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Real name:
Audie Hollis
Location:
Jacksonville, FL
Division:
Men's 60
Messages posted by audieh »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| Dec. 9, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Its Unanimous - The Best Senior Softball Players Are in California and Florida Conman, that would work. We'll see what develops. Here is another thought though. Do you realize that no Florida College has ever won a national hockey tournament that I am aware of. Therefore, in this politically correct gone a muck world, I am proposing, in the name of fair play, that all southern colleges should be considered as one school and our all star team should be allowed to play against Michigan, Minnesota, etc. in the college hockey national championship. Also since I do not recall any colleges in the mid west winning any of the national college surfing championships we consider all states that do not touch an ocean or great lake as one college so that they have a fair chance to win a championship. On a serious note, yes the California teams win the highest percentage of tournaments. They have more teams and most of the tournaments are closer to them then others. That's cool. My desire is to put a teams or teams together that can beat them. There is no animosity, this is competition. I am not going to cry and advocate legislation to limit them. I am going to try to improve myself so that I can compete. Otherwise your victory is nothing but a hollow win. I guess if the powers to be in softball were running the college football scene they would legislate against the southern teams which tend to dominate and restrict their scholarships so that the rest of the country could compete. Hey just my thoughts and I am still smiling! :) |
| Dec. 8, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Its Unanimous - The Best Senior Softball Players Are in California and Florida Einstein - Do you accept the challenge of trying to put together a tournament of the top 5 in the NorCal against the top 5 in the Florida HC somewhere in the central portion of the country? |
| Dec. 6, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Its Unanimous - The Best Senior Softball Players Are in California and Florida Joe, lets propose, you and I to meet in say St. Louis/Houston/Dallas, etc. and you bring the top 5 teams that play league ball in North California (no pickups) and I will try to get our top 5 teams which would be the top five in the Florida Half Century with no pickups. We'll play a round robin of 5 games. Florida versus California with 3 games on Friday and 2 on Saturday just for bragging rights. Man, wouldn't that be a blast! A great tournament against 5 excellent teams we have never seen. I'll talk to the other team managers in Florida and see if we can get everyone in agreement and then we will pick a date, rent the fields and umps and let it rip. Of course, using good balls and bats! Dude, there's the challenge! Like the Hulkster says, "what you gonna do!" |
| Dec. 6, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Its Unanimous - The Best Senior Softball Players Are in California and Florida I do not understand forcing California and Florida to stand alone in Player Regions unless you are conceding that the best senior softball players are from these two states. A simple check of populations for the states would reveal that this is an injustice, unless the players from these 2 states are just better. Personally, I don't believe it but it is sure going to cause us to revamp our team in Florida and lose a bunch of teammates that have become good friends. So let's look at the facts. The population for California and the adjoining states based on 2008 figures is 49,647,073. Florida and adjoining states is 32,675,984. At first this seems like a lot. But lets look at some facts. Tennessee and adjoining states has 53,528,893. New York has 51,247,726. Both of which are more than California and way more than Florida. In fact all of the following states are more than Florida: Illinois - 48,093,149. Ohio - 46,851,405. Indiana - 38,660,140 and Texas - 37,219,877. That makes Florida the 8th rated Player Region by population and California #3. So unless you are conceding that these two states just produce better players, than I think you need to give some logical rationale why this rule was voted on unanimously. Now granted, California alone has a population of 36,956,666 which will make it still competitive. However, Florida only has 18,328,340 which severely reduces the player pool. In addition, you are killing teams out of Georgia and Alabama that will not be able to pick up players from these two states. as well as Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona which border California. I am asking the powers to be to re-consider this ruling as on the surface it sure seems bias towards California and especially Florida. Hopefully, there is something I am missing but it looks like this one is based on too many California and Florida teams winning tournaments. Believe me, there are very strong and competitive teams out of Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut, etc. Every major region of the country has a great team so why mess this up? ;) |
