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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 59 anonymousDetails for Duke
Real name:
Andy
Location:
Simi Valley, CA
Division:
Men's 65
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| June 21, 2020 Duke | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Tournament Play Capt Kirk, I think the parks and recreation are not only concerned about protecting the public, but trying to avoid a lawsuit. In my town, there will be no more league play or tournaments until there is a vaccine. This was decided about 2 weeks ago. To further express their viewpoint, there is one field that we play most of our senior games at, and they have locked the restrooms at that field location. At the other end of the park where they are playing tennis, the restrooms are open, which is about a mile apart. With the park rangers coming by and taking pictures of us playing, makes it difficult to go behind a tree. We are allowed to play on the fields on a first come first serve basis, but there are signs saying the fields are closed. I have been hesitant to play any pick up games, but have had many BP days, where it is easier to keep your distance from each other. Wearing masks is just too hot and uncomfortable in the heat. I have noticed that several July tournaments are being cancelled in Southern California. These are mostly tournaments that are run by the cities. I know we all want to go out and play again, including myself, but being a senior, we are more susceptible to catching or giving covid-19 and surviving, than a young person. The Major leagues have postponed their seasons, although they are trying to open up, but still have not. Although against my nature to wanting to play, I may wait until there is a vaccine, before I play again, or at least see how these players playing these pick up games, are doing after the about 2-3 weeks. Just saying, Andy Smith |
| June 8, 2020 Duke | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: schedule of game times at 60's Missouri open,june 6&7, won't ever play their again Dave has always accommodated any team's request for an early or late start. I do not ask too often, but when I have, it has never been a problem. Thanks Dave and any other Directors. All you have to do is ask, and if possible, they will always do their best to accommodate. Just saying! Andy Smith |
| May 16, 2020 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: States "Re-opening" plans BTW, I have to say that one of our players called the Director of parks and recreation to seek approval to use the fields, and they were good with that, as long as we were 6 feet apart. We are contemplating over-the-line this week. Andy Smith |
| May 16, 2020 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: States "Re-opening" plans The park rangers and staff have shown up at a few of our batting practices. We had taken down all the closed signs, and had our BP. They came over and just said, we all agree with you, and just ask that you stay 6 feet apart, which we were doing. They were not going to enforce any of Newsom's restrictions. Andy Smith |
| May 16, 2020 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Suggestion SSUSA OZ40, Perfect idea, but you would be sending your letter to the wrong people. The governor could care less. You need to send your letter to any Republican representatives, but everyone needs to do this, not just SSUSA, etc. The best bet, is to construct a letter that will attract the eye of those that read these letters. Of all the letters sent to the White House, President Trump reads 10 of them each day. His staff decides which one's for him to read. If anyone does this, then you definitely should read the rules on how to properly address and write your letter, and must have a return address on that letter. You can find all of this online, when you go to google and search White House address. It would be great to play some softball again. Good luck! Andy Smith |
| May 16, 2020 Duke | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Reno 60's tournament Hey Everyone, If we all listen to Newsom, then you can just kiss softball goodbye until August at the earliest. Honestly gentlemen and ladies, we are being used as pawns(?) in a political scheme. If you cannot see that, then you should stay home and relax. There could be a bargaining situation here between Newsom and President Trump with this current 3 trillion package. Maybe President Trump can offer to take care of half of the Governor's poorly managed debt in exchange for opening up completely? Just a thought. In my area of Southern California, we are using the parks to play pick up games and BP every day. I did tell any players with other medical issues to stay home for now, but to go out and get some fresh air away from the fields. Soccer games are being played as well. Parks with barriers have been ignored. There are several protests here, which if this lockdown continues, riots are in the forecast in the future. Right now, there are more death cases for people staying inside than outside. In addition, many