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Online now: 2 members: Hitting10th, TABLE SETTER 11; 48 anonymousDiscussion: who hits it the longest
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| Nov. 19, 2008 balco Men's 60 118 posts | who hits it the longest Arkansas is holding a home runs derby distance contest. it would be cool to have something like this for the seniors. 2 teams with captians, 10 players per team, ten swings, mark the distance, great way to raise money for a charity. who has hit the longest you have seen?? name them. larkan |
| Nov. 20, 2008 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | balco, I've seen Bruce Meade hit several over 450' and reportedly one over 500'. Mike Macenko reportedly has exceeded 500', also. There is a youtube video of Jeff Hall hitting one around 500'. LL |
| Nov. 20, 2008 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | balco, back in the days, Bruce Meade hit one 510 ft. Then they made the Bombat 510 for him. As for as I know he (Bruce) hit one in the mezzanine at the old Astrodome field. To my knowledge, he is the only one to do that with a softball and softball bat. Also, A GREAT GUY. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Norq44 59 posts | Curt Hollis, Steve Stone, Mike Burbank, Audie Hollis, Steve Imlay, Rick Perez that I have personally seen hit balls in excess of 400 feet |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Isn't all of this pretty dependent on what bat and ball were used? It is nice to chat about, but without context it only means so much. Guys with power have power regardless, but to get into specific distances depends so much on the particular equipment. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I agree with Norq44. I can add Gary Deaton, Pat McClellan and Frank Gould. You are correct in saying it depends on the ball and bat as well as temperature and altitude. It's good just to give these guys recognition. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | No problem there. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 F.O.G. Men's 40 105 posts | This is something that should be considered at SS Worlds next year....and I've seen Rick Perez and Steve Imlay hit as well. What a pleasure it was to play on the same team as these two men. Fun times. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Fun topic, Bob Woldyk from Gekle he was on the long haul bombers tour I do believe as recently as last year. I think he is the only senior player to my knowledge still on the Kids open major restricted list. I've been on the field when he has hit them and Ron Parnell and big Sal from the Mavericks kill the ball. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | At this point in time, Sal Formosa of the Mavericks. Sal does not hit home runs, he hits OH MY's. Bully and Parnell will hit some very long balls, but it does not matter how far or how high the fence is, Sal is the man. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | The longest softball that I have ever seen hit by a senior player was by Bruce Meade in the ASA Senior World Series in Memphis. I believe it was his first year playing seniors. The longest ball that I have ever seen hit in a softball game was by Rusty Bumgartner in the NSA AAA World Series in the minor league ball park in South Bend. I do not know the distance, but there is a big church pretty far away, and it cleared it too. In that same game, he mishit a ball, and it about took off the shortstop's head. I will never forget the big man calling, "Sorry, Short" across the diamond. Thank goodness there was no shortstop's box rule. ;-) Best HR story, there was an "elite" tournament at Midwest, and one of the players hit a HR that cleared the trees. A while later a golfer came in with a park ball. He had been on the green behind that diamond. He said that the ball came over the trees, hit the ground, bounced a couple of times, and rolled and stopped on the hole. So I think that it counted as a HR and a hole in one. Isn't softball a wonderful game? |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | If we are taliking young guys Denny Crine out of Vegas won the grand prize on the long haul bombers tour this year he won a $40,000 motorcycle. I would think that gives him some bragging rights. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | No young guys allowed............None of us are as good as we were when we were younger.......as least that is what my wife tells me...........she always compares me to the pool boy.............That reminds me, I have to ask her about that.........we don't have a pool. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 F.O.G. Men's 40 105 posts | Mike...you might be in trouble there...I guess you could always have a pool installed! |
