In the movie the Terminator, the Future goes terribly wrong.
Machines take over and their number one goal is to destroy humanity.
I fear the future of modified softball is going to go terribly wrong as slingers are starting to take over and leagues will become less and less competitive.
Slinger pitchers are the softball version of The Terminator.
An undeniably irresistible force that changes the very nature of the game with sole intent of blowing away every batter.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that modified become some Lob Arc league.
I have no problems with pitchers that throw hard as long as they follow the rules.
Good legal pitchers like Simon, Lou, Fran, Murphy, Gilbert, Edgar JR., Freddy Suarez, Eric, Carlos Con, and Castillo throw hard with movement while following the rules. In fact the latter two pitchers, Carlos and Castillo, are both top notch slingers who do not sling during modified games.
They know the difference and so does everyone else, people who hire slingers just want to win at any cost and have no respect for a league or the quality of a game.
The problem all starts with the integrity and political nature of a league.
Once you let one slinger in you let them all in. The dam busts wide open.
It's like the movie the Terminator, once you give the power to the machines they didn't want to give it back and tried to wipe out anything that stood against them - namely humans.
In softball we don't have the ability to go back and time and try and stop the future from happening like in the Terminator movies, we have to act now and take a stand against all this corruption or modified softball as we know it will be ruined.
How? more on that in the sequal to this Blong - Softball Terminator II - coming soon
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
DOUBLEHEADER
Most Softball consists of DoubleHeader, two games, to maximize the softball experience.
So why not do a Doubleheader's Blog - Two Topics in One Blog.
Game One of a Softball DoubleHeader is fresh and new with the intrigue and promise of something happening that no one has ever seen before a definite possibility that draws every player to the game.
Topic Number One should be fresh and new as well, and nothing is more fresh and new to me than the comments of my loyal readers.
My most loyal reader is someone with the unique name of Anonymous.
Mr. /Mrs. Anonymous always has something to say, and most of time the feedback is witty, on point, and original. But why doesn't Mr/Mrs Anonymous come honest and list their real name?
I know why
Top Ten Reasons Why people make Anonymous comments to Softball Insider.net
10. They don't want anyone to know that they actually read Rick's blog and fear public humiliation if identified
9. Scared of having their identity stolen on the web and used in a card card commercial
8. Too Scared to list their name for fear Rick might write a blog about them
7. They are killing time at work and don't want their Boss to know they are goofing off so they leave no name to reduce the evidence.
6. The person leaving the comment plays for Rick and wants to avoid being benched
5. Why sign a name when everyone knows only Blonde, Astrid (my wife), Evil Palma and John Castillo are the only ones who read my blogs anyway - process of elimination will find the person out - no need to sign
4. Anonymous is in one of Rick's fantasy league competitors and doesn't want Rick upset because he is hoping to get Prince Fielder cheap in a trade
3. Their high when they write a comment and just forget to sign their name
2. Their freaky like that - they even have their lovers call them Anonymous in Bed
and the Number One Why people make Anonymous comments to Softball Insider.net
1. Who cares !?!?!? Most of time any comment is a good comment because it means people actually read this stuff - HOLLER!!!!!!!!!
OK now that the newness and awkwardness of Game One is over it's time to start Game Two.
Game Two is all about Momentum.
If you win game one you try and keep it going by coming out strong early and putting your opponent away, essentially breaking their will.
On the other hand, if you lost Game One you try and weather the storm, calm the troops, play solid fundamental ball and show the other team you can beat them.
That is easier said than done.
So .....
Top Ten Ways to Regain Momentum after a tough Game One Loss of a Double Header
10. Pitching - Momentum is as good as your next game starter pitcher.
9. Defense - Nothing is more demoralizing than losing a game because of bad defense. Pitching plus defense will always give you a chance. It's like novicane give it time and it always works. Nothing like turning a double play to give a team a spark.
8. 10 Man Lineup - If your not hitting, 11 man lineups are like anchors unless your 11th hitter is a stud like Carlos Con, Georgie, Castillo, or Gilbert
7. Don't panic - Experienced managers and players always believe they can come back from a bad play or game. Confidence is teh 6th tool - Remember?
6. Don't fight among yourselves - Fighting in public for a couple or teammates is the same thing - Embarrassing. Keep it behind closed doors.
