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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 50 anonymousDetails for ChiPrimeMarty
Real name:
Martin Lolich
Location:
Downers Grove, IL
Division:
Men's 60
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| Oct. 29, 2018 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Product review Discussion: use of High COR, Low Compression ball ASA uses the 52/300 ball, and there is no loss in performance because the bats for ASA play are now designed to maximize performance for that ball. USSSA used to have the hotter bats, and though I play only ASA in my local leagues I'm pretty sure ASA has closed the gap or surpassed U-trip. However, I'm pretty sure our Senior bats are designed for the 44/375 ball, which is what ASA used in the past. As for your co-ed league, just switch to ASA bats with the 52/300 ball. Distance might not match the Senior bats with the 44/375 ball, but c'mon -- do these mashers really need Senior bats in a co-ed league? Safety first. |
| Oct. 24, 2018 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Keys to Tournament success Be in the moment and don't put pressure on yourself or your teammates. We thought we had a very strong 60AAA team this year and expected a lot, but we didn't win a single tournament all year. Finished 2nd a lot, but couldn't rise to the occasion at crunch time. We went into the Vegas Worlds with no expectations. If we could make it to Sunday, that would be considered a success. We ended up sweeping the brackets and finishing on top of our 43 team division. It's hard to put my finger on any one thing as to what happened, but I think it came down to what I wrote in the first sentence above. Minimize the distractions and the pressure, stay loose, stay focused, and play the game in the moment. Everybody stepped up at one time or another, and we just kept making the play or scoring runs when we had to. Having a pitcher at the top of his game really helped, especially because our other starter was injured and didn't make the trip. Doc Richards got our MVP, and deservedly so. Still hard to believe it really happened. Don't know if we can replicate it. Won't be any easier playing Major in 2019. |
| June 17, 2018 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Rule Question A little off topic, but the craziest thing I saw with the commit line was a baserunner caught in a rundown between 3rd & home. The last throw came from 3rd as the runner was advancing towards home but hadn't crossed the line yet. The catcher came up the 3rd base line towards the runner, who paused just before the commit line then deliberately crossed it just before he was tagged by the catcher. The umpire called him out, then the runner went into the dugout and sat down. Not surprisingly, a dispute ensued because the runner can't be tagged out like that after he crosses the line; the catcher has to have the ball with his foot on home plate. The tournament director was called and the eventual solution was to call the runner safe, but he was sent back to 3rd because he never scored. Those of us standing around waiting for this game to end so we could play ours were fortunate there was not an additional baserunner who advanced to 3rd during the rundown. Who knows how long that would have taken to resolve? Mr. Dave Dowell, I'd like your thoughts on the ruling of the incident described above and how it should have been handled if another runner had advanced to 3rd base. |
| April 15, 2018 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count and new ball I've been playing ASA park district ball with a 1-1 count since 1985, and 2018 will be my 12th year in the Senior game. I haven't been compiling data, but on average I'm pretty sure more pitches are taken per at bat with the 0-0 count. Most of us still playing at this age love to hit. We step to the plate with the intent of unleashing some fury on that slow pitched ball. But we're also smart enough to swing at a good pitch to hit. Odds are the chance to get that cookie is increased with a 0-0 count and we are more likely to wait for it if we have a safety cushion after taking a first strike. Seeing more pitches equals longer at bats and getting that cookie to hit can increase offensive production, resulting in more at bats per inning. That isn't necessarily good or bad and my own observations here could be mistaken, but that's how I see the difference between 0-0 and 1-1 in terms of time spent taking pitches and possible impact on the game. Since games are limited by time, I'd rather spend less of it watching the catcher throw the ball back to the pitcher. Also, It's such a hitter's game already that I don't mind giving a slight edge to the pitcher if he can hit the corner with his first pitch. Your Mileage May Vary |
| Feb. 10, 2018 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Today's "super" bats I agree that "super" bats are here to stay. This is a hitter's game and senior hitters like to hit with these bats. I have to admit it feels good smoking the ball. I've hit more home runs over 300' fences in my 11 years of senior ball than I did in the 22 years before that. But I don't think it makes the game better. It reduces the importance of speed and defense. It diminishes the home run by making it more common -- the product of technology as much as hitting prowess. Anyway, that's my $.02. I love this game and will keep playing as long as I can. I'll keep buying and swinging the most potent bat I can find because that's what the competition is doing, and my competitive fires still burn. Given the choice, I would have senior softball go with the ASA bats I swing in my local leagues. I'll be happy with warning track power and tip my cap to those who can still hit it out. |
