Post by jake26 on Nov 27, 2011 22:44:52 GMT -5
After going out to Rockford about a month ago, I have thought a lot about how we could adapt the game of softball to the technology, yet still keep it the game we all know and love. I cannot remember who told me this theory on why participation is down, but I agreed with them. The good players will always play the game no matter what the technology is. The problem with participation are the players that are talented, but maybe cannot hit 400 ft homeruns. Then take these guys with the pitching mound close, fielders close, and a guy like Clark at the dish and guys like that will typically not play. We see it all the time in tournaments, thats why they have to make them D and E tournaments. I think if we change the game we can get participation back. Lets face it, 12 year olds can hit homeruns with some of the bats we use. Playing in the Rockford tournament made me realize that softball can become big again. Here is how it can work.
1. Move to a baseball field, with 90 foot bases. There are plenty of them that only have baseball one or two nights a week.
2. Use USSSA bats with zn balls.
3. use a screen that if hit the ball is live. I am talking the square bp screens we all have.
4. 5 homerun limit.
5. 11 players on the field.
This was the rules of the tournament in Rockford because it was in the minor league stadium out there, except there it was use any bats, any balls. The scores of the games were oddly the same as they are now, but talking to everyone it was a great feeling because it felt like you could make plays on the ball in the infield instead having no time to react, and the pitcher does not have to worry about getting hit, just quickly reacting to a ball that hits the net. I feel this would be a great game to start for a few reasons.
1. people arent affraid of getting hurt.
2. it is an easy transition for baseball players to come into, which is pretty much what we all were right?
3. homeruns are not what dominate the game.
4. lets face it almost all of us need to lose some weight so the extra 20 feet would do us some good.
1. Move to a baseball field, with 90 foot bases. There are plenty of them that only have baseball one or two nights a week.
2. Use USSSA bats with zn balls.
3. use a screen that if hit the ball is live. I am talking the square bp screens we all have.
4. 5 homerun limit.
5. 11 players on the field.
This was the rules of the tournament in Rockford because it was in the minor league stadium out there, except there it was use any bats, any balls. The scores of the games were oddly the same as they are now, but talking to everyone it was a great feeling because it felt like you could make plays on the ball in the infield instead having no time to react, and the pitcher does not have to worry about getting hit, just quickly reacting to a ball that hits the net. I feel this would be a great game to start for a few reasons.
1. people arent affraid of getting hurt.
2. it is an easy transition for baseball players to come into, which is pretty much what we all were right?
3. homeruns are not what dominate the game.
4. lets face it almost all of us need to lose some weight so the extra 20 feet would do us some good.