Softball

[RockyTop1]

Who here is playing/has played in a softball league? I played intramurals when I was at UT, but that's been a few years. My church has put a team together and I'm going to play this year and I'm pretty pumped. Do you guys that play use a baseball glove or do you actually have a softball glove? We've only had one practice, but I'm pretty excited.

[BGarrett7]

Re: Softball

Who here is playing/has played in a softball league? I played intramurals when I was at UT, but that's been a few years. My church has put a team together and I'm going to play this year and I'm pretty pumped. Do you guys that play use a baseball glove or do you actually have a softball glove? We've only had one practice, but I'm pretty excited.

I'm playing my first year of softball this season. Co-ed league through my work, in the county we're located in. We're absolutely horrible. Well, everyone but me. Not only is it our first year, for a lot of my players -- yeah, I'm the coach -- it's their first year of any type of organized softball or baseball. And since it's co-ed, factor in the fact we have four or five girls who are absolutely useless, and I'm already about to pull my hair out after only two games.

As for what glove I'm using, I'm playing shortstop and picked this one up prior to the season:



It's an exclusive to ****'s Sporting Goods, and can be found here.

It's an awesome glove. It's made of a very soft leather so there is literally almost no breaking in that needs to be done. As soon as I tried it on in the store, it felt just like I had been using it for years. After using it in a couple practices, it's the best glove I've ever had.

[Birdsonbat]

Re: Softball

Who here is playing/has played in a softball league? I played intramurals when I was at UT, but that's been a few years. My church has put a team together and I'm going to play this year and I'm pretty pumped. Do you guys that play use a baseball glove or do you actually have a softball glove? We've only had one practice, but I'm pretty excited.

I played in a coed rec league last fall and had a blast. I bought a 13 inch glove to use instead of my regular baseball glove. I really wanted to get a league together for summer, but there were too many scheduling conflicts to work out.

[Shaver]

Re: Softball

Not to get labeled Softball Guy... but I've played most every year for the last 10... some years on multiple teams. To me, glove is a personal preference thing. If you have a baseball glove that works for you, I say don't change. The extra inch or two or slightly deeper pocket is not going to make a huge difference. Have fun!

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Softball

I've been playing every year since I graduated from college in 1999. For the last 4 or 5 years I've played on two different teams, twice a week from April thru October. Both teams are like D or E level, which isn't that great but we all have a good time, it keeps us active, and gives all of us something to do during the warm months. I actually just bought my first bat since I've been playing. It's a Mizuno ENVY. I think it's a model from a couple of years ago but I went 4-4 with it in our first game this past Monday. I got off to a hot start. I'm a singles hitter and can hit it to all fields. Last November when we were still finishing up a weather-delayed fall league, I came about 5 feet short of hitting my first HR. Grant it, it was 32 degrees out and the ball probably only went that far because of that, but hey, I still hit it that far.

[elicoleman]

Re: Softball

I started playing on my friends work team last year, and plan to do so again this year. I had a blast playing. I mainly was stuck in right field, but as the year went on, I slid over into right center field.

As far as gloves, I just use my friends glove (I believe it's his dads) cause I don't feel like buying a glove.

[mjb2124]

Re: Softball

I played for a few years for a local news station in Pittsburgh (WPXI). I just used my smaller "pitchers glove" from baseball. It was smaller than my outfield glove, but I played SS for the softball team and didn't want to use my baseball outfield glove as the pocket was too deep.

It was pretty fun while it lasted. The league ended up stopping and I haven't played since. If I found another league around here, I'd definitely play again.

[ubernoob]

Re: Softball

I played intramural softball at the university (filled in for someone, they ended up keeping me on the team.) We ended up winning the championship, and it was really fun. I didn't have my glove at school with me (I thought intramural football/softball were on the same days, so I was planning on football) and had to take someone elses glove. Highlight of the season: Gunning someone out at home from the LF fence in the championship game

Anyways, use whatever feels right to you. If I remember correctly, the glove I used was a softball glove. Preferrably I use a baseball glove (normally play 2B) because Im not a fan of deep pockets / extra length. To each his own though when it comes to mitts/bats.

Now I gotta convince a few friends around here to join a team with me, or find one to join.

[fsquid]

Re: Softball

We started here in Charlotte about 3 weeks ago. My team is a whopping 0-3 right now. Just leave way too many people on base and the fielding errors are killing us. Having a good fielding SS and 3B will get you a long way in softball.

[CM1847]

Re: Softball

I play at school co-ed and men's. I have played a few years running, I started out LF beginning last year and I finally had to ditch the baseball glove. I had 3-5 diving catches pop out of the glove with it, and yes, it was the glove's fault I picked up a 13 inch Nike that is similar to the one BG posted, except different color scheme. It was well under $100 and it works very well.

I've won the championship before at school, but lately we have been pretty bad. This year we brought in some girls who don't look lost on the field and we have a chance to win co-ed. Our men's team is very solid defensively(most of the time) but we leave way too many people on base, we are a few key hits away form being undefeated.

[Spectre]

Re: Softball

I just started this year. It's freakin awesome. I couldn't play baseball (after little league) in high school because I was far better at tennis I play center field and have done a pretty good job. We just got walloped by a great team. I play a pretty deep CF because I cover ground well.

Most importantly, its fun. I play with my med school classmates and we get to just hang out and have a good time. I could care less about winning or losing

Oh, I have big hands so I used a 13 incher in baseball too

[Money99]

Re: Softball

Not to get labeled Softball Guy... but I've played most every year for the last 10... some years on multiple teams. To me, glove is a personal preference thing. If you have a baseball glove that works for you, I say don't change. The extra inch or two or slightly deeper pocket is not going to make a huge difference. Have fun!

Infielders prefer a 12-13" mit. (Easier to get the ball out quicker). Some outfielders prefer 13-15" mits.

It's not like it matters though. If you know how to catch a ball you should be able to do it with any sized mit.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Softball

I wish I could get into a league. Play either a baseball or softball game for months now.

[fsquid]

Re: Softball

Is there a solution for learning to swing later? I just can't seem to do it this year. I basically have the weight on my front foot when ball contact is made.

[skitch]

Re: Softball

Is there a solution for learning to swing later? I just can't seem to do it this year. I basically have the weight on my front foot when ball contact is made.

Just try to hit the ball backside everytime.

Swing when you think the ball's behind you.