Kern County Softball - SoftballJoe's Blog - The Bakersfield Voice

The Typical Girl Fastpitch Softball Player

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:12:01 PST

The Typical Girl Fastpitch Softball Player

At one time, she looked cute as a button, dressed in pink with ponytails
with visions of Alice in Wonderland. She played with dolls, helped mom
bake cookies, and has probably earned a few bucks baby-sitting. She has been,
and always will be daddy's little girl.

She still has all those little girl attributes. The only difference
is now she looks cute dressed in sliders and shorts. If she is wearing
ribbons in her hair, they are team colors. She still bakes cookies ... team bake sale.
And she has probably earned a few bucks ... at the team car wash. Now she is, and
always will be daddy's little second baseman (or insert position of choice).

She takes pride in how much dirt she can collect every weekend. Go to dinner
on a night that she is not playing and it takes an hour of primping to get ready,
and she still feels self-conscious. Go after a game and she'll walk right
into a restaurant with a streak of dirt across her forehead, ratted hair,
stained shirt and brownish/white socks. Or brown toes with sandals! Let's EAT!

She is ready and willing to play at the drop of a hat! If she can get away
with it, she will play on two teams. (In the same day no less) She has a huge
wardrobe: plenty of tournament shirts and shorts from all the teams she has
played on. Her parents do her school shopping every weekend at the
tournament T-shirt booth. When you say, "wear something nice", she
thinks it means a tournament shirt without dirt stains.

She needs to get an athletic scholarship. Her parents have spent $100,000
on camps, private instruction, batting cages, gloves, bats, equipment,
uniforms, player fees, concession stands, travel and lodging. THEY'RE BROKE!!!

She is a fierce competitor, willing to stand in against a fast pitcher at
close distance that even pro baseball players would have trouble hitting!
And she might be 5'2" and 100 lbs. soaking wet. She might play first or third base
at 20 feet from home plate, saying I dare you to bunt ... drive one down my throat!!!

She has more spirit than maybe any other team sport. At least it sounds that
way. Softball is the only sport where a girls ability to cheer sometimes
effects roster decisions. She can't bunt or hit, she is a liability in the
field ... but she cheers constantly!
She is playing the game for all
the right reasons! SHE LOVES IT! She could hang out at the mall, stay home and
watch TV, or spend her summers at the pool. Instead she has a tight schedule
with limited free time, hangs out on the practice field with a coach in
her face, and spends her summers getting baked on a 95 degree field with
no shade. Maybe we should get some of our kids checked for IQ? :)

She has her priorities in order: Tournaments, League Games, Team Practices, schoolwork, individual practice and batting cage, family, private softball instruction, church, conditioning, softball camps, boys. (Maybe church comes before the batting cage.) At least on Sundays.

She is diligent and hardworking. She knows you get out of something, what you put into it. She is not the type of kid to take the easy way out! She is competitive, not willing to give up. She learns many valuable lesson during the course of her softball career, like:

You can stay at Holiday INN for $12 bucks a night if you are willing to go 4 to a room.

Hotels don't monitor pool usage, and you can go swimming anytime, whether you are a registered guest or not.

Continental breakfast means: 3 bowls of cereal, bagel, 2 donuts and 4 glasses of OJ.

Unlike the geographically challenged, softball girls know how to get from home to every field in a 25 mile radius.

Last years sunflower seed that she found in the bottom of her bat bag aren't too bad if she washes them down with enough Gatorade.

Never wash your socks when you're on a winning streak!

Never wash your socks when you're on a hitting streak.

Never wash your socks after you've scored the winning run, scored any run, or were close to scoring a run.

Never trust a mother who says she won't wash your lucky socks.

She has a lot of fun every summer, enough to make her come back next year regardless of all the sacrifices,
the money, the occasional bad coach, the occasional injury, drinking water that people have put their hands in, etc.

But first and foremost, the Typical Girls Fast Pitch Softball Player is somebody's little girl!

Splash Dogs are coming--

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:19:53 PDT

The SPLASH DOG's are coming to the Kern County Fair! Little d\Dogs, Medium Dogs, or Big Dogs, all are welcome to come out and take part.
There are divisions for every dog to compete in. Dogs are placed in division based on how far they jump.
Splash Dogs     0' 0" - 9'11"
Junior Dogs   10' 0" - 14' 11"
Senior Dog division   15'11" - 19' 11"
Professional Division   20' 0" - 22' 11"
Extreme Division     23' & over

This is a fun event for you and your dog, go to www.splashdogs.com and check it out

TYPICAL GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL PLAYER

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:57:56 PDT

TYPICAL GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL PLAYER (TGFPSP) is first and foremost somebody's little girl.