| April 25, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Calling out the SSUSA staff Brian, I think you may be prejudging the division a little too soon. Yes, there were 5 Hollis players playing in the Spring National with Lemay. However, when the Hollis 50 or 55 team plays in a national tournament we always play major plus and always assemble the best players from Florida and Georgia to play. The Hollis team you see in the Florida Half Century is not the traveling team so it is not a major plus team. The Hollis FHC team is only rated 6th in the state. Your team is rated 5th. That very fact should make you re-think your position. The Lemay team in the Spring National consists of 5 Hollis FHC #6 rated players, 1 Sluggers FHC player rated #4 and just released, 3 Lemay players rated #14, and 3 players from the 42 rank or so team. This team is not very good and certainly no better than an average major team and honestly weaker than the Hollis FHC team. The proof is in the pudding as we went 0-2 in the round robin. None of the top bracket in the FHC are good enough to be a strong major plus team on the national circuit. For the Florida teams to be competitive you have to pick up the 2 or 3 best players from Georgia and then cherry pick the best 10 players from Florida and then you have a true major plus team. With Al Estes, the Sluggers, and Deerfield being designated Major Plus it makes it difficult to field a competitive team to play a national due to limited releases, etc. None, of Florida's best teams are truly competitive on a national level, in my opinion, without pickups. Before, agreeing to play in this tournament about 1 week before it began, we told the powers to be what was assembled and would that qualify as a major team. They gave their approval as they realized that this is an average team for the bracket. I hope this gives you some further information to factor in. |
| April 8, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Does anyone here play ball with their son(s)? A couple of years ago I had the pleasure to play league ball with my 2 sons. Also, on the "ALL Hollis" team were my brother Curt and his 3 sons and my brother Clay and his 2 sons. We started 10 Hollis' and went undefeated for the season. The 3 worst players on the team were the 3 dads but all three of us out hit the sons in average! One of my favorite photos is the 10 of us poising after a game. I will cherish that forever. |
| March 5, 2009 audieh | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 55+ Doc, shoot me an email and I will try to help you. Audie Hollis audieh@comcast.net |
| March 5, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: MATS - One and One Count We play with the mat and 1&1 exclusively in the Florida Half Century and it works very well. A third strike ball foul is an out. It speeds the game up and we have no run limits per inning and no restrictions on home runs. We do have mercy rules after 4 innings, etc., so the tournaments stay on time. The 1&1 does give the pitcher an advantage but my gosh he certainly needs it. Pitchers have all sorts of strategies but basically no pitcher can consistently put the ball where he wants. Just like no bowler can consistently roll a 300 game. The results are batters clobbering the ball or taking walks. I perfer to swing away but my strike zone like most hitters is not limited to a perfect pitch. If it is close it is going to be tagged. Two things come to mind on this subject. The 1&1 definitely speeds up the game. I can't tell you the number of times in national tournaments I have seen batters turn their back to the pitcher and not even look at a pitch until they get one strike. The full count for softball is a dinosaur that needs to die. You do not need 3 strikes to hit 1 ball, unless you cherish TV time, ie, love being at the plate! :) I have also seen many of the best hitters in the country strikeout on a last strike that hits the plate! What you say? Yep, all those great hitters with those unbelievable eyes can miss judge a ball just like the rst of us. That is why I know when a batter is really teeing off on a ball and is a little late it is subject to nail the pitcher. We are imperfect people playing an inperfect game the best we can which is why I enjoy the game! |
| Feb. 9, 2009 audieh | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Need For National Ranking System I love the way the Florida Half Century is run with unlimited home runs, unlimited runs per inning, good balls and senior bats. It is always well run and extremely competitive as you play one tournament a month with 4 games in your bracket of five teams. For example. My team is rated fourth. Therefore, the next tournament we will probably play #1, #2 #3 and #5. If we have a losing record after 3 months they will move us down and a hot team up. Now, this works fine for us but how would this work at a national tournament. Say 100 teams show up. Do you have the top 16 as one bracket, the next 24 as another, the next 24 as another and the remaining 36 as another? Or just how would you propose dividing the 100 teams up so for example the #15 team thinks they have a chance and will be willing to play? |
