Safety Bag

[Not Toast]

Can someone please explain why we dont use the orange "safety bag"? I have been at tourneys this summer that used NAFA rules, and the umpires made them remove the bag.
I have seen too many injuries and collisions happen as a result of no safety bag, and I haven't yet heard a good explaination for not using the bag.

[Dr.Horrible]

According to the official NAFA rules, the double bag is officially "optional" but not recommended, so really the umpires should not have ordered the double bag removed as I understand it.
I think that this is just one of several things now common in softball that are rejected by NAFA in the name of a more "pure" or "traditional" game including time limits, starting runners on base in extra innings, hard balls for more distance, etc.

[hblaisdell]

If the goal is to be traditional then hard balls should not be used. As traditionally the SB 12 which was the ball of choice for many years kept the scores lower and most home runs came in the early innings due to the ball.

[SMITTY24]

I totally agree that if bat technology keeps going thru the roof than the balls need to be the "equalizer". It used to be that home-run hitters hit home-runs, not 8-9 hitters smokin
tape measure shots. Comebackers you never see or a corner getting their "cap spun" can be pretty scary. It's one thing for the AAA and Open guys to have hitters try to hit their 75-80 mph gas but us A guys tend to have more balls hit on the screws, especially if we match up against higher level teams or individuals playing down a level or three.


I know that ball changes won't happen but hey it's food for thought.

[Coach24]

I'm not so sure that we need to be concerned about bats getting hotter. The fact is that ASA has been regulating bats for the past few years and have actually made the restrictions tighter 2 years ago.
The problem with balls is that there is so much variation between them even though they may be the same compression and core ratings. The best advice I can give to a league that is having trouble picking a type of ball is to try a few different kinds and try to find the best fit for your league.
If you have an older group of pitchers, than an SB12 might be a good fit though it will turn to mush in 2 innings and be egg shaped by the end of the game.
I think most pitchers will tell you that it's not about the bat or the ball but it's about hitting corners and avoiding the pitches that go down the middle of the plate.

[TMAN8]

We have struggled with our association here in Wausau regarding what balls to use for our fastpitch leagues. I can tell you that anything less than a 47 core will turn egg shaped and be really mushy after a couple innings and it dosen't seem to matter who makes it. I can also tell you that the SB 12 balls that are available now, are not the same as they were 20 years ago. I used to hit SB 12s out of the park with a caveman type aluminum bat. Can't even come close to that anymore, and No...it's not just an age thing. I don't like comebackers at that mound like anyother pitcher, but I hate balls that don't hold shape and are not consistant over the course of a game. I agree that serving one up over the plate will result is a missle at your head no matter what ball you use. Anybody know what the difference in velocity is for a 47 and 45 core ball in the first 50 feet after impact? I'll bet it's not that much.

[SMITTY24]

The biggest reason I like the SB-12 is the seams. I know some people don't care for them due to blisters but they seem to move better with what I think are bigger seams. I agree that nobody wants an egg shaped piece of mush out there. I guess evaluating your level of pitching and what best suits your league is still the way to go. The NAFA balls are good, seem to hold up well, but in my opinion could have a better seam.

[Coach24]

If you are looking for a ball with good seams, tacky cover, has some pop but won't kill the pitcher, and is durable, try the Worth Dream Seam. It's a .47 core, 375 compression and like I said, it is durable. My league tested a bunch of balls a few years ago and liked the Dream Seam the best. It was liked by both the pitchers and the hitters. The Milwaukee and Kenosha Leagues have also switched to it. All three leagues now buy our softballs together to get a better rate. We bought them last year for $53 a dozen. Give them a try and I think you will like them.

[Shake8]

I think the safety bag is a good idea because of the general strategy of the game. The orange bag gives a wider area when the 2nd basemen is covering first on a bunt and the runner is barreling done the line. More space may eliminate some of the collisions.

As far as the ball, my season ended with a line shot to the cup that I never saw. I know I would have been headed to the hospital without a cup because I was black and blue from mid thigh to mid thigh for a week. That is scary!!! I don't know if that was the ball or the incredibly nice bats that are out there right now. The slow pitch bat has made its way into our game. I, personally, would like them to put a -3 or -4 ratio like in high school. You have people swinging 34 inch bats that are 22 and 24 ounces. That is what we call bat speed. That is my 2 cents!!!