Most dominant pitcher in the NLL

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• Feb 5, 2010

• #1

Ok, this is based not just on a pitcher's individual talent, but also the perceived level of her defense. There is no emphasis on offense here. Just curious who we think the most dominant pitcher/defense will be in the NLL. WE all know that there are several great pitchers in the NLL this year, so, who will give opposing teams the most trouble?

My bet, Olivia O'Reilly from Southview. My reasoning is this: Southview on lost two from their starting defense and Last year she split pitching time, she is the "least seen" pitcher by returning batters, where as the other top pitchers: Michalak, Kurfis, Haley, and Bryson (whose arm health is still a concern), have been around and perhaps opposing coaches will be better able to prepare their teams to face them.

X-Factor in the O'Reilly scenario is: a new catcher and a new coach and how that might affect performance.

OK, what are your thoughts?

(This is in no way meant to say that Springfield, AW, or any other school doesn't have a good defense, this is just meant to spark some discussion as the softball season is no barreling down upon us)

 

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• Feb 5, 2010

• #2

I'm pretty sure nobody will "DOMINATE". The beauty of the NLL is we all get 2 shots at each other which allows for adjustments before the 2nd game.
The last 3 years, A.W. has split with Perrysburg each year, A.W. has split with Southview each year, and is 5 and 1 against Springfield in the league but losing to them in the Sectionals in 2008. So amongst the top 4, anything can happen, as it always has.
And in addition to that, "On Any Given Day" can jump up and bite any one of the predicted top 4 by one of the other teams in the league, as it has every year.

 

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• Feb 5, 2010

• #3

I agree with Thunder

 

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• Feb 5, 2010

• #4

I think Thunder has it locked in. Probably going to be a lot of low scoring games where scratching across those one or two runs might be all a pitcher gets to work with.

 

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• Feb 6, 2010

• #5

I agree with Thunder.....(Did those words really come out of my mouth?)

 

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• Feb 6, 2010

• #6

Fast2Home said:

I agree with Thunder.....(Did those words really come out of my mouth?)

Click to expand...

I believe that is the first sign of the Apocalypse!

 

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• Feb 6, 2010

• #7

you guys are make it to easy on thunder now he thinks he will be right all the time

 

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• Feb 6, 2010

• #8

Isn't he?

 

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• Feb 8, 2010

• #9

I agree with Thunder's statement as well, but with all due respect, it misses my point/question. Who will be the pitcher/defense that gives teams the most trouble? It doesn't mean teams won't beat that particular team.

 

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• Feb 8, 2010

• #10

Hey Fire, I agree that coaches will have a chance to prepare for the those you mentioned...however we all know, it is one thing to prepare it is another thing to execute and some of the pitchers you listed-- Michalak, Kurfis, Haley and Bryson can be intimidating to young hitters. So to answer your question I am saying those four (Michalak, Kurfis, Haley and Bryson) will give teams the most trouble, with IMHO a healthy Bryson having a slight edge. I can't wait for the season to get underway. Should be a good one.

However with my recent lack of success of picking teams (SPECIFICALLY NFL) I will probably be way off!!!!

 

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• Feb 8, 2010

• #11

My 2cents is this: I believe its between Springfield and AW. Each team has good pitchers that pitch to their teams defensive strengths. Springfield has a very strong infield and Michalak is very good at keeping the ball down and hitting the corners inducing a lot of ground balls
AW has a very good OF with Baker and Bores covering a ton of ground. Both Kurf and Haley are upper zone pitchers that get a lot of flyballs. Of course with all 3 pitchers this is when they are not striking out batters.

 

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• Feb 9, 2010

• #12

One other quick thing about the most dominate pitchers/defense...I think one thing that helps both Springfield and AW is their offense...if you felt you only needed to score 1 or 2 runs against either school to win, you would have a mind set of manufacturing a run or 2. The fact that you know your going to have to score 4 or 5 runs to be in the game, I think helps both schools Pitcher/defense. So I guess it all comes down to its still a total team game lol.