Comments on: WHERE DID THE FUN GO? http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/ The Official Big League WIFFLE Ball Blog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:48:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: mikeph http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-47 mikeph Fri, 30 May 2008 16:03:41 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-47 I agree, swing and miss makes you more of a passive and patient hitter, wait for one you can drive. one and done you have to swing at whats close. I agree, swing and miss makes you more of a passive and patient hitter, wait for one you can drive. one and done you have to swing at whats close.

]]> By: merrifield21 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-46 merrifield21 Fri, 30 May 2008 15:55:32 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-46 My Ideal Tournament Format.... - 5 Balls - 2 Strikes - No swing and miss or one and done rule - 35+ MPH - Plastic Bats - Unlimited Fouls I realize my format is going to greatly increase the length of games and of the tournament but in my mind I don't care if the tournament ends at 4 PM or 7PM. My Ideal Tournament Format….

- 5 Balls
- 2 Strikes
- No swing and miss or one and done rule
- 35+ MPH
- Plastic Bats
- Unlimited Fouls

I realize my format is going to greatly increase the length of games and of the tournament but in my mind I don’t care if the tournament ends at 4 PM or 7PM.

]]> By: Jon - Lawn Boys http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-45 Jon - Lawn Boys Thu, 29 May 2008 23:22:00 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-45 I disagree, for me personally the "one and done" rule makes me a more aggressive and better hitter. I do find it strange though, that in tournaments with a swing and a miss rule that one can foul out. And for the one and done rule there is usually unlimited fouls (which I love). I disagree, for me personally the “one and done” rule makes me a more aggressive and better hitter. I do find it strange though, that in tournaments with a swing and a miss rule that one can foul out. And for the one and done rule there is usually unlimited fouls (which I love).

]]> By: Gerry http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-42 Gerry Thu, 29 May 2008 17:56:54 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-42 I agree with you Dave. I think there shouldn't be any rule where a swing and a miss is an out or caught looking is an out. But since the rule is there I say change it to swing and a miss so there is an equal balance or get rid of it altogether. Me being primarily a hitter I feel like when I step up to the plate I have to swing at junk because a pitcher has some ridiculous movement on a pitch that no one in there right mind can either hit or keep fair. That automatically puts you down in the count and then you are forced to swing at more junk. The at bats just seem so uneven. I watched a majority of the games last Saturday and even in the semifinals and finals I saw so many bad swings from good hitters. I agree with you Dave. I think there shouldn’t be any rule where a swing and a miss is an out or caught looking is an out. But since the rule is there I say change it to swing and a miss so there is an equal balance or get rid of it altogether. Me being primarily a hitter I feel like when I step up to the plate I have to swing at junk because a pitcher has some ridiculous movement on a pitch that no one in there right mind can either hit or keep fair. That automatically puts you down in the count and then you are forced to swing at more junk. The at bats just seem so uneven. I watched a majority of the games last Saturday and even in the semifinals and finals I saw so many bad swings from good hitters.

]]> By: Animal http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-41 Animal Thu, 29 May 2008 17:36:41 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-41 I agree, that's why I was with Trotta on the 35MPH limit, but I must say the idea certainly hasn't been warmly recieved by everyone. Of course, the current wifflers aren't who we are trying to help, so I am not that surprised, but I am still a bit surprised that people don't see the potential with the idea. No worries for me either way. We are ready to go no matter what the rules. And we play NEWA sometimes, and there you have to hit 55MPH pitches with no fouls, so... Why every format needs to have this automatic K rule at all is beyond me. How dumb would baseball be if Manny couldn't take a strike, or if Papi swings and misses a 2-0 pitch and has to head back to the dugout. In my opinion, it is contrived and serves no purpose other than to makes the game even less like baseball and more like a novelty act. If 2 stikes is a K, the batter should get 2 strikes. Special bonuses need not be awarded to one sort of strike over another in a completely arbitrary way. I have thought that since day 1, and after 4 years, I still think that. I agree, that’s why I was with Trotta on the 35MPH limit, but I must say the idea certainly hasn’t been warmly recieved by everyone. Of course, the current wifflers aren’t who we are trying to help, so I am not that surprised, but I am still a bit surprised that people don’t see the potential with the idea. No worries for me either way. We are ready to go no matter what the rules. And we play NEWA sometimes, and there you have to hit 55MPH pitches with no fouls, so…

Why every format needs to have this automatic K rule at all is beyond me. How dumb would baseball be if Manny couldn’t take a strike, or if Papi swings and misses a 2-0 pitch and has to head back to the dugout. In my opinion, it is contrived and serves no purpose other than to makes the game even less like baseball and more like a novelty act. If 2 stikes is a K, the batter should get 2 strikes. Special bonuses need not be awarded to one sort of strike over another in a completely arbitrary way. I have thought that since day 1, and after 4 years, I still think that.

