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Online now: 3 members: 4.5, Pieman, TABLE SETTER 11; 96 anonymousDetails for 4x4
Real name:
Pete D
Location:
Norcal/Thailand,
Division:
Men's 65
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| May 28, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: BP Near Golden Eagle - Where Has Everyone Hit to Warm Up? Title about says it - someone said we cannot use any of the extra fields at Golden Eagle. Seems counter productive since they are vacant and we've used them in years before. I don't think they'd want teams going to schools while in session. Suggestions.....? |
| May 25, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Golden Eagle Batters Boxes Meant to go up today and check them out but didn't get there. Staff - thank you for being responsive to the question. I think I can say for all of us it means a lot. Anyone playing this weekend bring your cold weather gear......... |
| May 23, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Golden Eagle Batters Boxes Thanks Bruce (and G19) - that's exactly what I'm asking about. Where they are placed in relation to the center of the plate. Whether or not they are sewn in should not omit the fact if they are not - in fact - placed properly......... If they are "short" at the front edge compared to elsewhere then it should be factored in and allowances made. I offered to bring a bucket of paint and a roller just in case..............( 8 - Dave told me I was on my own on that one. |
| May 23, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Golden Eagle Batters Boxes It has been a constant at Golden Eagle that more hitters are called out for stepping out of the batters box more than at any other venues (turf or otherwise) with many players complaining. Spoke with Dave Dowell about this and he stated that the box sizes are correct at GE. I went online and found diagrams of batters boxes but with conflicting measurements as to how far the box should extend frontward. I find the batters boxes at GE to be short on the front side - some diagrams show 3 feet forward from the plate center (at the taper) and some show 4 feet forward from the center line of the plate. That is a huge difference as far as hitting approach goes. It's possible that the box dimensions are correct - or possibly placed too far back. Can anyone clear this up? |
| May 8, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Reno 60 & 65 teams Strike Force 65 M (CA) will be there |
| April 30, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: 2012 Home Run Rule Clarification G19 - If we can take your word from your last post (directed at SFTF) ever. We should be hearing no more from you.............. And the board would be better for it ! Do I get an "Amen" out there - from the real softball brethren. The guys that actually care about and play the game. Not some hack/whack job who's only purpose is to disrupt and destroy the board and those in it. Purely to feed his own illness. There's simply no other conclusion that can be drawn. |
| April 25, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Bats Discussion: reebok bat BAT WARMERS ? If that is the case (don't use them but have wondered about them) Is the any temperature ratings/readings for when they should not be used????? We know we can't hit below a certain temperature - we also know that some balls are like pillows when warm - can't possibly be good for the bat during impact either....especially when we are trying to make up for the lack of result with a harsher swing...... Also wonder about bats stored in cargo holds of planes in <-> temperatures with tons of cargo stacked all over and around possibly putting unequal, bending, or twisting forces on a bat at freeaing temps.....can't be for the bats either...... It does seem that come companies are looking for an "edge" not to stand behind their product. It least with Miken you pretty much understand it could fail within 4 to 30 swings without being surprised. Miken Red averaging about 60 for me. |
| April 12, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: best sunglasses for softball I found the Rudy Kerosene glasses to be the best. They come with lenses that can be changed for the light conditions. I like the Racing Red because I found it covered all extremes and have rendered the other 6 colors I bought pretty much useless. The lenses come with a lifetime guarantee in that they can be exchanged for the old ones of $19 so if they get scratched you just order up another set. That being said they're pretty tough. They were designed for police and service use. While they don't carry a safety rating they are designed to take the impact so you don't have to. I've taken a couple of bad hops that have hit them and I just feel them move but I remained protected. Whithout them probably a broken nose or orbital fracture. When you watch downhill skiers and bicycle races on TV they are wearing these and they are designed with vents to keep from fogging. The Racing Red gives exeptional clarity without blotting out the world. I've found myself walking indoors with them from time to time and did just fine in a store. A bonus for me is I have to wear prescription lenses. There is a clip in that fits behind the lenses easily to enable me to use the best glasses available. Steve Imlay also has had them and loved them - - - until he lost them, so he might offer some further info. So if you found a pair - give them back to Steve! I'd stay away from twisty or titanium glasses. They are made to move in order to protect the glasses from impact but will fold around your face and not help the wearer. I've seen a couple of gory incidents where all they did was help cut up and damage the player more. Also you can order the pieces for these and keep the going if/as needed. I keep a set in each car and just use them for every day + have a set ready when getting to the field. Hope that helps. |