The TGFPSP still has all those little girl attributes. The only difference is now she looks cute dressed in sliders and shorts. If she is wearing ribbons in her hair, they are team colors. She still bakes cookies ... team bake sale. And she has probably earned a few bucks ... at the team car wash. Now she is, and always will be daddy's (mom's) little second baseman.

The TGFPSP takes pride in how much dirt she can collect every weekend. Go to dinner on a night that she is not playing and it takes an hour of primping to get ready, and she still feels self-conscious. Go after a game and she'll walk right into a restaurant with a streak of dirt across her forehead, ratted hair, stained shirt and brownish/white socks. Or brown toes with sandals! Let's EAT!

The TGFPSP is ready and willing to play at the drop of a hat! If she can get away with it, she will play on two teams. (In the same day no less) She has a huge wardrobe: plenty of tournament shirts and shorts from all the teams she has played on. Her parents do her school shopping every weekend at the tournament T-shirt booth. When you say, "wear something nice", she thinks it means a tournament shirt without dirt stains.

The TGFPSP needs to get an athletic scholarship. Her parents have spent $100,000 on camps, private instruction, batting cages, gloves, bats, equipment, uniforms, player fees, concession stands, travel and lodging. THEY'RE BROKE!!!

The TGFPSP is a fierce competitor, willing to stand in against a fast pitcher at close distance that even pro baseball players would have trouble hitting! And she might be 5'2" and 100 lbs. soaking wet. She might play first or third base at 20 feet from home plate, saying I dare you to bunt ... drive one down my throat!!!

The TGFPSP has more spirit than maybe any other team sport. At least it sounds that way. Softball is the only sport where a girls ability to cheer sometimes effects roster decisions. She can't bunt or hit, she is a liability in the field ... but she cheers constantly!

The TGFPSP is playing the game for all the right reasons! SHE LOVES IT! She could hang out at the mall, stay home and watch TV, or spend her summers at the pool. Instead she has a tight schedule with limited free time, hangs out on the practice field with a coach in her face, and spends her summers getting baked on a 105degree field with no shade.

The TGFPSP has her priorities in order: Tournaments, League Games, Team Practices, schoolwork, individual practice and batting cage, family, private softball instruction, church, conditioning, softball camps, boys. (Maybe church comes before the batting cage.) At least on Sundays.

The TGFPSP is diligent and hardworking. She knows you get out of something, what you put into it. She is not the type of kid to take the easy way out! She is competitive, not willing to give up. She learns many valuable lesson during the course of her softball career, like:

The TGFPSP has a lot of fun every summer, enough to make her come back next year regardless of all the sacrifices, the money, the occasional bad coach, drinking water that people have put their hands in, etc.

Lets Play Ball J

you can stay at Holiday INN for $15 bucks a night if you are willing to go 4 to a room.

hotels don't monitor pool usage, and you can go swimming anytime, whether your a registered guest or not.

Continental breakfast means: 3 bowls of cereal, bagel, 2 donuts and 4 glasses of OJ.

Unlike the geographically challenged, softball girls know how to get from home to every field in a 25 mile radius.

At one time, she looked cute as a button, dressed in pink with pony tails. She played with dolls, helped mom bake cookies,
and has probably earned a few bucks baby-sitting. She has been, and always will be daddy's (mom's) little girl.

Weight Training Specifically for Softball

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:59:09 PDT

Weight Training Specifically for Softball

In order for a female softball athlete to improve her performance on the diamond, it is essential to train as hard off the field as well as on the field by having a weight training regime specifically designed for softball. Some athletes workout on the ball diamond for two to three hours at a time - fielding grounders and shagging fly balls - and believe it to be sufficient.

Now, however, with the level of competition much keener, to stay ahead of the pack an athlete will have work just as hard training her body as she does fielding and hitting.

The primary objective of a weight training program for a female softball athlete is very simple: The stronger and more flexible your body, the less prone you are to on-field injury. A weight training program helps build strength. The strength you develop will allow you to swing the bat faster, throw the ball further, and run bases faster. Speed and strength are the two most important components for success in softball.

