Teammates

I was watching the Cowboys game when I saw a commercial that said something profound… “Your not always going to like everyone you play with, but along the way you’ll meet people you love”.  Absolutely.

Sometimes, more than that…every once in awhile you put something together that does something amazing.  When you accomplish something great as part of a team, no one can take that from you.  Whether its winning a Conference event (and very few non-major teams have done that), winning a world ring, or going 3-2 in the Majors World Series, those moments are yours. When that happens you have a bond with your team, even the guys you may not like.

It’s hard to explain to people that don’t play sports WHY we play.  My wife is not from this country and to her she sees playing softball as a waste of time that I could be doing something else.  People outside the sport don’t know that the game creates a brotherhood of sorts.  Even if you don’t play on the same team, you still play.  You know what I mean…when your walking through Orlando International and you see a guy in a softball jersey, and you each nod at one another. Respect given for a fellow player, even if he’s not your teammate.

We all age.  We all will fade away at some point in our careers, but nothing will change that one time when we came together and accomplished something amazing.

The next time you argue with a teammate, or complain to your friends about something one of the players did, remember that at the end of the season they were your teammate and your friend. Games come and go, but friends are for life. No matter how much you like the guy playing to the left or right of you, you are all fighting for that elusive win.  So have each others backs, even in the dugout.

That means be the best player you can.  Take the BP, do the work, and show up on time and ready to play.  Don’t bitch, piss or moan when a teammate makes a mistake (because it happens to all of us), pick them up, be positive.  Good things will happen when you stand together.

Losing

I started thinking about this as I looked down our bench after the USSSA “A” world.  We were beaten, limping and pretty much the walking wounded.  Four of our 10 were injured…worse yet, we had only a few days to recover before having to play the Major World Series.

You’d think that since we played a world tournament with only 10 guys a 2-2 finish would be okay, especially since we were missing 5 players, several of whom were starters. Yet somehow It didn’t lessen the sting of losing.

So I started to think how much I hate losing…then it occurred to me…losing is sometimes a good thing.  Now think about it before you blast me for saying.  Yes, losing sucks.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it…however, it’s because we lose that we can fully appreciate what it means (and how hard it is) to win.

In our participation trophy society we are phasing out the life lesson of winners vs. losers.  Everybody wins.  Except that’s not how things are or how the real world works. Someone wins, and the rest lose. Period.

Every single day this happens.  How else would people become driven enough to be millionaires? You need to lose and understand how much you HATE IT in order to be driven to succeed.

Apply this to softball.  If you spent as much time working on your game (hitting BP and taking ground balls) as you do playing video games like Call of Duty or Minecraft, imagine how good you could be.  If every player on your team had that attitude, how good would your team be?

So, yes, losing blows. So what are you going to do about it?

The Thrill of the Ride

It was the fall of 2007 and I sat on my Honda CR 250 looking down the edge of a nasty hillside at the Red River in Munster OK. This trail would make a Billy Goat puke.I was even more concerned as my Trusty Honda CRF 450 4 Stroke had suffered valve issues the night before and left me riding a 25 mile cross country sprint on my back up bike … a 2 stroke.  This trail was 6 inches wide at best.

I had two choices.  Go around and lose 4 or 5 minutes or gain what time I could by going down this scary drop.  I toke a deep breath and eased the bike over the edge.  Immediately the motor stalled out as I had to lock up both breaks and begin the head first slide down the cliff face.  The shale and red dirt provided even more of a slick surface.  The back end began to break loose and in a few moments I was no longer going down the cliff side head first but sideways as the rear end broke loose. I hung on for dear life.  This was going to end one of two ways … with me gaining precious minutes on my competition that was taking the long way down or me riding to the hospital in the back of an ambulance telling the paramedic “Well it seemed like a good idea at the time…”

I hit the river bed hard but upright.  I twisted the throttle and shot out and quickly picked up speed.  It could have been 200 yards or two miles that I raced down the river bed at over 80 miles an hour going full out.  One mistake and I’d be toast.

I finished the race 14th overall.  Noting to write home about.  However, that one incident has stuck with me to this day.as one of the most thrilling rides I’ve ever had.