that have passed, had Vitamin D deficiency. Best natural way to get that is go out in this warm heat, and/or just take a pill. What kind of rules do we have here? You can play catch with a small football, but not a large one. Hilarious! Or, the beaches are open, but you can only go on the wet sand, not the dry sand. I assume that is because our governor does not want anyone suntanning. I may be mistaken, but I think you could suntan on wet sand? Ludicrous! My personal experience with the post office. They were instructed not to leave large packages at my home, for fear of the virus. I got in my car and tracked down the post lady one day, and asked her where my package was. She replied in her truck. My question to her, how was not delivering my large package a problem or rule, but you delivered all my other mail and advertising different? She understood, and now I get all my packages. Last but not least, I was at the park having lunch, the park had one fraction of a kids play area open. You either close it or open it, no partial garbage. Oh yeah, last but not least. I only heard the end of this, so not sure how accurate this was, but some hotel owner with people inside told everyone that they could utilize the swimming pool, since it was so hot that day...........one person at a time! Are you kidding me? Maybe this one was a joke? Anyway, just my humble comments and opinions. I do not mean to offend anyone, but we all need to take our lives back. If we do nothing, then we can start playing virtual softball. LOL! Have a nice week everyone! Andy Smith |
| Jan. 8, 2020 Duke | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: I need a team Captain Marauder, For the current season, I will be looking for a 70 team, but cannot play until the end of April. It would be best for both of us to wait and see where your team is at that point in time. I have my name in with 4 teams that have a complete roster now, but at our age, players get hurt and are out longer. I do not wish for anyone to get hurt, but it happens to all of us. Since I cannot play right now, I thought it best to wait until April, before I commit to a team, or a team to commit to me. Next season, I will probably have my own team, when more of my regulars turn 70. If you need a player in April through the Vegas Worlds, please get back with me mid April. Thank you for asking. BTW, what position(s) are you looking for? I play 1B, pitch, and DH. Andy Smith, Free agent until April. Looking to play 70's. |
| Jan. 6, 2020 Duke | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: I need a team I will take another guess here. I am going to guess Men's, because his name is Kevin. Andy Smith, Free agent until April. Looking to play 70's. |
| Jan. 6, 2020 Duke | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Looking for team I would take a guess at women's? What do you all think? LOL! Happy New Year Everyone! Andy Smith, Free agent until April. Looking to play 70's. |
| Oct. 21, 2019 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 60 major playing with 50 AAA 50omaha, Yes, a 60M player can play with a 50AAA team. In addition, a 60M player can play with a 55AAA team and a 50AA team. All 3 situations are without any penalty for having a higher rated player on their team. Andy Smith, Retired player |
| Sept. 11, 2019 Duke | Topic: Bats Discussion: Qualified bats It might be nice to know what bats everyone is talking about. I do have 2 league bats from Miken, that have ASA stamped on it. They both perform very close to the Ultra II. I only use them in non SSUSA tournaments, if the weather is too cold, so not to take a chance on cracking my Ultra II. I heard someone tried to use one of these Miken ASA bats in an SSUSA tournament, and the batter was called out and the bat was removed from the game. This Miken ASA bat is not allowed in SSUSA tournaments, and for a good reason. It does not have BPF stamped on the bat, so it may not be so legal anyway. BTW, at one of my batting practices, I was able to hit the ball farther with the ASA bat than my Ultra II. One might wonder what the BPF status might be? JMHO, Andy Smith, 65 Major |
| Aug. 24, 2019 Duke | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: HELP AVAILABLE FOR VEGAS WORLD MASTERS Hey DD, Sorry to hear about all of the injuries. If you would have known this earlier in the season, we could have combined our teams. Early February, I could only field 5-7 healthy players. Some are still getting surgeries. Those that could still play, decided to join other teams for the remainder of the year. Good luck with your next season. Take care, Andy |
| July 28, 2019 Duke | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Need a player for Sacramento Hey Tad, Maybe you can find a 70 year old that plays on a 65 or 60 team, then a release is not needed. Good luck, Andy |