If you serious about elevating your softball game, no matter what caliber you currently play, a weight training program will help take your game to the next level.

Caution: If you are planning to begin a weight training regime and have never lifted weights before, check first with your team's coach and your parents.

Softball in Heaven?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:53:52 PDT

Softball in Heaven?

Author unknown

Two 90-year-old women, Rose and Barb, had been friends all of their lives.

When it was clear that Rose was dying, Barb visited her every day.

One day Barb said, 'Rose, we both loved playing women's softball all our lives, and we played in all through High School.

Please do me one favor: when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there's women's softball there.'

Rose looked up at Barb from her deathbed, 'Barb, you've been my best friend for many years. If it's at all possible, I'll do this favor for you.'

Shortly after that, Rose passed on.

At midnight a couple of nights later, Barb was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, 'Barb, Barb.'

'Who is it?' asked Barb, sitting up suddenly.. 'Who is it?'

'Barb -- it's me, Rose.''You're not Rose. Rose just died.''I'm telling you, it's me, Rose,' insisted the voice.

'Rose! Where are you?' 'In Heaven,' replied Rose. 'I have some really good news and a little bad news.'

'Tell me the good news first,' said Barb.

'The good news,' Rose said, 'is that there's Softball in Heaven. Better yet, all of our old buddies who died before us are here, too. Better than that, we're all young again. Better still, it's always springtime, and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play softball all we want, and we never get tired.' 'That's fantastic,' said Barb. 'It's beyond my wildest dreams!

'So what's the bad news?'

'You're pitching Tuesday.'

2008 High School All-Star Softball game

Sat, 31 May 2008 18:05:15 PDT

MARK YOUR CALANDARS NOW, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 @ 6:30PM AT DAVE FRY FIELD, BY SAM LYN BALL PARK.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

High School All-Star Softball Game

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:30:18 PDT

This years Kern County ASA Senior High School All-Star High School Softball Game will be played on Wednesday, June 11th @ 6:30pm at Dave Fry Field. Each High School team in Kern County was contacted and asked to nominate at least two (2) deserving players. Postal Letters and e-mails were sent to all 30 High schools in Kern County this year. Last year the players from the desert took home most of the awards.

This game is a chance for all our local players to show what they can do one last time for the Bakersfield and Kern County fans. Each player and coach will receive the All-Star T-shirt donated by “Supreme Bean a Bakersfield original coffee company”. Stop in for some great coffee first thing tomorrow morning!

The purpose of the game is to allow the players to show off their skills one last time and to raise funds to give out a scholarship to a deserving Kern County player, playing in this game. Help turn this event into one of Kern County's premier sports events. We have invited one of Kern Counties outstanding women to throw out the first pitch. College coaches, local State, Federal Representatives and local media have also been invited to attend.
Here are the players as nominated by their high school coaches:
      Melissa Cope, Stockdale               Jessica Johnson, Golden Valley
MacKenzie Oakes Stockdale              Yvette Salazar, Golden Valley
Amanda Roberts, Centennial             Kaiyla Stoddard, Golden Valley
Jessica Newton-Smith, Centennial               Brittany Hunt, Foothill
Hannah Grisham, Centennial                   Heather Shull, Foothill
Vanessa Medina, Centennial                   Lonnie Carrera, Garces
Joni Lagerstrom, Centennial                    Ellen Krausse, Garces
BreAnna Brown, North                        Shelby Alsup, Garces
Amanda Flores, North                         Megan Grace, Garces
Danielle Scroggs, North                     Celina Morales, Garces
Sami Lindsey, North                           Danyel Fein, BHS
      Ashley Young, Taft                        Kelsey Nichols, Highland
      Brittany Barlow, Taft                      Myranda Sawyer, Highland
Brittney Morrison, Ridgeview                Courtney Hockett, Liberty
Jamie Dumatrait, Ridgeview                       Joya Cervera, Wasco
Kristian Moore, Wasco

COACHES
Jayna Chapman, Centennial Henry Arias, Liberty
Corrie Gunnaway, North Mike D'Amato, Garces

The Kern County ASA will honor as it's "Kern County Woman of Softball"

Barbara SantaCruz
Here is a list of her accomlishments:
Played High School Softball at East High School in Bakersfield----Played ASA Travel Ball with the BLITZ, BLAZE and RUNNERS (15 years). --– Coached U14, U16 and U18 Bakersfield Dirt Devils (6 years). --– Coached/Assisted at East, South, Ridgeview and Golden Valley High Schools. --– Played at CSUB from '86-90 where she was a 2 time All-American --– Led CSUB to 3 National Championships and was assistant coach from 1990-98– Selected to the NCAA 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame Team.