]]> By: Adam Trotta http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-38 Adam Trotta Thu, 29 May 2008 14:20:35 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-38 In my experience, there are more swings and misses, than there are pitches hitting the zone without people swinging. In an unlimited foul format people should be swinging the bat, not putting it on their shoulder until "the right" pitch comes along. In my experience, there are more swings and misses, than there are pitches hitting the zone without people swinging. In an unlimited foul format people should be swinging the bat, not putting it on their shoulder until “the right” pitch comes along.

]]> By: Kyle- Yo Ho http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-37 Kyle- Yo Ho Thu, 29 May 2008 04:43:19 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-37 Make the speed limit 15 mph (advantage batter) and make the strike zone 62"long x 82" high and 2" off the grond (advantage pitcher)...haha jk. Seriously though, I totally agree with Gerry and the S&M rule. I know some people say the 1 and done causes more offense because there are more swings, but most of them are not quality swings, they are protective swings. I mean I would rather take 30 quality swings at a tournament then 140 crappy ones. Chances are if im swinging at a pitch that is borderline (especially with the yellow bats)it is either going to be a lazy out or it is going to be fouled off because of the narrow field. I personally like to look at more pitches and be patient and wait for "the right" pitch to get a hold of; also why unlimited fouls is a great idea... The new teams are going to find it challenging enough keeping up with the great pitchers. I know the goal is to make it entertaining but, assuming the team doesn't fare well (highly probable being their first tourney), how entertaining can it be for a team to show up and play 3 games less than 15 min. a piece then go home? I firmly believe the games are a lot quicker using the one and done method. I don't think winning a game by walking is a cheap win...it's part of the game, and yes it absolutely sucks when it happens against you, but no team is gaining an edge; both teams have to pitch. Maybe if walks do become an issue then up the amount of balls for a walk to 5. I don't want to make it sound like I'm bitchin...just throwin in my four-cents. Also, great idea on the bats!!! Make the speed limit 15 mph (advantage batter) and make the strike zone 62″long x 82″ high and 2″ off the grond (advantage pitcher)…haha jk. Seriously though, I totally agree with Gerry and the S&M rule. I know some people say the 1 and done causes more offense because there are more swings, but most of them are not quality swings, they are protective swings. I mean I would rather take 30 quality swings at a tournament then 140 crappy ones. Chances are if im swinging at a pitch that is borderline (especially with the yellow bats)it is either going to be a lazy out or it is going to be fouled off because of the narrow field. I personally like to look at more pitches and be patient and wait for “the right” pitch to get a hold of; also why unlimited fouls is a great idea…

The new teams are going to find it challenging enough keeping up with the great pitchers. I know the goal is to make it entertaining but, assuming the team doesn’t fare well (highly probable being their first tourney), how entertaining can it be for a team to show up and play 3 games less than 15 min. a piece then go home? I firmly believe the games are a lot quicker using the one and done method.

I don’t think winning a game by walking is a cheap win…it’s part of the game, and yes it absolutely sucks when it happens against you, but no team is gaining an edge; both teams have to pitch. Maybe if walks do become an issue then up the amount of balls for a walk to 5.
I don’t want to make it sound like I’m bitchin…just throwin in my four-cents.
Also, great idea on the bats!!!

