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| SOFTBALL LINKS |
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Parallel Universes
by Dave
Friday, March 10, 2006
It is a metaphysical phenomenon that we believe we are alone in the Universe. Some of us have religious and other beliefs which cause us to have faith that there is something more out there. That something more may become apparent to us after we "pass." It may be a heaven or another world not directly connected to the current one. Many folks believe in extraterrestrial life but those worlds which are, theoretically, places filled with potentially different life forms, perhaps intelligent, perhaps far more intelligent or physically capable than ourselves. Such is life on planet Earth. Such is life in the sport of Softball.
I remember a time when I was in one universe, completely unaware of another parallel universe which was almost completely unconnected to my world and which contained life forms far more capable than those in mine. My universe was that of recreational softball. The parallel universe was that of competitive softball. Those in the "lower universe" were completely ignorant of the parallel world. As I eventually learned, those in the "higher universe" knew about those in the lower one but most had almost completely forsaken it and its inhabitants, choosing instead to leave them to their own redemption.
Nowadays, it is almost comical to contemplate some of the habits and thought processes of those in the lower world. I remember talking to several people in a recreation league who had become upset about fields which were made available for the girls softball half of our recreational program. Each of my conversations went pretty much like this:
"Why do they not allow girls softball to play on the 'good field'"
"That's a baseball field. It has grass on the infield. The pitchers mound gets in the way of girls pitching. Heck, you can break your ankle trying to pitch around that mound, let alone fielding a hit ball."
"But it's the good field. The girls should have the opportunity to use it too."
"It's not a softball field. Softball is played on a skin field."
"Not in my experience. I've been to Little League All Stars at X field, Y field, Z field, etc. and they are all grass infields."
"But I'm telling you those are not softball fields. They are baseball fields which are being used for softball. Softball is played on a skin field."
"NO, BUT I'M TELLING YOU, YOU'RE WRONG."
"OK, I'm not willing to argue the point with you any more. If you get the chance to see competitive softball (be it NCAA, high school, PONY, NSA, ASA, AAU, etc.), please take a look around and note to yourself whether there is grass on the infield."
"Right, pal, I'll do just that."
This is just a sample of one repeated discussion which can take place in the recreational softball world. There are many others regarding pitching (that's my least favorite), fielder positioning, slap bunting, etc. I'm not putting down anyone who travels exclusively within the recreational world. I am trying to point out that denizens of it are almost completely unaware of the competitive universe and don't really even speak the same language. &nbvsp; The disparity of knowledge is staggering, even troubling.
Softball is very much like the real world we inhabit when we aren't at practices or tournaments. There are American citizens who live the majority of their lives in other countries around the world. There are many who speak multiple languages. There are even those, like John Edwards, who are in apparently constant communication with worlds we cannot see. There are those who are "mediums" between worlds or language translators. Some provide bridges between disparate worlds.
Many "recreational" softball programs dwell among both worlds. I know of one in particular which holds its tryouts, selects all-star teams in each age category immediately. The girls on the all-star teams begin indoor practice right away and play essentially a competitive schedule of "travel" ball. The all-star players are divided evenly among the recreational teams so they may teach denizens of this universe to speak the language of the "higher" world and provide the bridge over which new arrivals may choose to cross over. They are the ministers or mediums of the softball Earth. You know them when you see them. They move differently and have better fundamental softball skills. But more than that, they hold special knowledge not immediately available to the recreation-only folks.
So, if you are not in the competitive universe and there are no priests, mediums or translators among your teammates, friends and acquaintances, how do you learn about this other world? How do you make the crossover, if you are a little more serious about your game? Where are these other teams and how does one connect with them to schedule a tryout? Fortunately, just like real life, there are evangelical web sites out there to teach you some of what you need to know.
Here is a list of just some of the softball forums around the web which can teach you much of what you need to know to make the crossover:
There are many other forums which convey youth softball information around the web. I can't list them all here. But I'm going to take these ones and any which are sent to me and list them with our team directory so you can find these by state. As an aside, if you'd like to have your team listed in our directory, just contact us with the information requested on our submission page.
These forums provide all sorts of information including teams in your area, places and dates of tryouts, some links to web sites of interest, and a plethora of other information which will serve to educate you about the world of competitive softball. Sometimes the conversation is just informational and many times it becomes opinion-based arguments. Don't be turned off by negative or harsh commentary. Simply sift through it and find the gems you are seeking. And if you participate in the discussions, keep in mind that there are strong opinions on these sorts of boards - don't be put off if someone attacks a comment you posted about this subject or that. These sorts of forums tend to be for the "thick-skinned."
If you don't see an answer to some question you have, don't be afraid to post it. If you don't get an answer, post it again. the way these things work is newest questions appear at the top and unless every visitor is willing to sift through all the posts, they may not see your question. if you can see your question posting on the first page, assume everyone else can see it too. But if it has dropped to the second or third, assume nobody can see it and post it again.
Well, that sums up my discussion of parallel softball universes, for now. As in all pursuits, education is the key. You may not choose to "crossover into the other dimension." That's your choice and it is, after all, a free country. But if you are curious or adventurous enough to want to learn about the other world, there is help out there. And the process of learning how the other half lives is rather fun!
 
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