DT Rants... about Rules

Not much to rant about today. The cricketeers took the field away from us so we had to move to our secondary field. Parts of it were water-logged due to the horrible drainage and clay covered pitch, but after some scouting by Rube and myself, we managed to find a semi-decent place to make our diamond. The rubber bases that Indiana usually carries would have been a welcome addition to the game, because the foam cushions that we usually use turned the colour of mud within 2 innings. It didn't help that everyone was hitting well and getting around the bags, turning the cotton covers into mush. Numbers were terrific. We had two full teams and that hasn't been seen before in 2006. Two full teams including pitcher, catcher and even Rover. We've not had the luxury of having an extra man in the outfield for ages. The weather was brilliant too, lovely hot sun partially obscured by a some clouds so that it was bright AND cool. No dehydration today. Considering it has been raining hard everyday at about 3 for the last week. It was a wonderful day for us to play our saturday game.

I've always talked about the baseball gods and the immense faith I have in them. I know it sounds sacrilegious of me or rather, heathenistic. But when it all boils down to it, Saturdaysoftball has really been tested hard this year, and we've pulled through. Frankly, I've seen my share of lean years when it looked like the game would be wrapped up. There have been many a time when it seemed that many people were leaving at the same time and the game would finally be called off and put to rest. Yet somehow, when one person leaves, a new person always come in to fill the gap. And this is how it has been for the last 10 years. The faces change, but the game remains the same. This year has ultimately been the worst year we've faced. The stream of people leaving and the constant loss of the field has really been difficult for even the most stalwart. We've lost so many regulars in such a short time that for a moment, I really believed that this wonderful saturday softball game would stop. Yet somehow... those remaining have 'kept the faith' and come out every saturday and it looks like the beautiful game is gaining back the momentum and numbers we've always enjoyed.

I'm very happy to welcome The Mick, Swiss Miss and New Kyle into the fold of new regulars. Hopefully we'll see Jason (I'll call him Jayfro, cos it's less racist') back regularly when he discovers that the singapore baseball league sucks and Saturdaysoftball is oodles better. DY is back for good, though with the responsibilities of being a soon-to-be father, I don't know how easy it'll be for him to make a break for the ballfield on saturdays. The best part is, we're now even multi-sport, engaging in the thrilling, pricision game that is bowling on saturdays after ball. Saturdaysoftball is no longer confined to the ball field and beer at Joes....

Since we're on the subject of short numbers. This rant is dedicated to the men and women who have served faithfully over the last 6 months when the numbers have been short, when the weather has been awful, and the frisbee and cricket idiots have conspired against us. And on that note, I'll write a brief summary of the fantastic and creative rules we've come up with to make up for the lack of manpower.

1. Joes - If numbers are less than 8, the game is called and we all go to Joes for pool.

2. Double or Nothing - Classic rule that has served us well during the traditional holidays when most of our expats leave for home. We usually play this rule when numbers are less than 10. The diamond is drawn shorter by about 5 feet. All fields are open and only two infielders are required. A batter is required to run to second base for a hit.

3. Right Field Dead - If numbers are more than 10 and less than 12. We shut down right field. The diamond is laid at standard distance. All infield positions are filled, but only a left-fielder and center-fielder are required. Any hit into right field counts as an automatic out for the batter.

4. Rubane in Da House - A variation of shutting down right field. Cones are laid to shut down center-field. All other rules are similar to 'Right Field Dead', except any hit within the cones results as an out for the batter.

5. Switch Rules - All batters must hit switch, Left Field is Dead. All other rules are similar to 'Right Field Dead'. Any hits into left field is an automatic out.

6. Prof Zen Rules - A variation of 'Double or Nothing', but in this case, bases are laid at standard distance, and the runner is safe on first. The runner must score from second. If the runner rounds third base, he cannot turn back, he is forced to go home. The out is made with a tag, regardless if its a forced play. If he has not yet stepped on third base, he can return to second base if there is no one occupying it.

7. Switch Rules with a touch of Prof Zen - If the numbers are less than 10, instead of playing 'Double or Nothing', we can opt to play this rule. All batters must hit switch, and score from second. Only three infielders are required, SS, 1st and 2nd, and two outfielders; Center and Rightfield.

8. Rubane Rules - If numbers are less than 12. Similar to 'Switch Rules with a touch of Prof Zen', however, batters hit normally. Left field is dead, but it is where the ball ends up not lands. A batter may hit into leftfield, and if the ball rolls into centerfield, the ball is alive and the game to proceed. Runners must score from second base. There can be three outfielders and three infielders.

9. Normal Rules - If numbers are more than 13, we play normal rules.