| April 10, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Product review Discussion: new combat centenarian......short 3-4 bats to a tourney is not excesssive. 1-3 gamers - one in reserve of the preferred weight. One BP bat to keep the gamers alive. I've broken 3 bats in a day on the 1st day of a tourney. I do carry different weights for as the tourney progresses, sometimes the 28 does better, sometimes the 30 does better. I will buy a bat rather than take the chance of breaking someone else's gamer. Bats do break with regularity so it's always a process of rotating from the now broken favorite to the number two bat that has now became the go to bat and it's an ever evolving process keeping gamers at the ready. Some take a short break in to get there - creating the assembly line. Some are hot from the get go but break quickly (Miken Red about 30-60 swings) - a faster assembly line. The more different weights you use the more need be in the assembly line. It always amazes me to see guys swinging U2's in cold weather BP. But, it's their $$$$$$. It's fun hitting the ball out of sight - but not fun replacing the bats. |
| April 10, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Over Lap Hand Grip I also use the overlap/overhand grip and have for 5+ or so years. If I'm base hitting I'll put two fingers on the bat over the lower hand. I'm able to go to the right side as needed but have to be more pitch selective than with the old style grip. I can and do hit line to line but less pull now than with the old grip which for me is a good thing - smarter situational approach especially with my blazing speed to first. You can still rotate the upper hand forward or back to adjust or keep it out of the air or get more air whichever you need to do. Just like you would with the "conventional". Once you get used to the grip for awhile if you try and go back to the conventional grip your wrists will feel slow and like a jammed up ratchet wrench. It won't feel natural or smooth at all. I do not hang the lower pinkie or fingers off the bat - I used to by my old pal arthritis would really flare up on the bottom two anchor (bat) fingers so I stopped. The one thing I constantly try and do on the on deck circle is use more right hand throw when swinging just to loosen up and boost the swing speed. Sometimes I tend to draw too much with the left so try to iron that wrinkle out for three or four good swings before stepping in. One thing I did notice from swingmechanics.com was I do not have a high leg lift which I might try to incorporate in real time BP to see how it works out. |
| April 9, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Bats Discussion: New Combat Centenarian 10" barrel At the moment I'm a few thousand miles away and on a different continent. But - - - I'll be one of the first to vouch for tattoball - he can hit with the best of us and he takes care to be fair to those around him. I have been in his office at the time and talked about bats being evaluated either RA'd or new and upcoming or current stock and trends. He calls it the way he sees it and has a passion and understanding for the game/sport at all levels. As a player, evaluator of products, players, levels, and testing procedures. He consults with associations, usually at their request. Is he beyond reproach - nope - none of us are. But he does know what he is talking about. Especially when it comes to his product line - and most others. |
| April 6, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Bats Discussion: Miken PSYCO Bruce - that swing weight is really familiar - could this be a rebranded Super Freak? |
| April 3, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: bat/equipment bag.... Page 2 (might help for traveling) I found that using the Eagle Creek packing cubes I could carry a good amount of clothes in the Beast for travel and have an organized trip. In Thailand I've gotten used to using a backpack that has an enveloped padded compartment built in for the laptop. I've found that I can pack enough clothes for a week including some for semi-casual dining. I've decided to bring the back pack back with me as it sure is easier then managing a roller suitcase along with a roller bat bag + computer bag. Possibly I can piggy back the back pack on the Beast with some clips - have to find out when I get back. Either way it seems like an easier way to travel - unless you're hung up on carting suitcases around. |
