Softball board was started, actually gifted to we softball fans, by Chris and Will, and due almost entirely to the constant and dedicated contributions by Chip to the softball program. Some of us were regular in posting support for our softball program, and that may have helped also. We would like to think that that it did.

We need to never forget those facts, and always be appreciative for the opportunity to share with each other our support, information, and comments in a public forum.

This board exists as a positive entity, and positive needs to remain the order of the day for this board.

There are some members of this board that know the game of softball from various areas of experience, have knowledge of the game from personal participation experience, readily supply us with information of rankings and statistics, and some who are just fans of the game. All make this board a great place to spend some time reading about our team.

We are all part of the wonderful community of Virginia Tech softball supporters, and until this past weekend this board was always a pleasant visit for all of us to follow our team, and learn the latest updates of all parts of the game, not only our team, but all nationwide teams. That changed this past Sunday -- we know the reason for that, and it will be addressed here -- however it did not change enough to completely ruin and destroy our visits to the board, and as Chip and others have stated, the negativity and insults need to end, and end now.

Yesterday, a message was formed to be posted here, but it was not sent. Here was that message.

Last Thursday, there was only one message on this board all day until one more was added that night. That one message was mine, and it read, " Quiet today, busy tomorrow, What? The softball board ". That was to be my message.

Yesterday the message was going to refer to the Thursday message, and comment on the change in postings on this board.

We all know the reason for the hundreds, and maybe a thousand, new postings that started on Sunday.

The increase in messages was again a wonderful happening. Numerous, maybe close to fifty, new posters commented on this board. Many of those people had good information to share about the game on Sunday, and the season. Probably the best part of the explosion of new people posting here was the fact that most of the new posters said that they had been reading messages on this board but had never posted a message of their own, and that many, many of those people were humble, nice, and polite in stating that they knew nothing much about the technical parts of the game, but were grateful to learn about the games and the game information. Some people said that this year is their first year of following our softball team. God bless those people who were honest.

We all know the situation from Sunday. It was awful for all of us, however it was more awful for our players and coaches. It was a direct influence in their lives. We need not to forget that fact.

Let's revisit Sunday one more time, and then as some have stated on here, we need to move on from it.

First, the pitches were illegal. Whether it was a crow hop or leap is not the issue; the pitches were illegal. After seeing the still pictures from the post yesterday, the pitches were a leap. That is illegal, although some on here stated that the rule may change next year, it is the rule this year.

Again, the pitches were not the most concerning part of the game on Sunday. It was without any doubt whatsoever the timing of the calls by the third base umpire.

An illegal pitch is supposed to be called immediately when the pitcher releases the ball, not after the play is completed, and in that game, after it was strike three or another out on a caught fly ball. The timing of the calls is very suspicious, very suspicious. That has been stated on here often, and correctly stated. It probably was the reason the game was won the way it was won. My humble opinion is that it is without any doubt the reason the game was won.

It is time to move on from that game, but not forget it. The game leaves us in an uneasy position going forward for the remainder of the season. Time will tell if our concerns are justified.

For now, we need to continue to support our team in any way possible. There is a game today, Tuesday, and three games later this week, and all four games need our support of our team.

There is an auction to begin soon, and buying an item, or items, will help support our team. Please participate in the auction.

Again, thank you to Chris and Will for allowing us to have this board, and to Chip for being mainly responsible for us having this board, but please keep everything positive.

Best wishes to you.

Take care of yourself.

Let's go Hokies !!!