Softball Notebook

Should Boys’ and Girls’ Sports be Separate?

by SpartanIlliniCub

I’m sure plenty of you have heard stories about girls playing baseball with the boys at various levels from pee-wee on up.  Many also have stories about girls excelling on the baseball diamond against the boys.  I don’t think I would have a problem with a girl being allowed to play baseball with the boys in high school if she really wanted to, but what about the opposite?  What about if a boy really loved fastpitch softball and wanted a chance to play in high school with the girls?  Should he be allowed to?

My first thought was that girls’ and boys’ sports should remain separate, but I have since changed my opinion. There are two sides to this issue: gender equality vs. respecting the intrinsic differences between boys and girls. These options are mutually exclusive; favoring one takes away from the other. On the one hand, boys and girls seem to have some differences in athletic ability. In the aggregate, however, boys and girls are equal in athletic ability (just as in any other arena such as intelligence, artistic ability, etc). But the most athletically-prone boys seem to break away and exceed girls in overall athletic ability sometime around middle school, and the differences are heightened through the college years. There are still MANY girls that have the ability to both make and become stars on boys’ teams even into college and beyond.

For example, the difference between the Olympic world record fastest man’s time in the 100-meter dash and the fastest woman’s time is only 0.8 seconds. (Usain Bolt 9.69 seconds 2008, Florence Griffith-Joyner 10.49 seconds 1988). The difference between the fastest man and fastest woman is very small, and Florence Griffish-Joyner is easily faster than 99.9% of all men. When compared against objective data, the “intrinsic differences” argument loses its bite. The distinction is largely illusory—it exists only in people’s minds. In the previous century the difference between athletic ability in boys and girls would have been extreme because girls were discouraged from playing sports and boys were encouraged, but with Title IX opening sports to both genders and more parents encouraging their daughters to participate in athletics the disparity will grow smaller and smaller.

To be sure, there are certainly some differences between boys and girls athletically—otherwise the best male track athletes would not consistently have better times and scores than the best female track athletes. But the differences in these times are so small they should not be a central argument for keeping genders 100% separate. Four-fifths of a second is not enough of a difference to automatically ban male and female athletes from each other’s teams.

In America, both genders are supposed to be equal. Yet somehow arbitrary distinctions between genders remain, such as the refusal to let women fight on the front lines in combat. Letting girls play in boys’ sports but not providing a reciprocal outlet for boys in girls’ sports is an identical arbitrary distinction based on gender. On the other hand, there are differences in the athletic ability between boys and girls. The best solution must find middle ground between these two competing arguments.

The solution should be that, as a general rule, team sports remain separate by gender. Where a school offers both a boys’ and girls’ team for a single sport (volleyball, softball/baseball, etc) no opposite-sex players should be admitted to the team. However, for schools that do not offer a boys’ and girls’ squad for a certain sport, such as boys-only football or girls-only field hockey, each team should accept applications from players of the opposite gender who would like to play for the team. The amount of opposite gender players should be capped at 1-5% of the entire roster. For example, this rule could give rise to a girls’ volleyball team with 29 girls and 1 boy, or a boys’ football team with 38 boys and 2 girls. This way the genders are still kept largely separate, which takes into account their inherent differences, but still provides wiggle room for several athletes each year who would like to play a sport not otherwise available to them because of their gender.

Will the NPF Return in 2010?

By SpartanIlliniCub

There has been a lot of recent speculation about the NPF in 2010.  The turbulence of last season, including the New England Riptide folding and the Washington Glory moving to Florida, along with this season’s announcement that the Thunder will likely cease operations have led to doubts that the NPF will continue into 2010.

To determine whether the NPF will exist in 2010 and in what form, I will examine the websites of each team and determine whether there are positive indications that the team will continue in 2010. 

Chicago Bandits

The Bandits will continue operations in 2010.  The main headline on their website is an announcement that Aaron Moore, formerly of the Rockford Thunder, was named the new GM.  The press release included a statement from Moore that “the Bandits are in a great place moving forward for 2010 and beyond.”  Other positive indications of continued existence are the Bandits countdown banner until the 2010 season, and a press release stating prices for 2010 season ticket packages.  Yet another positive indication is that the Bandits have 1,258 fans on their facebook fan page AND regular updates by the Bandits.

Will the Bandits be around in 2010?  YES

Rockford Thunder

As noted above, the Thunder will likely cease operations for the 2010 season.  It’s possible that a group of investors will rescue the team last minute, but that scenario is just slightly more likely than pigs flying.  The updates on the Rockford Thunder site cease around August 31, 2009, roughly the same date the Lowe’s announced they will no longer operate the team.  The Thunder facebook page only has 269 fans and its updates also cease around August 31, 2009.  However, the facebook page DOES have a splendid picture of the team dressed in Rockford Peaches uniforms.  You can just barely make out Cat Osterman in the middle of the top row.

Will the Thunder be around in 2010?  NO

Akron Racers

The Racers website has several news stories that point toward continued operations in 2010.  First, Crystl Bustos was named the Racers new field manager on October 21, 2009.  The Racers posted a link stating that the 2010 NPF Championship series will be held in Sulphur, Louisiana, and they have posted a Sales Manager job for the upcoming season.  The Racers have not created a facebook fan page that gives any additional hints, but the information on their web page is enough proof that they plan to stick around in 2010.

