- Aug 21, 2008
- 2,390
- 113
Yesterday, Canada defeated New Zealand in the final of the ISF men's world championship. And yet, unless you really know where to look for info on men's FP you won't find much of anything. This disgusts me. FP softball was basically founded and popularized by men and the women's game didn't popularize until a lot later. Most people can only think of USA women as one of the top in the world. But it wasn't that long ago that they lagged behind other countries. Men's fastpitch put ASA on the map, and was THE GAME in many small towns (and big cities) in the USA. While men's FP has declined and is almost on lifesupport in the USA, the disparity of news, info, support from the associations, etc. is non-existent. Why? Because the lack of the game these days in towns and cities means ASA registration is down. Without the money, ASA won't promote. But isn't this a catch 22? If the men got 1/10th of the resources of the women, maybe a game on ESPN during all the women's stuff, maybe the game could get off life support. Maybe. But, take the Olympics for example. The ISF, governing body of the softball game worldwide didn't push for men's FP to go with the women's game in the Olympics. No. They aligned with baseball. A game who will not send the MLB players, has steroid issues, and refuses to stop the MLB season for Olympics the way NHL does. Isn't the ISF supposed to support softball, BOTH Genders? Do they? Hell no. How is that fair? If the roles were reversed and the men got all the resources... womens groups would be going nuts if the ISF only supported the men... and they would be right to do that!!! The ISF is the world body for softball, not just women's. While I'm glad the odds are in softball's favor to return to Olympics, thanks to Japan wanting it badly... I can't help but wonder why they don't work to help the men. Instead, you have to dig hard to find news about men's FP. And yet, SOOOOOOO many people take their DD's to former men's pitchers for lessons.
A lot of people ask why I do not coach or why I'm not in the coaching pool for Team USA. The answer is 2 reasons: #1. Mike White is there, and he's forgot more about pitching than anyone on this board will EVER know. And #2. I'm way too outspoken. ASA and ISF are not big fans of mine because I am an outspoken critic. They prefer "yes men", which I am not. On top of that, there are great coaches in the USA pool so maybe I am not needed. (Of course I haven't applied for entry either, which would help!! LOL).
I am not saying the women don't deserve what they get. They are great... have a great "feeder system" for their program, and have success to warrant all their accolades. But, the ISF and others have turned their backs on the other gender. And that simply sucks and isn't fair.
For those interested, the USA men won the "consolation bracket", I think I read they finally ended in 9th place. They didn't qualify for the playoff round.
That is a much lower finish then they hoped, obviously. But, where are the ASA reports? Go to USA softball's site.. 6 of 8 headlines are about girls/women.
I just don't understand why the governing bodies cannot support the entire game, not just 1/2.
Off my soapbox.
Bill
A lot of people ask why I do not coach or why I'm not in the coaching pool for Team USA. The answer is 2 reasons: #1. Mike White is there, and he's forgot more about pitching than anyone on this board will EVER know. And #2. I'm way too outspoken. ASA and ISF are not big fans of mine because I am an outspoken critic. They prefer "yes men", which I am not. On top of that, there are great coaches in the USA pool so maybe I am not needed. (Of course I haven't applied for entry either, which would help!! LOL).
I am not saying the women don't deserve what they get. They are great... have a great "feeder system" for their program, and have success to warrant all their accolades. But, the ISF and others have turned their backs on the other gender. And that simply sucks and isn't fair.
For those interested, the USA men won the "consolation bracket", I think I read they finally ended in 9th place. They didn't qualify for the playoff round.
That is a much lower finish then they hoped, obviously. But, where are the ASA reports? Go to USA softball's site.. 6 of 8 headlines are about girls/women.
I just don't understand why the governing bodies cannot support the entire game, not just 1/2.
Off my soapbox.
Bill