Has Softball Struck Out?

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing was the last time softball was played in the Olympics. It was cut from the Olympic program because there weren’t enough countries that had good softball organizations and it’s popularity was primarily people in America, Asia, and Canada. Also, they needed to make room for sports such as golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports. According to Vicki Michaelis from USA TODAY, “Baseball and softball are the first sports cut from the Olympics since polo in 1936.” In 2005, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) took a vote and softball and baseball were removed from the Olympics for the 2012 and 2016 games (although they were still allowed to play in the 2008 games). Upon hearing this, people all around the world were disappointed. On the other hand, some countries were happy that softball was taken out of the Olympics because they believed that the USA was too dominant, since they medaled every year.

In my opinion, softball should definitely be an Olympic sport. It is fun to watch and to play. By having an Olympic softball team, it gives girls a goal to try to achieve. For many girls who play in college, they dream of playing at “the next level,” but they can’t if there isn’t an Olympic team. Some people think that only people in America are interested in softball, but that is not true. Teams from Asia such as Japan, were also devastated when softball was removed. Many softball leagues and organizations are working to help promote softball world-wide, so that hopefully, it can be played in the 2016 Olympics. Softball deserves to be in the Olympics, and I hope that in the near future it will be.

~Abby Abramson

2012 College Softball

I’ve been watching college softball since I can remember and softball has been part of my life since I was 5. I would rather stay home and watch college softball then go to the movies or go to the mall, that’s how much I love the game. Every time I watch a game it pushes me to get better and be better because I know that someday I will be there and nothing can stop me. I’ve been to some of the Uconn Huskies softball games because I know some of the girls on the team and every time I watch their game I can see myself out there. It makes me want to get out there and play the game I love.

The college softball world series right now is heating up. My favorite team is Alabama because everything they do I like. Just the way the play the game and you can see their chemistry together, it’s awesome to watch. They had the opening game yesterday (May 31) which they came out with a win against their SEC rivals Tennessee 5-3. They play Oklahoma tonight (June 1), But I hope they win it all for the Crimson Tide Alabama softball team this year.

~Megan Hodgdon

The Softball Story

http://www.edinasoftball.com/images/softball_bat_glove_ball_homeplate.jpg

I love softball !! I’ve been playing since I was 8 and have spent most of my nights and weekends playing or practicing ever since. I Like the game of softball because there  is thinking as well as playing. You have to always be ready for the next move . You need to know all the rules and what’s happening next.

I’ve learned so many things from softball. I learned that no matter what the score is you always give your all because you could still come back.  I also learned that you always need to support your teammates because you are part of their softball  family and they are part of yours. Bottom line you are a team, think like a team, play like a team, be a team and you’ll always have a good season.

~Brianna Hunt

Slow-Pitch Softball vs. Fast pitch

Most people say that slow pitch softball isn’t real softball. “It’s too easy.” “It doesn’t require any skill!” Well I think that is totally wrong. Slow pitch actually isn’t that different than fast pitch. In my league you can still steal, lead, slide, bunt, and all of those tricks. The only difference is that the pitches come at a slower speed. For the people who say that having the pitch come slower makes it easier to hit, I say not necessarily. We can have arc in out pitches. This means that the ball drops in going straight down, not coming at you like it is being thrown. The arc technique makes it more difficult to come in contact with, causing strikeouts.

Another reason I believe slow pitch is the better type of softball is because you can enjoy the game more. What I mean by this is the games go by slower giving you more time to form a bond with your teammates. This is a very important aspect of softball for you will be able to work better together and make friendships. You will want to get along with the people on your team since you will have to work with them for a long time!

~Skylar Ardito