Will the Racers be around in 2010?  YES

Philadelphia Force

Unfortunately, there is nothing on the Force website that points toward a return in 2010.  The countdown clock has not been reset from last season, and there are no news updates that refer to next season–the most recent news post was a September announcement that pitcher Stacy Birk will be a pitching coach for Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL.  There is also no new ticket information for 2010.  It’s possible that the Force have not yet updated their site, but you would expect some indication of plans to continue in 2010 with only 6 months to go before the season begins.

Will the Force be around in 2010?  Undetermined.  Pointing toward NO.

USSSA Pride

The Pride have no news posted on their site since June, 2009.  The news that is posted relates to the 2009 championship series.  The most promising piece of information is a statement on their site that says “Thank you for a great season!  We’ll See You In 2010!”  But this message is broad and isn’t very helpful in determining whether the Pride plan to continue operations in 2010.  The USSSA Pride have no facebook fan page, but they do have a Twitter page.  However the last update was in June, 2009.  It’s possible that, like the Force, the Pride have not yet updated their site, but with zero updates 5 months after the season ended their return seems doubtful.

Will the Pride be around in 2010?  Undetermined.  Pointing toward NO.

Upon review of the website and other outlets of the 5 NPF teams, the only team with concrete plans to continue into 2010 is the Bandits, and only 1 other team, the Racers, have given indications that they plan to exist in 2010.  The Thunder’s bowing out combined with a lack of updates or indications from the Pride and Force are not positive signs.  With the economy in shambles and only marginal commercial success for the NPF last season, we have to presume the worst.  I think the NPF as we know it is finished.

What will the NPF look like in 2010?

My best guess is that only the Bandits and Racers will exist in 2010.  I suspect that, much like Eileen Canney did when the Riptide folded, the best players will flock to the remaining 2 teams and create two all-star type teams.  For example, the Bandits pitching lineup may feature Jennie Finch, Eileen Canney, Cat Osterman, and Kristina Thorson.  The Akron staff may feature Monica Abbott, Sarah Pauly, Angela Tincher, and Katie Burkhart.  The Bandits and Racers will probably operate much like Team USA did in the Bound 4 Beijing Tour, playing local teams and playing eachother a few times per year. 

Fans showed up to see fastpitch’s greatest stars, as Team USA, playing local teams.  Perhaps fans will show up to watch fastpitch’s greatest stars facing eachother as the Bandits and Racers.  The teams would be able to terminate long term contracts with individual stadiums and play  at other stadiums while paying the house a cut of the ticket receipts. 

I predict that the NPF will cease to exist in its 2009 form.  I believe that only the Bandits and Racers will survive, and that all the best players will join these teams.  The NPF will no longer be an independent league; it will more closely approximate an annual “NPF Tour.”

Olympians in the NPF: Are They Worth Their Salaries?

By John Thorson
Father of Chicago Bandits pitcher Kristina Thorson

I just returned from the Chicago Bandits-Philadelphia Force series. Although it was a little chilly for a couple games and seemed threatening for another, the weather was no factor. The fans who were there were treated to some great softball played by both sides and the fans seemed appreciative. Unfortunately, the great product on the field didn’t translate into fans in the seats despite the Bandits fielding two great Olympians: Vicky Galindo and, arguably the best known active player in the game, Jennie Finch.

This made me wonder: are the Olympic players worth the significant salaries they’re supposedly being paid? It becomes even more questionable when, based upon what I was led to believe, they will be paid their salaries even though some will be spending most of the summer playing with the National Team and providing probably $0 value to the NPF.

To be sure, this is not, in any way, directed negatively towards those players. They are great players that have represented our country with skill and class and deserve whatever they can negotiate. The question is simply are they, from the NPF or ownership view, worth their salaries?

How much are these players being paid? Maybe we can back into a “reasonable” number. NPF teams have a $150,000 salary cap, up from $100,000 in 2008. According to printed reports, most players salaries range from $2500 to $5000 for the season. Let’s assume that the average team has 16 non-Olympians making $7,000 (should be high) and 2 Olympians. That leaves $48,000 to be split between the latter (obviously, there are big assumptions in this analysis). Further, assuming that they are gone playing on the National Team for 6 of the 8 series (Championship series not included), THAT is a very significant amount of the team cap!

During the last Bandits-Thunder series (4 games) of 2008, the Bandits attracted 4167 fans, or 1042 per game. During the opening 5 game series at Chicago in 2009, the recaps show an attendance of 2578 fans, or 515 game. Granted, it’s early in the season, kids are in school, Little League players have games, travel ball players have tournaments, and families are busy. But that is all the more reason to question the rationality of large salaries given the Olympic players were absent during the 2008 season.

Assuming they are not “earning” their salaries (i.e. bringing in more profit than their salaries), there are two possible reasons:

1. their names and notariety can’t command the marketing potential needed, and/or
2. the NPF and owners haven’t used these players to their full marketing potential

Personally, I’d love to see them really promote the “regular” players—those that will be playing day in and day out, so that locals can learn to identify with and support them. It is especially important that the young ladies playing Little League and travel ball be able to see their local heroes in action and interact with them during the autograph signing period following each game. It also allows these young ladies to dream about what they can accomplish with desire and hard work. Recognize, however, that given the new format of 5-game series, little time is afforded to get the players out into the community.

