Just A Bit Inside!
Hello Fastpitch Fans,
It's been an interesting week. Getting the first rankings done was a chore but they are posted. I was initially just posting a list of teams that were "In Consideration for being ranked. That was a tough job as well due to several factors including 1) COVID caused cancellation of 2020 Season 2) unfamiliarity of young personnel on teams 3) only 4% of head coaches in the state returned Pre-season outlook surveys
The first rankings are on the Ranking page. they will surely be much different next week. Keep in mind that rankings mean nothing during the season but even with a little controversy on who is and who isn't it creates interest, bulletin board material and great ball yard banter and chatter.
Don't confuse the Fastpitch Chronicle Rankings with the rankings the coaches association has been doing the past few years. The Fastpitch Chronicle Rankings began in 2001. That's 20 years ago.
There are more coaches now sending in some great game reports. They are not extensive after all coaches are busy people. They have a lot on their plate.
I have been acting as a rules buff for years and have fielded quite a few questions this week. If you have a question or two just text, email or call me. This week I had about half a dozen calls about all the ways the DP/Flex can be used. There have also been some questions about pitching rules. As a matter of fact, I had one tonight from a coach where two experienced officials worked. In the first inning one of the pitchers was called for an illegal pitch because she stepped back after she had put her hands together but before she had separated them. Look that one up if you are interested. It's Rule 6, 1-2 a&b -- I'll just get you started with part a -- The pitch starts when the pitcher's hands separate after they have come together while the pivot foot is in contact with the pitcher's plate. She got called for stepping back after she had put her hands together after having stepped onto the pitcher's plate with her hands separated (6-1-1a). It seems that every coach, player, fans and officials ought to know the rules.
The DP/Flex rule is poorly understood by a high percentage of coaches and umpires. In the state tournament last year we were using the DP/FLEX (I used many ways and in most every game -- it gave me a chance to use many more players and that makes their moms and dads a lot happier than not getting to see their daughter get to play). If you have questions just call.
I am no longer a head coach but like I did when I was a head coach I still read one of the rules every day. On game days I read more than one rule. I always felt that it was my job to know the rules as well or even better than the umpire's did. It was my job to give my team the best chance they could within the rules to win games.
There will be a significant change at the state tournament this year. Last year we seeded all 5 divisions. The highest seed played the lowest seed in the semi-final so in D1 1 played 8 and so on down the line. In the other five divisions 1 played 4 and 2-3.
Here was the issue I had and brought to the attention of others. We were the #1 seed yet we were assigned a dugout. Then we had to play the second game of the session. Before the games at the state tournament the umpire liaison, the two head coaches and the umpires meet down the leftfield line right behind the foul pole outside the fence for introductions, questions, pregame protocol and the coin toss.
Last year however, it was for the coin tosses. In both of our games the umpires did that thing where they flip it to decide who is going to call it. Then they flip it again and that coach calls it. I hate that system. Here's why.
On Friday I lost both flips. On Saturday I lost both flips. We were the #1 seed and felt that the #1 seeds should be the home team to begin with so to not get that privilege and to lose all four flips was a sour deal. On top of that we played the second game so I had to be with the team to warm up and of course attend that meeting aforementioned above. I could not scout more than the first inning of the 2vs 3 game whereas Dan from Campbellsport had the opportunity for him and his staff to watch our entire game.
I was not the only head coach of a #1 seeded team that weekend and apparently other #1`s felt the same way I did. I will check but I believe the higher seed gets to choose which dugout they want and the 1v4 game will be the first one played in D2-D5 and they will be the home team. If I am mistaken , I am sure I will hear about what part of it is not true and will report in the next bulletin.
Here is a question for you. How many more ways are there to score from third vs second when there are less than two outs? Coaches ought to know them all because it should be a consideration for game strategy.
Here is another one - where is the river in a ball game? How about the bank. And where is the shore? You better know the circumstances those three teams create in a game you are coaching and officiating.
I have been watching some live streams of games so that's neat. The other night I watched Cameron at Grantsburg. It was a great game and sure beat the heck out of watching YouTube videos all night.
Hey, it's getting kind of late here and I need to get my head out of this box I am staring at. If you see me at a ball yard stop me and teach me something about this great game.
Oh by the way. The opening sentence of this Bulletin is -- IN THE RIVER!! Many times a human will then yell STRIKE!
Know today’s strike zone!
That is the first of five that I want my pitcher’s to be able to recite. I also want my batters to know what a strike is early in every game.
I have a great umpire story about what a strike is. I will tell that one to you in tomorrow’s Bulletin.
Have a great weekend!
Keep it Rising!
Bob
