[greymule]

Because it treats every batter like a generic mannequin, the mat does detract from "real" softball. It had to be the brainchild of someone who believed that "deep" was determined by where the ball hit the ground. The apologists for the mat, besides claiming that it cuts down on arguments (actually, it does), say that with today's bats, the batters still have an overwhelming advantage.

All just more evidence of the decay and, if nothing changes, eventual death of a once-great game.

Speaking of things I will never do again: games with "drop dead" time limits top the list.