Isn’t that what sports are all about?  Winning and losing have slowly begun to surpass the true meaning of competition.  Sports used to be about the thrill of competition.  Winning was great but you as participant gave all that you had in pursuit of excellence.  Failure happens all the time.  Yet all it takes is one win or one special moment to make everything worthwhile and to push us to be exceptional. Sometimes it only takes one moment, one play or that “one” incident (whatever it is) to provide a life long memory and to give you something to hold you close to that sport.

I’ve been in competitive sports my whole life.  I’ve never been exceptional or excelled at any one particular sport.  I’ve always done well, but rarely have I won.  This has never dulled my spirit or desire to play or compete.  I can honestly say I’ve learned more from my defeats and losses than I’ve ever learned from winning.

The spirit of competition.  The thrill of the ride.  That’s what sports should be about.  That’s what softball should be about.  A few years ago a friend of mine was pitching and they were playing against 454 in the Euless Major. Rusty Bumgardner hit a bullet at him and he caught it.  For years afterwards he would talk about that as one of the best moments he’d ever had.  Not that they lost the game, but that he had a noteworthy play.

Why is that?  Because we want to compete.  It’s practically a trait in our DNA.  Softball is a team sport, but memories that you make and how they link you to a sport are yours.

So my point is simple.  From Major to E.  Play the game for the competition.  Play the game for yourself.  Use it to measure not success or failure, but to provide you those great moments in your life that YOU hold dear.

In other words … do it for the thrill of the ride.  See you out there.

Improve your game and improve your chances to move up

Lot’s of players send me emails asking me this quesiton: “I’m a good player and I hit about .700.  What can I do to get seen and move up”.  Well first of all, let’s talk about something, and this is not a slam on these guys…but .700-.750 hitters in D are NOT .700 hitters in Conference.

Many of the guys sending me emails thinking that they are ready to move up and just need an opportunity have no idea how different the game is. First there are some different rules.  The first one is that pitchers must toe the rubber before the pitch, and that umpires in the Conference are going to call true USSSA strikes.   Flat fastballs and close pitches are generally not going to be called.  This seems like it would favor the hitters, and it does to some degree, but what I’ve seen with the newly moved up hitters is that they fail to recognize that they will get a true strike, and so rather than wait for a good pitch and hit their pitch they jump on a bad pitch (not realizing they can take it because it won’t be called) and that’s just the beginning.

Another key change is the defenses are MUCH better than what they’ve seen in D and even C.  All the infielders play deep and have good arms.  The players shift on every batter and move around based on each batter.  They keep track of who hit where and how often as well as noting how the batter is set up.  Moreover the pitcher will work the batter to get them to hit the pitch they want them to hit and not the one they want.  The conference pitchers are really good at pitching to their defense.

So the D player with the .700 average is suddenly struggling to hit .500.  This is not a slam on these guys, but rather a reality check.  I get that they want to move up, but even the C players see a big drop in there average in the first year (most, not all).  There are subtle aspects of the game that change from standard USSSA to Conference.

So you know that you’re hitting has to be better.  Moreover you know that bat testing is going to happen, so (and I’m not accusing anyone) you better make sure you can still hit .700 with a LEGAL bat.  If you want to improve your chances to get seen and move up, then you need to do several things:

