Fastpitch4Life wrote:I have noticed that top college team's defenses are not as good as they used to be. More physical and mental errors. Anybody see the same thing?
Blind Squirrel wrote:Fastpitch4Life wrote:I have noticed that top college team's defenses are not as good as they used to be. More physical and mental errors. Anybody see the same thing?
I have a few observations based on what I saw during my kid's time playing in college but, appropriate disclosure: I know less than the average college or even TB parent when it comes to softball. My only coaching experience was a few years coaching wreck basketball so I don't know anything about coaching. That being said I was kind of shocked at some things in college softball. First thing (others in subsequent posts):
Many college softball outfielders have crappy arms and I was stunned by how many clearly don't know how to play a simple fly ball. It's painfully obvious when watching kids, even during warm ups make last second stabs at balls. My guess is that the primary reason is that college outfielders have sometimes never played in the outfield before. I doubt this was something new and I suspect it continues to this day. A question for the more knowledgeable, including relative newbs: Should a kid who intends to play college ball get some TB experience in the outfield and/or work on improving their long distance throwing ability? I understand that outfield is for the lame-o kids that aren't good enough to play in the infield but indignity during TB might be worthwhile if it makes the transition easier and prevents some of the costly errors and embarrassment.
I was surprised that the crappy outfielder arms were not taken advantage of more often. Geez, it seemed like half of left fielders couldn't make a strong, accurate throw to third let alone home if needed.
Topic of next observation: Players (college and travel) don't seem to study the game much and I wonder if coaches are a big reason why. It surely has a direct impact on their performance.
Another topic for later: College hitters face pitchers/coaches who "have a book a them", likely to a significantly greater degree than in TB. Is there anything a TB player should do to prepare that is different from just typical hitting lessons?
And another: I was shocked at the typical college player's base running skills. I expected way better at the college level. This could easily be addressed at the TB level but it apparently isn't. Odd.
'Tardolicious Squirrelicus
Blind Squirrel wrote:Fastpitch4Life wrote:I have noticed that top college team's defenses are not as good as they used to be. More physical and mental errors. Anybody see the same thing?
I have a few observations based on what I saw during my kid's time playing in college but, appropriate disclosure: I know less than the average college or even TB parent when it comes to softball. My only coaching experience was a few years coaching wreck basketball so I don't know anything about coaching. That being said I was kind of shocked at some things in college softball. First thing (others in subsequent posts):
Many college softball outfielders have crappy arms and I was stunned by how many clearly don't know how to play a simple fly ball. It's painfully obvious when watching kids, even during warm ups make last second stabs at balls. My guess is that the primary reason is that college outfielders have sometimes never played in the outfield before. I doubt this was something new and I suspect it continues to this day. A question for the more knowledgeable, including relative newbs: Should a kid who intends to play college ball get some TB experience in the outfield and/or work on improving their long distance throwing ability? I understand that outfield is for the lame-o kids that aren't good enough to play in the infield but indignity during TB might be worthwhile if it makes the transition easier and prevents some of the costly errors and embarrassment.
I was surprised that the crappy outfielder arms were not taken advantage of more often. Geez, it seemed like half of left fielders couldn't make a strong, accurate throw to third let alone home if needed.
Topic of next observation: Players (college and travel) don't seem to study the game much and I wonder if coaches are a big reason why. It surely has a direct impact on their performance.
Another topic for later: College hitters face pitchers/coaches who "have a book a them", likely to a significantly greater degree than in TB. Is there anything a TB player should do to prepare that is different from just typical hitting lessons?
And another: I was shocked at the typical college player's base running skills. I expected way better at the college level. This could easily be addressed at the TB level but it apparently isn't. Odd.
'Tardolicious Squirrelicus