The Fastpitch Chronicle

And there's new grass on the field!

Ours has even been mowed once now.

Attention: Neenah is looking for a JV team to play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 9:00 am ish. Contact Rich Frost at 920-284-zero, seven, zero.three or e-mail him at rfrost@neenah.k12.wi.us and he'll take care of you.

Here is an important announcement from the NFHS, WIAA and Hillerich & Bradsby via the Arthur J. Gallagher Company.

All Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger OneX bats are banned. None pass the safety testing so their are banned and illegal bats in high school softball and all softball action. That announcement was made nationwide some time ago. School District business managers were even sent an e-mail from the Arthur J. Gallagher company. Here is the link to the information about the bats and the dangers they present.

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Louisville-Slugger-OneX-Fastpitch-Softball-Bats or Click Here

Description
The recalled bats include all OneX style bats. The composite bat has a white and grey shell with blue and yellow lettering. “Louisville Slugger oneX” appears twice on the barrel, in yellow in one place and in blue lettering on the other side. The “X” is yellow in both places.

Incidents/Injuries
Approximately170 bat handle separations have been reported to the company. The company is aware of one report of a barrel from a broken bat hitting a player in the shin.

Remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using the bat and contact Hillerich & Bradsby for a free replacement bat and the choice of an additional free item.

Sold at
The bats were sold nationwide at sporting goods, other retail stores and distributed to college amateur competitive softball teams from approximately May 2012 through February 2013 for about $350.

Importer
Hillerich & Bradsby Co. of Louisville, Ky.

Manufactured in China

Here are the rules covering the use of a banned bat.
Rule 1, Article 5, d, The bat shall: Meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear either the 2000 or 2004 certification mark (see figure 1-6) and no be listed on the ASA non-approved bat list as found on www.asasoftball.com. Bat barrels made entirely of wood are permitted and need not bear an ASA mark, but shall not exceed 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
Rule 7, Section 4 Batter is Out, Article 2 The batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat or is discovered having used an illegal bat and the infraction is detected before the next legal or illegal pitch (only the umpire or defense may detect an illegal bat). Penalty: (Section 4) The batter is out and in article 2 all runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. In Article 2 when the illegal bat is an altered or non-approved bat, the batter and head coach are also ejected. Runners would not return if they were put out on the play.

Ok - That's all self explanatory. I keep my banned bat list on my smart phone in pocket at all the games. It's readily available that way and not stuck in an equipment bag somewhere.

Are you aware that the NFHS Rules Book actually has a set of rules that cover Scoring and Record Keeping? I believe that many of you either don't know it's there or may not refer to hit often enough. Rule 9 begins on Page 72.

Ending a game with the 10-run rule. Runners on second and third in a nine-run differential game. Batter hits a ball in the gap. Runner from third scores the run that makes it a ten-run rule game. Batter is credited with a single as the game ended when the runner crossed home plate and the runner at second advanced safely or stayed at second and the batter-runner touches first base. If the 10th run scores but the the batter runner fails to touch first base with two outs and the defensive team appeals properly. Then what happens? If the batter hits an automatic home run in this situation she is credited with the home run and 3 rbi and the final score would be a 12-run differential (provided that the runner at third touched home plate and there is no appeal or upon an appeal the runner from third was ruled to have touched home plate). In this scenario it's important for a coach to know the rules on appealing missed bases and it's important that all umpires know how it must be administered.

And now a few highlights!

On Tuesday, Nicole Newman of Madison LaFollette tossed a perfect game at Madison East with 17 strikeouts. It was her fourth game allowing no hits. She threw three consecutive no-hitters on April 22nd, April 24th and April 25th.

Today Westosha Central took a two-game lead in the Southern Lakes Conference. Sarah Fonk tossed a two-hitter while frehsman catcher Kayla Konwent blasted two more home runs and had all three rbi. She also doubled in her first plate appearance. I wrote about her on Saturday night. Here is a recap from Tom Lampe, Co-Head Coach at Westosha Central: Westosha Central extended its lead in the Southern Lakes Conference with a 3-0 victory at Waterford. Sarah Fonk earned her 9th win (7 in the SLC) of the year by throwing a two-hit shut out while striking out 13. "Sarah has elevated to a higher level this year. Last year she kept batters off balance but in the last two weeks she has become dominant," said Co-Head coach Tom Lampe.

In the last three games, Fonk has stuck out 38 while allowing 5 hits (this included a perfect game on Monday). While the Falcons banged out 10 hits, Kayla Konwent
continued to be the spark on offense. Konwent had three hits and all three Falcon RBIs. In the 3rd inning, she scored Brittney Blazich on an RBI double. In the fifth she homered to center and in the 7th she homered again to right field. "Her approach to the plate never changes," added Lampe. "She is so disciplined. She is a joy to watch at bat."

So Fonk tossed a perfect game on Monday. I didnt' get a report from Tom about that game.

Chequamegon Head Coach Ken Dischler notched his 200th victory recently when the Screamin' Eagles beat Mellen. Congratulations to Ken, a great fastpitch promoter and ambassador and great guy. He was sent a Fastpitch Chronicle Coaching Award Certificate for the milestone victory.

Have a great day!
Keep it Rising!
Bob