Stupid rule...

[Steve M]

"But this is just the nature of fastpitch softball, for better or worse. True fans of the game, of which I am one, accept this as an unavoidable reality. Functionally, a team needs but one pitcher. The other pitcher is only "needed" to pitch inconsequential games, games in which the outcome is predetermined regardless who pitches because of the disparity in the teams, or should the ace pitcher get injured."

Pitching does dominate, you're right. And I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be - officiating wise, anway - than on the plate in a men's major game. Most of the big time men's major teams have 3+ pitchers. One may be the one who gets the ball in must-win games, but the others get plenty of work.
A close friend of mine got to regularly work the plate for the Eddie Feigner-Ty Stofflet games. He's much older than me - but it had to have been awesome with the slow guy throwing around 105.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Steve M

"But this is just the nature of fastpitch softball, for better or worse. True fans of the game, of which I am one, accept this as an unavoidable reality. Functionally, a team needs but one pitcher. The other pitcher is only "needed" to pitch inconsequential games, games in which the outcome is predetermined regardless who pitches because of the disparity in the teams, or should the ace pitcher get injured."

Pitching does dominate, you're right. And I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be - officiating wise, anway - than on the plate in a men's major game. Most of the big time men's major teams have 3+ pitchers. One may be the one who gets the ball in must-win games, but the others get plenty of work.
A close friend of mine got to regularly work the plate for the Eddie Feigner-Ty Stofflet games. He's much older than me - but it had to have been awesome with the slow guy throwing around 105.

Dang! 105mph???

I can't imagine what that must look like.

That's something I have very little experience with - men's fastpitch. You just don't see too many leagues like that. I know they exist - just none around here.

What distance are they pitching from?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

Dang! 105mph???

I can't imagine what that must look like.

That's something I have very little experience with - men's fastpitch. You just don't see too many leagues like that. I know they exist - just none around here.

What distance are they pitching from?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Better look quick, David.
Men pitch from 46 feet. Women pitch from 43 feet, and girls from 40 feet.
I've had one throwing 102 and his counterpart in the low-mid 90's. But I've never had two who were both that fast - and thankfully, at thoat level, they have outstanding control.
Let's see - Memphis. How close is that to St Louis? There's some pretty good ball there, or at least a couple of really solid teams. Men's fast pitch in general is dying - if not dead in most areas. And good men's fast pitch is even tougher to find.

As a late addition - these guys can hurt somebody when they throw change-ups.