Hello Fastpitch World!
The snow that hit portions of Wisconsin on Monday disappeared quickly in some places even in Pepin where they had 8 inches. In Poynette we had about ¾ of an inch and by 3:45 we were back out on the field working on things that could help us be successful this season.
I’ve added all the team previews that I have received and it’s been pretty dismal to say the least. I enjoyed the Rock Valley preview that Tony in Edgerton sent in. If we could get one coach from each conference to do what he did we’d have every one covered. I’d imagine that some coaches feel overwhelmed but my answer to parents and others who email and ask why a certain school does not have a preview posted is,”Just ask our coach. They didn’t sent one in.”
There were supposed to be some games played in the State Journal coverage area today. I will be anxious to see how many of them did get played.
Poynette is looking to add a bunch of JV games to our schedule. If you are interested just give me a shout on my cell phone at 608-219-two,two,seven, five or emal to me at faspich1@aol.com and I’ll return your communication and we can work from there. We’d be interested in home and home games or even doubleheaders.
Here is a situation for you to deliberate tonight. Two outs and two strikes on the batter who swings and misses the next pitch which hits the dirt and bounces into the catcher’s mitt. What’s the call? Answer at the end of this bulletin.
Here is an unlikely play that could happen but in all my travels while playing and coaching I’ve never seen it take place. It must have somewhere though or it would not be in the rules book. With a runner at third, she breaks for home on the pitch as if in a squeeze play. The third sacker who is playing in for a possible bunt suddenly cuts off the pitch before it reaches home plate and tags the runner headed for home plate. What the call? Answer at the end of this bulletin.
The Poynette Fastpitch Organization has scheduled a 10-Under and 12-Under round robin event on May 16-17. There are opening s in both age groups. If you are a coach of those age groups or know of coaches in those age groups, consider entering your team that weekend. Entry fee is a reasonable $125. Contact me for more information. The PFO Summer Jamboree on June 19-21 is also seeking a few teams at the 10-U and 12-U age divisions. Check out the PFO website at www.pfo.clubexpress.com or eteamz.com/poynette for more information.
Marcy Thurwachter of the WIAA staff oversees the softball aspects of the organization. She does a tremendous job but we will be losing her after this season as she has announced her retirement this summer. We’ll miss her leadership but I’d like to thank her for all the time and effort she has expended over the years to move softball into the public’s eye more than before.
Here is the answer to the first situation. The ball is still live and the batter is entitled to a chance to advance to first base. If the catcher had caught the ball before it struck the dirt the batter would be out.
Here is the answer to situation #2. This play is treated the same as catcher obstruction. The ball becomes dead at the end of playing action and the coach or captain of the team at bat has the option of the play or penalty. If the penalty is accepted, the runner is awarded home and the batter is awarded first base (see rule 2-36 and Rule 8-1-1d).
Here is one last situation for you tonight. With a runner at second base and one out, the batter his a shot to deep centerfield and on the swing ticked the catcher’s mitt with her bat. The umpire noticed the obstruction by the catcher and signals delayed dead ball. The runner at second tags and with great speed beats the initial throw and relay to the plate and scores. What’s the call? Answer after salutation below.
It’s been a great two days for me this week. I’ve fixed the scoreboard at Diamond of Champions, purchased some used synthetic turf that was once the turf from Camp Randall Stadium and will use it for the surface of our two, new batting cages at school; located pipe to manufacture the framework to support the two cages and I donated two batting cages to the program. We’ve added new benches to our recently finished JV field covered bench areas, removed two pheasant brooder houses from my back yard and had two great high school softball practices.
Here’s hoping your week has been productive as well.
Have a great day and as always,
Keep it Rising
Bob
Answer to third situation: The coach or captain of the team on offense may advise the plate umpire that she/he elects to decline the obstruction penalty and accept the resulting play. The choice to elect to take the result of the play must be done before the next ptich (legal or illegal). See Rule 2-36.
Oh one more thing: FYI! There is not a balk in fastpitch softball. If you run into an umpire who calls a balk be sure to teach him/her that there is a difference between a balk in baseball and an illegal pitch in fastpitch softball. Now, what is the difference? Answer in the next bulletin.
Tag(s): Bulletins
