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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 67 anonymousDetails for BossBandit
Real name:
Duane Jones
Location:
Tampa, FL
Division:
Men's 50
Messages posted by BossBandit »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| March 4, 2010 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: SSUSA STAFF-Please change a dumb rule No sir, I disagree with you on that one. It is a rule on the books that has been there for a very long time. What is ridiculous is to be playing the game for as long as all of us have and not know the rule. The rules knowledge of a large number of the participants in senior softball is amazingly limited. How is it any different than any other rule that we have played all our lives with? If you are on 2d base and the pitch is thrown, don't you have to be in contact with the base? Maybe 3rd base is different? Ah, it's because of the pull hitter at the plate, so why didn't you hit a double instead? |
| March 2, 2010 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: SSUSA STAFF-Please change a dumb rule This is not a new rule nor is it a new interpretation of the rule. I was at the backstop observing when the call was made and it was correctly made. While it was an unfortunate time in the game, there is nothing that I remember in the rulebook referring to "if it's the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs and the bases loaded, this call is not to be made because it's a "cheap out"". The base runner in question, did not have either foot on the white bag when the pitch was thrown and thus was in violation of the rule. Same case as though he were standing on the dirt. In a sparkling show of sportsmanship, Mr Gary also ran over to the administrative table yelling about a BS call and we didn't travel this far to get called out for something stupid like that then turned around and ran back to his dugout. A rule is a rule and you cannot judge an umpire to be deficient for calling the play as it was seen. Also, it's nice to tell the whole story when you tell it. And that, folks, is the rest of the story... |
| Nov. 23, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Sugestions on running tournaments I guess that means that the team manager doesn't have any responsibilities at all. Virtually all the suggestions that you are making about maps, directions, hospital information, bracket information, game times are items that fall completely within the responisibilities of the manager and are included in his package of information regarding the tournament or are located on the tournament listing on this website. Protests have to be handled at the time of the offense in case the decision requires setting the situation at that point in the game. If you wait till the game is over the whole deal becomes a moot point. In regard to directions for spare time activities, might I remind you that your primary reason for being at the tournament is to play softball and the tournament host has no responsibilities to make sure you know where to lose your money or buy your beer, you're an adult, yes? I've never been to a senior softball event where you weren't supposed to bring your card and check in, what is going on out there? OK, instead of allowing you to order the size jacket you are supposed to receive, you'll just have to take whatever is in the bundle that your team gets. I have managed softball teams for well over 25 years and I have always carried a first aid kit for my team that the team contributed to maintaining as well as making sure that we had water for the games. There is a defibrillator at every SSUSA site and it's obvious you aren't very observant. Wake up and look around you, you might be missing a great softball tournament. |
| Oct. 20, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: FACT OR FICTION? I have been slow to join this discussion but I need to point out some facts rather than conjecture. For the last several years there has been a great deal of discussion about injuries incurred from batted balls as being the leading edge of a need for required protection of some type for pitchers or other players on the field. Is there anyone else here that has actually read the injury reports from Parks and Recreation departments about the types of injuries reported. Way over 95% of the injuries reported are from thrown ball impact / sliding injuries / player collisions / bad hops on batted balls / no contact pulled muscle and sprains/strains. In today's game, my impression is that the number of life-threatening contact hits are as much a product of people with no concern about the health and well-being of other players as it is anything else. There seems to be a lack of consideration for the other individuals in the game who have to go to work on Monday morning. We need to bear in mind that our egos being bruised because we aren't allowed to hit as many home runs as we feel we deserve does not justify the lack of concern for the well-being of our brothers by saying "Oh well, we're out of homers guess I have to shoot the middle, buzz the tower, ring the bell!" Insert whatever stupid statement belongs there. We can not protect everyone from every possible type of injury and if we are intent on playing the game, we do need to show the good sense to play at the level our skills qualify us to play. Bats and balls are part of the equation, field prep and mindset and fate and attitudes also enter into the discussion and need to be addressed. Bat alteration moves the whole process into a different dimension and needs to be addressed also. Rant off, I've said most of what I meant but I'll be around off and on to see anything that is added. |
| Oct. 20, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: New member looking for a team to play on Cats, Also get in touch with Frank Galuppo at 239-434-6933. He is the Clubs and Leagues representative for that part of the state and he can help you get hooked up. Duane |
| Sept. 20, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: To cheat or not to cheat... OK Joe, you and I rarely agree but I need to step in here and join with you regarding the issue of cheaters. The only way that softball, in general, is going to be able to rid itself of the rampant bat cheating going on is for the players to actually apply peer pressure to the users and abusers that are out there today. If a teammate uses a shaved/altered/fixed/rolled/cheating bat and you don't say something, then you are as guilty as the active perpetrator. We, as players, have a responsibility to the game that we claim to enjoy so much. Give it up, guys. Boss Bandit, AKA Duane Jones, Beef O Bradys 60s, Florida Half Century. |
