Monday, July 29, 2002
Use your head to swing from your heels
Home-run strategy can be critical
By Gary Estwick, gestwick@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
With two runners on, Ken Matthews stepped to the plate, ready to do his job. Several pitches later, Matthews slammed a three-run home run over the right-field fence at Rumpke Park.
“Thatta boy — bring 'em home,” yelled his Design Concepts Plus teammates.
Matthews' home run is an example of how teams in the 50th Annual Cincinnati Metro Softball Tournament use strategy when hitting round-trippers. Depending on the level of play, teams are only allowed to hit a certain number of home runs in one game.
Umpire-in-chief Jerry Fick said the rule, part of many softball tournaments for at least 15 years, helps place teams in the right divisions based on their ability, while also putting an emphasis on all aspects of the game rather than just home runs.
The penalty for hitting too many homers? An out.
Once a team has used all of its home runs, the emphasis shifts to base hits.
“You get used to it,” said Matthews, who plays third base.
Players in the “D” division aren't allowed to hit any. Three are allowed in the “C” division. The numbers increase by three every division, all the way to the Major division (12).
To speed up the game, players don't round the bases after home runs. They simply trot back to the dugout.
Matthews' Design Concepts Plus team plays in the “B” division, where six home runs are allowed. Good timing can make a difference. Matthews' timing was good Saturday in a 9-4 win over Ft. Mitchell Sports Bar/Nazdar.
Danny Miller and Rob Pollard reached base, giving Matthews the opportunity to swing away.
“It all comes down to the first two batters,” he said. “If they don't get on, we don't get to swing so freely. You don't like to hit solo home runs, but sometimes it happens.”
Pollard is also known for driving in runs. During Friday's 15-3 win over OPP Softball, he hit three three-run homers.
“Your two leadoff guys set the table, then if I don't knock them home, Ken will,” said Pollard, who plays center field. “We've been doing that all year. That's the way it works.”
Design Concepts Plus lost 20-7 to JSA/Nasty Boys/Worth on Sunday, leaving them 2-1 in the tournament, which resumes today at 6:30 p.m.
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Use your head to swing from your heels
