Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

[DC]

I have never played baseball/softball before other than hitting the ball in my yard when I was younger. I am thinking about playing Softball this summer just to do something different.

I already know I will disappoint them because you know the perception of a black man that is asked to play on a company team

But someone give me some basic pointers or something, I asked google and picked up some tips. But I am sure some of you dudes play.

[goz]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I wish i could help but there are alot of older people where I work at, I'm the youngest in our division, so we have Company Golf and Bowling, thankfully i'm decent at both. But i wish we had Company Softball or at least flag football. I wouldn't mind "accidently" running into some of our managment here.

Peace!
GOZ

[ubernoob]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I have never played baseball/softball before other than hitting the ball in my yard when I was younger. I am thinking about playing Softball this summer just to do something different.

I already know I will disappoint them because you know the perception of a black man that is asked to play on a company team

But someone give me some basic pointers or something, I asked google and picked up some tips. But I am sure some of you dudes play.

There are yards in DC? hmm...

Tips? Don't know corrections to make based on the little things because it's different for everyone. Just remember when fielding: "Head down, butt down, glove down." Don't be scared of the ball either, it'll only sting for a few minutes.

Also, get me a glove and we can play catch

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I have never played baseball/softball before other than hitting the ball in my yard when I was younger. I am thinking about playing Softball this summer just to do something different.

I already know I will disappoint them because you know the perception of a black man that is asked to play on a company team

But someone give me some basic pointers or something, I asked google and picked up some tips. But I am sure some of you dudes play.

I'm not sure how new you are so here are some basic things:

The biggest mistakes people make in softball when hitting is not letting the ball come to you. It's a slow, lobbing pitch so you don't need to take your stride and **** yourself until the ball starts to come downward. You'll see a lot of newcomers and guys switching over from baseball way out front of pitches.

Don't try to kill the ball. The harder you swing, the more likely you will be to pull your head and swing yourself into a circle. Just try to make solid contact and hit the ball between the IF and OF.

When in doubt, hit the ball on the ground. If your fast, use your speed. Flyballs and pop ups are gimme outs to average teams. If you hit the ball on the ground, they have to catch the ball, make a good thrown and then catch it again.

Run hard...in softball almost any ball that reaches the OF is a potential double. The bases are close and often times OF's play deep. A routine grounder up the middle can be a stand up double if you have speed.

Go to a batting cage to get yourself used to the speed of the pitch and get used to making contact.

As for catching, let the ball come to you, don't attack the ball and reach way out with your glove. Hold your glove out front with a slightly bent arm and let the ball come to you and try and catch it in the web of your glove. With a good glove, you don't really have to do much as once the ball hits the pocket, it will pretty much close for you. On pop ups and flyballs, use two hands.

If you play OF-get the ball in to an infielder fast. Good teams will run all day when the OF is holding the ball. Field it and throw it to the cut off.

That's all I got for now.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I already know I will disappoint them because you know the perception of a black man that is asked to play on a company team

What the hell was the point of this? Trying to get a rise out of people or engage in racial politics which is against the TOS?

As for the question, I'm on my wife's team, and unless your team is in the hyper-competitive leagues (we are in "C" which is the lowest level here in Minnesota) I wouldn't worry about impressions or any of that crap. Just have fun, follow the rules, and drink some beer after every contest.

For most on our team that's the goal...to not get embarrassed and get to the bar for celebration.

[p_rushing]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I played on the company volleyball team at my client's company. We were in the bottom league, so basically just the go out there and have fun. My team was all consultants, so we didn't actually work for the company. We had a blast until the last week. We were in last place or 2nd to last. We played the 2nd place team and they started calling bogus fouls when we were beating them. I got pissed at that, then when I called a foul on them and they were like what are you talking about, that was the end. It was not friendly any more. My coworkers thought they were going to have to hold me back. We got an email about our team the next day. The team manager wouldn't send it to me though as I wanted to respond.

We knocked them out of the tournament the next week also, it was great. As long as you don't run into some crazies who can't take losing, its great fun. We went out after most of the games and continued the fun.

[pfunk880]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

What the hell was the point of this? Trying to get a rise out of people or engage in racial politics which is against the TOS?

Agreed, I'm really getting sick of seeing that kind of stuff around here.

[DC]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

What the hell was the point of this? Trying to get a rise out of people or engage in racial politics which is against the TOS?

Uh that was NOT what I was aiming for. If that is what you thought my intentions were I am sorry.

[Joey P]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

Softball?

Every time we used to play, it was a goal to shoot the Pitcher. Wait for that nice lob, wait til it comes to chest level, swing hard and straight and point the bat towards the Pitcher.

[Salhus]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

swing as hard as you can, just in case you hit it

[WDOgF0reL1fe]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I play softball for Chili's every year. Its a blast. 65+ team tournament!
Woo!

Tips? Its pretty easy, dont swing as hard as you can because you think (hey its a big ball, it should be easy) but then you end up over hitting it and just pop it straight up. Since its company softball, some (If not most) are not good at softball and probably couldnt even throw you out.

Also, most people stick their worst player at second base. So aim there

[terrapinman]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

Uh that was NOT what I was aiming for. If that is what you thought my intentions were I am sorry.

I understood ur point on that one bruh!

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

Don't try to be a hero on every swing. You get on base a ton more if you have a level swing. Softball is crazy.. you get up and you're like "I'm going to crush the crap outta this thing.. and end up popping it up for an easy out.

Just swing hard obviously but not to kill.. and don't uppercut.

As far as defense well that's a whole nother ballgame.. hopefully you have good coordination as far as lateral movement and nice arm strength/quick release.

[Cebby]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

There are yards in DC? hmm...

We played on the Mall.

[Cusefan]

Re: Company Softball; Anyone Else Play?

I used to play Softball in the Army Actually, It was pretty fun and it got me out of work a few days out of the week.

My best Suggestion for anyone learning to play softball is this: DO NOT swing for the fences, you will pop out every time. Learn to hit solid grounders or Line drives. Home Runs do not win games in softball, Solid hitting does. Personally I would try and pick out the infielder you see as weak and try and hit it to him every time.