ST. CLAIR ~ MACOMB AMATEUR FASTPITCH FEDERATION is a softball travel team league for the St. Clair and Macomb county Michigan area. Travel teams play a 18 to 20 game schedule with a two game elimination tournament at the season end. Travel teams are for 10 & under 12 & under, 14 & under, 16 & under and 18 & under.

Our purpose for this league is to provide good competition and for the improvement of your local High School teams.

Please take a moment and sign our guest book.   

Fall Coaches --  Please let us know where you are picking up your shirts on Saturday -

 Kyte Monroe from 10:30 to 11:30 or Richmond from Noon - 4:00 pm.  See contact information in post below.  Shirts will be available in Richmond only if you let us know!

Jim jspruytte@gmail.com 586-430-1058 home

Bill b_worthen@sbsglobal.net 586-344-9887 cell

Fall Ball shirts will be available for pick-up at Kyte Monroe on Saturday 9-06 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.  Bill will be in the south (paved lot).

                                        - OR -

You can pick up in Richmond ( Main south of 33 mile area) on Saturday  between noon and 4:00 pm at Jim's house.  34992 Mourning Dove Ln, Richmond.

Please contact Bill @ b_worthen@sbcglobal.net  (586-344-9887 after 5:30pm)or Jim @ jspruytte@gmail.com (586-430-1058 after 6:30 pm) to confirm which location you will pick up at so we can have the right shirts at the richt location!

This hand out will give a overview of the 2008 fall league.

Feel free to download.

First Place Champions: Macomb Expolsion

Runners Up: Richmond Blues

Consolation winners: Grosse Point Diamonds

Congratulations

Stingrays

for being the 16U Gold Division Runners up and the 16U American League Division Runners up Champs!

Congratulations to all of the 16U Teams for a GREAT season.

Below are the playoff results:

Gold Division Bracket:

First Place: Michigan Bulldogs*

Runners Up: Stingrays*

Consolation: Romeo Renegades

** Please note that the Championship game for the Gold Bracket was rained out and was not able to be made up due to tournament and vacation conflicts. The First Place and Runners Up trophies were awarded based on league Play.

Silver Division Bracket:

First Place: Richmond Blues

Runners Up: Warren Fury

Consolation: Utica Crush

Congratulations ! 

North Macomb ICE 

for being the 2008 14U gold Division Champions!

Pictured from Left to right are:

top row: Joe Rebbe, Joe Cavataio, Justina Saltarelli, Alyssa Barraco, Christina Rebbe, Christina Nagle, Haley Maron, Olivia Hrymak, Mario Barraco, and Eric Hrymak.

bottom row: Meghan Stange, Olivia Bush, Katelynn Barszczowski, Maria Guracech, Mary Dzieszkowski, Alexsandra Szajna 

Gold Division:

First Place: North Macomb Ice

Runners Up: Port Huron Predators

Consolation: Macomb Shock

Silver Division:

First Place: Stingrays (Vitale)

Runners Up: Macomb Thunder

Congratulations

Macomb Eagles

for being the Runners Up in the 12U playoffs.

Congratulations to our Playoff Winners: 

Gold Division:

First Place: Michigan Bull Dogs

Runners Up: Macomb Eagles

Consolation: Imlay City Sparks

Silver Division:

First Place: Richmond Blues

Runners Up: Algonac Storm

Consolation: Heaters

  One of the most frequent questions I get ask from parents and some coaches is

          “How do I choose the right bat for my daughter”  

 Simply choosing the right bat for a player can make a huge difference in how they swing and what kind of results they get. The bat determines the velocity of the swing, the strength of the impact with the ball and how far the ball will go. It also controls the aim of the ball and affects the beginning of the batter’s sprint to first base. Because the bat affects so many aspects of the game, having the right bat is essential. 

Length

 There are two main characteristics to look for with a bat: length and weight. A bat that is too short will not allow the batter to hit all the balls in their strike zone, even if the batter knows they should be able to reach it. It might cause them to reach for the ball, which throws off their stance, rhythm, and ability to get behind the ball with real power.A bat that is too long is often also too heavy. This will make the swing slower and the motion clumsier.A bat that is too long also puts the batter at danger for hitting the ball with the wrong section of the bat, making the ball go in a different direction than intended.To pick a bat that is the right length for the player, batters should stand in the middle of the batter’s box and place the bat against the inside corner of home plate. The knob of the bat should come to the batter’s palm. If the bat is too short, it will only reach to the fingers. If the bat is too long, it will go up to their wrist and beyond.  

Weight 

  A bat’s weight is extremely important to the overall swing and success of the bat. Normal bats are 8-11 ounces less in weight than their length in inches. So, for example, a bat that is 30 inches long will probably weight about 20 ounces. A bat that is too heavy will slow down the swing and make it very difficult for batters to maintain proper form during the stance and swing. Starting with improper form only leads to improper form in swinging, which reduces the chances for a well-hit ball that will result in a base hit.A bat that is too light will cause batters to swing too fast, which also affects rhythm and keeps the batter from doing their job. A light bat also sometimes causes the shoulders to get ahead of the hips. In an effective swing, the hips should lead the rest of the body. If the shoulders get around too quickly, the swing will not have proper power, as much of the batter’s power comes from the action of the hips, which lead the lower body. 

Follow Regulations 

With aluminum and composites bats becoming more popular and allowing batters to hit faster, longer balls, many associations and leagues have developed rules regarding the use of these bats.  Please before you make that expensive purchase please down load the latest banned bat list. You don’t want to find out later your new bat is now illegal. 

I hope this helps.

Bill 

Sources[i]

 We have added is a new category for our SMAFF coaches and Mangers. "Umpire contacts"  If you are looking for umpires for your week day or tournament games this will help narrow down your search.  

You need to be a member to have access to this information.   For umpires who want to be added to our list or you need to gain access to this information please send E mail to b_worthen@sbcglobal.net

For the 2008 season MHSSA is allowing metal cleats for Michigan High School teams.

  As for the summer travel teams ASA, USSSA, NSA and Pony Softball are NOT allowing metal cleats for the 2008 season.

 All SMAFF teams will be a member of Pony Softball for 2008 season. In order to be able to purchase team insurance for our membership SMAFF can not allow the use of metal cleats for our league games.

Thank You

SMAFF Board. 

Attention Parents, Coaches and Mangers.

 Before you purchase your next softball bat please feel free to download the ASA banned bat list.