Batter Up!
Hello Fastpitch Fans!
With that dramatic 15-inning Division 1 title game in the history books as well as two other tight finals, one in Division 3 and one in Division 2, the 2014 WIAA softball season ended.
Congratulations to all four state champions and to the runner-up in each division. I've been on both sides of the win-loss deal at the state tournament and know the feeling that all eight coaches have on the morning after a state title game. Four of them are still on cloud nine this morning while the other four are playing the "what-if" roulette wheel. It takes time for all eight to settle in and reflect on tremendous accomplishments no matter whether they were the winner or the loser on the season's final day. There were four teams that lost but everyone was a winner. And so too were dozens and dozens of other teams throughout the state. Many won a regonal title for the first time in school history. Advancing to the sectional is no easy task, especially in many of the regional pools where two, three or even four tough clubs lie.
I didn't stick around for the Division 2 or Division 1 final on Saturday. I headed home after watching Arcadia put some sprinkles on their championship season. It was a bittersweet moment when that ball was caught in rightfield by Arcadia's outfielder.
I don't cheer for any teams at the state tournament unless it's the team I am coaching there. For the most part, all of the coaches are friends or great acquaintances and cheering for or against just doesn't fit my nature. My team was beaten by an eventual state champion and for me that gives me no solace. I simply moved on and looked forward to doing some scouting for the future at the state tournament.
Scouting you ask?
There are lots of things to learn while there. I sit right up above and just off the right shoulder of the home plate umpire. I watch every called strike and every called ball. I make notes about umpire tendencies and where they think the strike zone begins or ends. Do they call balls in "the river" strikes or do they require the ball to nip the edge of the plate? Do they favor pitches that are four, five, six or even eight inches low? How about that raise? Do they call it when it crosses just above the letters or does it have to be down under the script on a kid's jersey? All of those things are paramount in knowing if your team ever finds themselves playing a game with those umpires wearing a mask and set up behind your catcher. Of course, not much of any of that stuff matters unless pitchers in the circle on a given day can throw pitches to where that umpire thinks they are strikes and batters find themselves just trying to nick em to stay alive.
So what else can a person learn while sitting there taking in the action?
Coaching tendencies are on display in every game. Questions one can ask themselves while observing are endless. Does a coach bunt with one out when the next batter is 6, 7, 8 or 9 in the order. Do they hit and run? Do they steal often and on what counts? What does a coach do when they know their catcher can't throw out a runner swiping another base? How do coaches handle situations that can lead to big innings if something isn't done? What do they do when they have runners at one and three? What do they do when the other team has runners at one and three? What kinds of bunt coverages do coaches use? How do coaches set their defense when a good slapper is standing in the far back corner of the lefthanded batter's box? How deep do coaches tend to play their middle infielders and their outfielders? Do coaches sitting on a bucket call pitches?
That's just a short list of questions that I always have on my mind and the answers to them are usually demonstrated on the field. It's a good thing to know more about one's opponent that the opponent knows about themself.
As I followed the Division 1 title game by watching the live stats (I do not have cable TV nor a satellite dish) I was kicking myself for leaving. I've watched some fantastic championship fastpitch games in my lifetime, some men's some women's, some high school girls, some 16-U boys and some 18-U boys. I wish I could honestly say that I could wear one of those "I Was There" t-shirts that will undoubtedly be printed.
I was not there and will not wear one if they are available but I wish I could.
For 410 WIAA softball schools next season started the day after a regional or sectional loss. For six Division 1 schools next season began after a state tournament quarter-final or semi-final (depending on division of play) loss. For eight teams next season starts today! What will they all do to prepare to be one of the 20 teams that will make it to Goodman Diamond in 2015?
The Summer circuit is underway. The Poynette Summer Jamboree begins on Friday with 36 teams heading for Diamond of Champions or Arlington. There are other summer events going on yet today across the state. Take one in and enjoy the excitment!
Have a great Day and a great fastpitch summer!
And as always --
Keep it Rising!
Bob