5. Stay positive "HIP HIP HORRAY HIP HIP HORRAY" - So corny but so true
4. Go to the bathroom - release all your waste and feel fresh
3. Practice and stay active between games so you can try and regain your Mojo
2. Take your mind off of softball if your burned out - call your girl, play with some kids, - Whatever it takes to relax
and the Number One Way to to Regain Momentum after a tough Game One Loss of a Double Header
1. Score early - It will relax everyone - even if you only score 1 run - try and manufacture a run via hit and run, advancing runners, hitting the other way . In other words, HIT!!!!!!!!!
So why not do a Doubleheader's Blog - Two Topics in One Blog.
Game One of a Softball DoubleHeader is fresh and new with the intrigue and promise of something happening that no one has ever seen before a definite possibility that draws every player to the game.
Topic Number One should be fresh and new as well, and nothing is more fresh and new to me than the comments of my loyal readers.
My most loyal reader is someone with the unique name of Anonymous.
Mr. /Mrs. Anonymous always has something to say, and most of time the feedback is witty, on point, and original. But why doesn't Mr/Mrs Anonymous come honest and list their real name?
I know why
Top Ten Reasons Why people make Anonymous comments to Softball Insider.net
10. They don't want anyone to know that they actually read Rick's blog and fear public humiliation if identified
9. Scared of having their identity stolen on the web and used in a card card commercial
8. Too Scared to list their name for fear Rick might write a blog about them
7. They are killing time at work and don't want their Boss to know they are goofing off so they leave no name to reduce the evidence.
6. The person leaving the comment plays for Rick and wants to avoid being benched
5. Why sign a name when everyone knows only Blonde, Astrid (my wife), Evil Palma and John Castillo are the only ones who read my blogs anyway - process of elimination will find the person out - no need to sign
4. Anonymous is in one of Rick's fantasy league competitors and doesn't want Rick upset because he is hoping to get Prince Fielder cheap in a trade
3. Their high when they write a comment and just forget to sign their name
2. Their freaky like that - they even have their lovers call them Anonymous in Bed
and the Number One Why people make Anonymous comments to Softball Insider.net
1. Who cares !?!?!? Most of time any comment is a good comment because it means people actually read this stuff - HOLLER!!!!!!!!!
OK now that the newness and awkwardness of Game One is over it's time to start Game Two.
Game Two is all about Momentum.
If you win game one you try and keep it going by coming out strong early and putting your opponent away, essentially breaking their will.
On the other hand, if you lost Game One you try and weather the storm, calm the troops, play solid fundamental ball and show the other team you can beat them.
That is easier said than done.
So .....
Top Ten Ways to Regain Momentum after a tough Game One Loss of a Double Header
10. Pitching - Momentum is as good as your next game starter pitcher.
9. Defense - Nothing is more demoralizing than losing a game because of bad defense. Pitching plus defense will always give you a chance. It's like novicane give it time and it always works. Nothing like turning a double play to give a team a spark.
8. 10 Man Lineup - If your not hitting, 11 man lineups are like anchors unless your 11th hitter is a stud like Carlos Con, Georgie, Castillo, or Gilbert
7. Don't panic - Experienced managers and players always believe they can come back from a bad play or game. Confidence is teh 6th tool - Remember?
6. Don't fight among yourselves - Fighting in public for a couple or teammates is the same thing - Embarrassing. Keep it behind closed doors.
5. Stay positive "HIP HIP HORRAY HIP HIP HORRAY" - So corny but so true
4. Go to the bathroom - release all your waste and feel fresh
3. Practice and stay active between games so you can try and regain your Mojo
2. Take your mind off of softball if your burned out - call your girl, play with some kids, - Whatever it takes to relax
and the Number One Way to to Regain Momentum after a tough Game One Loss of a Double Header
1. Score early - It will relax everyone - even if you only score 1 run - try and manufacture a run via hit and run, advancing runners, hitting the other way . In other words, HIT!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Today was the Puerto Rican Day Parade in the City - Notoriously the wildest parade of the Year.
Puerto Ricans are affectionally called Boriqua's.
