[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I'll agree the mens FP is dwindling. I started playing in the service and spent a couple of years on my base team in addition to intramural squadron play. I dabbled in pitching and got adept enough to pitch at the intramural level but played OF on the base team.

When I got out in '73, there were a couple of FP leagues in my area, one that was superior to the other. After a few years, they ended up merging, and today, there is none. I haven't seen a men's FP game in about 20 years, although I'll admit I really didn't take the time to actively seek one out.

In my area now, we work a few Sunday modified-pitch leagues, a company intramural modified-pitch league and no mens FP.

I think part of the issue is finding guys that actually can pitch. As you all know, if you don't have the pitching, your team isn't going too far, either in a league or tournament play.

I know ASA was doing something a few years ago to try and develop men's pitching skills. I was basically self taught with some pointers from some of my base team teammates. Wish I could have had a coach and some of the training aids and videos that are available these days. Still, I obviously wasn't "going pro" playing softball.

I've heard there are some large pockets around the US: St. Louis, areas in IL, NY and Arizona, to name a few. Men's MP is also fading just as quickly, even in our area. Just a few years ago, one of the local leagues had about 4 A-league teams and 4 B-league teams. Now, it's down to just one league with about 4 or 5 teams.