The Ball and Bats

[OldTimer]

This is an interesting topic and depending on whether you are a hitter or a pitcher will certainly influence your opinion. Any pitcher in his right mind would want to throw a 212. When I started playing this game it was dominated by the pitcher. There were alot of strikeouts and many 1-0 games. Now games are 18-5. I think the game has evolved on many levels: the balls, the bats, the quality of hitters, and the umps. With the 212 any pitcher could make it move. Today you have to work hard to get these rocks to move unless you are a "B" or higher pitcher. It's an economic issue on the ball. The 212 lasts for about 3 innings and then it's mush. As for hitters: there are many many more high caliber players playing down these days. Look at this weekend. There were quite a few players in the "C" tourney that could play "A". As for umps: they need to learn the strike zone to even things out. Hitters complain about a ball 2 inches off the plate. The ball is approximately 4 inches across. So a ball 1 inch off the white still catches 3 inches of the black. That should be a strike! Put it all together and it spells disaster for a legitimate "C" pitcher. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it!!

[Billy]

Oldtimer
Your best point "Batters can play "A" Ball"
The pitching is "C" this ='s big scores
Let "B" and higher use the ROCK
Give "C" pitchers a chance "Debeer 212"
Thank you for a very TRUE Statement!
I wish the C League would try it for one weekend!
_________________
Im at the end of my playing days and have made a lot of good friends thank u all for the great times.

[OldTimer]

It will never happen. If it did it would have to happen at the national level. I still maintain that the ball is only part of the problem. I can live with the ball if the umps widen the strike zone.

[Billy]

OldTimer
I can remember when we used to get both
This was before UMP's started Umping Girls Softball
OldTimer what if at the "C" Level They Gave pitchers both?
The Debeer 212 and a REAL strike zone !!
It might be fun again !! For pitchers
The hitters have the BATS give the Pitchers the Ball and a
TRUE STRIKE ZONE

_________________
Im at the end of my playing days and have made a lot of good friends thank u all for the great times.

[Farm27]

As much as I hate to say I agree with pitchers.... I think they are right on this one as far as the ball is concerned. I think every level should have a ball that is fair to both parties. Mizuno makes one. Stays hard throughout the whole game and doesn't carry 300 when you miss hit it. Bat manufacturers will never give in so the easiest change has to be the ball. As far as players "playing" down..if you enjoy playing in so.cal and like playing a few weekends with old friends don't ever play up, you will not be welcomed back and if, on that rare occasion you get to play you will be ridiculed for doing so and get to listen to whiney a@@ team managers complain to the tourney director. As a tourney director I wouldn't want to listen to it either. Call me old school but I miss the 1-0 and 2-1 ballgames which are a rarity even at the open level but a lot of factors contribute to that. Best of luck to everyone this year and thanks Jim for the opportunity to keep up on the action in so.cal!

TB

[other-way]

Billy, do us all a favor and retire already. I think you have to find a ball that is somewhere in between the rock and mush ball.Let's face it the umpires don't play favorites there inconsistent for pitcher's & hitter's. The C-alliance is the B- league of the past, of course without the pitching. But there are some very good pitchers in the alliance.Every team has player's that played or could play in higher division.What make's the alliance so appealling is you play alot more tournaments, it's local, and you know everbody, it's like an extended family. If you played up, you'll have travel across the country just to play a tournament.The A-B travel league plays 5 tournaments, but that"s not enough,not to compete at Nationals.Bottom line is maybe the pitcher's that don't like it, maybe they should stick to playing church leagues or go in to coaching.

[lovelolamom]

I agree with you Billy, the debeer 212 is the ball they should play with. I believe there is even a harder version of the 212 that acts the same but stays harder for a little bit longer. I'm a hitter, although not much of one based on last weeks tourny, but I don't like the hard ball either. It takes funny hops and someone could get hurt. The 212 even though it does get soft will still go a long way if hit solid. By the way, if you want to play in a league with the 212, play out in Lakewood. It's a great league played at a great park. It's a little pricey but there are no umpire fees, they supply the balls and there are about 15 games when you include playoffs. I pitch in the D-league there with my family team and it's a lot of fun. It probably doesn't matter how much we complain, they probably won't change anyway because of cost and the fact that's what they're using on the national level. Take care everybody, Bobby C.

[fpw]

Yet another victim of the poly core ball, this time, Mitch Mendenhall of the El Segundo Rounders. Some comments from the Editor of FPW in the April 26, 2004 edition of Morning Brief, "What will it take?"
http://www.fastpitchwest.com/morning_brief.htm

[Billy]

From Billy to all
I had the same thing happen to me last year!
I still have pain in the leg and a lump!
I had Blood drained 2 times from were the ball hit me.
POINT
My Dr. told me that if I had been hit in the heart or head I would have died (period.)
An Idea
Just one week use a de beer 212. What will it hurt, maybe not a pitcher!
Mitch Im very thankful you were not hit in the head.
Pitchers use a helmet!!! and shin-guards!!!!!
_________________
Im at the end of my playing days and have made a lot of good friends thank u all for the great times.