Fear the Crab

I plan to join a fast-pitch softball league this fall.  I have never played fastpitch softball, only slow pitch where it’s a more leisurely underhand toss.  Oh sure, I played baseball, but I was never really good at that.  Come to think of it, I was never really good at the slow-pitch league, either.  Ah well.

I had always intended to play in a softball league, but the only question was which one.  I asked my dad for references to the leagues he used to play in, which were all of the slow-pitch variety.  The league usually played on weekday evenings, which would be perfect for my schedule.  I already had the equipment and the experience so I would be able to fit right in without requiring any training (except, of course, for bettering my swing).

My co-worker at The Office said his team is continually looking for players, but the league is fast-pitch.  Joining that league would mean that, while I might be familiar with the concepts, I would be starting from scratch and adjust to the different dimensions of the diamond, the speed of the pitch, and the change to the bat swing.

Fast-pitch softball requires a lighter bat, so that you can bring it around quicker.  This means that a batter relies on speed to make contact with the ball, since reaction time is significantly reduced.  The fact that the pitcher stands quite close to home means even less time to register the ball.  Essentially I have to become a slap-hitter, someone who just gets the ball into play and hope my speed and short base paths win me an infield single.

Slow-pitch softball is pretty much the opposite.  A batter relies on power to try and get the ball into the outfield.  With enough time to judge the ball’s trajectory, the only question remaining is how good the hand-eye coordination is and how powerful the bat is brought to contact.  In such games, sometimes a heavier bat can help, because the extra weight can translate into an increase of kinetic energy once contact is made.

The one thing that solidified my decision to join the fast-pitch league was the probability of seeing some playing time.  The slow-pitch team my dad used to play for is pretty much established; the current players have solidified their positions and as a result newcomers have to be really good in order to earn starter status.  My dad told me he got a position as a pitcher, because there weren’t too many at the time.  Even then, he didn’t really play much when he was in the league, usually brought in towards the end with the starter got tired.  Some days, he had a beer in the first inning because he knew he wasn’t going to be playing.

My dad really joined the league for the social gathering, and that’s primarily the reason I am looking for a league to play in as well.  I just would like a bit more activity under my belt than just the rear-end reheating of leveled sitting surfaces.

Anyway, I decided that I needed to get a new bat, so I got a very light Easton-brand fastpitch bat.  I also purchased some all-important protection.

This league begins play in early August, which is only a week away; I hope I am ready by then.

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EDIT:  Major sadness!  Turns out that I am required to be a resident of the area in order to play.  The league does allow exemptions, but to qualify for an exemption I have to be of a certain age, which I am not.  Aw, man.