1. Take BP and I don’t mean hit once a week.  To make the transition you have to move away from being a one dimensional hitter.  On most Conference roster of B or higher teams, 9 out of the 11 guys can hit it out at any time.  So home run hitters aren’t that impressive.  You need to be able to hit gaps and hit the ball down and find those open holes.  To do that you need bat control. You don’t get that hitting 50-100 balls a week.  You need to hit 50-100 or more balls a DAY.
2. Get to the gym. Sure you play lots of games in D and you play every weekend, but how often do you worry about conditioning?  You probably don’t…and you really should. I’m not saying bulk up or shoot up.  I’m saying work on your cardio.  Improve your durability. Until you play a season in Conference with all the travel and different conditions you don’t realize how much it wears you down.  The first part of the season is the easy part…it’s the last few events and the world events that you’ll see that conditioning pay off.
3. Move up to a C team (even if your going to sit or play less).  Why? While C may not be Conference many C teams are the B teams of 5-7 years ago.  The competition will be harder, the defense better and the pitching will be harder.  True it’s slow pitch but these guys at the C level are starting to figure out the way to pitch to there defenses, and while they may work the umpires to get flat pitches and other advantages you will have to make adjustments to the pitching… same as you will have to in Conference.
4. Get a book.  Make sure to track your own stats.  Many players THINK they are .700 hitters and you see it all the time on the message boards, but what are you really hitting?  Make sure you are really hitting your numbers.  Once you start seeing what your stats are you can begin to adjust your game.  Track your home runs and see how much of your average is based on home runs.  Take them out of your stats and see what your average is then.  In Conference you’re going to be asked to do far more than hit the ball out.  Make sure you can get your average up to .600+ when hitting the ball down and in the gaps.  Become that complete hitter teams look for and you will find yourself with offers.
5. Don’t overlook your defense in your quest to be noticed.  Just like taking 50-100 swings a day you need to get out there and work on your position, or better yet work on your best position, then work on your secondary positions. Take ground balls as much as you hit BP.  Every week you’re going to be on different fields in Conference, with different conditions, some good, some not so good.  The more ground balls you take the quicker you can adjust to the changing surfaces.
6. Be willing to sit.  Understand that despite everything you think you’ve proved to get where you are, it means nothing to the experienced Conference player or coach.  To them you’re a rookie. You need to pay attention and learn the subtle differences in the game played at the Conference level and you need to study what your team does and how they play the game.  Look at how you can make yourself the best fit for the position(s) they need you at and focus on improving your game at that position.  You’ll get plenty of chances to play if you do.  Making the most of those chances is how you get on the field more and earn that starting position.

So if you can do these things and get your average to .700 or better in C then you have a much better chance of being noticed. You need to also try and attend as many Conference events as you can.  Make friends with as many Conference players as you can.  Ask them for pointers.

What doesn’t help your chances is out right asking a sponsor for a chance.  I’ll tell you why.  Early on I was always trying to find local talent and build locally.  Problem is that you quickly learn that you need experience and you need leadership.  Those qualities aren’t going to be found in the up and rising D/C players the majority of the time.  Not because they don’t have the personality or character, but because the experienced Conference players simply know more about the Conference  style of play than they do.  You also have to earn their respect before you can expect them to value your opinion.  Sponsors will look for talented young and humble players who display qualities that they need in positions they are trying to fill, but they are not likely to look to D/C to find those players.  They will more likely look for experienced Conference players first, then if they fail to find that guy that meets there needs (or if their budget doesn’t have room for that player) then they may look locally.  It’s at that point that your networking with these players will help you at least get a look.

Hot Bats

Ugh…. I really hate this subject.  Why? Because everyone talks about it and secretly many who claim to hate shaved bats have them in there bag.  There are so many schools of thought on this I don’t know where to start.  So forgive me if this seems like the jumbled ramblings of an old man (cuz it is).

First let’s talk technology.  The newest Worth and Miken bats I swung this season were incredible (I’m sure there were other hot ones, but we are a Worth team so that’s what I have experience with).  I am not a power hitter, but many on VCH are and WOW… they hit some serious bombs with those bats.  I tested many of our bats when they arrived.  Brand new with the plastic still on the average Worth Legit (all models) tested around 260.  A round of BP later most of those dropped to 240…within 250 hits they were hovering around 225-230.

The flex on these bats allows for amazing results even when they were new.  Which is part of the bat science most ball players aren’t paying attention to.  Whip.  Whip is how much these bats can bend backwards then whip forward.  Think of field hockey.  The ball is in the net and they whip the stick (I have no idea what it’s called) to fling the ball out of it at high speed.  Same thing with bat whip.  Not only do you have the barrel flex when it makes contact you have the entire barrel shifting back then forward in a whipping motion to add even more velocity.  This whip isn’t subject to testing either… so more whip, more distance.

Of course this is not the case with a one piece bat.  Since there is no joint between handle and barrel the one piece bats generally don’t whip and thus you have to shave more to get more…

Another common practice is known as “sleeving”.  In this case you remove the sleeve from a senior bat, remove the sleeve from the target bat, place the senior sleeve into the target bat, and presto! Legal senior bat.

There are other tricks as well such as players who add weight to the end load while removing the end load to make the bat much more end loaded. Then of course there is rolling.  Rolling is the practice of compressing a bat in a vice to simulate hundreds of hits to get a bat game ready.

Of them all, rolling is probably the least offensive because while you are not supposed to do such things the bat shows no signs of being altered nor is it likely to exceed 220 for very long before breaking.

