Fastpitch softball -- it's not just a girl's game.
Unfortunately for the young males out there they've grown accustomed to the game being just that in their minds - a sport for females.
The history of the game reveals something much different. It was a men's game first and then was played by ladies.
It's still a men's game to this day. As a matter of fact, many of the greatest players in the world are men.
If you are reading this and are with a couple hours of Denmark, Wisconsin I can suggest something to you that would be a real fastpitch treat. Take a drive to Denmark and then go west on Highway 96. In about three miles watch for a sign that says "Circle Tap" and head that way.
Once there you will be treated to some of fastpitch played by many of the greatest players the fastpitch world has to offer in 2013. You won't see pitches in the low 50s to mid 60s. You won't see runners at first and third and a runner attempt to steal second base (at least not very often).
What you will see are pitchers that throw the ball in the high 70s to about 82 mph. They make it go up and they make it go down. They make it curve and they mix in some nasty change ups down around the 62-63 mph range.
Just imagine if you will a change up that that travels 60+ miles per hour. Most of the time you've spent watching the girls play you may have yearned just to see a few pitches hit 60 mph. At Circle Tap you will see those change ups in excess of that 60 mph speed.
If you're thirsty Circle Tap can take care of that too. The establishment is right next to the ball yard. You can actually sit inside the Tap and watch the game out the window. You can sit on the deck or along the sidelines or if you are lucky you can sit right behind home plate and lean up against the wall of the original Circle Tap.
Here's another treat for you. On Friday afternoon at 5 PM my longtime fastpitch friend and owner of Circle Tap along with another longtime fastpitch friend, Ric Thompson are providing young men under the age of 23 to give the sport a try. They've lined up some pitchers and are offering young lads a chance to step up and be counted.
The Boys of Summer Tournament is really a mini-fastpitch jamboree of sorts. Teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Saskatchewan, Michigan, Illinois, and North Dakota will be there. Players are from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Australia.
Here are some former men's players that have played at Circle Tap in the past: Michael White, Head Softball Coach at Oregon; Shawn Rychcik, Head Softball Coach at North Carolina State, Ehren Earlywine, Head Softball Coach at Missouri.
Here is the latest Top Ten Rankings by the International Softball Congress.
Rank Team
1 (3) Clifton Park, NY NY Gremlins
2 (1) Jarvis, ON Hallman Twins
3 (2) Six Nations, ON Hill United Chiefs
4 (4) Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania Power
5 (6) Scarborough, ON Force
6 (5) Bakersfield, CA California A's
7 (8) Sooke, BC Loggers
8 (7) Fargo, ND Kegel Black Knights
9 (10) St. Paul, MN Minnesota Angels
10 (9) Denmark, WI Circle Tap Dukes
If you go and get hooked on men's fastpitch, you'll then need to know that the International Softball Congress World Tournament will be held in the Quad Cities in August. The tournament is actually three tournaments at the same time. There is a the Big One where the greatest players and greatest players from around the world play and at the same there is a tier two tournament and a Men's Master's level 50+ touranment too. For more information on those tournaments just visit www.iscfastpitch.com and have a peek.
If you go to Circle Tap on Friday night, look for me. I'll be there wearing red Fastpitch Chronicle cap.
Keep it Rising!
Bob
Tag(s): Bulletins
