American Pastime 12U Friendly

[hotwheels]

I don't have a dog in the fight as our team was not playing in this friendly. But having worked the fields for many friendlies over the years, I think it is more about getting games in for the girls than it is about the money. I think teams should always try to get the games in, if possible. You're already scheduled to play. Although it is frustrating to make a long drive to find out that games are canceled, I think you should always do what you can to try to play.

On several occasions over the years, I can remember driving in the rain to friendly and thinking, "Why have we not been called by the host, yet? There is no way we are going to play." ....Then arrive at the field and see that with great effort from the grounds crew, we were able to play. It is a tough call, but I don't think the host should be blamed for trying. JMO

No

[hotwheels]

And to think I was a little pissed they canceled our friendly right when I finished loading the car at 4:32 PM Sat.

Now, that's funny!

[weekend4trvl]

Learning to play on a wet muddy field takes some practice. The girls missed that opportunity. Throwing a wet ball , judging the hop on wet grass as it skids by you , playing the routine single when it lands in a puddle of water , running wet bases , fielding around the mud puddle...I could go on and on. Those are valuable skills that are rarely practiced. For those coaches that never actually played this game it's a good learning experience for them. When Sally the centerfielder can only throw the wet ball 30' the coach will know why. JMO

[hotwheels]

Learning to play on a wet muddy field takes some practice. The girls missed that opportunity. Throwing a wet ball , judging the hop on wet grass as it skids by you , playing the routine single when it lands in a puddle of water , running wet bases , fielding around the mud puddle...I could go on and on. Those are valuable skills that are rarely practiced. For those coaches that never actually played this game it's a good learning experience for them. When Sally the centerfielder can only throw the wet ball 30' the coach will know why. JMO

I agree with you but what about playing on ski's?

[BonezMom]

We got in a double -header on Saturday, in Riverside

Bragger......

Sounds like sour grapes to me... hehehe kidding!!

[BonezMom]

We got in a double -header on Saturday, in Riverside

Is Riverside on the dark side of the Moon?

I think that particular field might be

[Rich]

"I've been watching the rain thread all weekend with a bit of disbelief. There is not one field in Southern California that is playable after Thursday, Friday and Saturday's rain storms. Most of the friendlies were cancelled by Friday evening."

I too have been reading this thread in disbelief. I have played and continue to play softball both locally and nationally for nearly 30 years now, I have an older DD currently playing college ball, and a have a younger daughter playing travel. Suffice it to say I have been in the "are we playing or not" scenario many times over the last 30 years. It is quite common for some fields in the LA to be rained out while others play. Much of it has to do with the drainage at a particular field and luck. Rain totals do vary from city to city. I can think of many, many occasions over the last 30 years when either me or my DD's were rained out, when others played and vice versa. Only a few weeks ago the HB tournament was played in San Clemente while a No Fear friendly was canceled in LA County, so it happens all of the time. I, for one, am grateful for the time and effort put out by the host parents trying to get those fields ready so that we all could have a chance to play and watch the game we love. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I'm sure those parents had other things to do besides standing out there in the cold and rain trying to get those fields ready.

Try to be a little more positive people!

[Sftbll4ever]

I think the point is to be realistic. The fields when they got there were under water. You should know how well the fields will drain if they are your home fields. You also pretty much know the day before if there is any chance you will be able to get them ready in time. I think that stringing people a long hoping that it can happen is a lot of wasted time and gas on the teams showing up.

When we are hosting, we know how much work it will take to get the fields ready. If we don't think we can do it with our without rain, we cancel in a very reasonable time frame. I think some thought we might of called ours early (Friday night), but in hindsight, we knew there wasn't anyway to get them dry.

[sportzjunky]

I think the point is to be realistic. The fields when they got there were under water. You should know how well the fields will drain if they are your home fields. You also pretty much know the day before if there is any chance you will be able to get them ready in time. I think that stringing people a long hoping that it can happen is a lot of wasted time and gas on the teams showing up.

When we are hosting, we know how much work it will take to get the fields ready. If we don't think we can do it with our without rain, we cancel in a very reasonable time frame. I think some thought we might of called ours early (Friday night), but in hindsight, we knew there wasn't anyway to get them dry.

For the most part, if it aint ready at sunset the night before during winter, I doubt it will be ready at 8am. I think thats where most decisions can be made. Some fields drain really well but if its mud it wont matter anyways.

[onthejuice]

HUMMMMM! Just checked the TCS Website and it reads "10U, 12U and 14U - City parks and rec say fields will be ready. Games are on as scheduled" (But it's raining right now). Have at it Pastime bashers!!!!