| Feb. 2, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Somebody needs to say it! Somebody needs to say it! First off, my brother Curt and I would like to thank SS-USA for this message board which allows the players at least an opportunity to be heard. We think that says a lot for SS-USA and their intentions and we really appreciate this organization. There has been a lot of discussion regarding the recent rule changes. However, since we are only 56 and 52 years old and relative ¡§pups¡¨ in senior softball, we know we are deficient regarding the historical aspects of senior softball. However, we want to express our opinions on a number of items. 1) Few major plus players comment on things that affect AA, AAA, or Major players. Most posts by major plus players are about rules/regulations affecting their game. However, there appears to be many posts and negative comments by players that are not playing on the major plus level about major plus issues. Why? Why do you care so much about major plus when you do not play on that level? Let the major plus players and the owners of the associations figure out what they want. We do not desire or need your input. So please quit your whining! 2) Apparently there has been a recent decline in Major Plus teams after several years of increased teams. New rules were recently adopted, to in theory, increase the teams in the major plus division through reducing the strengths of major plus teams, thus allowing more major teams to move up into this division. Unfortunately, many strong major teams would rather stay down and beat up on lesser major teams then attempt to compete with the big boys. What are you guys afraid of, a little competition? The answer is yes. Sure, you have your excuses. ¡§We just want to play with our buddies,¡¨ or ¡§why should we be forced up.¡¨ You don¡¦t seem to mind changing team names and a few roster spots to stay down in major and whip up on lesser teams. Why don¡¦t you grow some gonads and move up. Any major team that wins a major tournament such as SSUSA Worlds, or SPA, or Vegas when you have more than 8 teams in your bracket should be automatically moved up for the following year. If you can¡¦t compete after a year it will be obvious and the rating committee will send you packing. But, hey, at least you tried. Damn girlie men! Those Hall of Fame points you are earning should be Hall of Shame points! 3) Now listen, we really understand that not everyone was made or has practiced enough to play on the major plus level. However, there is a level of softball available for anyone that wants to play. We personally understand that on the top level there will be limited competition as a simple bell curve would demonstrate. Just like at the lowest level there are just a few truly, terrible teams. But that is the way it is in life so get over it and quit the complaining. On the flip side, to you big bad major plus players, you¡¦ve developed your teams to play at the top level and have recruited almost all of the top homerun hitters, so bear in mind that there will be little competition in your area. Sure, each region of the country should be able to field one and maybe two teams, but that is it. Get over it. Sure, you have to play the same teams in the nationals. Why? Because you want to play the best and you have the drive for competition and the ego to match. Be thankful there are other similar minded seniors in every region of the country. That is what playing at the top level is about. Our senior rules allow territories to keep the dominant open ¡§Dan Smith type teams¡¨ from taking over and ensure a relatively level playing field. However, don¡¦t expect that there are going to be 8 strong major plus teams coming out of Florida, or Texas, or California, or Michigan. There are just not enough players on that level. You say you want to play the best so shut the heck up and play! 4) Right or wrong we believe that the ¡§Major Plus¡¨ division was originally created to keep the one or two "Super" teams, such as the Dan Smith team, away from the major teams. So it seems to me, this is a major policy shift 180 degrees back in the other direction and there will be numerous blowouts. So, how do you prevent that? Simple, you dumb down, yes I said dumb down, the rules and thus throw true competition out the window. With the limited homeruns and limited runs per inning it now becomes not a game of who is the best, but a game of chance which boils down in many cases to who has the best open inning. Why even play the other innings? Let¡¦s just play one open inning and leave it at that. It would be quicker games, you could pay umpires less, things would run on time, etc, etc. These rules make a farce out of true softball and determining who is best. But, you¡¦re continued complaining in major plus has resulted in this plight. 5) We suggest that the highest level of senior softball that should be highly regulated by the senior associations is the Major Division. Maybe regulated is not the right word, but in other words, the highest level a team could be forced to move up would be to the Major division unless that team has won a number of tournaments or shows true dominance. Then, that team of egos (now don¡¦t get mad at us but if you are continually beating weaker teams and you chose to stay there then it is all about your ego and not competition) would be moved up no matter how much they complain. We suggest having a Major Plus Division that is basically voluntary as it has been in the past. Granted there would be fewer teams in the major plus division. This voluntary division should be almost unrestricted in rules and play under the old ¡§open¡¨ type rules that softball used to be played under when ¡§we grew up in¡¨ the 1970s. That was before the current politically correct crowd took over and has shielded us from competition, or should we say reality! 