So I have to give a Top Ten Shout out to all my Softball Boriquas out there
Top Ten Boriqua Softball Players who must be recognize on the day of the Puerto Rican Day Parade
10. Jose Carrion - Gallaghers - played his Don Calderon Reggae ton Cd all day and bought some Guanábana fruit from a Dominican street vendor in the Bronx - also verbally accosted like 1,000 fat Latin women all day long
9. Ralph - Working Class - the man bought a cow bell to Central Park - Proud and Hard-Core
8. Gilberto - Gallagher's - pitched 3 games for 3 different teams on the PR day parade
7. Joel Goldman - honorary Jewish Boriqua - employees cheap Boriqua labor at his sweat shop in Queens
6. Angelo - not Hispanic but wore his NY Ranger Puerto Rican jersey on Sunday
5. Rick - only half Boriqua - but used to be a parade legend selling shots of Bacardi for $1 was my thing - arrested twice - never convicted
4. John Sheppard - manager West - Corona spokesman
3. Gubi - actually didn't play on PR day as he started a new job - but his new job is doorman at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Central Park West allows him to rap to 1,000,000 chicken heads.
2. Pete Martinez - manager Wall Street and Merrill Lynch - Pimp Daddy to the fullest - Went to 3 after party clubs in the Bronx and met up with some serious MILF"s
and the Number One Boriqua Softball Players who must be recognize on the day of the Puerto Rican Day Parade
1. Hector Hernandez - West - one of the best Shortstops in all of softball and hard-core Boriqua - was representing in all his colors on Sunday and his PR Hick Campesino Hat to the fullest
Puerto Ricans are affectionally called Boriqua's.
So I have to give a Top Ten Shout out to all my Softball Boriquas out there
Top Ten Boriqua Softball Players who must be recognize on the day of the Puerto Rican Day Parade
10. Jose Carrion - Gallaghers - played his Don Calderon Reggae ton Cd all day and bought some Guanábana fruit from a Dominican street vendor in the Bronx - also verbally accosted like 1,000 fat Latin women all day long
9. Ralph - Working Class - the man bought a cow bell to Central Park - Proud and Hard-Core
8. Gilberto - Gallagher's - pitched 3 games for 3 different teams on the PR day parade
7. Joel Goldman - honorary Jewish Boriqua - employees cheap Boriqua labor at his sweat shop in Queens
6. Angelo - not Hispanic but wore his NY Ranger Puerto Rican jersey on Sunday
5. Rick - only half Boriqua - but used to be a parade legend selling shots of Bacardi for $1 was my thing - arrested twice - never convicted
4. John Sheppard - manager West - Corona spokesman
3. Gubi - actually didn't play on PR day as he started a new job - but his new job is doorman at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Central Park West allows him to rap to 1,000,000 chicken heads.
2. Pete Martinez - manager Wall Street and Merrill Lynch - Pimp Daddy to the fullest - Went to 3 after party clubs in the Bronx and met up with some serious MILF"s
and the Number One Boriqua Softball Players who must be recognize on the day of the Puerto Rican Day Parade
1. Hector Hernandez - West - one of the best Shortstops in all of softball and hard-core Boriqua - was representing in all his colors on Sunday and his PR Hick Campesino Hat to the fullest
Thursday, June 7, 2007
The Harder you Try The Worse You Do
Jason Bay of the Pirates ( and a fantasy baseball stud player ) said the following last night after hitting a game winning homer run ""The more you try, the harder it is," Bay said. "That was definitely the last thing on my mind, especially off Cordero. I was just trying to get on base -- a single, double, trying to get something going. For most guys, that's when the home runs happen - when you're a little more relaxed."
This is so fucking true and it sounds so freaking simple but it is the ultimate contradiction in softball. The more your care and the harder you try, the worse you do. I guess it all depends on how you look sat it and how you deal with it. Life is hard.
This is true for playing and managing.
I guess the best thing to do is just do the right thing.
Play the game the right way - hit liners, advance runners, catch the ball, keep your mouth shut.
As for managing - you always want to win - but you have to give people chances. The balance between loyalty and winning is the hardest thing about managing. You can't make your players love or respect you no matter how hard you try.
You just gave to do what Jason Bay said Relax and try and do the right thing - Spike Lee style
This is so fucking true and it sounds so freaking simple but it is the ultimate contradiction in softball. The more your care and the harder you try, the worse you do. I guess it all depends on how you look sat it and how you deal with it. Life is hard.
This is true for playing and managing.
I guess the best thing to do is just do the right thing.
Play the game the right way - hit liners, advance runners, catch the ball, keep your mouth shut.
As for managing - you always want to win - but you have to give people chances. The balance between loyalty and winning is the hardest thing about managing. You can't make your players love or respect you no matter how hard you try.
You just gave to do what Jason Bay said Relax and try and do the right thing - Spike Lee style
Monday, June 4, 2007
Get Wacked
I haven't blogged in a while. I guess I've been too busy watching TV - especially one of my all time favorite shows that Sopranos.
