Active Team Sports

RE: Aluminum Bats Banned

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:15:38 GMT

When I was a boy, I had no idea that aluminum and composite bats would rule the youth baseball world, as when we were youths, jacking home runs and ripping line drives with wood bats as well or better than today's player does with their aluminum composites that are not only lighter, but are larger around, sometimes acquiring diameters of 2 3/4 inches. In Texas I am very happy to see wood bat tournaments popping up, which gives me hope that wood may once again become the norm for youth leagues instead of sping loaded, nano-technology enhanced, two-piece, carbon plated, $350.00 aero engineered metal bats, that teach our youth that if you can't hit the ball well, just spend another $300.00 and you will at least look like you have an interest in the sport. Our team uses these expensive bats in game play to level the tournament field, but all of our boys use wood on the practice field waiting for their time on the wood bat fields. Contrary to popular belief, wood bats do not slow the game, they make it much more interesting by putting every bat (not batter) at the same level. I applaud the Bergen County recreation officials for stepping up to the plate on this one, and ask that they hang in there on any inside pitches that may come from this, and I honestly hope that the nation stands behind this decision and takes a good long look at their own injuries on the ball field. Wood is NOT a bad thing for a youth to learn with, as it improves many mistakes in a swing and creates a true feeling of accomplishment for the kids swinging the bat as well as for the coaches watching these players improve with every swing. Some people are probable shaking their heads, thinking their player will never be the one on the receiving end of a sharply hit line drive, but to those people I say "Beware". I have two boys that play on our team and I worry in the back of my mind every time they climb onto the mound. We have been blessed with nine years of injury-free baseball, but it's possibly a swing away from changing. Our team is not a recreational youth team, we are a AAA 12U tournament travel team that has been very fortunate not to have any injuries due to bats, but that can change at the bat of an eye, or the swing of a bat. I don't know if banning the aluminum will do anything but upset a bunch of people that have spent a lot of money on bats instead of lessons, but I do believe aluminum bat manufacturing needs stronger BESR (Ball Exit Speed Rating) requirements for youth, and senior league bats, and bat manufacturers need to offer adjusted BESR's, also all leagues need to look at using speed adjusted bats for the age and level at which the players are playing, as in "recreational, AA, AAA, Majors, etc.", only increasing the BESR to fit the level of play. If bat manufacturers are going to improve bats for younger players, they might start with taking some of the "pop" out of the BESR, bringing them closer to wood for safety.

A Long Time Baseball Dad

RE: College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Rocky P — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:27:14 GMT

I have coached many years and am proud to now be an High School & Junior College umpire. I have seen officiated in some great contests at a local and national level involving some great athletes and some wonderful demonstrations of sportsmanship.

I am deeply moved by not only the act of kindness by these opposing teammates, but also by the coach who did not interefere with the uncommon act demonstrated by these two fine young women.

This short video speaks more than any sportsmanship seminar or book could ever hope. The actions of these two players are not a testament to what they were that day, but a certification of who they are as people. Their teammates, coaches, school administration and especially their parents should be proud to know these ladies.

WOW!

RE: College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Bobby D — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:57:21 GMT

Like many of the people who will read this story I am truly amazed. I have coached girls softball, slow & fast pitch, recreational, travel & high school and never encountered a condition as such. It brought water to my eyes and a great feeling of sportsmanship euphoria. That needs to be a national headline. My hat comes off and my heart goes out to those super competitors who unselfishly performed an act of true sportsmanship. It is such a feel good, heart felt scenario.

RE: College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Travis g Franks — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:25:22 GMT

I have been a coach for some time now, Middle school ball and summer rec leagues . And I really try to preach on true sportsmanship .this is one of the best sports stories i've heard in a long time. i took this to all my girls and let them read this just to let them now it's not all about winning or loosing, BUT how the game is PLAYED. If only some of the payed proffesional sports players could ack like these fine outstanding young ladies do. THANKS so much and girls keep up the good work
Yours truly TRAVIS

RE: College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Pat — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:41:26 GMT

This is just amazing. It shows true sportsmanship and would make any mother proud. My daughter is a pitcher on her team. I can proudly say that even though she does the attitude thing with me when she is on the field every once in a while, she is still a very good sport. If she throws a wild pitch and hits a batter, she calls time out and goes over to the batter to first apologize for the hit and second to make sure she (the batter) is o.k.. I have tried teaching my children to do the right thing no matter what the situation and it shows that there there are players everywhere that do just that.

RE: College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Sandi Wagner — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:11:41 GMT

I am a softball mom for more years than I care to count and have seen many wonderful acts of sportsmanship over the years. I've also seen the other side of the game. THIS is why my daughter plays softball. What a magnificent act by these players. The people are the most important part of the sport. We can make it what we want - good or bad. Thank you ladies. My heart and my daughter's heart have been touched by your act of mercy. You will be blessed because of your choice. Congratulations!

RE: Recruiting Realities

jerry chunn — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:57:03 GMT

my boy is going to SWCC on a 1/2 scholar. in wrestling and I want him to look at this--I'm 60 yrs old , a liver recipient and I look at opportunity in the eye as I carry somebody's liver and acknowledge my life to be shorter than most--the kid is a great wrestler but not as wise as me--I will show him this -it seems like a perfect plan to success in harder times. I fell short financially and only want the best for my talented son who doesn't see yet what's to come re: the world, in general...I don't see the prettiest forecast and Jesse is dead meat if he doesn't motivate NOW--we are poor and the econ. scene looks very grim--a solid vocation like this would protect him better in times of trouble, like ie.. fireman nurse, pharm. rep etc.--you get what I mean.

RE: College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Becky — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:08:37 GMT

Thanks for the shout-out buddy!!!

RE: One Last Chance

DCtoPgh — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:21:00 GMT

Thanks for sharing this story. Somehow even living in Pittsburgh I missed it, which is so unfortunate. What an incredible kid, I know he's touched so many people. Another team sports-related inspirational Pittsburgh cancer story is Randy Pausch and the last lecture:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch

In his last lecture (below) he uses his experiences from childhood football to tie together a lecture about a really incredible life full of great successes and what he's learned. It's about an hour and I recommend it to everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&eurl=http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

Once the Steelers heard about his story, they invited him to join them:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_530835.html

RE: Lisa Fernandez Left Off Beijing Roster

Liz — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:34:26 GMT

Wow!! To say that Jennie Finch needs to pack it in is insane!! Have you seen her pitch lately?? She's amazing! She throws 65+ mph and has an arsenal of pitches! How can you say she needs to pack it in? I agree that Jen Ritter is amazing, but Jennie could throw circles around her!!