I am a huge fan of the NPF, the owners, and, especially, the many outstanding athletes, Olympic and non-Olympic players alike, that compete and entertain those that have the pleasure to sit in those seats. I bring this up because 1) I’m very curious how others feel regarding topic and, more importantly, 2) I know players that would have received a substantial raise but couldn’t be paid more due to the salary cap. I hope this topic doesn’t offend anyone; that is the furthest idea on my mind.

NCAA Super Regional Preview

Every year another pitcher becomes a legend. NCAA softball championships are won on the pitcher’s mound, and each year one upper-classmen pitcher peaks at the right time, becomes un-hittable, pitches every single inning of the playoffs, and takes her team to the title. Upper-classmen pitchers like UCLA’s Keira Goerl in 2004, Michigan’s Jennie Ritter in 2005, Arizona’s Alicia Hollowell in 2006, Taryne Mowatt in 2007, and Arizona State’s Katie Burkhart in 2008 have all fit this mold. It’s possible thPittman put up a respectable 1.09 ERA and a .55 strike out per inning average during the Regional, but these numbers are not good enough to place her among the top pitchers who are peaking at the moment.  Jacksonville has a chance to beat Alabama—another WCWS Pretender—but it does not have much of a chance beyond that.
is is all chance, but it’s also possible the game of softball has an underlying rationality to it, and that patterns emerge when we look at champions over a long period of time. If we can accept the formula of the past 5 WCWS champions is correct, then we can use that formula to predict the championship potential of this year’s pool of WCWS teams.

Here is the formula: to win the WCWS championship, a team must have an upper-classmen pitcher who peaks during the playoffs, pitches every inning for her team, out-pitches all other competition, and leads her team to the championship. Each champion needs the “WCWS Ace Pitcher.”

To test which teams have a pitcher primed to make a Burkhart/Mowatt/Hollowell-like run during this year’s WCWS, we will look at each Super Regional team’s pitching performances during the Regional to determine which pitchers are heating up and ready to go on a tear. Teams with pitchers putting up exceptional statistics during the Regionals will have an edge over teams with pitchers not putting up good numbers, because a pitcher who is peaking has an edge over a superior pitcher who is not.

For this test, we will use a specific benchmark. Pitchers with an ERA below 1.00 or pitchers averaging more than 1 strike-out per inning are deemed to be peaking, and therefore have the capability to win the WCWS. 1.00 ERA and 1+ strike-out per inning were chosen because those numbers are roughly in the middle of the numbers put up by all winning pitchers during Regionals. Plus, a team with a pitcher achieving a sub-1.00 ERA has only to score one run, on average, to win the game; and a pitcher averaging more than one strike-out per inning is keeping runners off of the bases and giving her team a better chance to win the game.

Teams with pitchers fitting the above “1.00 ERA or 1+ Strike-out per Inning Test” are labeled as “Contenders.” Teams without a pitcher putting up sufficient numbers, or teams with underclassman only, are labeled mere “Pretenders.” Additionally, teams with an underclassman as their ace pitcher are excluded, even if they pass the above test, because no WCWS champion during the past 5 years has had an underclassman as their ace pitcher.

Florida vs. California - Projected Winner: Florida
Florida: Contender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Stacey Nelson - Senior
Florida dominated its opponents during the regional, and Stacey Nelson shined just as she has all season.  In fact, Nelson had one of the lowest ERAs at 0.50, and one of the highest strike out per inning average at 1.5.  Nelson may fit the “WCWS Ace” formula better than any other pitcher, and she is putting up these exceptional numbers at exactly the right time.  Nelson’s stellar play during the Regional is proof she is peaking, and makes Florida the odds-on favorite to take home the WCWS trophy.

California: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Marissa Drewery – Junior
Marissa Drewery posted a 1.00 ERA and a 0.76 strike out per inning average in the Regionals.  Unfortunately for California, her stats place her just outside of the top pitchers on the other Super Regional qualifying teams: her ERA is at, but not below, the 1.00 benchmark; and her strike out per inning average is way below the 1.0 threshold.  Drewery is good, but she is not performing well enough at the right time to make her team a contender.  Plus, California will have to play Florida, one of the best teams in the field, so California’s chances for success are slim.

Arizona vs. Stanford – Projected Winner: Stanford
Arizona: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Sarah Akamine – Junior
Akamine is an upper-classmen on a Pac-10 powerhouse, but her numbers during the Regional show no signs she is peaking at the right time.  Akamine had a very high 1.75 ERA and is averaging only 0.94 strike outs per inning.  Arizona needs its ace to put up elite numbers right now, but Akamine’s numbers are not good enough to make her team a legitimate contender for the title.  On top of that, Arizona faces an unfavorable match-up in the Super Regional against red-hot Stanford.  This all but destroys Arizona’s chances for a 9th national title.

Stanford: Contender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Missy Penna – Senior
Penna is a pitcher whose performance at the Regional puts her on a bona fide hot streak.  Penna posted a fairly high 1.65 ERA, but dominated batters with a solid 1.24 strike out per inning average.  By proving she can control the strike zone and fool batters this late in the season, Penna has demonstrated she has the capability to continue her streak into the WCWS, performing at a high enough level to win the title for Stanford.

