Foo - Burn your bra, Screw softball...

What the hell is it with softball? It's just a handicapped version of a perfectly fine sport. Is there some reason why women can't hit a smaller ball that goes faster? Or can't field ground balls in the grass? Or lead off before the pitch?

These girls are talented as hell yet they have embraced a sport that was designed to be easier in an attempt to distinguish themselves and give them something that is all their own. I see it as detrimental to any cause regarding women pride or equality.

Before you hound me, no i couldn't hit a good pitchers softball pitch. But i promise you that i would hit one of those long before i would hit a good baseball pitchers pitch. That really doesn't matter though, i'm not talking about lining up Carlos Zambrano against Iowa's softball team.

Play the damn game...

</somewhat sexist? rant>

And this has what to do with cycling?

And this has what to do with cycling?

It was meant for foo :o

My thoughts exactly. This is foo.

Oh, and if you haven't tried to hit a fast underhand pitch, you don't know which is harder. The Tour de France looks easy on TV.

My thoughts exactly. This is foo.

Oh, and if you haven't tried to hit a fast underhand pitch, you don't know which is harder. The Tour de France looks easy on TV.

I have. I didn't say it was easy, i said it wasn't harder. There is no way i could hang with these girls...that's not the point. The point is that i don't get why they feel the need to have their "own game" when that version of the game is just a bunch of steps to make it easier for everyone playing, but since it's relative (ie, they are all the same sex/talent level), these changes serve no purpose. In fact, and here is the biggest issue i have, the changes that softball has made simply makes for a less interesting game.

7 innings
no lead offs
dirt infield

What is this? 10 year old little league?

I kind of agree...

My 7 year old daughter is playing baseball in school. Kind of T-ball where the adults pitch to the kids. They get 6 swings before the "T" comes out...

I do the overhanded pitching and toss it as hard as the kids ability (some get a lob others I chuck it)...

She hit a home run last game on a pretty hard pitch. I think it is sad she will have to go play softball in a couple years....

Why can't she continue to play baseball...


She can also ride a bike (for the Road Cycling Forum)....

Don't under estimate the level of difficulty of fast pitch softball. My old baseball coach played it after he retired from the majors. It is more difficult to pick up the pitchers release points, pitchers won't tip a pitch as easily, and you can put as much movement on the ball as a baseball pitcher can.


Edit: Wait are we talking fast pitch, or beer league ball (bowling in the summer)?

Major League Baseball players can't even hit a fast pitch softball thrown by Jennie Finch - http://www.sportskool.com/coaches/jennie-finch - who is one of the best around. Yet I watched the Virginia Tech girls softball team beat the best team in the world with her on the mound the other day with 4 hits in the first or second inning, 1-0. I don't think fastpitch softball is all that easy!

Next time you should get your facts first and you will not end up with your own foot in your mouth.

Poof...

Over to Foo...






Not easy...

Different....

I have. I didn't say it was easy, i said it wasn't harder. There is no way i could hang with these girls...that's not the point. The point is that i don't get why they feel the need to have their "own game" when that version of the game is just a bunch of steps to make it easier for everyone playing, but since it's relative (ie, they are all the same sex/talent level), these changes serve no purpose. In fact, and here is the biggest issue i have, the changes that softball has made simply makes for a less interesting game.

7 innings
no lead offs
dirt infield

What is this? 10 year old little league?

Who said it was their own game. King and his court (http://www.kingandhiscourt.com/)

The reason girls have softball and men have baseball in high school is because of something called "Title 9", for every male sport you have to have a female sport.

FWIW grounders are harder to field off of a dirt infield.

10 year old little league?

ummmm... no....

It's just a handicapped version of a perfectly fine sport.It is? Which?

:P

baseball? softball? Doesn't matter.:trainwreck:

Why have mountain bikes AND road bikes?

Aren't they both just "biking?"

Get it, yet?

Who said it was their own game. King and his court (http://www.kingandhiscourt.com/)

The reason girls have softball and men have baseball in high school is because of something called "Title 9", for every male sport you have to have a female sport.

FWIW grounders are harder to field off of a dirt infield.

I know what title 9 is, it doesn't say that for ever guys sport there has to be a similar yet completely unique sport. Girls baseball would be fine.

I really hoped i could avoid the whole "But tim it is hard" bull**** but it seems the collective bf brain isn't smart enough to handle the concept i'm getting at.

The fact that baseball players have a hard time hitting off of finch while softball players can doesn't mean crap. That's like saying Jan Ulrich was a hack because he couldn't win a triathlon. Th.ey are different and it takes a little bit of acclimation. Expecting people who have dedicated themselves to hardball to be able to just pick up a softball pitch, or vise versa, is absurd...especially at that level.

I'm not sitting here trying to say that the women aren't talented. In fact, that Is the freaking point! They are great athletes, why do they need a different sport? Why do they have to bland the game down so much?

