Sutton Mirror Piece

As someone who likes to voice her opinion and enjoys a good debate, I was excited what we could write an opinion piece.  A majority of people don’t like outspoken people, but in our world today, it takes courage to stand up and speak your mind.  I wish more people would do so, but in a manner which is tasteful.  For this particular Sutton mirror blog, I am choosing to write about the game speed of softball compared to the game speed of baseball.  The difference has always been of annoyance to me, especially three different aspects of the game.

1.       Softball infield…..7 minutes    •   •  Baseball infield……Who cares! We like to watch paint dry

First of all, softball never used to allow teams to do infield before the game.  You could hit grounders and pop flys on the side but no one was allowed on the field.  Today, they have graciously given us 7 whole minutes.  Seven minutes isn’t enough time to hardly hit the ball to everyone twice but stay within your 7 minutes or the umpires will already serve you your first warning.  Heck with baseball, let’s see if we can bore the fans before the game even starts.  Wait, not bored enough yet?!  Don’t worry, I’ll keep hitting you grounders till you make a good throw over to first, no biggie.

2.      Time between Softball innings….1 minute and 5 pitches   •   •  Time between Baseball innings…Intermission

Literally one minute.  Coaches have hardly any time to say anything to their defensive players coming off the field not to mention the girl who is up to bat first.  “Hustle in, hustle out ladies,” but where is the hustle in baseball?  Time between baseball innings, I have the ability to go to the bathroom, grab a bite to eat, and still return to my chair before the next batter is up.  Many don’t even care to take their equipment back to the dugout.  They have some younger kid do it for them, which don’t get me wrong, does help keep things moving.  It bothers me though when guys can waltz on the field and waltz back off like they don’t have a care in the world.  

3.       Softball passed ball with nobody on…hustle back or the ump gets irritated   •   •  Baseball passed ball with nobody on…(raises hand up to receive ball)

Really?!  I know the backstop is WAAAAAY back there, but you missed the ball didn’t you?  Why should the guy on deck have to stop what is he doing to get the ball?  I get that it isn’t always your fault, but going after your ball would teach you something.  From my coaching experience, young catchers who miss a lot of balls find out real quick they need to be better at keeping the ball in front because so many times going back to the fence can get tiring. 

I realize that some of these things are just part of the game, but when you’re trying to teach young kids hustle and hard work, where does that fit in with not doing either of them?  Softball is an extremely quick game.  That is what makes it exciting.  Most softball games can be completely before the 3^rd inning of the baseball game.  Baseball should take some pointers from softball and it all starts with a little hustle.