Slowpitch

[gardenweasel]

Played both slow and fast pitch and wouldn't trade the experiences and friendships for anything, also umpired a lot on all levels. Boy, did those bats change the game. Turned a game of speed and defense into home runs. Hell, when I started playing slow pitch, we had one wooden bat and would borrow the other team aluminum and beat them. LOL Also remember using A Denny McClain model Wilson glove when I first started playing fast pitch and the old timers were amazed how big it was (normal by today's standards). Often they'd tell me "I like to know I have the ball when i catch it." I'd reply, "I just want to catch it. I'll find it in there sooner or later"
For all of you old fast pitch players from small towns, I bet you remember playing before crowds of 100 to 200 people for just an average weeknite game. Hell, we only had 2-3 TV channels then so what else was there to do? Now you can have the best slow pitch teams in the area and have a hard time having wives and girlfriends show up. Boy, those were the days.

we had huge crowds at our slow pitch games..all the teams we played had a fan base...and if their sponsor ws a bar or restaurant,the whole place was there...it was a happening...

i remember on saturday mornings,we`d play at venues with 5 fields going at the same time...everybody`s social life(we were young)revolved around softball....

when we first started out,we had no sponsor so we had to hold our own"dinky dollars"( dances with beer and wine at fire halls,koc halls,etc).....and we inevitably got into issues about capacity and fire code violations...we were turning people away...

haven`t thought about it much lately,but i have to say,it was amazing.....

 

[Chadman]

Have started playing again full time (D-League) this season after sitting out for the past 5 to coach baseball. Playing with a fun bunch of guys, sponsored by a bar, and the night is always a blast. We've added some of the good young baseball players from the past few years, and the team is getting pretty good, although the guys still have a good attitude about it, considering the bad league.

Played at top level (AAA) back in Missouri in the late 70's through the 80's, and although we never won state, we were always in the mix. I used to love those long weekends, the travel, the hotel rooms, the boozing it up and still being able to play at a high level, the guys, the gals, the fun. Played mostly Left Field and pitched more as I got older. I pitch now, and can still outrun most of the guys in this league, although my body is so badly out of shape that I can't do nearly what I used to. Never have been a power hitter, but my speed always allowed me to take extra bases, and play good defense. Now, I'm smart enough to NOT try to take extra bases and slide - it takes the whole summer for a strawberry to heal up these days...

I remember when the bats got better, the fences went from 250 to 275 to 300, and the Wilson T4000 softball that ended up killing a few guys that summer across the country. That ball was ridiculous - I remember pitching and taking one off my ankle - I felt the pain literally before I knew what had happened, and I was out for at least two weeks. I decided to never pitch again when that ball was being used. I think they outlawed it the next year or year after.

Played one year of church fast pitch, and never could hit the ball. Still love slow pitch, but can't stand watching some of the posers that play that think they are really good, but have no idea what good teams are really all about.

 

[Old School]

Still love slow pitch, but can't stand watching some of the posers that play that think they are really good, but have no idea what good teams are really all about.

they learn though..

Our leadoff guy would double down the opposite foul line and our #2 hitter would hit a screamer thru the box for a RBI and then 3-4-5 would take it downtown..

No more posing...lotta jaw dropping and outfielders just inside the fence at the 285 sign..

I would work the knuckleball just about the whole game except for a few quick pitches plus mix in a few shorties and deep back shoulder..

Pound the posers around 20-2 give or take a run or two and end it in 5 w/the 10 run-rule..

Oh those were the days..

:0074

 

[djv]

Dunclock. I never had any issues with my arm or shoulder. Even now Arm is good Shoulder hurts when damp out side. What gets me is legs and lower back. But not enough to say I would not to it all over again. Dam it was fun when your young and you didn't think about over 60.

 

[SixFive]

cool story, djv! :00hour

 

[THE KOD]

Was ate up with baseball/softball in early years like I am with golf now-
--but comes a day you know its time to hang it up. That day came after I didn't play for couple of years and decided to fill in. Problem wasn't hitting-catching or throwing but running.
Warmed up fine--batting practice better than I expected--but 1st time up hit what should have been easy double--except fell down 3 times before I got to 1st base. I had not ran "full speed" in couple of years and my legs and mind would not sinc. I thought I should be running as fast as in the past but legs would not accomodate.

Dusted myself off--and took myself out--and was emotionally shocked for several days knowing I had reached a point in life I thought only other people reached.


Scott
We played a little differently in the Missouri--our cleanup hitter batted 4th--not 2nd.

.................................................................

when it came down to it , they were all cleanup hitters.

I had the same thing happen to me on a double I hit. I was motoring around first base and kicked it up a notch. I fell about 30 ft from second base and couldnt figure out why my legs wouldnt work. I ended up crawling safely into second on my hands and knees like a small child.

talk about embarressing.

reality sucks sometimes