Active Community : Thread List - Division I

Blacks in softball

guest — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:08:23 GMT

As a parent of a black athlete who played this sport since 5 years all the way up through ASA Gold Nationals a few years ago I think we were sold a bunch of Fools Gold! If you look at the roster of the D!, D2 and NIAIA there are not many black kids on the rosters and for the ones that do have them on the rosters they are usually pinch runners and or OF's. I thought many years ago that there would be a break through with Natasha at UCLA/Olympics but that was a pipe dream. With many black girls playing this sport especially ASA travel it is really unfortunate that black girls are not being given a chance to compete at the highest levels of the sport. Heck you even see morewhite kids playing at Historically Black Colleges!!! Heck how can you hit over 400 in HS, play on a top Gold team from So Cal and still be over looked?? How can you go across the globe and compete at a JUCO who plays in one of the toughest conferences hit over 300 play stellar defense and continue to be overlooked??? IS it the Color of the Skin....When coaches have you on a priority list Boise State but then tell no money is left for you but you walk on and compete for starting spot and then you read they signed 6 new players?? SEMO does not want to sign a JUCO player and then turns around and signs a kid from our backyard who rarely plays at a JUCO??? What do you tell your kid

What do you think is the most difficult position to play?

guest — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:57:17 GMT

I think a lot of people would argue the pitcher because they are involved/initiate every play.

However, I think a very strong case can be made for the catcher. The catcher is also involved in every pitch--in fact, they are calling every pitch. They control the game and can see the entire field, often times directing his teammates as a result.

I've been an infielder my whole life, so I think there is somethig to be said for those positions--namely on the left side of the field. When I think of the best highlights and most difficult plays I've ever seen, shortstop and third base come to mind.

What do you think?

Noteworthy Incoming Freshman

guest — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:16:07 GMT

Now that the season is over let's get some talk going about the noteworthy incoming freshman for next year. Anyone you think will make an impact right away?

WCWS Finals: Arizona State or Texas A&M?

guest — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:29:12 GMT

The Arizona State Sun Devils will face fifth-seeded Texas A&M (56-8) in the best-of-three championship beginning today.

Who do you think will win?

UCLA or Arizona NOT in WCWS final

guest — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:35:57 GMT

For the first time since 1986, we will see a WCWS final match-up that does not include Arizona or UCLA.

Incredible.

For more than 20 years the finals in Oklahoma City have involved one of those two teams. Do you think this marks a significant shift in where the talent is in college softball and that we'll continue to see new, different programs (like Arizona State this year) make it to the finals--or will UCLA and Arizona get right back to their post-season dominance in years to come?

NCAA First Round Bracket - Pick Em!

guest — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:53:18 GMT

Here are the match ups for the opening round of NCAA D-1 play:

Tell us your picks and hurry! Games start tomorrow...

*No. 1 seed Florida (62-2) vs. Georgia Tech (31-29)

Central Florida (46-18) vs. South Florida (44-18)

San Diego State (43-15) vs. California (40-24)

Sacramento State (32-19) vs. *No. 16 seed Fresno St. (51-11)

*No. 9 seed LSU (42-16) vs. Mississippi Valley St. (28-26)

East Carolina (36-28) vs. La.-Lafayette (46-12)

Washington (28-23-1) vs. Texas (28-21-2)

Delaware State (29-23) vs. *No. 8 seed Houston (50-9)

*No. 5 seed Texas A&M (49-7) vs. Stephen F. Austin (36-23)

Louisiana Tech (35-27) vs. Auburn (37-20)

*Massachusetts (36-11) vs. Princeton (25-22)

Lehigh (38-15-1) vs. No. 12 seed Stanford (46-12)

*No. 13 seed Tennessee (47-14) vs. Winthrop (36-17)

Louisville (30-21) vs. Virginia Tech (44-15)

Notre Dame (37-20-1) vs. Kent State (44-10)

Wright State (33-24) vs. *No. 4 seed Michigan (48-6)

*No. 3 seed Alabama (51-6) vs. Chattanooga (41-20)

Jacksonville St. (38-14) vs. Florida St. (37-26)

Missouri (44-15) vs. *Iowa (40-18)

Creighton (43-15) vs. No. 14 seed Long Beach St. (39-15)

*No. 11 seed Northwestern (37-13) vs. Western Illinois (14-31)

Drake (29-24) vs. DePaul (48-16)

Mississippi St. (40-20) vs. Hawaii (38-18)

Stony Brook (33-21-1) vs. *No. 6 seed Arizona St. (56-5)

No. 7 seed Arizona (36-16) vs. Canisius (38-12)

Long Island (34-15) vs. *Hofstra (43-11)

Arkansas (36-27) vs. Tulsa (34-23)

Oregon (33-27) vs. *No. 10 seed Oklahoma (43-12)

No. 15 seed Georgia (43-22) vs. Campbell (41-23)

Brigham Young (42-18) vs. *North Carolina (50-10-1)

Nevada (42-16) vs. Purdue (34-21)

Cal St. Fullerton (27-26-1) vs. *No. 2 seed UCLA (45-7)

Big Ten conference tourney picks?

guest — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:05:57 GMT

Softball fans... tomorrow the Big Ten will kick off their conference tournament at Northwestern University.

What are your thoughts on who will emerge victorious??--top seed and host Northwestern... #2 University of Michigan... an underdog?

Hit by Pitch: How many is too many?

guest — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:46:52 GMT

Lauren Delaney of Northwestern University throws pretty hard and has been very successful this season. Her success has come at a certain price for her opponents. She has hit 40 batters this season. In a game against Southern Illinois, she broke a girl's jaw and another's elbow in the same game.

At what point do measures have to be taken against a pitcher who is this wild/dangerous? Or do you just keep playing and eject her if it gets out of control in one game?

I'd like to hear what all you softball fans think about this situation. Does a pitcher of this nature change the game too much or do you just adjust to it?

Loyola University Chicago vs. Western Michigan

guest — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:16:53 GMT

I visited my daughter's alma mater this weekend to take in a softball game and cheer the team on. Unfortunately, LUC lost. Here's a slideshow I put together from the game:

It made me realize how much I miss watching my daughter play. I have to admit, I was in softball withdrawal when she graduated from college 2 years ago. I spent 13 previous years either coaching or attending her softball games from kindergarten through college. All of a sudden, I had no child in sports, as she was our youngest. I guess I'll have to adopt a local team to follow or wait for some grandchildren!

Best D-1 Player in the Country

guest — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:44:14 GMT

Who is your pick for the best D-1 player in the country?

Best Pitcher?

Best Infielder?

Best Outfielder?

Best Hitter?

Overall Best Player?

2008 Sleeper Teams

guest — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:27:45 GMT

Let the debate begin. Who are the Div. I dark horses this year in your mind???

*Here are mine: Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma -- and get ready for this..........Western Kentucky (Big Red, baby)*

What do you think? Hit me back!