DECEMBER 4 UPDATE
COMMITMENTS
D J Mathes, P, St Louis Lightning, verbal commitment to Univ of Oklahoma
Brittany Vanderink, 2B, 18U Gold Maddogs,
Christine Bills, P/2B/OF, 18U Gold Maddogs,
Hallie Popson, 1B/OF, 18U Gold Maddogs,
Jacqueline Macy, 3B/P, 18U Gold Maddogs,
Rebecca Bishop, P,OF,
Megan
Gibson
Jamie
Lobpries
Jordan
Daniels
Tayl'r
Hollis U of
Quinlan
Duhon LSU
Kelsey
Cammarata UL Lafayette
Allissa
Harper
NFCA CONVENTION
Whatever final decisions are made on Saturday when the various divisions of NFCA convene for their formal business session, the run-up is equal parts noble purpose, response to professional needs, high octane egos, and spirited debate – none of which is binding on the NCAA or ASA or other rule-making bodies.
But, to the extent NFCA can speak with a collective voice on Saturday, there is the likelihood that members will see some of their recommendations enacted. First, however, the proposals will be further vetted in committees on Friday.
In many ways, the most profound change the members seek to effect is on the format for the college season. The Division 1 caucus readily agreed Thursday on a recommendation to NCAA that the college season begin on the Thursday 14 weeks before the first round of regional tournaments. (Note: in 2005, NCAA will inaugurate a new format, which will insert super-regional games into the format, culminating in a Women’s College World Series which would now be held after Memorial Day.)
Division I coaches were also readily agreed that the season should consist of 56 games. Currently, each day of a tournament counts as one game, or day, regardless of how many games are actually played. Given the problems of weather-compelled cancellations and tournament scheduling, the current rule creates an inequity, in which some teams can play 60, even 70 games, while others struggle to complete 50 games.
On several straw votes Thursday, a seeming majority of D-1 coaches seemed agreed on a resolution calling for 56 games, not counting post-season games. A rival proposal would provide an additional four games in conferences which do not have a tournament to choose conference winners. According to an NCAA liaison officer, NCAA is in favor of reducing the number of games played, and is not likely to favor any proposal which adds to the number of games played each season.
There was support in another straw vote on Thursday for a proposal to set aside a day in sanctioned travel ball tournaments in which only juniors and unsigned seniors would compete, possibly at different fields and not necessarily for their usual teams. But, this proposal had not been drafted in final when offered informally on Thursday morning; a formal draft will be discussed by the travel ball committee on Friday, and discussed again on Saturday. The concern among college coaches is how best to see eligible travel ball players when so many teams are competing; there was also frustration expressed that most travel ball tournaments have gotten too large, and involve too many fields. College coaches also expressed frustration afterwards about the disparity in college coaches guides, ranging from very good to inadequate. On that note, NFCA has created a coaches form which it will be urging travel ball coaches to complete and submit to tournament sponsors in time to permit creation of adequate guide books.
The delegates also received a review of new NCAA rules by
Dee Abrahamson, coach at
As mentioned yesterday, the NFCA convention also offers a
unique opportunity for professional bonding, for presentation of awards and
recognition of achievements at all levels of fast-pitch softball, and, not
least, myriad opportunities for coaches to meet with manufacturers and suppliers
to discuss equipment and uniform needs.
MEGAN TAYLOR
KILLED IN ACCIDENT
SPY received the
following memo from Allie, a true and grieving friend.
On
involving five cars. It took place on 482 in
attempting to pass other cars when it realized a car was coming the opposite
way and was forced to swerve back into his lane, hitting the car in front of
and behind him. One of the cars, being driven by 17 year old Zachary Taylor
and his twin sister Megan Taylor, spun out of control into the other lane
and was hit broad-sided by a van. Megan was found dead on the scene and her
brother suffered a broken collar bone. Megan, #17, a catcher for
promising athlete and student. Being a friend of mine, I know how amazing of
a person she was and would have became. I know her brother is having a very,
very hard time dealing with this. If you could, put a little something on
spysoftball about what happened. I know her family and friends would greatly
appreciate it. The softball community will miss her a great deal, as she was
one of the best catchers in our conference. I hope you can put a little
something together for her. Having her family in everyone's prayers will be
of great help. Thanks so much!!
Allie
FORMER BULLDOG
PASSES AWAY
Bulldog
softball lost one of its most prolific pitchers in All-American
Lori Romeiro-Gardner. Married to Mark Gardner, long time pitcher for
the San Francisco Giants and sweethearts at
Romeiro-Gardner passed away on
She was 39 years old and had two sons, Nicholas and Daniel. She was a
teacher in Lemoore. Treated at Stanford, Lori had two liver transplants
before succumbing to
a very rare form of liver cancer.
Lori played at
with a blown knee). She was a Second Team All-American in 1987. She
ranks among the school's career Top 10 in every pitching category:
Consecutive scoreless innings pitched (No. 1, 60.0)
Fewest earned runs allowed (No. 2, 56),
saves (No. 3, 4)
ERA (No. 5, 0.55),
strikeouts (No. 5, 536)
no-hitters (No. 5, 4)
strikeouts per 7 innings (No. 5, 5.30)
consecutive wins (No. 7, 11)
shutouts (No. 7, 43)
appearances (No. 8, 105)
games started (No. 8, 95)
wins (No. 8, 69-25)
complete games (No. 8, 81)
innings pitched (No. 8, 708.1)
The Recitation of the Rosary will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church
on Fri., Dec. 5, 9:30 am. Interment will follow at
Rememberances may be made to the Step to the Plate Foundation (7797 N.
End