Fact: Bigger bat + bigger ball = easier to hit
Fact: Dirt infield = easier to field
Fact: No leadoffs = easier defense

You don't have to compare talent levels of men and women, baseball and softball, it's irrelevant because everything is relative. The people playing softball are playing softball. The problem is the mechanics of the game itself, the delivery of the pitch is about the last thing i care about. It's the only effective way to throw a ball that big in a manner that isn't conducive to jacking it out of the park every time.

By supporting softball you are supporting the notion that there are inherent differences in men and women, and i'm not referring to differences regarding competition between the sex, but rather within it.

Give me one good reason why the rule changes of softball were required?

Why have mountain bikes AND road bikes?

Aren't they both just "biking?"

Get it, yet?

Um, no.

Road bikes are for the road. Mountain bikes for for the mountains.

Big balls, easy infields, and no lead offs are for special ed kids. Are you saying women aren't smart enough for a higher paced game?

I know what title 9 is, it doesn't say that for ever guys sport there has to be a similar yet completely unique sport. Girls baseball would be fine.

I really hoped i could avoid the whole "But tim it is hard" bull**** but it seems the collective bf brain isn't smart enough to handle the concept i'm getting at.

The fact that baseball players have a hard time hitting off of finch while softball players can doesn't mean crap. That's like saying Jan Ulrich was a hack because he couldn't win a triathlon. Th.ey are different and it takes a little bit of acclimation. Expecting people who have dedicated themselves to hardball to be able to just pick up a softball pitch, or vise versa, is absurd...especially at that level.

I'm not sitting here trying to say that the women aren't talented. In fact, that Is the freaking point! They are great athletes, why do they need a different sport? Why do they have to bland the game down so much?

Fact: Bigger bat + bigger ball = easier to hit
Fact: Dirt infield = easier to field
Fact: No leadoffs = easier defense

You don't have to compare talent levels of men and women, baseball and softball, it's irrelevant because everything is relative. The people playing softball are playing softball. The problem is the mechanics of the game itself, the delivery of the pitch is about the last thing i care about. It's the only effective way to throw a ball that big in a manner that isn't conducive to jacking it out of the park every time.

By supporting softball you are supporting the notion that there are inherent differences in men and women, and i'm not referring to differences regarding competition between the sex, but rather within it.

Give me one good reason why the rule changes of softball were required?

I only have one question for you. Why does it matter so much?

I only have one question for you. Why does it matter so much?

Because i'm sick of finals and the only thing on the TV in this cafeteria is Big Ten softball. And, i hope to have at least one daughter some day.

Softball here is the drunk sport...its the weekend sport where the whole town more or less plays, watches or drinks. Its like a mini festival here

that said, I don't play because I don't like the game, this is REALLY lame softball with high throwing balls, slow, aluminim bats...bah...stupid almost sport.

Because i'm sick of finals and the only thing on the TV in this cafeteria is Big Ten softball. And, i hope to have at least one daughter some day.

Then perhaps you can steer her towards a cycling team, golf, or tennis. All those are pretty much the same between the two sexes. I believe in cycling and tennis, the races and matches are shorter, but the game is basically the same.

Then perhaps you can steer her towards a cycling team, golf, or tennis. All those are pretty much the same between the two sexes. I believe in cycling and tennis, the races and matches are shorter, but the game is basically the same.

Shorter bike race = smaller softball fields

That jives with me. Men have more muscle...whateve

Then perhaps you can steer her towards a cycling team, golf, or tennis. All those are pretty much the same between the two sexes. I believe in cycling and tennis, the races and matches are shorter, but the game is basically the same.

Tennis is 3 set vs 5set for standard, finals are 5 vs 7:)...only difference is the length of the overal match.

unless its changed in the last few years

Doesn't golf have a "girls" tee. It's usually many yards closer?

Fact: Bigger bat + bigger ball = easier to hit
Fact: Dirt infield = easier to field


Softball bats have smaller Diameter then baseball bats. Length and weight very base on the the hitter in both sports.

Dirt is more difficult to field, grass will slow the ball down and covers up the imperfections in the dirt, such as rocks and dirt clods. Grass also keeps the dirt together so you will have a more level baseball infield then a softball infield.

Tennis is 3 set vs 5set for standard, finals are 5 vs 7:)...only difference is the length of the overal match.

unless its changed in the last few years

Doesn't golf have a "girls" tee. It's usually many yards closer?

yeah...but women who are good players will play from the whites or even blues. I've seen several women that drive almost as far as I can (about 275 yds on a good day).

Dang it, this is too complicated. I just screwed my bra and burned a softball. Can I get a do over?

Dang it, this is too complicated. I just screwed my bra and burned a softball. Can I get a do over?

you did what?:twitchy::eek:

Um, no.

Road bikes are for the road. Mountain bikes for for the mountains.

Big balls, easy infields, and no lead offs are for special ed kids. Are you saying women aren't smart enough for a higher paced game?