We need everyone involved in girls softball to get behind this effort so it can become an annual event! All profits will be used to award scholarships and insure next years game. Please get involved and take part.
This is a once in a lifetime event for YOUR senior players. Never again will this years seniors be able to play in a High School Senior All-Star Softball Game!
Give me a call if you can help out, Joe Cox 661-565-1808 or send e-mail to: KernCountyASAJO@aol.com

Thank you.

Dogs & Cats

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:09:55 PDT

Dear Dogs and Cats, in the family

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food.
The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it, becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn´t help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom.
If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years
-- canine or feline attendance is not required. The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat´s butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our
Pets:

1. They live here. You don´t.
2. If you don´t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the
furniture. (That´s why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it´s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn´t speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don´t ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car.
6. Don´t hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don´t smoke or drink
8. Don´t have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don´t want to wear your clothes
10. Don´t need a "gazillion" dollars for college.

And finally,
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Andy needs help!

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:37:38 PST

Labs Who Need Help

Success Stories

Lab Tributes

Labs Who Need Help

Success Stories

Tributes

Thank You Page

We need your donations. Requests have been made to Labrador Harbor by families and rescue organizations to assist these Labradors.

Last Update February 21, 2008

If your Lab needs our services please complete an application form today.

Labs Who Need Help

Success Stories

Tributes

Thank You Page

Update 2/21/08

Prince Andy needs your help!. This Splash Dogs Junior Worlds dock divingchampion needs TPO surgery on both hips. His family simply cannot afford the high cost of these surgeries. His family is arranging yard sales, a car wash, etc. to help raise money, but they will still need help from Labrador Harbor. Andy is a dock diving dog in Bakersfield, and they are asking for help from the dock diving teams, too. The prognosis from the first vet is 95% full recovery.

Prince Andy also has a web site, if you'd like to read more, www.PrinceAndyFlores.com.

Click the MAKE A DONATION button at the bottom of this page to donate directly to Prince Andy today!

Help!

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:34:10 PST

Labs Who Need Help

Success Stories

Lab Tributes

>>Labrador Harbor Success stories!

We need your donations. Requests have been made to Labrador Harbor by families and rescue organizations to assist these Labradors.

Last Update February 21, 2008

If your Lab needs our services please complete an application form today.

Update 2/21/08

Prince Andy needs your help!. This dock diving champion needs TPO surgery on both hips. His family simply cannot afford the high cost of these surgeries. His family is arranging yard sales, a car wash, etc. to help raise money, but they will still need help from Labrador Harbor. Andy is a dock diving dog in Bakersfield, and they are asking for help from the dock diving teams, too. The prognosis from the first vet is 95% full recovery.

Prince Andy also has a web site, if you'd like to read more, www.PrinceAndyFlores.com.

Click the MAKE A DONATION button at the bottom of this page to donate directly to Prince Andy today!

Diving in San Mateo

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:27:56 PST

Prince Andy went to San Mateo for his first birthday celebration to compete in the first of the International Sportsman's Expo events. He jumped a new personal best and cleared that magical 20 foot mark by jumping 20' 5" winning 2 firsts in his waves and finishing 8th in the professional finals. Way to go Andy! next up is the International Sportsmen Expo show in Sacramento this weekend. Below is a copy of the San Mateo Times News Paper. He made the front page of the Local section.

San Mateo County Times

Remember that "Splash Dogs" & "Dock Dogs" use the "OFFICIAL" measurements of from end of the dock to the base of the dogs tail. There was a dog that was supposed to have jumped 30' on TV this last weekend, but they measured him from the dock to the tip of his nose as it entered the water, that's and extra 4'-5' over an official measurement! I wish that group would start using the "Official" measurements for their event so as not to confuse people. It would also further the sport if they would use "Official" measurements!

Start your training

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:08:14 PST

Everyone with a dog, start training them to jump into water! "SPLASH DOGS" are coming to Bakersfield's Kern County Fair in September. They have 5+ divisions for everyones dog to take part in, even a division for your kids to take part.. Both you, your kids and your dog will have fun.

http://www.splashdogs.com/

Check them out!