| Nov. 20, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | I've had the advantage thanks to Mike Kelly of KellysSports who sponsored a 50 major plus team for a couple of years of playing with and against the best hitters in senior ball. The longest ball I ever saw hit for or against us was by Mike Burbank in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. It was over 525 feet as was evidenced later. Bull Kramer, Mike Adair, Denny Jones, Steve Imlay and the Stoneman, Rick Perez, any of the Hollis guys, Maverick's Parnell and Sal (whose son outhits him if you can believe that) just to name a few. Marvin Mielke who's recovering from a heart attack in Phoenix this year, has hit some very long balls. But my favorite long ball hitter in senior ball who can hit the ball as far and consistently so as anyone in Senior Ball is Ken (Bogie) Van Bogaert and his video on the long ball is state of the art and easy to apply The long ball is so exciting and dominant in our game it was Babe Ruth who said that hitting singles and doubles was much easier than the long ball but the long ball was where it's at. Who can argue with the great Bambino, the Sultan of Swat, himself. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 The Pro 81 posts | I think anyone who has seen Bruce Meade hit as either a "young" man or a Senior has to include him in this discussion. I'd like to mention a very powerful hitter who I had the pleasure of playing with on the Mavericks years ago who I'm sure hit a ton of home runs over 400 feet and that's Greg Garret ( God rest his soul). |
| Nov. 20, 2008 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Yea Sal hit some long balls as well as Rick Perez and Steve Imlay but those were composites bats. Bruce Walker and Greg Garret of the 2000-2001 Mavericks always gave Bruce Mead a battle for the longest ball hit in a tournament. Bruce Walker was the best long ball hitter that I have seen so far. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Einstein, how could you forget Woldyk? |
| Nov. 20, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Stick. You're right. Woldyk who I actually threw a knuckleball by in Phoenix is way up on that list and so it the guy who followed him in the line up and Reedus and Jack can hit some bombs, too. Bruce Walker should also be on the list of big time senior bombers. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | With so many great hitters coming into senior softball, I know its hard to pick just one. However, in 1983 I was fortunate to have been involved in holding a national home run hitting contest at San Diego State Univ's old baseball field. We had a field of the best hitters ever at the event and I saw one swing that goes down by far as the best I've ever seen, I piched the ball and Mike Macenko hit it. Right center field was 385 and the fence was 10 ft tall. Behind the fence was a section of bleachers about 20 rows deep. Behind the bleachers was a concrete runway about 50 feet wide and it abutted the San Diego State domed basketball areana. Mike had just thrown a bit of a temper tantrum due to a protest in his last round over the bat he was using. He was really mad and he rehit his round with a bat he had just been handed and had never used before but it was made especially for him by Dave Neal. Mike hit the ball over the arena. We couldnt begin to measure it because we didnt know where it came down, but it went over the top of the dome on the fly. The balls used were Wilson Optima Gold, not a super hot ball. There was a TV crew there and they actually got footage of it. It had to be over 600 feet. Mike, however, didn't win the event even though he had an incredible shot. Rich Plant won the event and in the finals, Rich hit 10 consecutive balls out of the baseball stadium onto the street beyond the left field wall. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 audieh Men's 60 249 posts | There are many great hitters in senior softball. The best 2 long ball senior hitters that I have ever played with are Bruce Meade and Mark Martin. Both of these guys are gentle giants with Meade being about 6'6" tall and 275 pounds and Martin being 6'5" tall and 260 pounds. Both of these fellows have great swings, are team players and fine ambassadors for the senior game. I personally saw Mark Martin hit a ball 1.5 years ago in Vegas 535'. Now, the wind was blowing out, the air was dry, the balls were good, the altitude is over 2,000' and a senior bat was being used. Never the less it was awesome. Most likely in his prime no one could consistantly out distance Bruce Meade. Other big time senior long ball hitters that I have played with include Gary Deaton, Pat McLellan, Bobby Davis, Baer Chandler, Mattie Digennario, Cecil Whitehead, Davie Reed, Ed Rose, Curt Hollis as well as a number of others. All of these guys can consistently mash it. In retrospect, I have truly been blessed to have played this game on a competitive level with some of the finest players and people I know. Every area of this vast country has exceptional hitters and people so I don't know that we could ever come up with one answer but the last time I checked the Guiness World Book of Records does list Bruce Meade as the longest hitter of all time at 510' wind unaided! At about 60 years old now I would not bet against Bruce still being the man as he is in fabulous shape! |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Big D from Tennessee Men's 50 79 posts | Guys - When and where is the proposed long ball contest in Arkansa? Whos able to compete in it! Big D |