| April 27, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Calling out the SSUSA staff OK David, now let's be totally honest about the situation with Deerfield. Changing the name doesn't mean totally new team. To quote the manager of the Florida Fins (Anyone remember that name?) team "I have cut some players and we are changing our make up and are adding some new people to the roster. We should be competitive but I'm not sure and Oh, by the way we're changing our name to Deerfield Storage" Son of a gun, here they come and those 4 new guys look like they are about equal or maybe (maybe, to be fair to the ones who left) better than the people they replaced. If you are a tiger filling in the spaces between the stripes doesn't change your character. I do understand what you are trying to say there, David, and maybe the time of the true Major Plus teams is coming to an end because of the dearth of sponsors available out there in the real world. Or maybe, what we need is a true professional softball league or division. What other sport has recreational players competing head to head against people being paid to play the game? What's wrong with this picture? |
| March 9, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: WHY THE PPR MUST GO hitt2, I understand and wasn't aiming my comments in anyone in particular but at the community in general. I hit righthanded and for as long as I can remember my "power alley" has been from center to right center. I taught myself to pull the ball and I also taught myself to go the other way effectively. On occasion, I have been known to slip or drop technique or just screwed up and went toward the pitcher, never intentionally. I have seen people go at pitchers intentionally and I've thrown more than one out of games that I've umpired and I sent their managers with them on occasion just for trying to defend their actions.If it's not right, then you shouldn't be doing it. When you look at the fact that we have reached this point in life and are still healthy enough to play a kid's game for the benefits of the exercise and fellowship of the people we have met on the field over the years, it doesn't make sense to do it wrong. I don't think that "Dirty" has anything useful to offer and that is the only comment I will make about him on this board. Additionally, I find that Einstein's posturing and pontificating is beyond my ken and I will leave it at that. I believe in the game and I believe in the basic good nature of people until they prove me wrong. Look forward to seeing some of you in Florida. Come play in Florida and we'll introduce you to the Florida Half Century ASA, Inc. and our way of playing ball. |
| March 9, 2009 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: WHY THE PPR MUST GO It would appear to me that many of the participants on this board are treating this issue just like they are the subject of altered bats. They want to point the finger at it, complain about the existence of it, and lay the enforcement issue off on to someone else. I'm sorry folks, IMHO, the solution to this problem is the same as many others in softball. The players have to be a major factor in the solution. You must take responsibility for your self and act as a responsible human being, not just a ballplayer for that definition of a man is somewhat lacking in content. There is not a good excuse for hitting at the pitcher. At this point in our lives we should be able to, at the least, make the effort not to hit at the pitcher. There is a distinct difference between at the pitcher and hitting the middle. If you are not able to exercise that control, then pull the ball or hit it the other direction. Yes, I am and have been a pitcher and yes, most of the time I'm able to field my position. If you hit it at me, don't try to laugh it off say "sorry, pitch." At the least make it sincere. When you get back to the bench, however, is the time that I'm talking about. Every player on the bench should tell you exactly how big a "south end of a north bound horse" you are. In addition to that, expanding my earlier comment. Until all you players that know people that fix bats, or play on teams with "men" who fix bats, or use altered bats, should be turning them in or doing the policing on your own team. If someone wants to use one on my team, I will either put his bat away or I will quit the team and let everyone know why I quit the team. There is no excuse for allowing anyone in the sport to ruin it for other people. Your turn... |
| Dec. 28, 2008 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: photos Actually the website you should be going to is www.lehighphoto.com which will redirect you to the proper site. Then, look at the list on the left side of the front page and there will be a listing for Southeastern Winter Nationals tournament pics. AMR is the first one listed under team photos |
| Dec. 10, 2008 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Greenish-Yellow balls Hello to all, I've been hanging out on the backside just monitoring some of the conversations but this is one that's close to home for me, so I'll say something this time. I spent some time in practical graphic arts (means I ran a sign shop for awhile) and scientifically, one of the most easily perceived colors is the optic yellow currently being used on softballs and tennis balls. There's a good reason why firetrucks and emergency vehicles are moving to other colors than red, the chartreuse or optic yellow colors are more easily seen. An interesting aside was that some of the Bolle sunglasses come with a couple of sets of interchangeable lenses, one of which is a kind of a teal color. I tried them and found that the optic yellow ball would literally nearly jump out at me. I was playing third at the time and it scared the dickens out of me. Sometimes, supplementing your equipment can help. |