| April 3, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: bat/equipment bag.... A few years back I had an Elite roller bag and liked the pull out handle on it. When buying bags I try to take in to consideration the pressure the bats could receive in a plane cargo hold with freezing temperatures and piled under other luggage. I felt the Elite gave good protection which was doubled up by the handle assembly. Minimal roll with the extending handle which I liked. The pockets inside were nicely arranged for security and travel - the downside = poor quality zippers which were small and snagged around turns and made the bag not fun to use. It was a fight every game/tourney. I went to the Boombah Beast bag and found it to be servicable although it tends to roll over easily. It's not unusual for me to have 9-10 bats in the bag which doesn't help the roll over factor but that's life. By putting one of those BIG spring loaded C\ clips on it it helps extend the handle some because I'm tall (6'4") and minimize roll somewhat. Not seeing one in person the Cobra bags look good, face value. I like the extending handle. Have no idea about the pockets and zippers, overall quality though. |
| April 2, 2012 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: An apology to Gary19 Guys - a truly entertaining thread. But don't stir up the flames...... Churchill had a quote that could be applied to G19, " a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". Gary's one genius is that he is the bellows that finds a way to fan the flames........ That way he's constantly giving himself what bellows do............. |
| April 2, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Bats Discussion: ultras After not using the Mikens due to breakage I liked how the Max Loads felt and decided to try them once again. I've had 6 - last year was abreviated due to back problems and I didn't start playing until September and kept it local - of the 6 I started with I have one 30 left. If I get 60 swings out of one seems to be about all it gets. Most broke between 30-45 swings. As much as they feel nice and have that Miken twack when you hit it on the screws I've moved on to other bats. |
| March 23, 2012 4x4 | Topic: Bats Discussion: Macenko Anaconda Yellow Senior Bat In November I brought 4 Macenko Yellows to Thailand along with some Baden Fire Balls (7 doz) for the Chiang Mai softball club here to use. The players range from college teams (2 teams) players up to me in age. 1-29FL - 2-28 Bal - 1- 27 Bal. Before that the equipment was really dated they had some 15+ year old bats and horrible balls. For me I brought a Reebok Melee + a Mayhem to use for BP swings & let the others use if they wanted. I'm tracking the swings on the Melee so am the only one swinging it. So far I have 142 swings on the Melee in games and it's holding up well. With a good amount big hitters from both the Farangs (westerners) and the Thai's the Macenko's have held up fine. We lost the 29 about a month ago and the others are being used by 80-90% of the guys and are holding up which means based on the number of game swings I've had multiplied by the number of guys using those bats they've done extremely well. One advantage here is it's always 85'+ which helps with the longevity of the bats and no stone cold balls to hit - but they are good hot weather balls. If the Blue Gear bats are of the same composition/properties of the Yellow it should be a fine bat for all to use. Mighty Mike would be able to tell us about that. Somewhere along the way these Yellows will have to be replaced but they'll cross that bridge when they get there. The shipping costs probably will not be fun. |
| Dec. 3, 2011 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: hitting Sakurai - I live in Solano County and hit a couple of times a week - that's the good news - we can hook up for hitting. I have the screen & 3 large buckets of balls all good quality. Now for the bad news part - I'm out of the country until March and will not be available until I get back and settle in with a team. While here I am playing a couple of 9 inning games a week with and against the local college team players so during winter there it's still 85-93' or so here with good softball weather. That might be one resource for you though it is a ways off. My email is available here on the SSUSA web site. Pete |
| Nov. 25, 2011 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 2012 CLASSIC SPRING TRAINING No matter how much fun you have playing ball - this will be the (your) best softball weekend of the year. If you have 1/2 a chance take advantage of what Curt puts together for this one weekend. They usually have a team go play at a local prison that is volunteer and always a worthwhile experience. I've traveled from CA and come back without dissappointment. If you want to be around some fabulous hitters and people this is a must do......... These guys know how to have fun - and if you like BBQ - J'ville is the place to be. Seems like about every other place to eat is a BBQ place. |
| Nov. 23, 2011 4x4 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: With Sadness Softball Has Lost AC Linde SSUSA - that is indeed a Thursday - December 1, 2011 Part of my own profound shock and sadness is that I am half a world away and, unfortunately, cannot attend. My prayers go out to his family. I know that many of my/our softball brethren will be there. |
