 or 30 times on this board, but what do you make of the USSSA state tourney and the choice to seed teams based on points instead of random? Seems like an effort to reward teams that play USSSA. Power rating would have been more appropriate move to make the seeding more fair instead of simply more profitable.

[heavy]

Not to move away from a fascinating subject that has been explored only 20 or 30 times on this board, but what do you make of the USSSA state tourney and the choice to seed teams based on points instead of random? Seems like an effort to reward teams that play USSSA. Power rating would have been more appropriate move to make the seeding more fair instead of simply more profitable.

It makes no difference to me how they do it. Why not try to entice more teams to play USSSA tournaments?

[Softball Dad]

Looks like Bill threw all of us a SCREWBALL....

And yes, since they have a power rating system then why not use it.. it would better seed teams based on effort and not tournament appearances.. ie money / support.

[heavy]

it seems to me that one side of the bracket is always loaded and one is less so. It doesn't matter which way the seeds are done. You have to beat good teams to get to Sunday either way

[mrman]

Rise, Drop, Change, what is a fastball ?. I see games where catchers take direction from the pitching coach on what pitch is to be thrown, and the ball never moves and location never hit. When are these so called pitching coaches going to teach CONTROL/LOCATION

[Coach501]

Not to move away from a fascinating subject that has been explored only 20 or 30 times on this board, but what do you make of the USSSA state tourney and the choice to seed teams based on points instead of random? Seems like an effort to reward teams that play USSSA. Power rating would have been more appropriate move to make the seeding more fair instead of simply more profitable.

Why wouldn't the USSSA try to get more teams to play more USSSA? I am pretty sure Pepsi would like to have more people drink Pepsi. TGI Fridays would like more people to eat at TGI Fridays. And I am sure that every one on this board would like more people to use the product/service that helps to pay his/her mortgage (I know I would). There is nothing even remotely close to questionable with this. Any draw means that you have to play the best to get to the championship. So is there really a big deal here?

[surfishin]

This year, for the first time, USSSA put their State Championship into, basically, 2 brackets, an "A" and a "B". This was to directly compete with the market that ASA had drawn on the same weekend for the latter class of teams. Call it what you will, it's a huge market. ASA re-established a draw in this area for "B" class play, and USSSA wants a slice of that pie.( Natural market forces at work). The thought was probably to have 2 large brackets in the USSSA State Championship, but the ASA tournament is still a decent draw and many teams didn't switch venues. There's no reason for either org to "target" the other's State Chamionship by moving theirs on top of the others date. Play ball.

[masoump]

USSSA has also started a Class C State tournament for Rec and CML teams. From my standpoint, ASA let girls fastpitch get away from them for years in Maryland and NSA and now USSSA got their foothold on this area. Now ASA is trying to get a piece of that pie back. You are right competition is good, but eventually one will rise above the other and since ASA is more reliant on slow pitch in this area and USSSA does only fastpitch I think the handwriting is on the wall.

[screwball]

Not to move away from a fascinating subject that has been explored only 20 or 30 times on this board, but what do you make of the USSSA state tourney and the choice to seed teams based on points instead of random? Seems like an effort to reward teams that play USSSA. Power rating would have been more appropriate move to make the seeding more fair instead of simply more profitable.

It’s unprofessional and completely unfair!!!! Especially to 4 teams, 2 in 14u and 2 in 16u who will have to play and win in extra game just to get an equal spot in the bracket with the rest of the teams. Ask MD magic orange how critical it is in the heat of the summer, (it is supposed to be in the upper 80s on Saturday) to have to play an extra game in a tournament where each game is critical. The 16u team that loses that extra game will then have to win 4 more games on Saturday straight just to make it to Sunday, that’s 5 games!! The 14u team will have to win 3 more straight for a total of 4 on Saturday to make it to Sunday. Compared to the other 14u teams who only have to win 2 to get to Sunday. The state championship tournament has to be formatted in a way to assure each team is given an equal shake and this is not it. Having said all that what in life is fair? Softball should be used to teach our kids life lessons and this is life, a champion doesn’t whine in any situation but finds a way to overcome and win. Hopefully the coaches will use this as a motivational tool. It is what it is, let’s play ball!!

[The Real Truf]

This isn't the first year that some teams have had to play an extra game in the State Tournament. Hell, back a few years ago, the coaches and PLAYERS thought it was "unfair" if they weren't one of the teams getting the extra game. That way everyone got plenty of time ... and the best team will win, regardless of their seed or the number of games they need to play to do it. If you don't truly have two #1 pitchers, your chances of winning a double-elimination tournament aren't that good anyhow !!!

[screwball]

This isn't the first year that some teams have had to play an extra game in the State Tournament. Hell, back a few years ago, the coaches and PLAYERS thought it was "unfair" if they weren't one of the teams getting the extra game. That way everyone got plenty of time ... and the best team will win, regardless of their seed or the number of games they need to play to do it. If you don't truly have two #1 pitchers, your chances of winning a double-elimination tournament aren't that good anyhow !!!

Its not an extra game in the state tournament. Its an extra game you have to win to get to the state tournament!!!

[The Real Truf]

Its not an extra game in the state tournament. Its an extra game you have to win to get to the state tournament!!!

lol. It's an extra game in the state tournament. Win or lose, you are still in the tournament !!!
Ask PFI, he'll tell you that I'm right !!!

[The Real Truf]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/spor...ball_team.html

[surfishin]

USSSA has also started a Class C State tournament for Rec and CML teams. From my standpoint, ASA let girls fastpitch get away from them for years in Maryland and NSA and now USSSA got their foothold on this area. Now ASA is trying to get a piece of that pie back. You are right competition is good, but eventually one will rise above the other and since ASA is more reliant on slow pitch in this area and USSSA does only fastpitch I think the handwriting is on the wall.

Careful what you read, because that's some lousy writing.

[RB_Dad]

ASA is more reliant on slow pitch in this area and USSSA does only fastpitch

Are you saying Bill Dowell only does fastpitch? There are many slowpitch USSSA tournaments in the area. Matter of fact, C NIT was at Bachman yesterday.

[The Real Truf]

Are you saying Bill Dowell only does fastpitch? There are many slowpitch USSSA tournaments in the area. Matter of fact, C NIT was at Bachman yesterday.

Yes JVeeez ... Bill only does Fastpitch !!!

[RB_Dad]

Yes JVeeez ... Bill only does Fastpitch !!!

I know that.
I was trying to figure out what he meant when he said USSSA only does fastpitch. Bill Dowell might only do fastpitch, but there is plenty of USSSA slowpitch in the area.
I guess my question was actually a correction.