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Details for 17Black

Real name:

Gary Kadow

Location:

Mentor, OH

Division:

Men's 50

Messages posted by 17Black »Message board home »Start a new discussion

Sept. 10, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: northern championship G19, in response to your question about going back to Potterville next year. The issue is, they also use a very good complex at East Lansing for the same tournament, several miles away. That complex is sweet, and where my team wound up going our first year in 2011. I didn't even know about Potterville until a couple weeks before the tourney started this year, and just assumed we were going back to East Lansing again? From what I am told, they try and rotate some teams and divisions each year from complex to complex, but I really have no idea if they do indeed do that???? If I knew we were going back to East Lansing for sure next year, I'd say count us in, AND if for sure at Potterville I would say no way. Just my opinion.
Sept. 10, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: "PRO" Softball late 1970's & early 1980's Thanks to those who responded. To me this is an interesting topic. I can only "ASSUME" that with small budgets you guy car-pooled from city to city to play? You didn't fly did you??? (or maybe a bus???) Being 30 years ago, what was an average "salary" to play pro softball ball back then??? Again, I "assume' there was some kind of salary structure???
Sept. 8, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: "PRO" Softball late 1970's & early 1980's HO, I hope you are well, and thanks for the web-link. Actually if you google "professional slow pitch softball" a few sites and articles come up. I was curious how many guys that visit this board actualy played on some of those teams back in the day. I'd think a lot of guys who are 55+ and up right now may have been involved?
Sept. 8, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: northern championship LOL "MAYBE" the issue was they were watering the fields with whatever they gave us in the coolers??? Nothing could have lived through that??
Sept. 8, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: "PRO" Softball late 1970's & early 1980's I had a conversation with my knee doctor this week, and we had an interesting conversation, as he told me he played pro softball in the late 70's and into the 80's with the old "Cincinnati Suds". This revived some brain cells, as living here in Northeast Ohio, I remember the Cleveland Jaybirds/Competitors, as I grew up not far from Daniels Park where they played. I saw a few games when I was around 19/20 years old and they even televised some games on local TV. I "think" there were a couple of league name changes/mergers, such as the APSPL and USPL, and I don't think those pro leagues lasted more than five years or so??? I remember "Gorilla Boy" from these forums playing with the Cleveland Competitors in the early 80's. Did any of you other senior softballers play "pro" back in the day, and are you still playing now? I think it was an interesting concept, but trying to make a profit running a team with travel, expenses, payrolls and etc was probably an unlikely stretch of imagination at the time??
Sept. 7, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time? miken44: doesn't sound like a lot of guys want to go. I also don't want to go at full strength, but I am doing this surgery with the hope we are going full stregth. That being said, surgery is scheduled for September 21st. One surprise was, being a "fossil" and over 50, I have to get an EKG and quick physical before they will operate. Doc says with proper PT, his goal is to have me back in six weeks which coincides with Jacksonville. (but also stressed it is pushing the limits) The Doc was pretty cool, he played in the old pro softball league in late 70's/early 80's with the Cincinnati Suds
Sept. 5, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time? Thanks for all the responses Miken44, No I have not spoken to 86 Orange since Lansing Tournament. I see the Surgeon TOMORROW (Thursday 9-6)for consoltation and appointment setting. I don't have your e-mail----do you know if we are playing in Myrtle Beach end of October, or Jacksonville FLA first weekend of November (or) BOTH (or) none of the above. If Yes to either, looks like I'll have about six weeks of PT and healing time. If none of the above looks like I get 7 months to rest and PT it while I watch it snow out till April.
Sept. 4, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time? G19 thanks for asking University Hospital, Cleveland, With Sports Medicine Department.
