hglifer

Tennessee teams are doing well.

Well, gee, if you want to look at it that way. Let's scrap batting helmets and catchers gear and go by one of the original rules - If you can throw and hit the baserunner with the ball, they are out!

Thank you so much! i am printing your reply. I bought my daughter metal for pitching based on same reason. Before she has broken them in enough to wear, all these injuries and questions come up. I told her to wear them on defense and change on offense. She thought i was insane. Now I can show her it is not just me that thinks this way!

I would have thought the rules were same in Alabama since we go by NFHS also. Our obstruction rule is worded something like "fielder cannot block base unless fielding a batted ball (rather than ball being thrown by other fielder)that has not passed an infielder other than the pitcher". I don't recall seeing mention of how many fielders can go after the ball. Of course, not too many situations would bring two fielders in front of a runner. Since it was 3rd dropped strike, not sure if that rule would have applied either. Two years ago they got remarkably tough on obstruction at home plate here. We lost 3rd round sub-state game by one run because our catcher had the ball, dropped it, picked up and tagged before offensive player reached. Umpire said when she dropped it, she lost possesion so she was blocking it illegally. They loosened up last year and are pretty much ignoring it this year. Another difference is in Alabama batter has to return to box within 10 seconds of ball back in pitchers circle and pitcher has to deliver pitch within 10 seconds of batter returning to box.

One could say that, but that would not have been what I was trying to say. The actual velocity, movement and placement is better when she is very relaxed. Being way ahead, or being on a very strong team relaxes her more. It is the same when batting. Obviously, relaxation alone does not do it - To win, let alone get a perfect game, pitcher has to be good to begin with. Back to back, I'd say pitcher is probably extremely good. In my post, I was just commenting on the ability to pitch even better when playing weaker team or having a lot of confidence in your own. I did not intend it as a slight to anyone and I am sorry if it came off offensive or arrogant. I generally know better than to post opinions on forums as to easy to misconstrue poster's intentions /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

The caliber of the opposing team makes a big difference. As a pitcher's Mom, I have seen the difference in my daughters pitching when she is either on an awesome team or playing a very weak team. She is so loose and relaxed that she pitches awesome. Conversely, when she is playing on a weak team, with little defense or offense to help, or pitching against a top ranked team, the longer game goes on without gaining a lead, the tenser she gets, ball slows down and she loses accuracy.

Thank you. Our bats have been pretty quiet last few years, but hopefully will make noise this year. The girls are definately all getting along better as a team than ever before, so that should make a difference. Good luck to your team.

Tennessee has a bunch of talent. We came from Alabama Friday night to play in the Commando Classic. I was very impressed with most teams I saw. Great pitching (saw Riverdale, Mt Juliet, Good Pasture, and Gibbs) and aggressive hittters. I can see where one error will decide a lot of games there. Glad we don't play there all the time!