(SB) WCWS: OGT: Game 1 UF vs texas May 29, 2025 @OKC 12 pm ESPN

This is a layman’s observation. I have no experience as a coach or player so if I’m off base let me know.
Seems to me to get a player to chase a bad pitch requires the pitcher to hit a spot perhaps one ball diameter outside is very hard with the tendency to over compensate on the safe side. If you can’t hit the spot consistently why bother? Throw the pitch that got you the two strikes or try to fool her with a pitch you know she will swing at or may be caught looking. I say don’t lose your count advantage. When you do you the walks and hits increase.

 

Ultimately it's the difference between a great pitcher and an average one. Throwing a hittable pitch at 0-2 and all us fans lose our minds. But too far off the plate what's the point. Its what made Greg Maddux a generational pitcher, he could locate his pitches.
I'm just saying it isn't what the coach "calls", it's the pitchers execution in those situations

 

All very true. I would add that the umpire's strike zone can be a factor aat times. If he/she is giving pitchers a little extra (the "river" comes to mind) then take advantage of it. Of course as you note, not every pitcher can do that.

 

Yep. Pitchers and hitters have to adjust to the ump's strike zone and when the ump is not calling balls & strikes consistently it leads to confusion and frustration for everybody. Greg Maddux, because he was consistently around the plate, was almost always given a very generous strike zone, not so much up and down but side to side. Same thing with softball pitchers. Those who have excellent control are more likely to get borderline pitches than those who are inconsistent in finding the zone.

 

Yes unless its a college baseball game and Jeff Head is behind the plate. He's the very definition of confusion and frustration.

 

Its usually bad when fans know an umpire or a ref such as Teddy Valentine by name.

 

Absolutely. And you also have to consider the batter.....is it an Amanda Lorenz with an amazing eye, or is it someone more likely to chase a pitch out of the zone?

 

Press conference before games get underway tomorrow:
What a horrible question a reporter asked Tim, asking if he could explain the job Patty has done this year with her team and the success they have had. Good response by Tim saying he is focused on the Gators.

 

CTW is so good at interviews

 

Yes he did very well

 

Thanks for posting. That question was by Mason Young who covers OU (Tulsa World). Just a really odd thing to throw out there. Probably believes the softball world revolves around OU.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

 

Literally! I watched some of the other press conferences and surprisingly enough he did not ask any other coach that question.

 

probably…you are being too kind.
The follow up question was just released by the pr department of Oklahoma ( they said “accidentally”much later)..
Hey, if UF is ever matched up with Oklahoma in the series, will you have the common sense to simply forfeit the game in the interest of timeliness and the good of the game?

 

Too much common sense here. Kudos. I know we are accustomed to perfection but ...really,?
Can we we expect any pitcher to be that exact at 18 or 19?
The superstars reveal themselves eventually. Everybody else just does the best they can to move their pitches around .jmhfo

 

I was looking at DraftKings sports book today and you can bet the WCWS. Didn't even know that was possible. If you bet 10 on Tenn today and they win you get back 47. If you bet 10 on Gators and they win you get back 27. I didn't bet because I'm always wrong.

 

Let’s send the softball team to the White House. The Gator Girls Stay Hot!

 

Seeding at first.