Sept. 4, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time? Guys, THANK YOU and I appreciate the feedback crewmember: yes, I am using a pillow between the thighs. From what you guys and others tell me, the surgery usually goes relatively smooth, Keeping up with PT and doing the right PT without overdoing it seems to be a key to getting back quickly. marv19: Wish you the best on the 12th, please let me know how it goes!!!!
Sept. 3, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time? Just asking opinions from your experiences? Been playing ball since I was 9, have never needed any surgery for any ball related injury in 43 years. Been Banged up all season, finally tore something playing outfield after hitting a low spot, in stride, chasing down a ball. This happened three weeks ago, waited one week to see the doc, as I orginally figured it was just another bruise of some kind, but knew this was different. Got MRI and results back next day---Torn Meniscus, broken cartliage needs removed, and the typical senior stuff (lots of arthritis in there :-)----no ligament damage. Here in Cleveland, the surgeon isn't even seeing me till this Thursday for consoltation. They are "backed up" on surgeries, Wrong time of year to get hurt with local high school/college football and all fall sports started up the past few weeks. I'll find out all details then. I'm guessing this is a "Scope", all I know is I'm not even sleeping well at night, knee touches anything rolling over, it hurts, walking "down" steps sucks, going up steps though, not bad at all. Hoping to be back playing in a few weeks? OK, tell me good/bad/ugly?
Sept. 2, 2012 17Black	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Offennsive Interference Yes, G-19 that is true, & unfortunately, I never have tried to hurt anybody intentionally, but I've played hundreds of games at short and 2nd base, and one of the best attention grabbers for a runner can be a hard thrown ball off the chest. That often gets guys to slide or get out of the way. One coach once told me, if you get the lead out, make the pivot and throws normally, most of the time you'll turn two. Certainly adjustments need to be made by fielders and the runners. Without knowing details it sounds like guys in Kirk's league are just big objects in the way of play?
Sept. 2, 2012 17Black	Topic: Bats Discussion: Combat Ambush updates Tri18, I still don't have enough swings on mine to make a good evaluation. I am facing knee surgery in a couple weeks,(hope a scope)& hope to be back to play in Mid October. Since my last Miken balanced UII broke, I have an arsenal accumulated in my Bat Bag with Miken Max Load, Reeboks balanced and end load and now the Ambush, as well as my ASA Easton Bat for a non-composite league that ended a couple weeks ago. In SSUSA Tournament last weekend in Michigan, I stupidly was in the line up as DH (should not have played due to injury probably) and just could not get comfortable with any bat. I did get some practice swings in with 44/375's and the Ambush before seeding games on Friday and the ball seemed to be coming off well. Hit two bloop singles over the infield, but that was more due to pain in my striding leg, not the bat. I think my next 11/12 at bats in the tournament I tried every bat in the bag, which also didn't help because they all feel different. The Ambush is starting to break in. My Ohio team "might" be down in your neck of the woods in Jacksonville in November or maybe even Myrtle Beach end of October? I'll have better review then, when back to healthy too and getting some good swings on it after surgery.
Sept. 2, 2012 17Black	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Offennsive Interference You may need to explain the situation in more detail? Sliding is allowed (unless your league has different rules) I have always been taught since little league, when running towards 2nd base and the infield is trying to turn a double play, to wait till the absolute last split second to start the slide. Make the thrower throw around or over you, but still make the slide. What are guys in your league doing? Not sliding and being huge obstacles in front of 2nd base or in the baseline??? When I was younger playing regular ASA/USSSA/NSA ball there were a couple guys notorious for sliding with their hand(s) up in the air trying to bat down the thrown ball from 2nd base to 1st. (and sometimes succeeded) That to me was blatant interference.
