Border Battle falls short for real softball fans
YUCAIPA, CA – When I opened the sports page this morning my eyes
opened wide and my anticipation soared. Until I realized what version
of the men’s softball game would be showcased on TV today.
Under the heading of SOFTBALL were three listings: Women’s World Cup,
Canada vs. U.S. at 10 a.m. followed by Men’s slow pitch, Canada vs.
U.S. at 1 p.m., and finally Women’s World Cup, Japan vs. U.S. At 5 p.m.
All scheduled on ESPN.
I thought that surely the listing for the men’s game must be a
programming error, that it should have read: Men’s International
Softball Federation fast pitch, Canada vs. U.S.
So I logged on ESPN’s website to check, and sure enough the day’s
featured softball game was indeed slow pitch and a game billed as,
“The Border Battle; Men’s Slow Pitch Softball, Canada vs. U.S.”
Although, disappointed that an ISF game wouldn’t be televised, I
resolved to watch at least a few innings of the much-ballyhooed
contest. I haven’t watched slow pitch played at the “elite” level –
as the game announcers proclaimed – so I wanted to find out first
hand how good these Border Battle teams actually were.
My impression? The players are huge, they hit the ball a long way,
and lots of runs are scored. Probably no secret there.
But after seeing the U.S. hit 10 home runs, and I believe Canada
whacked eight, in the, 30-23, slugfest won by the U.S. by virtue of a
17-run (no misprint) fourth inning, I grew bored.
But I suppose there are fans who come to the ballpark and want to see
lots of runs scored. However for those fans that relish the pitcher
versus batter duel, in slow pitch it simply doesn’t exist.
The slow pitch pitcher tosses the ball in an arc between six and 10
feet and then backs up to field his position, hoping the batter hits
the ball hard (they all hit the ball hard) at a fielder. In fastpitch
the pitcher vs. batter duel is one of the most exciting aspects of
the sport – just as it is in baseball.
I mentioned big men? The players were all big, muscular, and strong.
So where in the slow pitch game does the little guy fit in? He
doesn’t. So that rules out the need for talented and speedy slappers.
Unless of course they can slap the ball over the fence. Or for slick
fielding shortstops and second basemen who can turn the double play.
And in slow pitch, a team must strategically time its home runs. Hit
over 10 and the rest are nothing but long outs. Solo home runs? Bad,
oh so bad. Hitters want to avoid those because they’re considered
wasted if the bases are empty.
I saw a couple of U.S. players who actually hung and shook their
heads in disgust as they trotted around the bases after hitting solo
home runs. Imagine feeling bad about hitting a home run.
And the hit and run? In fastpitch, a great strategy. But in slow
pitch it has no place. The big guys just simply try to crush the ball.
The stolen base? In slow pitch, no. In fastpitch an exciting and
again strategic play that often times wins ball games.
Near the end of the game the camera panned to a young girl in the
stands holding a poster that read, “Team USA (I’m) a pitcher in
training.” Sorry little girl, but you’re waving that sign during the
wrong ball game.
Will I tune in for the next Border Battle? Not anytime soon, unless
of course it’s a game featuring the U.S. and Canada’s very best men's
softball. As in men’s FASTPITCH softball.
To see more Bob Otto fastpitch stories and photos visit
www.ottoinfocus.com
