Should batting practice prior to a game be illegal?
Playoffs in full swing and many of the local area teams have been sent home for Summer Vacation.
Definitely have a huge problem with the illegal batting practice rule which we will discuss this week. SOME TIMES RULES NEED TO DISAPPEAR
After speaking with some coaches in the area, they all say that the “illegal batting practice” rule is a bit antiquated.
I feel that throwing soft toss underhanded to a batter really doesn’t add up to “real” pitching situations for a game and isn’t an advantage. Of course, I do value feedback on this issue.
While I understand that this is a rule that is sent to ALL coaches prior to the playoffs, maybe a warning from the opposing coach or suspend the coach is warranted for this rule. Not taking away a win from a team that won it on the field, not off.
A few coaches made the comment of how Alhambra’s coach missed the rule in the booklet sent. As a couple of coaches said to me, “We don’t understand how he could’ve missed the ruling. You really can’t miss it.”
If that is the case and he did it maliciously and “tried” to get away with it, then maybe penalize the coach. Suspend him for the rest of the playoffs, but don’t penalize the kids.
The big issue with this entire deal is the fact that Duarte videotaped the alleged rule infraction instead of taking the high road and allowing the girls to play it out on the field.
It isn’t the only time during the playoffs this happened. In fact, one coach went as far as telling the opposing coach that he was violating the rule. He told him he wouldn’t protest the game but that next round they may not get that benefit from the next coach.
Why couldn’t Duarte have done that?
Guessing in this day and age of “win at all costs” there is no high road.
GREAT SOFTBALL MESSAGE BOARD
Was told about a great new website for all travel ball and softball high school teams, it’s called heybucket.com.
This site offers a great forum for equipment, travel ball teams and tournaments.
It also helps as most on the site are trying to get information on ways to get players recruited and seen by many colleges.
BREAKING COMMITMENT NEWS
A few columns ago I mentioned that San Marino’s shortstop Alexis Watanabe was looking at a few schools to verbally commit to.
Got confirmation yesterday, the Titan offensive catalyst and defensive stalwart has made the decision to head to Division 1 program Lehigh.
Watanabe helped San Marino advance to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs on Thursday with a 3-for-4 performance and a homer against Nipomo.
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