| April 29, 2019 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: WHAT DO WE DO WITH TIMBERWORKS? Hey Gentlemen, I tried to refrain from putting my usual comments about this situation, but after so many complaints on this message board, and at the recent Vegas tournament, I decided it was time to do so again. I was actually waiting to see if there would be any more unhappy teams. Every team I talked with was very unhappy about the situation. To begin, when a Major team has to play a Major Plus team, 5 runs does not cut it, when the Major Plus team has 4 prime out of region players. When this situation occurs, whether it be Timberworks or some other Major Plus team, AND only one Major Plus team enters, then the Major Plus team should be playing as an exhibition team, AND they can have their first place awards. In a small tournament, you do what you have to do. In the recent Vegas tournament, that was not the way to do it. The other option would be to have that team stay home, rather than ruin a perfectly large competitive Major tournament. Give them their entry fee back. What teams did the Major Plus team send to the loser's bracket? How many teams would the Major Plus team have sent home, if they had gone into the loser's bracket? Well, what about the the hotel costs, car rental, and airfare? Given enough time, hotels and rental cars can easily be canceled, if SSUSA does not wait till the last minute to inform that team. Airfare is a different issue, especially when you purchase the cheap fares. Even with the cheap fares, you can cancel your flight and get a credit towards the next flight within a year for most carriers. Since SSUSA will not remedy the situation, then it is up to the teams/players to take action. There are 2 major ways to remedy the situation described above. The first would be as suggested above and hit them in the pocket $$$$. You can choose not to go to SSUSA tournaments, OR wait until the list of teams is given, and see if there are 2 or more Major Plus teams listed. The problem with waiting, is what if one of the 2 Major Plus teams drop out. Then you are stuck with the same situation as this past Vegas tournament. As for the second suggestion, which would be a last resort, and I will not put on this message board. I did discuss the second remedy with at least 5 teams in Vegas, and they all laughed and agreed, but it would take a 100% effort by ALL of the teams. Honestly, I do not want it to come to the second decision, especially to Timberworks, because I know several of the players. Hopefully, SSUSA rethinks their way of doing things here on this subject. Lastly, I have nothing against ANY Major Plus team. I am sorry that there are not enough Major Plus teams to play and have their own competitive division. I just do not want them in my tournament division and ruining the event that I paid a lot money for and put in a lot of time to enjoy. The other 15 teams in the past Vegas tournament are more important than 1 team. Sorry if I offended anyone, but that is how I feel about this situation. BTW, I know in a few months that I will be playing against Timberworks. Please do not hurt me, because I am too old to die. LOL! Andy Smith, 65 Major |
| Dec. 22, 2018 Duke | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Winter Worlds Scores/Standings Hey Tommy, Wishing you and Martha a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I might just see you both at the fields, as I am playing 60's again this year, and part time on a 65 team. We will see how I hold up. Warm Regards, Andy |
| Dec. 21, 2018 Duke | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Winter Worlds Scores/Standings Now that is too funny DieselDan! LOL! |
| Dec. 19, 2018 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: ratings titanhd, it might be a bit difficult to determine which teams had rating changes that are actually correct. This is because many teams have had their ratings lowered, because SSUSA traditionally and temporarily show the rating of a team when they qualified for the Tournament of Champions(TOC). After the TOC, teams are corrected back to their current ratings. I am kind of surprised that no one has said anything yet. Most of us must be busy shopping and enjoying the holidays. LOL! Usually this time of the year, there are threads asking why a team was lowered and their team was not. As a suggestion to not make this as confusing as it is, why not put an asterisk next to those teams that were lowered because of the TOC coming up in early February? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Andy Smith, USED2BE |
| Oct. 31, 2018 Duke | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Courtesy runner Look at rule 8.4(1) in the first sentence, says exactly what Dave has said above. Andy Smith, USED2BE |
| Oct. 10, 2018 Duke | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: 65AAA SO. CAL. TEAM LOOKING FOR PLAYERS What team is this? |
| Sept. 17, 2018 Duke | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: ROOKIE SENSATION ARRIVES Congratulations Dave and Fran!! Probably not quite the final score. Next comes the great grandchildren. I am at 9 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. And you can add great in front of that list for my Mom. Still more to come. The birthday and Christmas gift list just keeps growing. They are all a great joy!! Andy |
