Second Softball Practice 4/22 @ 1 pm

[Jimbo]

Anyone have any ideas for Saturday?

 

My thoughts would be to loosen up as usual, then a round of batting practice. But then I'm thinking maybe a couple of guys hitting fungos - one to the OF and one to the IF. In MLB defense may be 10% of the game, but in rec softball I'm thinking closer to 40%.

 

Also, should we start considering who would fit which positions the best? When we break camp I don't think it would be a bad idea to have a feel for who would be our

- pitcher(s)

- middle infielders

- corner infielders

- outfielders

 

This way we'll be prepared for the opener instead of winging it.

 

If I'm being way too serious, just let me know.

 

Finally, do we have a scorebook or should I go out and get one?

[brewerjamie15]

I bought a scorebook when I got all the game and practice balls.

 

I'm also thinking we need to start establishing positions.

I was thinking instead of breaking in groups that we'd all take positions on the field and work on cuttoffs, relays, force plays, and decide where our tenth man is to be positioned. (I was thinking short left center)

 

Start generating some ideas and share them. This is a team run by the team so we all have an equal say.

[Brian the Automator]

I'll be there.

[nullbyte]

Sounds like my friends are going to the Sunday game instead of Saturday's, so I should be there too. (brain is happy.. legs/shoulders/back are not.. screw 'em.)

 

As far as positions, I'll throw this out -- My arm isn't really where it should be, so I'm thinking I'd fit best on the right side of the diamond.. where there probably won't be as many balls hit http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif 2B, RF, whatever.

 

Shallow left-center seems like a pretty good place for the 10th guy to me, judging by where we were hitting the other day.. I'd say we can probably count on most batters to pull the ball. Easy to shift accordingly for lefties, too.

 

Perhaps someone should scout out the opposing teams and we can generate some data to run a little alien defense... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[colbyjack]

Hey Coach, just so you know, I have Henry's baptism this Saturday, and then I'm out of town the following weekend. The earliest I would be able to join in the fun is the first week of May.

 

You may be grateful for that, as I may be better off as a spectator http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

[brewerjamie15]

Seems like Colbyjack is a good candidate for the "left out" position.

Actually, maybe we can get a few people together for a Thursday evening chuck the ball around and maybe take a few hacks.

[bball123h2]

Dang it. I'll be on the road back from fliorida and will be back saturday night. If anyone wants to get together on sunday, I'm game. Otherwise, I'll catch you guys at practice 3.

[colbyjack]

Seems like Colbyjack is a good candidate for the "left out" position.

 

Well, I did tell you from the beginning that my participation would be extremely limited. I think you just wanted me for my player fees http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

bball123h, I might be available to get together on Sunday to throw the ball around and hit a few. I live on the south side, but am willing to travel a little bit if I need to. Hopefully a few others will be interested as well.

 

Otherwise, all of next week stinks as I'm leaving town Wednesday night and am going to Tuesday night's game. Maybe I'll hit the batting cages one of these nights.

[bball123h2]

I live in the southern burbs, so that'll be fine with me. My computer use will be sporatic at best the next few days, but I'd definately be interested.

 

PS Jamie did you receive my league fees check?

[brewerjamie15]

Just a reminder-

Practice is Saturday at 1 pm again and it'll be at the diamond we talked about.

If you guys plan to get together and need the practice balls let me know. I can't do Sunday but next Thurs is a possibility.

[DougJones43]

it'll be at the diamond we talked about

 

hales corners? the same diamond as last weekend's practice, correct?

 

i'm not working this saturday, so i'll be there. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

edit: also, did anybody drive there from the east side? just wondering to see if i could get an estimate on driving time so i know when i should leave. thanks.

[Houlie24x]

I will probably be at the practice on Saturday but I won't know for sure until Friday night. I would like to get a little practice on Thursday if others are.

 

Also, do we buy our t-shirts off a site somewhere or do we get them at practice?

[Iron Chef Napalm]

As I said at last week's practice, I can't make it this Saturday and someone else will need to bring a loud radio.

 

Looks like it might rain a bit... what are the rainout rules for practice?

 

 

You need to buy your jersey from here

 

www.cafepress.com/bfdotnet/584161

[Brian the Automator]

Is there an official word on rubber vs. metal spikes for games? I need to run out today and get some clear and some cream anyway, so I figured i'd grab some spikes.

