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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, Z Man; 100 anonymousDetails for Fourfour
Real name:
Jim Hanna
Location:
Taylor, MI
Division:
Men's 50
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| Aug. 28, 2006 Fourfour | Topic: Associations Discussion: Divisions I agree with most of the problems and suggestions. I think 2 divisons in each age would be sufficient. The solution I think that needs to be found is the proceedure for protesting a bat. Very few teams have the finances to put up the money to protest a bat. I recently had the misfortune of playing in the Manassas tournament a couple of weeks ago. I tried discussing the problem with the UIC there, he was very rude and insulting. He basically said that if I didn't have $350.00 to put up, I should shut up. Then he said my bat was probably illlegal "too." "TOO", meaning he knew there were illegal bats being used. I then offered to give him any bat in my bag for checking. It's quite a shame that people our age still find it necessary to cheat. We need to come up with a way of checking bats on the spot, and I agree, make the suspension for life. I'm not recommending the use of U2's, but that will, at least, even the playing field for the honest players. More restrictions widen the gap between the honest players and the cheaters. Until then, I guess the only thing we can do is avoid the tournaments that don't care about enforcement (like Manassas). I also found it amusing that they made me take the rubber cone off the handle of my bat, because it could be unsafe. But playing against an altered bat was MY problem. |
| Aug. 16, 2006 Fourfour | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: State touching rule I posted this once but couldn't find it. I must have done something wrong. I'm mostly responding to Mike Kelly, In several ways, I have to agree with you. But I don't think there is a real answer. I've been a USSSA guy almost as long as it has existed. I've had these same discussions with Don D for years. He's always willing to listen to any suggestions, and I believe that U-trip is the closest to getting it right. The problem as I see it is the dwindling of sponsorship money. If the restrictions are lifted, then the few remaining sponsors will get all of the players. When all of the other players realize that it is futile to go to a tournament, they are forced out, or must move down. Which no one wants them to do. This is what destroyed the Masters programs(35-45). One team was always far superior than the rest. As that team gained recognition, everyone wanted to be on it. So subsequent teams were assembled from the players that didn't make the teams higher up on the food chain. That caused everyone to play down, where they had a chance, but they were much better than the teams that belong at the lower level, causing those teams to move lower, or quit because they feel cheated. I think the state touching rule was originally designed the let the smaller states, with smaller programs compete with California, Florida and Texas. You have to admit that as people get older they move to warmer climates, giving those states an advantage. But I do agree that it is discrimination against those states. I don't have the solution. If I did, I'd probably be in charge of the summit. I also have a comment on people playing on different teams. If you restrict that, you may be eliminating teams. As stated earlier, sponsorship money is limited. It is unlikely than there are many teams than can go to every World Tournament for each association. However, I know there are plenty of players, like myself, that would go to every one, if possible. So, thanks to 2 good teams from Michigan, I have been able to play in more tournaments than if I was limited to only one team. And since both teams don't go to the same tournament, those tournaments benefit from having a team there that might not normally be there. I think, and hope, that the spirit of the Summit is to help the game grow. Instead of each association. We need to realize that the competion is not each other. It's other choices besides softball. If we want the program to grow, we'd better start offering a better product, so people will leave a tournament site with a disire to come back, instead being one of the many complaints on this board. Thanks for listening (or reading). Jim Hanna44 Pine Knob Softball/Motown Stars |
| Aug. 7, 2006 Fourfour | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: NSA Worlds....... I'm mostly responding to Mike Kelly, In several ways, I have to agree with you. But I don't think there is a real answer. I've been a USSSA guy almost as long as it has existed. I've had these same discussions with Don D for years. He's always willing to listen to any suggestions, and I believe that U-trip is the closest to getting it right. The problem as I see it is the dwindling of sponsorship money. If the restrictions are lifted, then the few remaining sponsors will get all of the players. When all of the other players realize that it is futile to go to a tournament, they are forced out, or must move down. Which no one wants them to do. This is what destroyed the Masters programs(35-45). One team was always far superior than the rest. As that team gained recognition, everyone wanted to be on it. So subsequent teams were assembled from the players that didn't make the teams higher up on the food chain. That caused everyone to play down, where they had a chance, but they were much better than the teams that belong at the lower level, causing those teams to move lower, or quit because they feel cheated. I think the state touching rule was originally designed the let the smaller states, with smaller programs compete with California, Florida and Texas. You have to admit that as people get older they move to warmer climates, giving those states an advantage. But I do agree that it is discrimination against those states. I don't have the solution. If I did, I'd probably be in charge of the summit. I also have a comment on people playing on different teams. If you restrict that, you may be eliminating teams. As stated earlier, sponsorship money is limited. It is unlikely than there are many teams than can go to every World Tournament for each association. However, I know there are plenty of players, like myself, that would go to every one, if possible. So, thanks to 2 good teams from Michigan, I have been able to play in more tournaments than if I was limited to only one team. And since both teams don't go to the same tournament, those tournaments benefit from having a team there that might not normally be there. I think, and hope, that the spirit of the Summit is to help the game grow. Instead of each association. We need to realize that the competion is not each other. It's other choices besides softball. If we want the program to grow, we'd better start offering a better product, so people will leave a tournament site with a disire to come back, instead being one of the many complaints on this board. Thanks for listening (or reading). Jim Hanna44 Pine Knob Softball/Motown Stars |
| July 11, 2006 Fourfour | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Midwest Regionals Redeye, We went 2-1 in the prelims on Friday and Saturday. Then went 2-0 vs Chicago Classics on Saturday and Sunday. Good to here from you. Jim |
| July 11, 2006 Fourfour | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Midwest Regionals I thought the complex was outstanding. The maintainance crew was always busy, cleaning up and refreshing the water, etc. The tournament was well run and the umpiring was excellent. My only suggestion, to the tournament director, would be the scheduling. We were in the Major Plus, with only 2 teams. I saw no logic to dragging it out over 3 days. If we played our 2 out of 3 series on Saturday, it would have been much better for the local economy. We still would have had to stay the night, so we could have gone out and done things Saturday night, instead of preparing for a possible 2 games on Sunday afternoon. Followed by a 6 hour drive. This is certainly not a complaint. Just a suggestion for future reference. Had a great time Jim |
| July 11, 2004 Fourfour | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Dayton Tournament Stafford Sales from Cinci the 50+ DeClaire Insurance finished 2nd |
| July 11, 2004 Fourfour | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Masters Tournament in Michigan July 24-25 at Liberty Park. Open to all Divisions 35,40,45,50,55,60,65, Any questions contact jdhanna44@comcast.net |
| June 15, 2004 Fourfour | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50+ Michigan Players looking to play ISA World's in Altamont Springs July 2 I appreciate the info, and your reply. I knew there was some type of residence requirement. That's why I asked if there was a team that can use Michigan players. |
| June 15, 2004 Fourfour | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50+ Michigan Players looking to play ISA World's in Altamont Springs July 2 Myself and possibly 2-3 others are looking for a team that can use players from Michigan for this tournament. major or major + outfielders, with infield abilities also |
