All About The Softball Express
Play Ball!
My name is Rudy, Welcome to The Softball Express
When I was 8 years old, I used to go with my dad and watch him play softball every Sunday morning. It was during those games, where I learned how to use the scorebook and keep track of each team’s outs and runs. Both teams keep a scorebook, yet the home team is the ‘official’ scorebook.
In high school, during the fall season, I played basketball. During warmup before practice began, I would throw the basketball from the free-throw line of the opposite end to make a basket. And I did make one a few times!
Without knowing it, I strengthened my arm, which helped me feel more confident when making those tight plays, hitting the cut-off and throwing out runners who tried to stretch a double into a triple.
As an adult, I played softball while in the military, and continued to play for the local city team after my honorable discharge.
I played a few more years on and off, and even played while in my early 60’s. I have umpired regulation and tournament games for a few seasons, coached a couple different teams, and have watched many a game from the stands, and even from the side of the road.
Through those years, I have learned a lot about hitting, base running, and fielding the ball from watching the game as much as I did by playing.
Some of my ball-playing improvement was the result of learning from my teams’ softball conditioning drills and exercises. These exercises not only helped to get me in shape, but I was able to improve my accuracy and precision, which can make the difference when making a play.
I want to Pay it Forward
My goal is to offer some insights into the game from the perspective of the player, coach, umpire, and spectator to provide you with up-to-date tips and techniques for all levels of play.
As a Player, we know the importance of proper throwing, hitting, fielding and base running techniques, and I want to offer content that will help you improve your skills.
As a Coach, our goal is to create the best team possible, at any level of play. There are new techniques and tips, and training videos that I want to share with you.
As an umpire, we know it’s a tough job, but someone has to make the tough calls, right? Umpires are the soul of the game, who can change the outcome with a good or a bad call! I have some valuable content to share with you to help make your job easier.
As a spectator, there is nothing like getting together to support your team. Many of us have been a spectator at a softball game, and the memories of the experiences wash over us, we can almost feel the excitement of cheering our team.
The Softball Game Has Changed Over the Years
A Softball game lasts seven innings. That has not changed.
What has changed is the time for which to finish a 7-inning game. This time limit is different for league play from tournament play.
The ball is now yellow with red lacing.
Another change is the 3rd strike rule, a rule that limits the number of times a batter can hit a foul ball. That change occurred around 1980. I remember when the rule changed.
The batter who has two strikes and hits a foul ball, used to get a second chance to hit the ball fair. If they hit the ball foul again, that would be their thirds strike.
Today. any foul ball or foul tip hit by the batter, with two strikes, is an automatic out. In slowpitch, foul tips do not occur as often as they do in fastpitch softball games, yet they do happen.
The rule was supposedly changed to speed up the game, as there is a time limit and a game must include a minimum of four and a half innings in order to be considered a ‘complete game’. Five complete innings is a complete game if the home team needed to score to win the game.
I think the 3rd strike rule changed the game forever.
Although I miss the days when a couple of foul balls with a 1 and 2 count would give you the chance to hit the ball fair. Although, players have had to improve their hitting skills and learn how to hit the ball fair, instead of pulling the ball foul of the baseline.
Why I want to Help You
Whether you are a player, coach, umpire, or the best spectator, I want to share about ALL aspects of softball. I want to provide content that will help you to improve your playing and coaching skills, appreciate the umpire, and enjoy watching the game from the stands as a spectator.
For the players and coaches, I want to focus on bringing content that includes specific drills and workout sessions to improve your throwing accuracy, fielding the ball and how to wait on the pitch when up at-bat.
In addition, I want to share some tips on how to think about what-if scenarios that will help you in a game crunch situation.
If anything, I have learned that the more prepared you are for a game, the less likely you are to make an error.
Most of the content on this site is going to be centered around improving your game.
We will be discussing tips and drills to help you hit and field the ball even better.
Coaches, we want to help you, too!
There will be comprehensive product reviews of the latest training and gear that hits the market for the avid softball player. We pride ourselves on helping you make the best decisions through honest and objective advice.
Practice, Practice, and More Practice!
The more you practice, the better you will become. When you spend hours perfecting your swing, or fielding a ground ball, you want to learn the right way. It is easy to pick up bad habits, like dropping your shoulder before swinging at a pitch, or not using both hands to catch a ball. That one play could make the difference between winning or losing the game.
So slide, head first, into the Softball Express and look around. If you want to share anything about your own Softball experiences, I would love to hear about it.
And remember, keep your eye on the ball!
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