6) We think that the recent rules proposed by the task force for major plus would work if given the chance and we shouldn¡¦t assume that the reduction in major plus teams is due to limited competition, but to economic difficulties, etc. Also, major plus teams have to understand that there is little competition, so if you chose to attend a minor national tournament, there will be few teams. However, have enough guts to show up at the big tournaments like the SPA, Vegas, Phoenix Worlds, SSUSA Spring, and Winter nationals and show us what you have. Keeping a voluntary major plus division would move some of the most talented players out of the major division and would help create a level playing field for teams that would be moved up to the new ¡§Major Division¡¨. Where do you think most major plus players come from? Two sources, the first is name players who are just coming eligible that are snapped up immediately, and secondly, from scouting major teams and word of mouth from AA and AAA players and coaches. Granted, some players of great talent prefer to play with their buddies at a lower level. There is nothing wrong with that. But, play under the rules which have been dumbed down to lessen competition and be happy. We suggest further limits on home runs in these divisions which should, in effect, force the better home run hitters to move into the major plus division. No homeruns for AA, one for AAA and two for Major. That should drive the big hitters to the major plus division. That is our only input to the lower divisions and we will say no further on this as we do not play in those divisions. The teams that volunteered to play in major plus would be off the associations back because they would return to the old major plus rules or the rules suggested by the task force. 7)Whether you¡¦re playing in your local league or tournament ball, one thing is common, the most talented teams always only have one or two teams capable of playing with them on a consistent basis. If you put the top 10 major plus teams in the country in one tournament there will be a couple who have no chance and a couple who would be the favorites. The other six would be in the middle and that is the way true competition works. If you don¡¦t like where you finished then go out and recruit better, practice more, get better coaching¡K but don¡¦t try to change the rules to ¡§make it fair!¡¨ It already is fair. Compete or shut up. Don¡¦t whine about wanting to be dropped back to major so you can win a tournament against lesser teams so that ¡§I can make the Hall of Fame!¡¨ 8)Further, some of you major plus teams using players from outside your areas should be ashamed of yourselves. Play by the rules or lobby to change them, but quit your cowardly cheating. The same could be said of cheater bats and rolling bats. If you need more help than a senior bat you should drop down a division or two and quit being a girlie man! 9) Regarding the ¡§dead ball out¡¨ pitching rule, which is an artificial rule that is not tangible. It is only a feel good solution for those creating the rules and an attempt to limit their liability. This will not keep balls from striking pitchers. A pitching screen, which is tangible, would prevent the pitcher from being hit. By the way, we are not for the pitching screen or the DBO but understand the reasoning and think it would solve a number of problems. We think the extra home plate and extra first base have prevented numerous injuries and certainly, for safety¡¦s sake, a small screen can be tolerated as we have to, in all good common sense concede that good balls, coupled with senior bats and older reflexes, are a disaster waiting to happen. 10) Regarding the over limit home run as an out¡K. What a joke! Do not take the home run out of the game. SSUSA, you need to quit caving on this and get on board with a vast majority of the players on every level. Suck up your pride and just change the dang thing. When there are restricted home runs, make the over homeruns walks. That is enough of a penalty and will keep shots from going up the middle. I don¡¦t care what the rules are in flat belly ball. We are seniors, and between the players and the associations can make our own rules and play the game the way we want to. Don¡¦t keep telling me what the young guys do. Heck, we sired many of them and quit playing that game just because of the overly restricted rules! 11) Now, let¡¦s make a few comments on using good balls and bats. I think the market has shown that senior bats are here to stay. Taking that as a given, the only option to control the game is the ball. We played in the SPA last year, and during the hot part of the day, the balls we were using were mush. No one seemed to appreciate the bad ball and it forced even the best hitters to shoot for singles, and most seemed to go right up the middle. The major plus teams playing early or late and on fields with the wind blowing out were able to hit OK. However, very strong teams during the heat and in no wind or moderate wind in the face, struggled to hit the long ball. For most of us Neanderthal, egotistical thugs, it took the fun out of the game and created a safety hazard for the pitchers. Therefore, I strongly encourage any and all senior organizations to allow a good ball and bat combination. If not, your tournaments will not be well attended as some of the organizations have found out, and have thankfully amended their bat rules. 