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MMSC SOFTBALLFANS.COM ISA MODIFIED PITCH MODIFIED PITCH SOFTBALL HISTORY SOUTHERN NEW YORK ASA MEMORIAL DAY TOURNAMENT 360 SOFTBALL SEASIDE PARK SOFTBALL LEAGUE
National Modified Pitch Softball Alliance
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Welcome To Our Site
Our Mission is to educate and promote the great game of Modified Fast Pitch Softball
We have partnered with Men's
Modified Softball Club who are group of passionate softball players from the
northeast, led by Matt Karlin of Long Island, N.Y.
Staten Island Advance...
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The official ASA Web site has listings for ASA Major Modified, Major A and 10-Man National tournaments, all on Labor Day weekend.
They're listed, but will the tournaments happen?
And if they do will they spark the interest they had in seasons not long ago.
The last few seasons have seen the modified game, at least the major modified game, slowly fall apart.
Last year, the major modified National was canceled because of a lack of teams and the Major A barely attracted 10.
And while the 10-man had a strong showing, the tourney was besieged with the usual illegal pitching complaints.
So, where does the game stand this year?
The biggest difference this season is the so called "big two" -- Champion Construction/N.Y. Gremlins and Patsy's -- are going to play Major Fastpitch full-time.
Whether that helps the modified game won't be determined to September.
"If there was still enough interest at the major modified level, we would still be playing it," said Gremlins manager Gregg Leather. "But, we're not going to go through another season like last year not knowing if there is going to be a national tourney.
"You play the whole season building for the national and when it's canceled, the entire season is just a waste of time," he added. "Our sponsors were willing to give it another try, but it was obvious the best answer was to commit to major fastpitch."
"I actually hope that ourselves and Patsy's committing to play fastpitch full-time helps the modified game," said Leather. "Hopefully more teams will be willing to play at the Major National if our two teams aren't there."
"Those two teams moving up just might help," said ASA Southern New York Commissioner Glen Payne. "It should open up the division. There are a lot of teams capable of winning the National if those two teams aren't there."
One of the biggest obstacles facing a number of local teams is the ASA pitchers list.
While the list for 2007 hasn't been finalized, if your name does appear the only place you can pitch is at the Major Modified level.
An example of the rule is Islander Steve Mikos, arguably one of the top two pitchers along with Ralph Miscione, to ever pitch on the Island.
While Mikos is longers with the Gremlins, whatever team the multi-time ASA All-American plays for would have to go to the Major Modified National.
As things stand now, Mikos would not be allowed to throw in the Major A or 10 man.
"If your name appears on the list you have to pitch at the major level," said Payne. "We want to get a month or so under our belts before we finalize it, but it will be done some time in May.
"The only way to get off the list is to appeal to the ASA," Payne added. "Last year, we had three players appeal and there was only one that we even considered taking off the list."
"There's still going to be plenty of pitchers on the list, just like past seasons," Leather said. "But, the problem just like past seasons is the same. Will there be enough teams to have a National?" Bob Nestel TOURNAMENT RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR TOURNAMENTS PAGE
Can national tourneys survive?
History of Modified Pitch
In 1887 softball was invented as an indoor sport by George Hancock, a reporter. The first games took place inside the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago. In 1895 Lewis Rober, a member of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, fire department, invented outdoor softball. It wasn't till the late 60's that the great game of Modified Pitch came into it's own. It is reported that it's beginnings took place somwhere in the northeastern United States. The creation of the game was by those who enjoyed baseball, wanted to play softball, but lacked the skills needed to play the more popular version of softball called fast pitch. The game began with a "modified" pitch delivery (thus the name). It allowed pitcher's to throw harder than slow pitch and yet not need the same skills of fast pitch. He or she used a modified version of a windmill delivery. Like slow pitch, the defense used 10 fielders. There was no bunting or stealing allowed . The strike zone was similar to baseball (arm pits to the top of the knees) and the ball was permitted to be thrown at a greater amount of speed than slow pitch. The game really took off in the early 1970's in places like New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Southern California and New Jersey. Staten Island, New York became the hotbed and was home to several World Champions and to this day, is the address for many of the country's top teams. Modified has grown in areas like Michigan, Maryland and Florida. Later in the 70's the 9 man version was born. It allowed teams to play a style even closer to fast pitch. The defense was allowed 9 players, baserunners were allowed to leave on the release of the ball, bunting and stealing were permitted and the pitchers used a slightly different version of the delivery to obtain more speed and movement on the ball. As the game grew popular, the different associations began to adopt thier own rules and run National tournaments. By the mid 90's ASA, NSA and USSSA had national modified pitch programs, but by the end of the decade modified showed signs of declining participation. Lack of new young pitchers, the internet and the growth of slow pitch have all been blamed. Eventually NSA and then USSSA saw shrinking numbers and slowly fazed out thier Modified Pitch programs. As the new millenium arrived, a new group out of Maryland (UMSA) was formed and a few years later (2003), the Independent Softball Association began a national program and named a national director. As of 2007 only ASA, ISA and USMA run national modified programs.
You hear that question all the time. The funny thing is, not many Modified players even know the difference. Ask the 3 associations ( ASA, ISA and UMSA) who still sanction the style and they don't even totally agree. When asked about the differences between 9 and 10 man, most players think 10 man is just a style that incorporates an extra defender. Some call it "B" ball. Either way,there definately IS a difference. Basically, 10 Man is the original or "true modified". The pitching delivery has it's restrictions (no sling shot or windmill) , and there are a few minor rule differences, espicially on the defensive side, where 10 defenders are allowed. 9 man has 9 defenders and an allowable "sling shot" type pitching motion. Because of the laxed pitching rules, pitchers can break the ball better and throw it at a faster speed. Now all this would be fine, but the different league and tournament directors don't have the umpires enforce the rules as just explained. Depending on where you play the rules changes and that's a very big negatitive for our game. Until it's enforced universally, there will be a huge grey area. We here at the NMPSA hope someday we can get everyone on the same page. We beleive there is a difference and the game should be played one style or another. Now you need to decide what style your playing. Good Luck!!
9 man
10 man