Women do play baseball, or did in this case. Silver Bullets (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Colorado_Silver_Bullets)

I came for the bra burning. ;)

.... Brad

yeah...but women who are good players will play from the whites or even blues. I've seen several women that drive almost as far as I can (about 275 yds on a good day).

cool, wasn't sure, I don't play but always see the tee 10 or 20 yards closer.

cool, wasn't sure, I don't play but always see the tee 10 or 20 yards closer.

or 100yds closer depending on the hole and the course. :eek:

or 100yds closer depending on the hole and the course. :eek:

oh jeez I have never seen one like that here. Usually just the farthest up the front of the green (haha is that right) as possible.

having another green 100 yards in front sounds...dangerous...maybe golfing is cooler than I thought haha

Women do play baseball, or did in this case. Silver Bullets (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Colorado_Silver_Bullets)

That really wasn't very good baseball. That's why it died.

That really wasn't very good baseball. That's why it died.

I think that is the point, women play softball better then they do baseball. :)

Jimmy: "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great."

http://www.turlockcubs.com/dottie_jimmy.gif

Personally, I could do without baseball, softball, AND football. Only Americans can make their favorite sports the ones that have the least amount of action for the amount of time you park your rear on the seat to watch it.

Be honest, most of you have gone to a baseball game and got so bored at the strike one, strike two, strike three cycle that you turn to your conversation and the only thing that brings you out of your trance is the crack of the bat, only to look too late but not to fuss because it was a foul ball anyway.

Come to think of it, add drag racing and NASCAR to the list too. Why don't US citizens like real sports, like Rugby and Soccer?

[flame suit]

But men play softball as well. :) Our national mens team has been world champions for the third consecutive time.

I couldn't hit either a softball or a baseball from anyone.:o which is why I bike.

Many here play soccer.

We have a form of rugby too. It's played on hardwood and it's called basketball.

Why don't Americans like real sports, like Rugby and Soccer?

[flame suit]


I think Americans got sports covered. Well not sure about Rugby.

http://www.worldcrops.org/images/content/americas.regions.sized.ka12.gif

I think Americans got sports covered. Well not sure about Rugby.

Point taken. Post edited.

Point taken. Post edited.

:)

Personally, I could do without baseball, softball, AND football. Only Americans can make their favorite sports the ones that have the least amount of action for the amount of time you park your rear on the seat to watch it.

Be honest, most of you have gone to a baseball game and got so bored at the strike one, strike two, strike three cycle that you turn to your conversation and the only thing that brings you out of your trance is the crack of the bat, only to look too late but not to fuss because it was a foul ball anyway.

Come to think of it, add drag racing and NASCAR to the list too. Why don't US citizens like real sports, like Rugby and Soccer?

[flame suit]

Action...soccer...?

:roflmao2:

Many here play soccer.

We have a form of rugby too. It's played on hardwood and it's called basketball.

wow...the rules and game aren't even close. Rugby is much closer to american football then it is basketball.

oh, soccer is dull at best to watch. Call it a real sport (veiled attempt at insulting american sports) but it is not enjoyable to watch. Right up there with jogging.

Soccer highlights, however, are halfway enjoyable. You miss all the "real" action of running back and forth and flagging every puss who trips on someone elses shoelaces.

That said, Baseball/softball is right there with soccer. BORING! The only thing good about baseball is the 10$ beer getting trashed and skipping the last 3 innings.

wow...the rules and game aren't even close. Rugby is much closer to american football then it is basketball.

thassa joke.

In recent years, basketball officiating has taken the 'anything goes' tack. A pileup resembling a rugby scrum results in no fouls, but incidental contact on one of the star players is a personal foul.

thassa joke.

In recent years, basketball officiating has taken the 'anything goes' tack. A pileup resembling a rugby scrum results in no fouls, but incidental contact on one of the star players is a personal foul.

ahh ok, sorry didn't catch the sarcasm.

Personally, I remember when basketball was more anything goes (even if you were a star). It has become very pussified the last 10 years or so. BEing a center/power forward, I appreciate the tough inside game

basketball is taking its "protection" schemes from bettmen hockey (92-present) which is just a weak representation of its former self.

funny thing, the women seem to have pretty much avoided this thread.:rolleyes:

Action...soccer...?

:roflmao2:
When compared to a game that has 5 seconds of play followed by 25 seconds of huddling, or a game where the players stand at different positions on the field waiting for the off chance that someone will hit a small ball in their direction...

ahh ok, sorry didn't catch the sarcasm.

Personally, I remember when basketball was more anything goes (even if you were a star). It has become very pussified the last 10 years or so. BEing a center/power forward, I appreciate the tough inside game

basketball is taking its "protection" schemes from bettmen hockey (92-present) which is just a weak representation of its former self.

maybe so.

What aggravates me is they won't call travelling, double dribble, or goaltending.

maybe so.

What aggravates me is they won't call travelling, double dribble, or goaltending.

Travelling is a big one for me, I have definitely noticed they ignore it if the play looks good, thats just annoying :notamused:

When compared to a game that has 5 seconds of play followed by 25 seconds of huddling, or a game where the players stand at different positions on the field waiting for the off chance that someone will hit a small ball in their direction...

The only difference between the breaks in action in soccer and the breaks in action in football is that you are guaranteed action every 25 seconds. That's hardly the case with soccer. A great sport...i may add.