Tis the seasom

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:30:59 PST

May I take this time to wish all of you a very

Merry Christmas

and the happest of

New Years

Tis the season

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:29:14 PST

May I take this time to wish all of you a very

Merry Christmas

and the happest of

New Years

New Addition

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:09:43 PST

Hello all:

Haven't been around in awhile, getting all the year end business and Christmas shopping done.

Got a new addition to the family, an 8 week old black Lab named "RUGER". His full AKC name is "Ruger's Ultimate Black Diamond". Took him to the Vet today for his second set of shots and he wighted in at a whopping 16 lb 9 oz. He has no fear, he takes on the bigger, full grown labs that we have already, and backs them down. As soon as he gets his final shots I will start training him for the upcoming Splash Dog season.

If anyone would like to see the Splash Dogs in action, contact the Kern County Fair Board and ask them to bring in the Splash Dogs Orginazation. Everyone can bring their dogs to one of their events and let them jump. They have divisions for every dog. It is alot of fun....

Andy at the World Championships

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:38:41 PST

Have posted an article about Andy. Will re-post it later here if needed. Andy won the Worlds Junior Division Championship by over 2 feet! He had a jump of 18' 9" in the finals to win going away. He also set a new Cynosports Junior World Record with a jump of 19' 3" in the semi-finals. So the trip to Scottsdale, AZ was well worth the trip. Will also post new pictures when I get them back.

Passing time

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:04:01 PDT

Hello all, last couple weeks have been hard to get on here. Seems when you get "UP" in age you start visiting the ER more often. This past week I found out what it is like to give birth (I'm a male)! Ladies I now understand, really I do, I spent a couple days at Mercy trying to pass a Kidney Stone. If you've never tried to pass a stone or had a baby you won't understand. Think of trying to pass a small stone of thru your penis? It is very painful. Always heard it was like a woman having a baby, now I believe it.

Looking for another dog to start training, figured why not have twice the fun as I'm now having ;) As soon as I get back from the Words Championships @ Cynosports in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend I will start looking in earnest. Want a big footed, long legged, male lab out of good stock. Found some people in Tehachapi that breed labs. They have a litter due in December that looks promising. Not sure of color yet. but the father is yellow and the mother is chocolate. Don't think a light blonde male will come out of them? Hope so, but a dark lab would be OK. For some reason 90% of the labs jumping are yellow.

Speaking of the World Championships. The word on Andy is out, people are staring to shy away from his Junior Division, they think they would only be jumping for 2nd or 3rd place? But who knows, that's why they have horse races? It will only cost around $500-$750 total to attend this event? That could be a reason? The Junior Division is for dogs that have qualified at 10' 0" to 14' 11". This is the division Andy qualified for, but being he was, and still is, so young, he has continued to grow in his sport. Most of his competitors are mature dogs who have reached, or almost reached their potential? In practice the last couple weeks Andy has been jumping in the 18'-20' range (remember this is from dock to base of his tail). He could well jump further than the dogs in the Senior Division? Next year he will in all likely hood be in competition in the Professional Division? That's for dogs jumping over 20' But who knows, he may just make the Extreme (over 23') Division next year? Sure would like to see that.

Well, that will have to do it for now. Hope to have GREAT news to share next week?

Passing time,,,,

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:57:08 PDT

Bark in the Park

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:00:48 PDT

Did anyone attend the Bark in the Park in Lancaster this past weekend? Andy did a Little of everything. Dock Diving, Agility and lots of other fun things. Reports are that he hit the 18"-19" mark. But they were not meauring the jumps as it was a "fun" jump. Here are some pictures of him from the event along with a couple other pictures.

Dog Challenge

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:32:51 PDT

I see that Purina is putting another of it's Dog Challenge on NSPN today. I am curious to see how 8 month old Andy stacks up against those dog's. Remember that Purina measures from end of dock to dogs nose, not the base of his tail. In Andy's case that would be an extra 36". His PR at Purina would be 20'2" instead of 17'2".

Next competition is a fun jump in Lancaster on October 6th. Also, I see that 2 more people from Bakersfield have started jumping their dogs last weekend in Pitsburg, Ca.. I think thats great, if we get enough people involved maybe we can get a dock that all can use?

If you think your dog would like to jump, take it to this Lancaster "Bark in the Park". It will be a fun event.