| March 17, 2008 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Substitution / Courtesty Runner You have to keep in mind that a courtesy runner is not a substitute. A courtesy runner is for lack of a better term, an imaginary runner. A courtesy runner does not replace the person that he runs for on the lineup card. A pinchrunner is actually a substitution in the lineup and takes the place of the person he is running for in the batting lineup. You have to keep the two concepts separate in your mind. Another way of saying it is to say that anyone listed on your scorecard can be a courtesy runner once per inning. A player who has not played in the game except as a courtesy runner can be substituted as a pinch runner one time during the game. To answer your question, a sub becomes a player in the game when he replaces a starter or player and takes that player's place in the batting order. When Jones runs for Adams as a courtesy runner he is not actually re-entering the game. Additionally, you can only re-enter in the same place in the batting order that you were in originally.. Re-entry depends upon the association that you are playing in as to whether it is allowed. Some only allow re-entry by a starter. Hope I didn't stir up the mud too much, Shelby... Boss Bandit |
| March 17, 2008 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Screen to protect the pitcher We had the situation that came up due to an early morning game with the sun directly in the pitcher's eyes creating even more of a safety issue. Both teams were in favor of using the screen. As a condition of using it the decision was made that a batted ball hitting the screen would be a dead ball out. The idea is to protect the pitcher in a situation where he is for all intents almost helpless, therefore there should be a penalty. Thrown balls hitting the screen would be treated as live balls. There was not disagreement and, so far as we could tell, the use of the screen did not materially affect that game. I did have a number of hitters after the game tell me that they liked putting that ocndition on the use of the screen. It is our opinion that the screen should only be used in conditions that require some extra protection for the pitcher. Boss Bandit |
| Dec. 29, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Looking for team near Tarpon Springs, Florida If you'll drop me an email at secretary@fhcsoftball.org, I'll be glad to pass on some information to you about teams that play in your area. Additionally, a good place to make connections would be to come to Eddie Moore Complex in Clearwater on Monday nights when the 50+ League is playing. Boss Bandit |
| Dec. 29, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: web sites Another site that you might want to look at is the one for the Florida Half Century association at http://www.fhcsoftball.org That'll put you in touch with our year round senior program in the state of Florida. |
| Nov. 1, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: how do you see this call Nancy, no rocks being thrown here. You're right about players calling everything interference. One of my pet peeves, in my umpiring role, has always been players or managers flying out of the dugout screaming about a missed call and wanting to argue a rule they don't understand or don't take the time to learn. I'm serious about the women's softball division. BB |
| Oct. 31, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: how do you see this call Nancy, I hate to differ from what you are saying but it would appear to me that there would be a certain amount of HTBT on this call. Depending on the association you are talking about the deflection of the ball could enter in to the issue with contact between the runner and the fielder. If the deflection was such that it drew the fielder into the runner's path and the runner attempted to avoid the contact, then I think that most umpires would deem this incidental contact. However, and here is where we will differ. In the case of the umpire calling interference, it should be an immediate dead ball and the runner is called out and the batter is awarded 1st base. Delayed dead ball on the obstruction, however, is correct. Just a headsup, we're looking to add women's divisions to the Fla Half Century, come on down and join us. Boss Bandit |
| Oct. 26, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: what ASA Rule would apply? In ASA, the umpire is actually supposed to determine in his mind how far he thinks that the runner would have been able to advance had he not been obstructed. Then, after the play is completed, he awards any base that he needs to award or reverses an out call if one was made on the runner. The protection that Doker mentioned actually extends to the base that the umpire believes should have been achieved. In actuality, there is no requirement that the runner continue to run to the next base in order that he be given the benefit of the award. Used to be and many umpires have not kept up with the case studies and interpretations coming from the National associations. Boss Bandit |
| Oct. 26, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: still can play In addition to the excellent suggestions already posted on this subject, you might want to go to the Florida Half Century website at www.fhcsoftball.org. Register for access to the forums and this post a message there with your contact information and what you would like to do. The Florida Half Century ASA holds two tournaments per month in different parts of the state and there are over 160 sanctioned teams around the state. Bruce, as always, it's great to read your feedback and information. Come join us on the site and feel free to post on the forum there. I assume that we'll get a chance to see you in Ft Myers. Duane |
| May 31, 2007 BossBandit | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: strike zone/mat I pitch, also. I just pitched a game tonight where the plate umpire was commenting on the fact that had the mat not been there he estimated that there were at least 25-30 pitches that he would have called strikes that did not hit the mat. 1/2 inch one way, 1 inch the other. Gary19, you are oversimplifying the whole thing when you say it can be cured by regressing to the bats of yesteryear. I have seen many more people hit by DW Demarinis and Worth ESTs than I've seen hit by the Ultra IIs. Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that senior players are the only ones responsible enough to swing those bats with proper respect. We all know that people have to go to work the next day. Longball, you really believe that what the pitchers are allowed to get away with in U-trip is a good zone. If I wanted to play the clown, I'd buy myself some big shoes, striped pants and a stick on nose. You just like hitting flat pitches. |