[valpocrewsader]

Quote:

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take positions on the field and work on cuttoffs, relays, force plays

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This is exactly what I was thinking. Be good to simulate some real game situations. I would also be in favor seeing a good amount of baserunning. Maybe have guys take BP like last time but then run on their 10th hit or something.

 

By the end of the practice, it'd be good to have some ideas about who's suited for what position, who can make the throw from third to get a fast runner, who can turn DPs, who's got a good enough cannon and depth perception for the outfield, who has the bat and speed to hit leadoff, who's got the bat to hit in the power positions, etc. With nothing nailed down as concrete yet, of course...

 

I'm crossing my fingers that we'll be able to get on the softball diamond this time. Using that field instead of trying to shorten the hardball diamond should get the picture in focus a little better.

[valpocrewsader]

Quote:

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hales corners? the same diamond as last weekend's practice, correct?

---

 

Same park as last time, but we're shooting for the softball diamond.

 

Quote:

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also, did anybody drive there from the east side? just wondering to see if i could get an estimate on driving time so i know when i should leave.

---

 

If you know how long it takes you to get to the Hale interchange (where 43/894 and 45/894 come together), it's less than 5 minutes off the freeway from there. Yahoo maps can probably give you a pretty accurate time, for a destination you should be able to use "Parnell Ave at New Berlin Rd" in Hales Corners.

[AJOHNSON104]

I'll be there this week.

[brewerjamie15]

I called th eoffice to double check. Metal Spikes are allowed in our league.

 

RAIN:

Use your best judgement. If it's pouring at noon, I'd say practice is surely cancelled. If it's a bit of a drizzle, we can probably throw the ball around. We should probably check in here on this thread before we leave for practice just to double check.

 

East Side drive time: Took me about 20 minutes total.

[brewerjamie15]

Oh, BTW-

If you've not paid league fees, please bring them and fill out a player card.

I'll have schedules for everyone as well.

See you tomorrow

[Brian the Automator]

I went out and bought a glove, bat, ball, pants, batting gloves, and hit about 100 balls in the cages today. At least I have the equipment, and my age is sabermetrically correct for me to have a career year (i'll be 29 in July).

[valpocrewsader]

Is someone bringing a radio? I believe the person who brought it to the last parctice (iron chef?) was going to be absent this time. With a little notice, I could provide a boombox (need to pick up batteries).

 

Quote:

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If anyone wants to get together on sunday, I'm game.

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I could definitely be persuaded if it wasn't too far from my house (hwy 100 & Greenfield). Jamie's the only one with the official softballs, though, and I don't really have any bats.

[Brian the Automator]

Depending on how sore I am, I might be interested in playing on Sunday. I'm in Waukesha, so distance isn't an issue for me.

[bball123h2]

Does everybody know where McCarty Park is? If not, its on 84th and Cleveland. Note that Cleveland doesn't run from 76th to 84th, and the parking lot is just off of 84th (where Cleveland would be). If enough people are interested, I would love to practice there on sunday and actually meet some of the team. Otherwise, Wilson park on 20th and howard has a ton of fields (across the street from the ice rink), and I can pretty much guarantee that the field at Milwaukee hamilton will not be in use (although its a baseball field).

[colbyjack]

Valpo, Brian and bball, if you guys are in I think Sunday is doable for me. I don't have a bat either unfortunately, at least not a metal one. I would be willing to go to McCarthy park if that's a good central location for everyone.

 

Early afternoon, maybe the same 1:00 pm time as Saturday's practice? I need to get some angst out after this recent Brewers run...

 

I do have a couple of softballs, and if Brian comes, maybe he could bring a couple from Saturday's practice.

 

Speaking of bats, any suggestions? I'm willing to spend about $25-30. Every time I go to the Dunham's by me everything has been picked through pretty extensively.

[brewerjamie15]

As far as aluminum bats go, I'd suggest trying to get one with a nice "drop" to it.

a 34 inch bat that weighs 28 oz. has a "drop" of -6. (the difference between length and weight is the drop) The greater the drop, generally the greater the greater the bat speed.

I spent $30.00 on a drop 6 Nike bat which needs more hits to "break it in"

Unfortunately,with a $30.00 bat, you usually get a single wall bat with a non-shock absorbing grip on it. Non absorbing can rob power and single wall bats can dent rather easily especially in cool weather.

 

Here's a Bat buyer's link I found interesting and helpfull. Also make sure which ever bat you select is ASA approved. (there will be a stamp on the bat) If your sporting goods store is picked over, you may want to check ebay.