Sox Sign 17 Year Old Kiwi Softball Player

[BSN07]

I always found a softball easier to hit than a baseball--fast speed or slow--because it's bigger and easier to see. And more cross section of it to contact. Besides, a pitcher can do more with a baseball--fits in his hands better to make it curve, etc.

 

A fast pitch softball pitcher throws it straight and fast--and you can time it pretty easily.

 

I have to chuckle at those female fast pitch girls teams that get televised on ESPN. About the same level as intramural college teams I've played on. The girls are good, but TV good? LOL.

 

You have obviously never faced a good SB pitcher. If you face a guy that can rise and drop a FB at 85-90 MPH, a slider that moves from your hip to 2 feet outside at 80 MPH and a change up that comes in at a whopping 60 MPH and all that coming from a guy that is 36 feet away at the start of his wind up and about 30 feet when he delivers the ball. It's the hardest thing you'll ever have to hit. It's absolutely sick. I grew up playing baseball and got into softball when I moved here. SB is much harder hitting, and way faster in the field. SB gets a weak rap in America, because most of it is beer league level competition.

 

Doesn't mean this kid is a sure thing to make it. Just SB worldwide is a much higher level competition then it is in the States and shouldn't be shrugged off.

[SoxSport]

You have obviously never faced a good SB pitcher. If you face a guy that can rise and drop a FB at 85-90 MPH, a slider that moves from your hip to 2 feet outside at 80 MPH and a change up that comes in at a whopping 60 MPH and all that coming from a guy that is 36 feet away at the start of his wind up and about 30 feet when he delivers the ball. It's the hardest thing you'll ever have to hit. It's absolutely sick. I grew up playing baseball and got into softball when I moved here. SB is much harder hitting, and way faster in the field. SB gets a weak rap in America, because most of it is beer league level competition.

 

Doesn't mean this kid is a sure thing to make it. Just SB worldwide is a much higher level competition then it is in the States and shouldn't be shrugged off.

 

Ha. Well I must say I never faced a softball pitcher who could throw like Pedro Martinez.

At my level, just throwing very fast was usually good enough to succeed. Saw a few of those, and always hit them by just timing the ball. That means swing very fast. I always found a softball easier to hit than a baseball, and I'm sure it was because it's bigger-easier to see and a bigger cross section to hit with a same size bat.

[BSN07]

Ha. Well I must say I never faced a softball pitcher who could throw like Pedro Martinez.

At my level, just throwing very fast was usually good enough to succeed. Saw a few of those, and always hit them by just timing the ball. That means swing very fast. I always found a softball easier to hit than a baseball, and I'm sure it was because it's bigger-easier to see and a bigger cross section to hit with a same size bat.

 

Ya it's tough sometimes plaing Softball on Friday, then play Baseball on Sunday. It effected so much my first season, I started batting LH strictly in SB and RH in Baseball to keep from screwing up my swing. If your like me and grew up with baseball, adjusting your swing for SB is a pain in the ass. But I've managed it after a couple seasons and switch hit in both now depending on the situation and what I'm trying to do at the plate.

[hasser45]

not holding my breath for this guy

[BSN07]

not holding my breath for this guy

 

Well now that that is settled, we can all relax...

[26 to 6]

If he was playing fast pitch softball it may be an alright. The high speed fast pitch is very hard to hit as shown by ESPN with John Kruk against Jennie Finch. Not saying this guy is facing Jennie Finch.

Fastpitch is no joke. I think she even struck out Bonds when she was doing her TWIB tour a few years back.

 

This is a good story though. It'll be interesting to see how this kid makes the transition from softball to baseball and how he progresses as a prospect. He's only 17 so I'm sure it will be quite a while before his name is ever mentioned as a legitimate Major League prospect, but it will definitely be interesting to follow.

[a700hitter]

Fastpitch is no joke. I think she even struck out Bonds when she was doing her TWIB tour a few years back.

 

This is a good story though. It'll be interesting to see how this kid makes the transition from softball to baseball and how he progresses as a prospect. He's only 17 so I'm sure it will be quite a while before his name is ever mentioned as a legitimate Major League prospect, but it will definitely be interesting to follow.

If he is lucky, he'll replace the peanut vendor at Fenway when he decides to step down. That guy is deadly accurate and he has a quick release. I often think that he could throw out more base runners with a bag of peanuts than our catchers do on pitch-outs.