Aug. 31, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Player Ratings Classifications???? I'm not sure I get the AA/AAA translating to JV as a poster said above? I did not play softball for about seven years in my 40's. Some friends I used to play with two decades ago (actually three) told me about senior softball, and asked me to join them five years ago. I started playing with them in a weeknight league about five years ago. Igt was nice to go play ball again after work, compete, have some fun. As a team, they travelled to a couple tournaments a year at the AA level. I was 48 (local league rules) and they were going to 50's tournaments at the time. I did not attend due to age. When I finally turned 50 I went with them to an AA tournament, in Vegas, where the ball flies. I unintentionally made 4-5 outs by hitting homers with my normal swing. Before going to the tournament I didn't even know what AA/AAA/Major was on the senior level. All I remembered was A/B/C etc from the 80's and 90's. All I know is I had a blast playing tournament ball again, regardless of classification, and we finished 2nd in the Vegas Winter Worlds in 2009. I went back for more the following year, hit a couple HR's that counted and several more for outs. I had FUN that year too, but hitting homers for outs is not fun overall. I knew I was probably not an AA player, based just on long balls, if nothing else. STILL---a lot has to be said for playing with your friends!!!!! Regardless of what the classification is. PLAYING with your friends is GREAT!! Especially when you win. I STILL PLAY in a weeknight league with those guys----don't want to give it up, although they now play over 55 and Over 60 tournaments, I'm still just 53, playing 50's, so I hooked up with another team in AAA to play tournaments with. ALSO a lot of guys on that team are my friends, or guys I play with or against in league ball and have known for decades. AGAIN, a lot has to be said for playing with your buddies in tournaments. AA/AAA guys want to go win as much as anybody else. Several guys in AAA can easily play major from what I have seen------and one of my former team-mates that I feel somewhat comparable with athletically, made the transition to go play on a Major Tournament Team this year 2012, and decided not to play with his buddies. He was and is so far, successful!! Which allows me to think, when healthy, I "Probably" easily could go play Major too as well as several other guys I know. Still< I work 50+ hours a week, play in two weeknight leagues after work, four nights a week, and going to hook up with a bunch of guys I don't really know a few weekends in the summer, just to play "MAJOR", just does not appeal to me. (Although the thought is there in the back of my mind?) I get enough tournament fill right now playing 3/4/5 tournaments a summer at AAA, want to win, and play as hard as anybody else. I have read a lot of posts on here over the past two years of guys "Hiding" in AAA ball and some other ridiculous comments. "MAYBE" some guys are "hiding" but I really have no clue. But a lot of guys want to go away for a weekend together, with their buddies, guys they played with and against for 30+ years, which is fun, because there is a lot to be said about "winning with your pals" Not saying I wouldn't meet "new pals", and "MAYBE" I'll consider making the transition UP in the near future, as my other pal did? BUT----Because he went to Major, and actually played Major Plus in a tournament a couple weeks ago, it appears if he decides not to play with these guys, he cannot drop two classes back to AAA next year and play with his pals again? (for two years if I read the rules correctly????) That is kind of dumb in my opinion??? The Team is rated Major Plus, Yes he is "pretty good" but he is ONE guy. If ONE guy plays AA/AAA they still have to play with those rules regardless where they came from? And I know if you play Major or Major Plus you are "PROBABLY" a better player than many guys in AA/AAA but having a guy or two that can play higher on those teams does not guarantee winning at lower levels either?? That all being said, I think TEAMS should be classified but there should be a little more lee-way on rating individual guys on those teams as they change teams. AND playing with your long time buddies can be cool too!!!!! It's not hiding, it's going out, playing some ball and having a lot of fun. If you would have told me when I was 30 I'd still be playing now, I'd tell you you were out of your mind.
Aug. 30, 2012 17Black	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: 70's Major+ No pick ups from non-bordering states............reasoning. I'm just asking because I honestly don't know. I play 50's. Are there a lot of guys in 70 Major Plus still going "yard"?????? I am "assuming so" because it's "Major Plus"????? Something to look forward to I guess, as I get more mature??? I have never personally seen a 70's game.