12) Also, this new ball that requires us to back spin it to hit out will not be acceptable. We have each played over 30 years without having to chop the ball so why would you want us to change our swings to accommodate this ball? That is not going to happen. We¡¦ll play a different association or coach our 12 grandkids before we do that. In summary, from a player's prospective, if you are not playing on a level that is being discussed then keep your comments to yourself. We don¡¦t need a 135 pound punching Judy trying to dictate the rules in major plus. On the flip side we don¡¦t need a one dimensional; 300 pound clown dictating what rules should be played in AA or AAA. If you¡¦re playing at the highest level, don't complain about the limited number of teams. Expect to play the same guys over and over again. From the associations prospective, you¡¦ll have a safer league, less griping from the major plus guys because of the new rules, and less griping from the teams that had to move up because now they won¡¦t have to play the strongest teams. If a strong team elects to stay in major, then they have accepted the watered down rules which creates a level playing field for the teams moving into the division. However, after a certain number of wins you need to be moved up and earn your wins. Repeating ourselves, you major teams that win at SPA or SSUSA Worlds or the big tournament in Vegas need to move up. To win you¡¦ve beaten the best in your division and you need to respect the game, your fellow competitors and take the next step up. Mandate a pitching screen for safety and change the over the limit homeruns to a walk. Use a good ball and bat combination, and above all, remain open to the opinions of the people who are your customers. Hey, that¡¦s our opinions and we¡¦re entitled to them! ƒº Ok, squirrels, start chirping! |
| Jan. 22, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Yogi Berra once said....... Allen, I like your thinking. On another subject though, isn't it funny when some football player says to the interviewer, "football is 90% mental and 10% physical". It makes me wonder why we don't have more asians and mensa members playing football if that was true. The other phrase that makes me chuckle is when a player will say he gave 110%. Gee, how do you do that? |
| Jan. 22, 2009 audieh | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Looking for a team BigPop, give Don Ward a call at 828-674-8802. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Fran Dowell Named One of Top Sports Planners in America Great job, Fran. Well deserved. You folks do a great job for seniors! Keep up the good work. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 audieh | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Home Run Limits I suspect if you looked on the inner circle there is someone who has a 60 team that would benefit from this rule. No other reason for it. My gosh, when you're 60 and can still hit a homerun, God bless you. Let my people go! I vote for unlimited homeruns for the 60s! |
| Dec. 15, 2008 audieh | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: RULE CHANGES...COMMENTS I do not like the rule changes but understand the intent. I would strongly suggest though that you make a homerun over the limit a single and not an out as otherwise there will be some pitchers "lit up" for no other reason than a dumb rule. |
| Dec. 14, 2008 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 2009 Classic Spring Training Big Daddy 77, if the web page classicspringtraining.com does not register you just call Curt at 904 303-7798 anytime and he will get you in. The more seniors the better. I'd like to see the seniors challenge the best of the young guys to a game and they use their bats and we will use ours! |
| Dec. 12, 2008 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Classic Spring Training Challenge Gary is definitely an original. Lets see, after we get through security and a pat down he whips out a cigar and lighter he concealed in his shirt sleeve. Then they ask us to stay together on the field for security reasons and I lose Gary. I spot him a quarter mile away talking to a group of black inmates and walk over and Gary's got a hundred dollar bet on the game and that he will hit more home runs then their entire team! So i tell him you can't do these things and he says, sure i can, I was in here with some of these guys dads and relatives. It's all good. I finally get him back to the group and then he starts challenging several of the inmates to bets on who can hit the furthest, etc. and pretty soon we have 1,100 prisoners against us and wanting the locals to kick our butts. Friction is building and we are totally surrounded so I ask the one guard. Do you have a gun. Nope, but I have a radio. Great, and how long will it take for backup to get here. About 5 minutes. Gee, thats re-assuring. However, once the game begins tempers settle and we proceed to pound them into submission. The opposing players were very respectfully and appreciative of us being there. Now, the other 1,100 didn't seem to like us but all knew Gary by the time we left. Bottom line is we had a great time and it certainly makes you appreciate freedom! |
| Dec. 11, 2008 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Classic Spring Training Challenge Elmo and Mad Dog, two things you need to consider. First, none of the Jags are good enough to make my team and second, why would we bring in Del Rio who is a California guy so obviously he has no abilites or football understanding. Nah, I'll stick with my geezers. By the way, do either of you girls want to play in the prison game if we can pull it off? |
| Dec. 10, 2008 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Classic Spring Training Challenge Dude, it is true that the first string on the softball team averages 6'3" and 258 pounds. But, our second team that you haven't seen is known around here as the midget mafia and averages abut 5'6" and 145 pounds. That being said, the BBQ will be on me and the case of beer and the egg will be on you! ;) |
| Dec. 9, 2008 audieh | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Classic Spring Training Challenge Pete, I hear the Georgia boys are looking for a fast tight end. I think you are the guy. Maybe after the slaughter we can make it back to my house for some BBQ! Yahoooooo, the south will rise again! |