On the Sopranos, one of the most Popular terms is "Get Wacked" - that means killed off, swimming with the fishes, turned off, you get the picture.
Anyway, in Softball who should "Get Wacked" - not literally just in a softball sense
Top Ten People in the Softball World that Should "Get Wacked" out of the modified Softball World
10. Al Morales - President of Yorkville Sports - Greed is Good is his motto - worse value dollar for dollar in all of softball - has a monopoly on the fields in NYC
9. All umps afraid to call an illegal sling pitch - That might not be possible b/c then there would be hardly any umps left. Cowards.
8. CJ - EMS - nice guy - Big Time Hustler- anyone that makes you play 2 games in 2 hours has to go. Might be spared getting wacked b/c he looks like an older Jamie Foxx and the hit man might get confused.
7. Rick - sends out obnoxious blogs to decent hard working people who happen to play softball
6. Fat Freddy Pelham and 259th street - invented the following softball math formula that has ruined softball in the Bronx : Faster Games + More teams = More $$$ = Watered Down Competition
5. OJ and Camacho - former Bob League umps that now work the Lawyer league - Flat out suck and do not respect the game. They lie and cheat players and like Al Pacino said in Godfather I that makes me angry because it insults my intelligence
4. John Rosenmiller - excellent manager of Choice Parts - he is a master manipulator - evil dark lord of the Sith - Master of the darkside
3. Dio Jackson - Highlanders - actually Dio is good for Softball because he tries to win and is an excellent recruiter but the only thing is he is like R Kelly "a Flirt" don't bring your girl, I mean your best players around him at the field b/c he's a Flirt - Winning is an obsession
2. Parks Department Permit Office Workers- face it they have the power in softball - you control the field you control the league - never date a Park's department worker if something goes wrong - Hell Hath No Fury like a softball official scorned
and the Number One Person in the Softball World that Should "Get Wacked" out of the modified Softball World
Tie
1A. Sling Pitchers - go get paid in a 3 OF league with bunting, stealing and passed balls - stay out of Modified
1B. Sling Liars - you know who you are - people who bring slingers into a modified league and then argue that they are legal. Keep telling yourself that maybe you will believe it. No respect
On the Sopranos, one of the most Popular terms is "Get Wacked" - that means killed off, swimming with the fishes, turned off, you get the picture.
Anyway, in Softball who should "Get Wacked" - not literally just in a softball sense
Top Ten People in the Softball World that Should "Get Wacked" out of the modified Softball World
10. Al Morales - President of Yorkville Sports - Greed is Good is his motto - worse value dollar for dollar in all of softball - has a monopoly on the fields in NYC
9. All umps afraid to call an illegal sling pitch - That might not be possible b/c then there would be hardly any umps left. Cowards.
8. CJ - EMS - nice guy - Big Time Hustler- anyone that makes you play 2 games in 2 hours has to go. Might be spared getting wacked b/c he looks like an older Jamie Foxx and the hit man might get confused.
7. Rick - sends out obnoxious blogs to decent hard working people who happen to play softball
6. Fat Freddy Pelham and 259th street - invented the following softball math formula that has ruined softball in the Bronx : Faster Games + More teams = More $$$ = Watered Down Competition
5. OJ and Camacho - former Bob League umps that now work the Lawyer league - Flat out suck and do not respect the game. They lie and cheat players and like Al Pacino said in Godfather I that makes me angry because it insults my intelligence
4. John Rosenmiller - excellent manager of Choice Parts - he is a master manipulator - evil dark lord of the Sith - Master of the darkside
3. Dio Jackson - Highlanders - actually Dio is good for Softball because he tries to win and is an excellent recruiter but the only thing is he is like R Kelly "a Flirt" don't bring your girl, I mean your best players around him at the field b/c he's a Flirt - Winning is an obsession
2. Parks Department Permit Office Workers- face it they have the power in softball - you control the field you control the league - never date a Park's department worker if something goes wrong - Hell Hath No Fury like a softball official scorned
and the Number One Person in the Softball World that Should "Get Wacked" out of the modified Softball World
Tie
1A. Sling Pitchers - go get paid in a 3 OF league with bunting, stealing and passed balls - stay out of Modified
1B. Sling Liars - you know who you are - people who bring slingers into a modified league and then argue that they are legal. Keep telling yourself that maybe you will believe it. No respect
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