Michigan vs. Baylor – Projected Winner: Michigan
Michigan: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Jordan Taylor – Sophomore
Jordan Taylor was great all season for the Wolverines and performed exceptionally well during the Regionals.  Taylor posted a stellar .66 ERA and a 1.96 strike out per inning average.  Taylor meets the championship formula except for one critical element: she is an underclassman.  Recent history has shown that underclassmen do not have what it takes to handle the high-pressure final games leading to the title.  However, Michigan has a favorable match-up in the Super Regional against Baylor, and it’s highly likely Taylor will be able to lead her team to a victory over Baylor.

Baylor: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Whitney Canion – Freshman
Baylor and its ace pitcher Whitney Canion are classic WCWS pretenders.  Canion was solid during the Regionals, posting a 2.0 ERA and a 1.0 strike out per inning average.  Unfortunately, these numbers fail to place her among the other elite pitchers, and she is a freshman.  Freshmen have not proven themselves able to maintain their level of play throughout the high-pressure final games of the WCWS in recent years.  Canion’s numbers at the Regional do not suggest she is at a point in her game where she could break this tradition.

Jacksonville State vs. Alabama – Projected Winner: Alabama
Jacksonville State: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Karla Pittman – Senior
Pittman put up a respectable 1.09 ERA and a .55 strike out per inning average during the Regional, but these numbers are not good enough to place her among the top pitchers who are peaking at the moment.  Jacksonville has a chance to beat Alabama—another WCWS Pretender—but it does not have much of a chance beyond that.

Alabama: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful(s): Charlotte Morgan – Junior, Kelsi Dunne – Sophomore
Alabama may have too much talent for its own good.  History has shown championship teams rely on ONE pitcher to get hot and win the big show, but Alabama has an “ace-by-committee” system, splitting innings between Morgan and Dunne.  Combined, Morgan and Dunne have the talent to qualify as the type of pitcher Alabama would need to win the title.  They put up a combined .46 ERA and a .66 strike out per inning average during the Regional—but Alabama cannot pick which pitcher it wants to lead the team!  Because Alabama’s pitching situation breaks from the traditional formula of how to win a WCWS, the odds are against them to win the title.  As such, they cannot be considered a serious contender.

Washington vs. Georgia Tech – Projected Winner: Washington
Washington: Contender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Danielle Lawrie – Senior
Lawrie fits the mold of a WCWS championship pitcher, and she is peaking at the perfect time.  Although Lawrie put up one of the highest ERAs of all pitchers during the Regional (2.04), she also had the highest strike out per inning average (2.33).  Lawrie had one rough game against Massachusetts where she allowed 5 earned runs, but aside from that game she only allowed 2 runs and amassed an astounding 56 strike outs—35 more than the next closest pitcher.  Lawrie’s ability to control the strike zone this late in the season shows she has the ability to help Washington take home the title—she just needs to watch out for breakdown-games like she had against Massachusetts.

Georgia Tech: Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Kristen Adkis – Sophomore
Georgia Tech’s sophomore ace performed admirably during Regionals.  She put up a .66 ERA and had a .66 strike out per inning average.  Her ERA numbers prove she is peaking at the right time and is an exceptional pitcher.  However, Adkins is an underclassman, which vastly reduces the chance she can lead her team to the finals.  Plus, her team must face Washington in the Super Regional.  These two obstacles prevent Georgia Tech from being anything but a “Pretender” at the 2009 WCWS.

Ohio State vs. Georgia – Projected Winner: Ohio State
Ohio State: Contender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Kim Reeder – Senior
After 17 innings pitched at the WCWS Regional, Ohio State ace pitcher Kim Reeder allowed zero earned runs and averaged .94 strike outs per inning.  Her strike out average is close to being elite, and her 0.00 ERA is amazing.   Posting these numbers this late in the season proves beyond doubt that Reeder is on a hot streak and has what it takes to carry her team deep into the WCWS.

Georgia – Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful(s): Christine Hamilton – Senior; Sarah McCloud - Sophomore
With the formula we are currently using, Georgia is one of the weakest teams in the Super Regional pool.  Georgia is another “ace-by-committee” team, splitting its innings between two pitchers.  By not naming a clear ace pitcher, Georgia is breaking from the winning formula used by prior championship teams like Arizona State and Arizona.  Additionally, Hamilton and McCloud’s combined numbers are not good enough to place them among the currently elite pitchers.  During the Regional, they earned a combined 1.0 ERA and a .62 strike out per inning average.  These underwhelming numbers show that these pitchers are either not peaking at the right time, or do not have the talent to compete with the other elite pitchers in the WCWS.  Either way, Georgia is toast.

North Dakota State vs. Arizona State – Projected Winner: North Dakota State
Upset Alert!
North Dakota State – Contender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Andi Padilla – Senior
I know it sounds crazy, but the numbers indicate North Dakota State’s senior pitcher Andi Padilla is peaking at the right time, and Arizona State’s freshman pitcher Hillary Bach is not.  This match-up is primed for an upset.  Padilla put up a compelling .84 ERA during the Regional against stiff competition like Oklahoma.  Padilla’s ability to spread hits around and prevent baserunners from crossing the plate at this point in the season means she is peaking at just the right time.  As long as she doesn’t suffer from the “deer in the headlights” syndrome when playing defending champion Arizona State in the Super Regional, Padilla can lead her team to victory.

