M softball chugging along, wins 2nd today; now 12-0

that was ranked the highest was UMass at #26, we beat them twice, 3-1 and 5-0.  Although in my opinion, the toughest game was against Tulsa, winning 4-3.

Most softball teams play in tournaments where the other participants are lesser teams that typically they will not face later in the year.  This is so that coaches can try new things without revealing too much to future opponents.

Think of it in terms of football.  Football coaches want to play lesser teams so that they can try new plays and insert a trick play or two.  The same goes for softball.  Coaches need to see what they have for position players.  This can only be accomplished in actual game situations.  The only difference is that in football, every game has video for opposing coaches to view.  In softball, there is limited video available.

You can see this with Hutch.  She is throwing Stephanie as much as Jordan.  Everyone in the country knows Jordan and what she can do.  No one knows about Stephanie.  She is the "little secret".  Hutch wants Stephanie to master 3 pitches.  This is because during the long stretch run, when Jordan needs a rest, Hutch can put in Stephanie and she will be ready to go.

funny as hell.  I have a problem with calling it the "run-rule".  We all know that it is a mercry rule to "protect" the other team from getting embarrased with a blow out.  This isnt tee ball anymore Toto.  So I think the Yakety Sax is appropriate in this case.

I say "generally" because the tranfer rule is a bit more forgiving for women's sports than the men's major sports.  Usually a player is required to sit out one year.  However, there is an "exception" clause that would permit a player to transfer and play that year.

There is a "one-time-transfer" rule that permits a player to transfer and start play.  The key here is the school that she is leaving MUST sign off and approve her to play immediately.  If her original school declines, then she can still transfer but must sit out.

The Big 10 has its own rules about intra-conference transfers too.  A SA can tranfer and play if no financial aid is given by the "transfer to" school.  She cannot accept financial aid.  She can transfer and receive aid in a differnt sport without penalty, or if the original school drops the sport.

Transfer rules are very complicated for women's sports.  There are too many factors involved.  I would have to know the details of her transfer.  She can play this year IF she was granted a waiver from Loyola, and since Loyola is not in the Big 10 then the scholarship is not an issue.  I do not know the answer.  My guess is that she is not eligible because Hutch would have used her in the "cream puff" games early on, but who knows.

Pitching in softball is not harmful to a pitcher's arm like baseball pitching is.  This is because the arm motion for softball is a natural movement.  The key is fatigue.  I have seen JC teams with only 1 pitcher for the entire year.  It is not unheard of but not at the D1 or D2 level.  Coaches are constantly working different drills with the girls to improve stamina to prevent fatigue.