]]> By: Adam Trotta http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-36 Adam Trotta Thu, 29 May 2008 02:16:58 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-36 Gentlemen, I don't want this blog to become about justifing Nick and Jared's expenses as Organizers, so just trust me when i say they have lost money thus far, not made it. $100 entry is pretty standard for any professional wiffleball tournament and has been since 1993. As for the swing and a miss debate vs. the 1 and done rule: I think S&M hurts hitting. We're talking about a scuffed ball with sick movement. Pitching speeds that have pushed the limit, and now only official yellow WIFFLE bats will be allowed making contact that much harder to achieve. If the AB can be over on pitch #1 due to a S&M, then that doesn't help generate offense. It promotes taking pitches b/c people are afraid to swing. That promotes walks, which promotes cheap wins and less entertaining games. Gentlemen, I don’t want this blog to become about justifing Nick and Jared’s expenses as Organizers, so just trust me when i say they have lost money thus far, not made it. $100 entry is pretty standard for any professional wiffleball tournament and has been since 1993.

As for the swing and a miss debate vs. the 1 and done rule: I think S&M hurts hitting. We’re talking about a scuffed ball with sick movement. Pitching speeds that have pushed the limit, and now only official yellow WIFFLE bats will be allowed making contact that much harder to achieve. If the AB can be over on pitch #1 due to a S&M, then that doesn’t help generate offense. It promotes taking pitches b/c people are afraid to swing. That promotes walks, which promotes cheap wins and less entertaining games.

]]> By: mikeph http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-32 mikeph Wed, 28 May 2008 23:56:23 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-32 Like i said i still dont think offense is a problem. I assume all these changes to make the game more offensive are to get people to watch or something along those lines. People are amazed by what pitchers can do with a ball, thats what they wanna see, not some kids throwing rinky dink sliders that are getting mashed. When I show my friends the goldenstick vids they are all amazed by the pitching and the hitting gets overlooked most of the time. All the people your are trying to attract are used to seeing a wiffleball get hit, theyre not used to seeing a wiffman drop or something along those lines. I had more 8-10 pitch at bats against me saturday than ive ever seen before, kids fouling balls off. The only change id consider making is widening the fields a bit, would increase the action and give the fielders a purpose for actually being out there. Like i said i still dont think offense is a problem. I assume all these changes to make the game more offensive are to get people to watch or something along those lines. People are amazed by what pitchers can do with a ball, thats what they wanna see, not some kids throwing rinky dink sliders that are getting mashed. When I show my friends the goldenstick vids they are all amazed by the pitching and the hitting gets overlooked most of the time. All the people your are trying to attract are used to seeing a wiffleball get hit, theyre not used to seeing a wiffman drop or something along those lines. I had more 8-10 pitch at bats against me saturday than ive ever seen before, kids fouling balls off. The only change id consider making is widening the fields a bit, would increase the action and give the fielders a purpose for actually being out there.

]]> By: mikeph http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/blog/2008/05/27/where-did-the-fun-go/#comment-30 mikeph Wed, 28 May 2008 21:47:39 +0000 http://bigleaguewiffleball.com/?p=12#comment-30 I think the rules are fine as is. 6 innings are a pretty good idea, games did go by pretty quick. I also agree with BTB, although there a prolly more teens than he realizes i know most of my friends are skepticle of playing because they dont wanna just waste money. Maybe a rookie entry fee if all the players are new to wiffs, their first tourney can be 50-60 bucks or somethin, something to just lure them in, so if you draw 3 new teams because of the rules, if one shows up again u already made up the money you lost. The problem with the early signup thing is that alot of HS kids dont have credit cards and such, i know i didnt. And im def with Jon on having them make better bats, if theyre gonna be part of BLWB then it needs to be done, especially as the year goes on and we move outdoors when its 80 out and the teams without old bats break theirs in the first inning cuz the bats are junk. Sorry for being all over the place too, i read posts then responded, then read another and so on. I think the rules are fine as is. 6 innings are a pretty good idea, games did go by pretty quick. I also agree with BTB, although there a prolly more teens than he realizes i know most of my friends are skepticle of playing because they dont wanna just waste money. Maybe a rookie entry fee if all the players are new to wiffs, their first tourney can be 50-60 bucks or somethin, something to just lure them in, so if you draw 3 new teams because of the rules, if one shows up again u already made up the money you lost. The problem with the early signup thing is that alot of HS kids dont have credit cards and such, i know i didnt. And im def with Jon on having them make better bats, if theyre gonna be part of BLWB then it needs to be done, especially as the year goes on and we move outdoors when its 80 out and the teams without old bats break theirs in the first inning cuz the bats are junk. Sorry for being all over the place too, i read posts then responded, then read another and so on.

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