19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

Sir:
In some states, fast-pitch Softball is classified according to a pitcher's ability. Those who have competed in Pennsylvania or who have seen Ty Stofflet throw know that these classifications are C, B, A, major and Ty Stofflet. Thanks to your article, everyone will now know that Stofflet is in a class above the rest in all other ways, too. And thanks to Jack McCallum's great article, I now know of another restaurant in Dutch country where I can "eat 'til my stomach ouches" me. McCallum touched the hearts of fast-pitch enthusiasts across the country.
BOB STONEBRAKER
Piscataway, N.J.

Sir:
I played some fast-pitch softball while growing up in Ocala, Fla. I loved the game and held all pitchers in awe. How they could throw that hard underhand and still have control was beyond me. Thanks for giving the game in general and Ty Stofflet in particular the recognition both deserve. Now you need to write an article on the man who catches for Stofflet—he must be a super athlete!
THE REV. DOUG MOORE
Crestwood, Ky.

?For the past five seasons, Stofflet's catcher has been Carl Solarek, a three-time Amateur Softball Association All-America. His manager, Rocco Santilli, calls Solarek "the best defensive catcher in the country."—ED.

Sir:
With such impressive pitching statistics, it isn't surprising that Ty Stofflet prefers the tempo of fast-pitch to that of slow-pitch. Why shouldn't he—he's involved in every play. But what about the fielders behind him who might legitimately wonder if the ball will ever be hit in their direction? Some fun to take your position in the field and watch an endless line of "would-be hitters" either strike out or meekly ground out!

In slow-pitch, being able to hit the ball is fun, but that's only half of the game. The other half is when you're in the field and you know that every batter is going to make "contact" with the ball, which means there is a chance for running, fielding and throwing with every at bat.

With a good fast-pitch pitcher like Stofflet, a team could hide three lead gloves in the field and never be hurt. In slow-pitch, one fielder with cement hands is soon found and exploited.

As you might guess, I am a strong advocate of slow-pitch. I'm still trying to get the cobwebs out of my glove from my fast-pitch days.
DENNIS L. GREENHAW
Independence, Kans.

Sir:
Slow-pitch softball is growing by leaps and bounds because it's fun to watch something more than a great pitcher and catcher dominate a game. Stofflet can have his form of softball, but tell him not to forget to wake up the fans at the end of the game so they can go home.
BRYANT C. TAYLOR
Glendora, Calif.

COUSINEAU (CONT.)
Sir:
Although I enjoyed your article on Tom Cousineau ("You Made a Wise Choice," May 21) and thought that Douglas S. Looney did an excellent job of writing, there appears to be a mistake. Looney states that, since the NFL draft was initiated in 1936, Ohio State's Cousineau is only the second linebacker to be drafted No. 1, the first having been Texas' Tommy Nobis, by Atlanta in 1966. However, according to us Philadelphia Eagle fans and a book by Jack McCallum and Chuck Bednarik called Bednarik: Last of the Sixty-Minute Men, Penn's Bednarik was the first linebacker to be drafted No. 1 by an NFL team (the Eagles in 1949). This would make Cousineau the third linebacker so chosen.
RANDY KIENZLE
Paoli, Pa.

?Officially, Bednarik was drafted as a center, not a linebacker, but he played both ways. At Penn, Bednarik averaged 58 minutes a game. And during his 14-year pro career he continued to play both ways, although he was chiefly renowned as a linebacker, a position at which he was a seven-time All Pro.—ED.