Arizona State – Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Hillary Bach – Freshman
According to the numbers, the pressure appears to be getting to Bach.  Arizona State advanced to the Super Regional, but her numbers during the Regional were not very impressive. Bach had one of the highest ERAs of all pitchers at 1.50, and one of the lowest strike out per inning averages at 0.45.  Her numbers are good, but not good enough to place her among the elite pitchers having a chance to break out of the Super Regional and go deep into the WCWS.

Missouri vs. UCLA – Projected Winner: UCLA
Missouri – Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Chelsea Thomas – Freshman
Missouri’s freshman ace did not put up good enough numbers during the Regional to place herself among the elite pitchers capable of leading their team to the title.  Thomas posted a 1.0 ERA and a 0.79 strike out per inning average.  These underwhelming numbers are not good enough at this point of the season compared to other pitchers.  Plus, as a freshman, the odds are against Thomas and Missouri to advance very far in the WCWS.

UCLA – Pretender
“WCWS Ace” Hopeful: Megan Langenfeld - Junior
UCLA has been performing well lately; they even won the Pac-10 title.  But regular season performance means nothing in the playoffs!  It’s possible UCLA did not play its “A” game during Regionals, but Langenfeld’s recent performances did not keep pace with her pitching rivals.  Langenfeld posted a fairly high 1.50 ERA, and a relatively unimpressive 0.85 strike out per inning average.  Langenfeld is not peaking at the right time, and unless she gets her act together, UCLA will lose to teams with pitchers who are performing better.  Luckily for UCLA, they will reap the benefits of an easy road to the final four as they face Missouri and either Arizona State or North Dakota State (who is an underdog to UCLA no matter how well Padilla pitches for them!).  But as it stands now, UCLA’s Megan Langenfeld does not have what it takes to lead the Bruins to the 2009 title.

So there you have it! By using the formula to predict the outcomes of the entire WCWS, the brackets go like this:
WCWS Final 8: Florida vs. Stanford, Michigan vs. Alabama, Washington vs. Ohio State, North Dakota State vs. UCLA
WCWS Final 4: Florida vs. Michigan, Washington vs. UCLA
WCWS Final 2: Florida vs. Washington
WCWS Champion: Florida

Is Softball Being Uprooted & Relocated Across the Pacific?
By SpartanIlliniCub

Japan is systematically stealing the game of fastpitch softball from the USA. It is taking the USA’s medals, its potential to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the title as the sport’s biggest advocate, its top players, and its pro softball league. Japan is winning the ideological battle for the home of softball. Japan has become the new home to women’s fastpitch softball.

Japan Stole the USA’s Medal
The softball gold medal had belonged to the USA since 1996, when women’s fastpitch softball was first added to the roster of the Olympic Games. Team USA had won 3 straight gold medals in the event and was poised to win their 4th in a row before Japan swooped in and wrested it from Team USA’s grasp. In hindsight, it’s possible that fans will look at that victory as the moment when Japan seized the game from the United States to make Japan the home of women’s fastpitch softball.

Japan is Stealing the USA’s Bid for the Games
As it stands, Tokyo is the frontrunner to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games—a title Chicago, Illinois has lobbied extremely hard to obtain. It looks like Japan has either outbid or outperformed Chicago in their presentation to the International Olympic Committee. Tokyo has beaten Chicago like Team Japan beat Team USA.

Japan is Stealing the Title of Fastpitch’s Biggest Advocate
The Games of 2016 might also feature the triumphant return of fastpitch softball to the Olympics, and it’s possible Japan, a country in love with the sport, may be the nation that champions the sport’s return and uses its influence as the host city to make it happen. Though I would be happy to see softball back in the Olympics, I won’t feel right if Japan is the nation that brings the sport back to the Olympic program. It should be the USA that leads (and succeeds) in bringing fastpitch back to the Games. Yet it looks now like it will be Japan bringing back the sport while the USA sits on the sidelines. If Japan gets the Olympics and succeeds in returning softball to the roster of events, Japan will get the credit for being the sport’s biggest advocate—a title that used to belong to the USA.

Japan is Stealing Our Best Softball Players
According to Monica Abbott’s blog, America’s superstar Olympic pitcher will be playing this season in Japan for Team Toyota. Similarly, Angela Tincher, one of the National Pro Fastpitch league’s top pitchers, will be playing this season in Japan for Team Leo Palace 21. According to Angela Tincher’s blog, Tincher plans to return to the states to pitch for the Akron Racers, but as the NPF struggles, it becomes more and more likely that Tincher will soon spend her time playing in Japan full-time.

Plus, I don’t know if any of you remember, but in 2007 America’s premier superstar pitcher Jennie Finch missed some crucial games with the NPF Chicago Bandits to spend time playing in Japan. If I remember correctly, the Bandits needed to win their last three games to make the playoffs, and having Jennie on the mound would have made their chances of success much higher—but Jennie was in Japan.

Japan is Stealing Pro Softball
As stated before, the NPF is in a rough spot right now. If the NPF does fold, then Japan will have the world’s biggest and most successful professional softball league. If this is the case, then the above-mentioned softball players now in Japan will only be the tip of the iceberg. American may find that it exports all of its top softball talent overseas to Japan.

