The "Ten Commandments" of Softball

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Jun 1, 2015
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Peculiar post, but one I think would be interesting to gather information from. If one were to think of some of the guiding ("unwritten") rules of the game of softball, what might they be? The "10 Commandments of Softball" as it were. These are things that you shouldn't have to be told in order to understand the intangibles surrounding the game - but are good things to know/remember. This is my (current) list, but I'm interested in others' ideas. These are in no particular order (except #10):

1.) Thou shalt not look at strike three. Ever.
2.) Honor thy umpires and their calls, right or wrong.
3.) Support thy teammates as you would have thy teammates support you.
4.) Remember the practice/game day, to keep it holy.
5.) Thou shalt covet thy opponents' bases.
6.) Honor thy commitment to team and game.
7.) Thou shalt not swing on a 3-0 count.
8.) Respect thy opponents, but fear them not, for victory is yours.
9.) Sin not against the names on thy uniform.
*10.) Have fun and enjoy the game always.


DISCLAIMER: This is meant to be as satirical as it is serious - it is in no way meant to be seen as blasphemous or offensive toward any religious community. I would like to use the top 10 I come up with as part of a t-shirt fundraiser for my 16U team this coming summer!
 
Last edited:
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
I would agree with 9 of the 10. However, I have to say I would disagree with #7; especially at the older ages. Many times against the better pitchers, this will be the fattest pitch a hitter will see even if it paints the corner. At the 18u level which I coach, we really practice hitting extensively and also take a really hard look at the mental side of it as well. After all of the work we put in, I have to trust my batters to make the right decision to swing or not; even if it's a close ball. I'd rather have them take a swing and miss in these scenarios and take the strike that way as opposed to taking a called strike. JMHO.

An option for a replacement would be, Thou shalt be a smart baserunner...not necessarily the fastest to achieve the next base.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
Completely fair approach. I look at things from the different side of things, also the mathematical approach (as a HS math teacher). Even with a 3-0 count, the probability of a strike is 1/2 (assuming a strictly ball/strike pitch, no CO, HBP, etc.) My batters are always told, "3-0 count, it has to be perfect". Generally speaking, they usually do one of two things - a.) Lay off the pitch and try to draw the walk (usually by crowding the front corner of the box to shrink the zone) or b.) Lay off the pitch, see it was a perfect strike, turn to me and shrug. That's probably the 1 of the 10 I'm most likely to replace, just trying to figure out with what.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I would agree with 9 of the 10. However, I have to say I would disagree with #7; especially at the older ages. Many times against the better pitchers, this will be the fattest pitch a hitter will see even if it paints the corner. At the 18u level which I coach, we really practice hitting extensively and also take a really hard look at the mental side of it as well. After all of the work we put in, I have to trust my batters to make the right decision to swing or not; even if it's a close ball. I'd rather have them take a swing and miss in these scenarios and take the strike that way as opposed to taking a called strike. JMHO.

I agree...depending on the game situation we coach our players 3-0 to look for a pitch in their "sweet spot"...if it is there, hammer it, if not let it go.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Personal one is you will not hit a batter with 0-2 count, she does it almost every game. Urr.

Doesn't belong on list, just whining.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
I disagree with #1 and #7. If a hitter has been told to never take strike three, it makes them swing at pitcher's pitches in fear that an umpire will call a ball a strike. Then, many coaches who have this philosophy also instill some type of punishment which only makes this worse. A good hitter knows the strike zone and will, at times strike out on a ball that was called a strike. BTW, I understand the notion that if it is close enough to call, it is close enough to hit. That simply isn't the truth per what I was with my dd. I've posted pictures here before where catchers sat up behind the opposite batter's box and yet, those pitches were sometimes called strikes. BB couldn't hit them with a 10 foot pole. I have a picture where the ball is on the other side of the catcher who is set up that far with the umpire's arm starting upward for a strike call. That was an absurd call of a strike.

Per #7, in knowing the programs you are playing against and given the abilities of the hitter, this can be a great count to get a long ball. Just saying!
 

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