by curveballerguy124 » Thu Aug 05, 2021 2:34 pm
This is just my opinion but I believe they went with seasoned players for the simple fact that they all have experience in the IFC playing international ball. They have all, with exception to the newbies played oversea's under international rules.Garcia and Nicols missed opportunities to play some games because of college ball though
For starters playing with a pitching timer messes with you especially if you have never played using one. Managing your time between pitches becomes extra challenging!! For batters it feels like your being quick pitched, for fielders it feels like you don't have enough set up between pitches and to pitchers it feels like your being yield at! It feels like you don't even have enough time to nod your catcher off if your not feeling the pitch. I've experienced it before and I can tell you in the 6 games that I experienced it I never got comfortable with it not for a moment.....
Then there is the pitching, international rules you can leap.... Try getting your timing right off of a leaping pitcher, if your used to it awesome you stand a chance if your not you aint gonna hit shit..... Now, you would think Nichols and Garcia would have a advantage because Kurt Walker their UCLA coach is a mens fastpitch pitcher right? Not the case Kurt is one of they few men that actually drag and not leap.
I know everyone likes to Monday morning quarterback it, but honestly Im not surprised they struggled hitting, I know some of the Olympic players hired men to throw to them because I play ball with these guys and was told. I have thrown to Janie Reed in the past and I can tell you when I leaped and threw to her she struggled timing me. Some of the guys that threw to these girls made mention on the same.....