Japan has taken our medal and our top softball players, and is poised to take our Olympiad and pro softball league. It feels like the game is being uprooted and transplanted across the Pacific Ocean. The USA may have invented the game, but it is so much more successful in Japan that it may be only a matter of time before you will need a satellite dish or a plane ticket to watch any meaningful softball games.

How Much Strain Does the Windmill Motion Place on Pitchers?
By SpartanIlliniCub

It is often said the windmill motion used by fastpitch softball pitchers is easier on the arm than the overhand motion of baseball pitchers. Fastpitch pitchers are allowed to pitch much more often than baseball pitchers, and fastpitch pitchers don’t seem to be as prone to the chronic elbow, shoulder, and rotator cuff injuries that plague baseball pitchers.

But the windmill motion might not be as injury-resistant as we once thought. According to The New York Times, a new study from The American Journal of Sports Medicine reports the windmill motion used in fastpitch is harder on the biceps muscle than previously believed. Apparently, there is tremendous stress put on the muscle from the time the pitcher releases the ball to when the arm comes to a stop. This problem can be compounded because softball pitchers usually don’t have the inning restrictions and pitch counts that their baseball counterparts have—so overuse can make the injury risk higher.

The American Journal of Sports Medicine sounds like a venerable publication, but I am not convinced its study has much merit. Baseball pitchers go on the disabled list ALL THE TIME. According to the MLB Transactions website, there are 23 major league pitchers currently on the disabled list. Pitchers also make up the vast majority of all players on the disabled list.

In contrast, I have been following professional and college fastpitch softball for years now, and I cannot remember one softball pitcher that ever sustained a serious injury—even if I am overlooking or forgetting a few, injured softball pitchers are still pretty rare. So while the windmill motion may put undue strain on the biceps, overall it appears to put very little functional stress on the arm itself, and softball pitchers can be pretty confident their arms are unlikely to sustain serious injuries from playing fastpitch.

Granted, there are more baseball pitchers than softball pitchers, but the point is the prevalence of injuries among softball pitchers is miniscule compared to baseball pitchers. So thanks to The American Journal of Sports Medicine for its study, but my experience tells me its findings are pretty inconsequential.

Softball Through the Eyes of a Chicago Bandits Fan

By Chris Hendrickson
Regional Account Executive
2008 NPF World Champion Chicago Bandits

There is a feeling you get walking on the field. If it’s early in the morning there is a calmness and tranquility. The dew that sits on the outfield grass. The infield dirt raked out smoothly and symmetrically. The bleachers that are waiting to be filled like a canvas waiting to be created upon.

As game time approaches and people arrive you have already started to prepare yourself. The superstitions of putting the right cleat on first when you’re on a streak, or a lucky shirt that you won’t wash because if you do your luck goes with it. Talking to the same teammates in the same order so you don’t jinx the luck. Thinking of who you are playing today. Building up the confidence in yourself that you can meet the challenge.

When you first walk onto the field, you can hear the sound of your spikes in the gravel and dirt. The strength and warmth of the sun caressing your face. The smell of popcorn and hot dogs that your friends and family are enjoying as they find their place in the bleachers. There is also the smell of the leather glove on your hand, the same glove that will cradle the pitches coming into you. The sound of the ball popping into the mitt, the crack of the bat and the yells of “I got it!” from your teammates.

As you warm up you pay attention to your pitcher and what she is throwing. Is there movement on the pitch? Is she hitting the target you set up? As the catcher you are the manager on the field, so you better have a very good feel for what your pitcher is bringing with her. And you try not to pay attention to the butterflies in your stomach.

Once the game begins you take charge on the field. Is this batter a first-pitch hitter or does she like to run the count? What did she do the last time we faced her? And as the game continues you point out who covers 2nd base with a runner on 1st. You don’t look into the dugout because your coach has confidence you can call this game. So you remember what this batter did the last time she was up to the plate.

Does all this sound overwhelming? It could be. But it’s the love of playing the game that makes it so simple. You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. It’s very simple. But it’s the hardest sport there is; hitting a round ball coming in at you at 75-80 miles per hour and doing it with a round bat.

It’s a game of history and tradition. It’s a game that your parents took you to and their parents took them. It’s a game that you’ll take your kids to and they will take theirs.

So when you say, “It’s just a game,” it’s much more than that. It’s a passion you have for the game.  A passion I have tried to instill in each and every fan who comes to a Chicago Bandits game.

Team Ownership Turmoil in the NPF
By SpartanIlliniCub

Over the past year, two National Pro Fastpitch teams out of six are under new ownership and one has closed up shop for the season. In September 2008 majority ownership of the Chicago Bandits was transferred to then minority owner Bill Sokolis, and last month the Washington Glory was sold, and the New England Riptide completely bowed out for the year.  Half of the league has experienced a significant change in its front office in a very short time span.

There are many theories for this turbulent period in the NPF, and many of them are not very optimistic. Fans have been speculating for many months that this is a sign of weakness for the league; either the down economy is crippling the league, or the owners are “jumping ship” because they have lost their commitment to the league, or at least their lofty expectations for the future.

Before fans lose hope, they should know there is more going on here than meets the eye. There is currently a lot of concern that there will be significant changes in the tax laws very soon, and this concern is giving owners in ALL sports leagues an incentive to sell their teams.