Which brings me back to my point… is $200 worth throwing away just to hit a few home runs?  Is there a Nike contract or Under Armor deal in it for you?  No.

So what if your only good not great.  The reality is your not half as good as you think you are because you’re cheating yourself with a doctored bat.  If you put in the time, and focus on improving your game then you won’t need a doctored bat.

 

Playing Up

I get asked this question a lot…”What can you do to help me play up”.  Odd that I get asked that in today’s softball world of playing down to win a T-Shirt.  But it does happen. So I’ll do my best to help you out.

First and foremost to move up you have to get seen.  By that I mean you have to play your best game against the competition.  Even when that means taking a beating.  Then you have to go talk to them, ask them questions about how they met each other, how the team got together, and ask the coach if he has any tips.  Leave the coach your number and say “I want to play up, and I’m willing to do whatever and play wherever you need”.
This is the moment when your play on the field meets your personality… you can’t be mouthy and loud.  Let your play speak for itself.  Then when you talk to the coach of those other teams he’s likely to consider calling you.  You may be the 12^th guy, but show a willingness to show up, play hard and you will get a chance to move up.

Character matters.  These people don’t know you.  If all they see is how you act on the field then that’s all they can judge you by.  If I’ve learned anything in my 45 years on this earth it’s that people make snap decisions (first impressions) based on something you say or do that triggers a response from them.  It’s really hard to change that impression if it’s negative.  When we make friends with someone we start with a clean slate.  Nothing negative.  Over time as we get to know them their “friendship” stock will rise and fall as we learn more about them.  On the softball diamond it’s true as well.  But this will only happen if you put forth your best effort, best attitude and be humble in victory or defeat. Be that team first guy who plays for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back.

Don’t get me wrong.  Your performance as a player will carry weight….but as an unknown you have to provide the coach with something else, something intangible that makes him want you on his team.

None of this guarantees you a spot on a new team, but it’s a start.  Everyone started somewhere, even the guys who’s names are on the bats were once beginners.

A word about Sponsors

I’m not sure if this should be called Sponsors – and the mistreatment of them or Sponsors – what makes them do it?  Now before you light up my inbox with all your thoughts about it, let’s establish some ground rules for how we can view sponsors, which in turn might help us determine good vs. bad.

Sponsor type #1 – the guy who puts out money to have a team, buys the uniforms, pays the fees and is happy being the coach.  Doesn’t have a ton of extra money, maybe buys nice sub dyes for everyone.

• Pros – He doesn’t play so his talent level isn’t a deciding factor in playing for him.  This is normally someone who wants to have fun on the weekend hanging out, and is generally found at the D or E level.  Not always, but I’m trying to give a general view here.
• Cons – He doesn’t have much money, so it’s not a lot of travel but he does pay the entry fee and give you a shirt

Sponsor type #2 – same as number 1 but wants to play.

• Pros – He pays for your tournaments, jerseys and wants to play a bunch every month
• Cons – He may or may not be good so you take the risk.  His skills may or may not be equal to the level of play he’s sponsoring

All other sponsors are some variation of type 1 or 2.

So the first thing that I find absolutely appalling is the complete lack of respect for Sponsor type #2.  A few months ago there was an article on sponsors which did nothing but degrade them for wanting to play.  Which brings me to the curious question, If you know what they (the sponsor) wants to do when you agree to play for them, why would you have a problem when he plays?

I’ve asked this question numerous times, and it always comes back to a few answers, but for the most part it’s summarized as: “We want to win and when he’s in the game we feel that we don’t have our best 10 out there.”

Okay.  So let me ask you this:  When you signed on to play for the sponsor did they tell you they were going to play?  Did you have a problem with it at the time?  Did you agree that was fine?

So in short, you knew what he wanted, you agreed to it, and now you’re pissed off that he’s doing what he said he was going to do?

At what point does playing a game for fun and being competitive over take common sense? You knew the obligations.  You knew the sponsors wishes, and you signed on.  When he doesn’t live up to your expectations you want to leave.

Okay.  Now let’s flip this around.  A sponsor has paid for your bag, bat, uniform, maybe travel, etc.  You decide you can get a better deal from team X so you leave.  IF you return the equipment it’s only because you got new equipment from your new team.

So who’s worse?  The sponsor who’s up front and honest or the player that bails for every “bigger and better” deal they can get?

