(SB) OGT: Game 3 UF @ Auburn March 30, 2025 12 pm SEC Network

their starter sj is guaranteed to throw a changeup. Watching it float in there for strikes mind boggles me. I would sit on it and put it in the trees

 

A lot of hate for the Auburn catcher in these threads and as unnecessarily as her routine may be, she really isn’t slowing the game down that much. I watch a lot of games back on replay and while skipping time between pitches, they work faster than some games I’ve watched. As long as the pitcher works at a decent rate, that’s far more important to me.

 

I don’t really care about the speed of the game. I just think it’s ridiculous that a catcher at this level can’t throw the ball back to the pitcher. If her brain is that messed up, lean into it and take her out of the game.

 

Too many LoB, but overall a successful weekend. Got the sweep and Rothrock back in the circle pitching well.

 

There is also the very real possibility that she can get free words to the pitcher without a timeout and anybody hearing her. Could be just a simple word of encouragement or instructions like a little higher, lower, inside, drop, etc. She obviously has a mental block going to pitcher as the movement is very stuttered. While that part of her game isn't against the rules i would think being able to talk to your pitcher for free every pitch would be reason for am umpire to stop it. She may not be saying anything at any point but this process allows her the opportunity

 

I don't care. We beat them and that is what I care about.

 

She should be charged with a visit every time she goes out.

 

I'm sure she's had the yips from little league, through travel ball, and now at the college level. She has probably annoyed fans, pitchers, and her own first baseman (when there's a runner on 3B) throughout her carear. Coaches surely have wanted to bench her but she plays because she's that good.

 

As you say, it's a pretty big demotion from last year. I've always thought that CTW keeps her at DP just to keep her head on straight, keep the confidence up, and because we need her as a reliever. There's a strong case to be made that Comia, Lamar or even McLellan would be better at DP and could use the experience. But we need Brown in a good head space for pitching.

I think this is one of those situations were CTW knows the minds of their players and what is best overall.

 

I understand that posts get made in the heat of the moment. That said, I find it over-the-top to criticize a Gator player's foot-speed and/or effort.

And, with the benefit of replay, it looks to me like she reacted quickly to the passed ball. The ball rebounded directly to the catcher in about one second. Then the catcher made a good throw that beat Reagan by one-half step.

I don't see any lack of hustle or effort.

 

There's the thought that players and their parents read this forum.

But paidinfull/rtlns67 saying Ava is not fast surely come as no surprise to her or to her parents. CTW basically announces that fact to the entire stadium when he pinch runs for her. Likewise, I think Reagan knows that we love her for her amazing power at the plate and consistent fielding, not her speed on the base paths.

I think it's demeaning to treat our players like little snowflakes. If paidinfull/rtlns67 think Reagan dogged the play, that's their opinion, just like you have the opinion that she didn't.

Our softball players are grown women, one step away from a professional career with Softball Unlimited or playing overseas. No one gets worked up when Anthony Richardson is critiqued by commentators on national television in front of millions of people. These woman athletes deserve the same respect and don't need to be protected.

As long as its not a personal attack, I think our players can take opinions of the fans and we don't need to walk on eggshells. Just my two cents.

 

This is probably the best forum in terms of civil discussion, thanks to you (and the other mods).

 

You do a great job of nudging people towards civility, while allowing for fact based criticism. Appreciate you very much.

 

I disagree. I find this forum to be mostly an echo chamber, dominated by a few voices that are quite unwelcoming of critical perspectives. This manifests in inaccurate or bad-faith reading of plain language, fanatical defense of the UAA against even mild critique, and a condescending attitude toward high level athletes which is often paternalistic and at times downright inappropriate.

It's not a very good forum. I'm not sure why I bother.

 

Personally, I've been on a lot of message boards and threads over many years and find the Diamond Gators forum to be the absolute best of them all. So, feel free to quit posting. I don't think many would mind.

 

Like clockwork.

 

Completely agree...just don't mention sports psychology, apparently that's a red flag for a forum ban.

 

Here's the irony, YOU get upset when posters point out the fallacy of your over the top posts. It's not an echo chamber, it's full of posters that simply understand sports and the ups and downs of a season.
One only has to look at posts re the baseball team to understand diamondgator posters can criticize performance when it is appropriate.