Back in 2003, President George W. Bush lowered the maximum tax rate for long-term capital gains from 20% to 15%. A capital asset is, in layman’s terms, any property that is used in business. It can be equipment like a truck or punch press, a financial instrument like stock, or other property such as land or buildings. A sports team is also considered a capital asset. In order to encourage investment, the U.S. government gives its citizens a preferential tax rate on any gain they receive when they ultimately sell capital assets, the gain from which is called “capital gain.” George W. Bush increased the tax benefits of investment by reducing the top capital gain tax rate from 20% to 15%. Under current law, George W. Bush’s tax cuts will expire in 2010. This includes the preferential capital gains rates, which will revert back to 20% in 2010.

We now have a new President who has very different ideas about how to stimulate the economy than George W. Bush. Interestingly, President Barack Obama has outlined a rather non-aggressive approach, choosing to sit back until the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010. However, Obama has also pushed through a massive $787 billion stimulus plan, and a significant portion of the cash used in the package has been borrowed from China—and needs to be paid back. Obama has also proposed a $3.55 trillion budget for 2009 AND plans to reduce the federal deficit by half. Given Obama’s unprecedented level of spending and his promise to cut the federal deficit, the U.S. government is going to need cash. So many doubt Obama will fulfill his promise to wait until the Bush tax cuts expire, because he will need the extra tax dollars to fund his spending plans.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the tax laws and the widely held belief that taxes will go up in the near future, there is currently an incentive to sell capital assets before the rates go up. This incentive extends to the sale of capital assets like the Chicago Bandits and Washington Glory. For example, under current law if the Bandits are sold for $100,000, the owner would be required to give 15%, or $15,000, over to Uncle Sam in taxes. If the Bandits’ owner waits and sells the team when the tax rates go back up to 20% (or higher), the owner would have to pay $20,000 in taxes on the sale. So the Bandits’ owner gets $5,000 extra dollars by selling now versus selling in a year. In essence, its the same as selling the team for $85,000 versus $80,000—a no brainer!

The NPF isn’t the only league with owners in sell mode. Billionaire Wayne Huizenga, owner of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins since 1990, sold his majority stake in the team in February of 2008, and acknowledged that his fear of tax hikes was a motivator of his decision.

But what about the Riptide? Unlike the Bandits and Glory, which were transferred outright to a new majority owner, the Riptide will remain the property of its owner but not participate in any games this year. However, though the team was not sold, the team probably owns a significant number of assets that the owner can sell off piece-meal and get the current capital gains tax rates. For example, if the Riptide own bats, a team bus, training equipment, a stadium, office equipment, or other property, the owner can sell these and reap the current tax advantages. If the owner wants to keep the team alive but needs to extract some cash from the team for other purposes, there is an advantage for him to sell of some of its assets right now before the capital gains tax rates go up. He will get, in effect, a higher price for the assets now than he would in the future, because of the operation of the lower tax rates.

In summary, while the current rash of change in the NPF may seem like a bad sign, there are other factors at play that could be influencing the decisions of the NPF team’s owners. Specifically, there is an advantage to selling now rather than waiting to sell in the future. This might help explain the large amounts of change in the short timeline we are seeing with the NPF.

So don’t lose hope yet! A new wave of owners might even bring in fresh ideas and take the league to a new level of prosperity…and hopefully the new President will do the same for out nation. Just be ready for the bill!

Pac-10 Teams Might Finally Miss College Softball’s Big Dance

There has been at least one Pac-10 team in the final match-up of the Women’s College World Series for 22 years in a row dating back to 1986—and the Pac-10 team has won 18 of those 22! But the 2009 season is set up to be the first since 1986 where the Pac-10 isn’t represented in the WCWS Championship Series. None of the top Pac-10 teams—UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, and Cal—has a bona fide ace pitcher to lead them through 2009. Each of these teams will have to rely on a young, inexperienced, and more mistake-prone crop of pitchers to lead their teams. This leaves the door open for other teams around the nation to step into the void and succeed in the WCWS tournament.

UCLA
The perennial favorite and winner of 11 WCWS championships; UCLA will have a tough time replacing the production of departing senior Angelica Selden, who went 29-5 last year, and posted a 0.96 ERA and 335 strikeouts. UCLA spent some significant time last year grooming Freshman Donna Kerr, who is expected to try and fill Selden’s shoes. Kerr experienced some moderate success last year—she put up a 14-2 record, a 0.93 ERA, and 132 strikeouts in limited action. Kerr has the tools to lead UCLA this year, but she is an inexperienced sophomore and will have a very difficult time playing consistently enough to equal Selden’s excellent 2008 numbers.

Arizona
Another Pac-10 dynasty that is in the WCWS running every year, Arizona is in a similarly sticky pitching situation after losing ace Taryne Mowatt. In her 4-year pitching career, Mowatt went 100-33, pitched 877.2 innings (including 109 complete games), earned a 1.54 ERA, and threw 1267 strikeouts. For the first time since 2005, Arizona won’t be able to rely on Mowatt to carry it through the season. Unfortunately, Arizona relied on Mowatt so much that it has left the pitching cupboard empty—the Wildcats don’t have any other pitchers with significant in-game experience. Mowatt’s heir apparent is sophomore Lindsey Sisk, who as a freshman went 10-3, had a 1.62 ERA, and 69 strikeouts. Sisk has shown promise, but it is highly unlikely she will reach Mowatt’s level of play, and Arizona will probably take a step back this year under her leadership.