In the end it’s all contributing to the decline of softball.  Sponsors don’t want to sponsor because if they want to play they feel pressured to be a certain caliber and if they are not then they will feel bad being on there own team, and let’s face it, there are more type 2 sponsors than there are type 1.  Players only want to play for the team that will give them the most to play for them.  Gone are the days of asking a player to pay their own way…Good Lord who even does that anymore (said with as much sarcasm as I can write).

Gone is the respect and commitment to the guy paying for your privilege to be on the diamond.  It’s become about the individual players and what they demand to play.

In order for the game to grow, players need to grow.  It’s not all on the sponsors shoulders, true they need to do there part and be as honest and up front about what they want and there expectations, but players need to remember Loyalty and Commitment. Two words that are slowly fading into memory in the softball world.

My final thought is this…softball is declining as a whole.  For various reasons, technology, other things to do, growth of other sports,..too many things to list.  We can’t control those things.  What we can do is appreciate those who put up there own money for grown men to play a game.  Show respect to each other.  Players and Sponsors CAN grow this game again, but only if we find a way to get to the medium ground.  E ball is thriving because it’s where the sponsors go now… upper ball is dying and the gap between upper and lower widens when a sponsor leaves because they’ve been burned. Time for all of us, who love this game, to step up and be men of honor.  Do what we say we are going to do. Commit.  Finish what we’ve started and maybe, just maybe softball will grow.

Accountability in Softball

Well, it’s September.  The Conference season is ending and we’re headed to the Major World Series.  I have to say, I’ve seen more than few bad behavior traits beginning to surface in “upper” softball.  I see more players argue balls and strikes and calls with umpires than ever before.

A few years ago we were playing a BS tournament at Big League Dreams in Mansfield Texas.  Former Texas Ranger Kevin Mench was there playing on a team.  He struck out looking on a nasty knuckle ball and rather than argue with the umpire, or have a fit, he looked at the pitcher and said “great pitch” and walked to the dugout. I don’t know the man personally, but I know class when I see it.  This was a man paid millions of dollars a year to play a sport which is significantly more difficult than slow pitch, and he showed more class than many “upper” players do.  Is it because in baseball players who are successful 35% of the time at hitting are considered good? Or is it because he has a respect for the game that we are lacking these days?

Now I’m not saying everyone, but we know who the “best of the best” are, and we see what happens when an umpire makes a call they don’t like.  It’s time for us as players to change our attitudes about how we play the game.  Win with class, lose with class.  I’ve heard this my whole life.  It’s a motto I’ve lived by and I want my team to play by.

Am I perfect? No.  Do I get mad and complain, not very often.  Why? Because I know what life is about…and softball isn’t life.  It’s a weekend hobby.  No one (even the top players) are getting rich off playing.  There are no million dollar Nike or Under Armor contracts.  Maybe you get your name on a bat … but you’re talking about the top 10% of the top 20% in the country.

It’s time for us as players to begin to accept our responsibility to be better than the rest.  We already play on the top teams in the country, so why are we not acting like it?  We have the conference contracts so when will there be a behavior section added to it?  Is it time to have a commissioner who punishes players for bad behavior? Or will that simply open the door to more reports of favoritism?

I don’t have all the answers but I would love to know what you think.

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The Death of Sportsmanship

Well, it’s May.  The Conference is in full swing.  Many teams are already battling it out and looking forward to the World Series, others are making adjustments to schedules and Rosters, trying to find that elusive mixture that will take them to the Championship.

I think one of the best topics to write about is the death of the true meaning of Sportsmanship.  By this I don’t mean shaking hands at the end of a game, telling the other team “good game” or “good luck guys”.  Major or lower ball player, most of us can still shake hands and show respect at the end of a game.  That is not what I am referring to.

Sportsmanship: Conduct (as fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport.

It’s sad that in today’s world kids are raised so “everyone’s a winner”.  It’s bullshit.  The reason the United States advanced in major fields like technology, warfare, and medicine is our never say die, never give up, never quit attitude. Because of this our country has survived and thrived, for the simple reason we knew one simple truth “You win.  Period. There are no trophies for second place”.  In the “modern” world of today all kids make the team, all kids get trophies and they are all told “You can be anything you want”.   They get trophies for just playing the game, and those trophies are called “Participation Trophies”.  What the hell? That’s complete crap.  Since when do we give out awards for showing up?