| Nov. 23, 2017 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: 1 and 1 count Many good points were made in this thread, but I agree with BCPete. Most hitters don't want to be in a 2 strike situation then have to swing at a marginal pitch, whereas hitters will routinely take the first in a 0-0 count. All the other suggestions to speed up the game are valid -- but all other things being equal, the 1-1 count will speed up the game. Furthermore, regardless of game time limits, I think the 1-1 count is better, period. This is such a hitter's game already. In a senior game dominated by hitters they still want the 0-0 count because it increases the chances of getting that big fat pitch to blast over the fence. To the extent hitters do swing at the first pitch with a 0-0 count, it is often because pitchers will throw a strike just to get ahead. With a 1-1 count batters need to be more aggressive on the first pitch, which elevates its importance and the pitcher's need to hit the corners. In my opinion it's a better game with a 1-1 count, and a little faster as well. Watching a pitcher play one hop catch with his teammate behind the plate is tedious, and should be reduced. |
| Nov. 15, 2017 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Trump Softball I haven't hit a ball over a 300' fence in years. I hit 2 solo shots at the Lee Sports Complex last weekend, both unintentional. I hit hard line drives with some backspin, and they just carried out. |
| Jan. 4, 2016 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Status of the GSC bat Does all this mean I won't receive the bat I paid for in September 2010 and have been promised by GSC reps on a regular basis since then? |
| Jan. 4, 2016 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: During the summer season how do YOU spend your time on off weekends? There is a list. It is called Honey-Do. |
| July 1, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Waterproof Softball Shoes? Taits, I remember seeing that hydrophobic video when it came out. I haven't seen an actual product yet. Hiking/backpacking is my other recreational pursuit, and I've used various methods for waterproofing gear. Wood, I haven't tried Camp Dry or other spray waterproofing (like Tectron) on my Boombah turf shoes, but it's worth a try. I suspect it might delay but not fully prevent a soak-thru on mesh uppers. Gloffer, waterproof trail runners might be worth checking out, providing the sole isn't too heavy and the traction is good on wet grass. I could also use them for hiking. Perhaps k man has the simplest/cheapest solution, which is to have an extra (dry) pair to use after the field dries out. |
| July 1, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Bats Discussion: Swing Weight: Miken Big Cat vs Dudley EL 13 Ordered a 13EL 27oz this morning, thanks. |
| June 29, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Bats Discussion: Swing Weight: Miken Big Cat vs Dudley EL 13 Thanks DOERBAUM and Perl, that info is helpful. It confirms what I've heard from other sources regarding durability. As for sweet spot, the Senior Bat Reviews web site ranks the Dudley 13 with the best while the 12 isn't included. I'm a gap hitter not a HR guy, and I think my AVG will be better with the 13. The Dudley 12 is ranked the top Senior bat overall with the best handle flex. I'm definitely leaning towards 27oz with the 13. Here's the web site for reviews: http://www.seniorsoftballbatreviews.com/reviews.html |
| June 28, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Waterproof Softball Shoes? The outfield grass has been long & wet for early morning games. My mesh turf shoes have gotten soaked and stayed wet all day. I bring extra socks, but they don't stay dry long in the wet shoes. Are there any waterproof or highly water resistant softball turf shoes (I would also consider molded cleats)? |
| June 28, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Bats Discussion: Swing Weight: Miken Big Cat vs Dudley EL 13 I was having great success with my 27oz Big Cat, but it broke after 4 Senior tournaments. As a replacement, I'm considering the Dudley Lightening EL 13" barrel in the hope it will be more durable. The larger sweet spot is more important to me than the slight distance advantage I might get with the 12" barrel. I started this thread because I have 2 questions: 1) Is the Dudley more durable? 2) What weight in the Dudley 13" is comparable to the 27oz Big Cat? I know the Big Cat was a full 1oz EL, and the 27oz BC was a good weight for me. What about the Dudley EL 13" -- would a 28oz be comparable to the 27oz Miken Big Cat? If I go with the Dudley EL 13, I'm trying to decide between 27oz or 28oz. |