Arizona State
Much like UCLA and Arizona, Arizona State has lost its #1 pitcher and will struggle to replace her. The Sun Devils have the onerous task of replacing departed Senior Katie Burkhart’s 41-5 record, 0.75 ERA, and 513 strikeouts. However, Arizona State is one of the few Pac-10 teams with an upperclassman ready to become its #1 pitcher. Junior Megan Elliot posted a 20-0 record last year and tossed 108 strikeouts, but she also put up a 2.24 ERA, which is far too high to take Arizona State back to the WCWS title game. It’s possible Elliot will step up her game with more experience under her belt in 2009, but if she doesn’t excel early on the Sun Devils may focus on rebuilding and give more time to incoming Freshman Hillary Bach. Bach has tons of potential—she compiled an impressive 15-2 record with a .01 ERA and 16.8 strikeouts per game during her senior high school season in Oklahoma. Regardless of whether Arizona State goes with Elliot or Bach, the Sun Devils are unlikely to compete at the same high level in 2009 without Katie Burkhart.

 Cal
Cal is another Pac-10 powerhouse with three WCWS title-game appearances and one title in 2002. Cal is ranked #13 in ESPN U’s preseason poll, and while Cal differs from UCLA and Arizona in having a returning upperclassman pitcher with plenty of experience, its ace has put up less than stellar numbers in her past two years. Junior Marissa Drewery posted a 29-19 record, 1.94 ERA, and 312 strikeouts in 2008, but if she can’t keep her ERA down Cal doesn’t have much of a shot to win the WCWS in 2009. Cal has a talented sophomore waiting in the wings in Valerie Arioto, who put up an 8-3 record, 1.93 ERA, and 105 strikeouts in limited action in 2008 as a freshman. Cal will likely struggle in 2009 to achieve the elite level of pitching it needs to capture its second title.

With the level of pitching a question mark at best for these Pac-10 teams in 2009, there is lots of room for non-Pac-10 teams to succeed this year—teams like Michigan. The Wolverines can rally behind sophomore Jordan Taylor with her 222 innings of experience in 2008, exceeding all expectations with a 31-4 record, 0.76 ERA, and 297 strikeouts. Florida also has a great shot to succeed with senior Stacey Nelson, who posted a 47-5 record, a 0.75 ERA and 363 strikeouts last year. Northwestern has a similar shot to go all the way on junior Lauren Delaney’s arm—she excelled in 2008 with a 37-11 record, 1.74 ERA, and 461 strikeouts.

With the Pac-10 teams forced to rely on inexperienced or underperforming pitchers in 2009, there is an unprecedented chance for non-Pac-10 teams to win the WCWS. Either way, it’s going to be a great season!

Conditioning Training for Pitchers

By Kristi Spielman
Physical Therapist, Pitching Coach & Former Division 1 Pitcher

The topic of conditioning training for pitchers has been getting a lot of attention lately, as it should. There are so many specialized instructors out there teaching the mechanics, but so little review of general conditioning. Yes, there are speed camps and sports-specific training that you can get into with a licensed professional, but it’s going to cost you. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do on your own. So to review, training workouts for pitchers should contain the following:

Cardiovascular Conditioning: Biking, jogging, walking, adding inclines, elliptical, jump rope, rollerblading, or any other activity that would increase your heart rate for 20 minutes or more.

Flexibility: This is a sustained or dynamic stretch that should include major muscle groups: quadraceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius (calf muscle), low back, trunk rotators, biceps, tricpes, pectoralis muscles, forearm muscles, and the rotator cuff muscles.

Strengthening: I am a big fan of using your own body weight as resistance. Start off with squats, split lunges, heel raises, sit-to-stands, wall squats, sit-ups, planks, push-ups, and reverse curl-ups. The “core” which is your abdominal area is crucial for control of the entire pitch. I often see injured athletes, pitchers in particular, who complain of back pain and have terrible abdominal strength and lack of flexibility in their lower torso. So the key is to engage in a total body conditioning program to create muscle balance and strength. Do all exercises for 2-3 sets of 10 reps. It usually takes 4-6 weeks before muscle fibers will make any change for strength goals. So keep at it—you will see results in your pitching.

Proprioception (Body Awareness): This is just balance awareness. See how long you can stand on your right leg—your goal should be 60 seconds without holding on. Then see on long you can balance on your left leg. This should be equal—if not, work on the leg that is most difficult to balance on.

Agility/Endurance: I combined these two because the more you work out for agility, the more you will build the endurance component. The cardiovascular portion will also help your endurance. Agility is something that tends to be sports-specific, but for pitchers it involves being quick on your feet after throwing a pitch, so you can quickly return to a defensive position to field the ball. Being agile also helps prevent injuries in the long run. Endurance is important because a pitcher can easily start to get gassed after pitching a full game in the midst of heat. You may also be your team’s only pitcher throwing 2-3 games in one day. In that case you’ll have to dig deep, and your endurance level will help you get through it.

Overall, this is a basic program anyone can do on their own without any specialized equipment. If you need extra resistance, TheraBands are a great choice. These are essentially large rubber bands that can be added to all the strengthening exercises, you just need to be creative.

Good luck with your conditioning and keep at it—it will pay off in the long run.