I help coach my son’s little league team.  I know many of those kids will never be ball players.  Lying to them feels like it’s much worse than telling them “you’re not good at this, but maybe you’d be great at another sport”.  They want to be part of a team. I get that.  There are many lessons to be learned when you are on a team, and many of those lessons are valuable.  However, the biggest lesson, that of not being the starter, riding the bench and waiting your chance to play or be in the lineup is overlooked.  There are 13 kids on my son’s team.  I have 13 kids in the lineup every week.  Not my best 9. Every kid on the team.  Even if that kid can’t tell which end of the bat to grip, they get to hit.

Remember when we were kids?  Remember the day that it was time for baseball tryouts? I do.  I remember because I didn’t practice, and thought I could make the team without much effort.  I was wrong.  When I was 9 I failed to get picked for a Little League team.  Did I give up? Hell no.  I used that failure (because that’s what it was) as motivation. I practiced every day that I could for the next 12 months to get ready for try-outs.

I wasn’t the fastest, and I wasn’t the best fielder, but I could throw 5-10 MPH faster than most kids my age, and I worked on it.  I hit baseballs off a T for hours, trying to find just the right form. I threw baseballs for hours at a tire hanging on the wall of one of our Tractor sheds.  I played in every pickup game around the neighborhood I could find, just so I could hit against real pitching.  The following year I was one of the first kids picked.

I made the team because I practiced for hours to be better.  I was never good enough to make the all-star team until I was in Babe Ruth League.  I never quit.  I never played down.  I always try to play at the highest level, even if I’m not one of the top guys, I play hard and practice to be better.

Would I take being a starter on a “D” team over being a role player on a conference team? Never. I can’t even fathom that logic…yet the 20 -30 year olds of today would rather play “D” and win a T-Shirt than struggle to get better while getting their ass kicked in “C” and watching, and waiting for that opportunity to play Conference ball.

Opinions on this vary.  I don’t doubt that many will say I’m wrong.  I have nothing to base my opinion on other than what I have seen or read over the last few years.  One thing I do believe though, is that our Local and State directors haven’t killed the local programs.  Nor has any one association, be it USSSA, ASA, NSA or any organization.  Players with the wrong attitude have.

They’d rather accept a trophy for being average, then lose on the big field to Resmondo, Laser Vision, or one of the other showcase Major teams.  Not me.  I’ll take my ass kicking and come back, again and again and again… Until we win or I retire.  No way in hell will I accept anything else, nor will I let my son if I have anything to do about it.  I don’t lie to him.  I don’t coddle him.  I tell him to go to the cages with me, and hit.  I measure off the distance for a pitcher’s mound to home plate and then for as long as my knees can stand it, I squat and let him pitch to me. I tell him that he won’t make it on talent alone.  He has to work and be dedicated.  I try to show him my work ethic by going to hit every day and taking him with me whenever I have him.

That’s how we change this game we love. Teach the next generation(s) that losing is a part of life.  It’s what you do after that loss that defines you, shapes you and help make you the man you can be and should be.

The biggest thing that gets overlooked in my mind is that losing teaches humility. Not being good enough is why we try harder. What child is enticed to do beyond the bare minimum if they are told that’s good enough? This is not just a softball issue.  This is a cultural divide.  “Modern” society is teaching us not to spank our kids. To reward mediocrity. To avoid confrontation and that even if you lose you win. What BS is this?

When these kids get older and discover that the world doesn’t hand out a trophy for second place, or participation what’s going to happen?

You know why we hear about shaved bats, steroids and all the other “problems” with softball? Because the guys that lost don’t know how to deal with it like a man. No one wins every game. You will lose. What you do and how you conduct yourself when you lose is the true measure of a man. I respect the guys I play against. I respect the guys that lose to us and are still genuine in their comments of “good game” and “good luck”. Those are the guys we should want our children to be like.

Welcome to Softball Nation 365! Softball 365 days a year.

After 20 years of playing softball around the country and being on teams I’ve seen many things (good and bad) and decided that it’s time for me to start putting my thoughts down.  That’s what this site is … a site about my thoughts. Topics such as Players, proposed rule changes, local softball and others.  If you have something you’d like me to write about, please feel free to email me.  If you have something to say (good or bad) about articles on this site, please remember, these are my opinions and therefore judge them as such.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy reading these articles!