| May 24, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: milwaukee tournament My team is 55AAA. The scheduling & format leave a lot to be desired. We had some 45 minute games with very long waits in between, and with the round robin format most teams were out of contention on Saturday. Ours came down to a 1-run loss in the 3rd game Saturday, but we stuck around for 2 games Sunday to finish 2nd. They stuck a 55 major team in our division (instead of putting them with 50M) and that team didn't stick around for Sunday. The local team that won our division might not return next year because of the lousy format, and we might not either. That would be a shame, because other than the Elgin tourney in early August the Milwaukee "Classic" is closest to home. I wish the SSUSA office would work with the tournament organizers to make some improvements, including posting the teams & schedule in the SSUSA web site. |
| March 17, 2015 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: Bats Discussion: God's Sports Company P413 Senior Bat I purchased and never received a 2011 GBA model from GSC in Sept 2010 when Bill Gately was the owner. I've been in contact periodically with the new company the last couple years. They've been good at answering emails and have promised me a bat when the production units are ready, but it's always sometime in the future. Latest communication is they're getting into production of the finished bat now and I'll have one within a couple months, but no firm date. Maybe this year they'll actually produce bats for general consumption. The P413 has been reviewed at the link below: http://www.seniorsoftballbatreviews.com/reviews.html |
| Nov. 27, 2014 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: courtesy runners stick8, I like your suggestion. Too often teams use a courtesy runner a batter or two later when the slow guy gets to 2nd with 2 outs and a faster runner has a better chance to score. I think that's an abuse of a rule meant to allow players with bad legs to still play this game. Here's another suggestion: A courtesy runner can advance only 1 base on any hit other than OTF HR. One of my park district leagues has this rule, and it greatly reduces the instances of coutesy runners. |
| Nov. 1, 2014 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Better bats or better marketing? Fred, have you ever considered adding extra layers of tape to a bat handle to make it the thickness you prefer? I like thicker handles too, and that works for me with thin-handled bats that otherwise feel good with my swing. The most important factors to me (as long as the bat has sufficient performance) are weight, balance, and feel upon contact. I can tell right off if a bat is too heavy or too light, but it takes a good number of cuts with a broken-in bat before I really know if it can be my gamer. Currently I'm swinging a 27oz Miken Big Cat, and until it was sufficiently broken in and the sound changed I was concerned I might have wasted my money. Now I like it. A lot. Before the Big Cat I bought a 26.5oz Combat Dirty R3 Loaded after reading some glowing reviews in this forum, but it simply doesn't have the right feel for me and I'm looking to sell it. During my first several years in Senior softball I swung only the single piece black Miken balanced bats, but they kept breaking so I've tried different brands and have gravitated towards endload (though I'm still swinging a Senior Miken). In my ASA park district leagues I swing a 27oz Combat Wanted, while some teammates are still swinging the old Miken Freak 98 I carry. I also have a DeMarini The One which I like, but I'm getting better results with the Wanted. Bottom line is, until you try a variety of bats you never know what you might be missing -- and handle thickness shouldn't be an issue (unless you like a thin handle and the bat is manufactured thick). |
| Oct. 21, 2014 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count? Playing Devil's advocate oops ... that should read: The game is slowed down with a 0-0 count. |
| Oct. 21, 2014 ChiPrimeMarty | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count? Playing Devil's advocate I don't think anyone has asserted or implied that "every player in every game in every tournament is extending the count down to the last pitch in every at-bat." That's an all-or-nothing argument that misses the bottom line, which is that overall more time is spent watching batters take more pitches with a 0-0 count as opposed to 1-1. I don't think anyone can honestly dispute that. All other factors being equal, the 0-0 count slows down the game and results in fewer 7-iining games. As I said before, all other potential means to speed up the game are separate issues that may or may not be acted upon. Are you proposing a new rule in which players/coaches are not allowed to have discussions and argue a call, or do you think players/coaches will voluntarily desist in order to speed up the game? Also, as I said before, regardless of whether the game goes 7 innings or not I think the dynamic between hitter & pitcher and the game itself is better with a 1-1 count. I've been a pitcher but I'm an outfielder these days and it's my experience the rhythm of the game suffers when defenders stand around watching batters take more pitches. And it tips the balance even more in favor of the offense. Of course, that's my opinion, but I'm hoping it will be food for thought. Not opinion, but fact: The game is slowed down with a 1-1 count. |
