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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 145 anonymousDiscussion: Question about Brambleton, VA fields
| Posted | Discussion |
| July 20, 2021 Jeff50 28 posts | Question about Brambleton, VA fields I see the fields are 400 foot - is this the way they will play or is there a temporary fence set up? |
| July 20, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | You are operating on a false presumption/rumor as it relates to 400' (I have worked at that facility as a Director in the past and also had a similar conversation with a 50-Major player on this very topic yesterday) ... There are NO fence distances at 400' on ANY of the four softball fields at Brambleton ... And to quell another false rumor, they are NOT baseball fields, either ... The Fields run from around 320' at the foul lines to around 370' in straight-away center field ... They are an "egg shape" configuration ... There is no need for temporary fencing (even if it were available) ... Good luck! ... |
| July 20, 2021 Jeff50 28 posts | I presumed nothing as I simply reviewed the county website that clearly stated 400 foot fields. However, 375 in CF is absurd and beg to disagree on the need for temporary fences (if they were available). Thank you for the information. |
| July 20, 2021 r4pitch 92 posts | Played 50 major + at those fields a couple years ago..Way to big..Not a great place to play Reid #4 BPA 55 major + |
| July 20, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | The published dimensions are general and do not reflect the actual distance from home plate to the base of the outfield fences ... Those dimensions are: #: LF / LC / CF / RC / RF) ... #3: 318/360/375/360/320 #4: 320/365/375/365/323 #5: 324/364/376/362/320 #6: 319/361/372/359/318 Good luck! ... P.S. - Reid ... I would have put the 55-Major+ there, too, if the geometry of the field allocations had permitted it ... All that fit for your group was Potomack Lakes ... Maybe next year! ... See you there! ... |
| July 21, 2021 r4pitch 92 posts | dont care were we play..Just saying for a senior torney. To big ...Not a very good place to play...Reid Miller BPA #4 |
| July 21, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | That's some funny stuff, Reid, for a guy who doesn't have a dog in this fight ... So long as we're fortunate enough to have the use of the outstanding Loudoun County facilities, and unless and until newer softball complexes come online, Brambleton is going to be in the mix with Phillip A. Bolen and Potomack Lakes on a rotating basis every year ... If you haven't played at a given site in a couple of years, you're due! ... Good luck! ... |
| July 21, 2021 r4pitch 92 posts | i dont know what your problem is. i was answering jeff50.I have played on these fields..They are too big for senior ball .same for both..but 375 is to far.. .just like field of dreams is to small for major or major+ with the rock...Reid BPA |
| July 21, 2021 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Three weeks ago I was watching some major plus teams battle it out in a tournament in Redwood City, northern California. They were playing on a field whose dimensions were 370-380' down the lines and 400' to left center, center, and right center! They seemed to enjoy it and I certainly enjoyed it as a spectator. It was not only the occasional home runs (about 10 that I saw or heard of in the two-day tournament), but the showcase for the outfielders who could demonstrate their skills at running, leaping, catching and throwing. There was a little bit of talk about the change in strategy (little reason to conserve home runs in that environment), but it was the sheer joy in trying to hit the long ball (lots of balls went 370-390 feet, but were often gathered in by the outfielders). One of the teams was the top-ranked team in northern California and their big hitter put at least three over the fence, but every team had a batter capable of the walk-off home run. Took me back to the old wooden bat days when home runs were rare (but not impossible), and victory was often dependent upon stellar defense and base running, as well as appropriate singles at the right times. As to Brambleton, wish I could be there. My advice to the teams is to enjoy the experience and the chance to use new skills (particularly by outfielders) and recognize the true bombers, not just those who can consistently hit 320-330 feet with today's hot bats. |
| July 21, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | No problem at all Reid, but help me out here, please ... "..to[o] far.." for what? ... We've played for years at this complex, back in the Atlantic Coast Championships days and now the Eastern National's ... And all of the sudden, the complaining ratchets up to hilarious levels ... One guy has actually called our office THREE times this week, seemingly trying to sound like someone different each time ... But Caller ID doesn't lie! ... So, what's changed? ... And more important, since a random complaint without a logical remedy is a waste of everyone's time, your suggested solution is: ______________ ... I'll be at all three of the facilities each day ... Let me know what YOU would do ... Thanks! |
| July 22, 2021 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I am reading this and just shaking my head. I have always been a firm believer in fairness. So as long as the conditions are the same for both teams, what is the problem? Adding a temporary fence is a potential hazard in adult softball and honestly only makes sense in children's games. Then you have everyone's favorite issue; it is harder for the umpire to initially see that a HR has been hit over a temporary fence. When do you collect the balls? I don't want anyone back there during play. The only valid point that I see in this is about the outfielders. Again it is the same for both teams which makes this fair. |
| July 22, 2021 AJC Men's 60 218 posts | Omar, we were there that weekend, there was only 1 major+ team in our bracket. As you know that is an open field so they use temp fences. They should ( and could have ) been at 320 max. I did not hear of any complaints from the outfielders on any of the teams but on Sunday there were a lot of tired guys. That was a lot of ground to cover, and what should have been singles were doubles. There were more complaints from batters hitting balls 350 + that were caught. There was no reason to have the fences back that far. |
| July 22, 2021 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | If you were playing in that bracket, you would be correct that there was only one major plus, but the way the other teams were hitting the ball I assumed more than one team. Yes, there were temporary fences at the edges to shield passersby, it seems, and to define what a walk-off home run is. I'll bet there were tired outfielders at the conclusion! They were remarkable and it was a real tour de force to see them gather in the long shots. I kind of agree with Nancy Allen that having artificial fences closer (whether 300, 310, or 350) makes an artificial hazard. But three bombs, I heard, from that big guy! Wow! It was a joy to see. |