Aug. 28, 2012 17Black	Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Lake Alliance ^^^^^^^^^^Kid 32 well said. I had many friends playing at East Lansing, would have liked to see some games when we were not playing, but it was 40 minutes or so away from Potterville where we got relegated too. Would love to see the whole tournament at one complex (when possible, and I know that is not logical sometimes) and then Corky wouldn't have to drive all over the place all weekend with the SSUSA truck either :) That all being said, I think we will get more play with the other Thread Neck10 started with the title "Northern Championships"
Aug. 28, 2012 17Black	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: northern championship This is a good topic as there is a similar topic that says "Lake Alliance" on it--------this gets more to the point. I agree with neck10, umpiring was very good for the most part. I am going to duplicate a little of what I said on the other thread though. The Potterville Complex where 50AAA was held was LOW QUALITY as far as I've seen in multiple senior softball tournaments. All that was missing was Tumbleweeds and Cactus!!! Infields were TERRIBLE. The cut of grass on the lip of the infield to the outfield caused multiple injuries from what I witnessed. Enough to remove players from the game permanently. Parking Lot was worse than the infield, and the road to the parking lot was even worse than that. After playing at East Lansing last year, (which is where I "assumed" we would be this year) this complex was an ultimate LOW POINT to say the least. On the Plus Side, Corky and the SSUSA Truck was a nice touch. Concessions were decent, they had to be, because the water provided smelled pretty bad. Another downer was a team dropping out of AAA the night before the tournament??? What the.....???? Let's just play some ball. Hats off to the teams that did participate. As Miken44 said on the other thread, the game between Capp Steel and Universal Mechanical (won by Universal 32-31 in 9 innings Sunday Morning) was an epic battle that had nothing to do with the tournament championship, but was fun softball just the same, & went down to the last pitch. Sorry it set the whole tournament behind by over an hour and a half! Congrats to Twin City Movers from Illinois as AAA Champions!! Another Congrats to the Boys from Northern Ohio Printing for winning in MAJOR!! Great Job for Cleveland & Northeast Ohio, guys!!!!!!!
Aug. 27, 2012 17Black	Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Lake Alliance LOL, at first glance I thought Miken44 said myself and 86 Orange were "two big pieces of crap" which may indeed be the case with our injuries LOL. "Chase your own homers enforced" was not enforced. You had to go out the main entrance gate of a four field complex and then backtrack 1000 feet to pick up the ball and then go back to the entrance and come back in. We had a fan sitting in the outfield watching games, searching for shade. He moved his chair 360 degrees around a light pole following the shadow LOL.
Aug. 27, 2012 17Black	Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Lake Alliance However CORKY and the SSUSA Truck was VERY FRIENDLY, HELPFUL and informative about equipment. GREAT, GREAT GUY!!!!!!!!!
Aug. 27, 2012 17Black	Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Lake Alliance If you ever read any of my posts, you know I don't ever complain much. HOWEVER The one thing missing at Potterville (whatever the complex is called) -------------was CACTUS. I have never seen so much dust, except maybe out in the western desert. This is central MICHIGAN. Had to go through our car wash twice to get all the gunk off the car------long dirt road to the park, and dirt parking lot, was the same stuff used in the infields too. Bad hops in infield. I saw a couple shortstops trip (and get hurt bad enough to be taken out of games) going back for pop-ups and tripping on the ridge of the outfield grass that was a few inches higher than the moonscape infield. I'm glad somebody posted about the balls. They didn't seem like the typical balls used at SSUSA tournaments, at least coming off the bat? Maybe they were the same but something seemed "suspicious" AND for the balls that did go over the fence, with the "team that hits them go fetch policy in force"-------why not OPEN up the gates between the fields instead of having to run completely around the complex to go get your own balls. My gosh I think I went half a mile to chase home runs because I couldn't get through a gate anywhere. I agree the folks at the concession stand were great. Charlies was the only close by establishment between games, good people, I think they were overwhelmed at lunch with all the teams showing up at the same time, at least on Saturday??? WORST COMPLEX for any tournament, any association I have seen in Senior Ball so far!!!!! Our team was "excited" to go back to Lansing this year after having played in East Lansing last year. Big Surprise when we got to Potterville!!!!!!!!

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