| Nov. 20, 2008 audieh Men's 60 249 posts | I just talked to Curt Hollis and he thinks the long ball contest is a great idea for his ClassicSpringTraining.com this February and in addition to having the flat belly and senior home run hitting contest he will also have a long ball hitting contest. Don't know the format yet but it should be fun. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | Einstein,How are you my friend.wanted to add Carl Underwood to the list you beat me to the punch.Thats who hit behind Bob woldyk in Phx.Carl can hit a long way and doe's not use a UII.Got a guy coming back next year that took last half of last year off (family reasons) Tom Drake you will enjoy watching him hit.All in all I think Woldyk's got the edge.If we are talking consistantcie.500' footers all day. the G-Men |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Stretch14 Men's 50 202 posts | The first year Delta Park in Portland, Oregon was built, a few years ago, TPS of Reno was playing and the had Scott Virkus. 6'7 and 250. Fences are 300, He hit it over the fence, over the embankment, that was another 30 or 40 feet, then the ball sailed over the road. I'm guessing about 450. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Stretch14 Men's 50 202 posts | I need to spell better. Sorry. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 balco Men's 60 118 posts | the long ball in arkansas is set for next april, i think, u can go to arkansas softball for more details. when i started this post i meant for it to be about us seniors. our bats and the utrip elite ball, this ball is sick. the participants would have to be card members of seniors. if a guy hits it only 325 it will not help the team, the hitter has to be able to hit the moon shots. it would be cool to have a rep from each division and have a hit off, maybe kinda like the long hall tour. you have to hit 10 balls and three rounds. what do u think?? again great way to raise money for a charity, find a sponsor to donate money, maybe miken, worth and combat could supply the participants with bats, to hit on theur teams. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Einstein, I played against Parnell back in the day and I think he hits it just as hard and as far now as he did back then. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Ray, if Tommy is coming back, I'll be the only guy who doesn't hit hr's in the line-up!! BTW, I gave Crump from Motown your #, did he contact you? |
| Nov. 21, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Stick and Ray, You guys have a monster hitting club as good as the Mavericks, any day. I'm just glad that we don't play USSSA rules because very few seniors know what I know about Reedus ability to pitch USSSA. He's a monster at it. It would make for fabulous contests between you with Reedus and the Mavericks with Mickey Hughes on the mound. Actually, I would OK more USSSA type pitching rules in senior ball because it would give the pitcher's more of an edge in controlling batters, hence, less balls rocketing through the middle and help us slow down the juggernaut that's moving about in Senior ball to dumb down our equipment. I would have to go to school and learn a bunch of new techniques but who said you can't teach old dawgs new tricks. I think all the Associations, next year, should think about using the equalizer on home runs and the 5 runs per inning rule so we can combine major and major plus getting more teams to compete and giving almost any entrant a shot at the title. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 Brett Men's 55 239 posts | John Thompson (JT) with the Kansas City Barons should be added to this list as well. He hit a tape measure shot in 2007 at the ISA world tournament in St. Louis that had to be right around 500 ft. He frequently hits 400' bombs. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 Brett Men's 55 239 posts | John Thompson (JT) with the Kansas City Barons should be added to this list as well. He hit a tape measure shot in 2007 at the ISA world tournament in St. Louis that had to be right around 500 ft. He frequently hits 400' bombs. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Einstein thanks for the props for our hitting and no argument from me!! We have to shore up our defense for next year. Hopefully the guys I'd like to see us pick next year will join. I think Ray is on the same page?? lol I like the idea of putting in a USSSA type pitching style. Not only the pump faking & lower arc but the thing I would like is 3-2 w/ 1 to waste count. Perhaps since I still play Utrip I'm more used to it. For sure Reedus would love it. Back in the day he was one of the best around. He was the type of pitcher where if the team came out flat on Saturday he could get them to Sunday almost by himself. I take my hat off to all you guys who pitch. Balls coming thru the box like that, y'all must be crazy!! Looks like we're major plus next year. It's too bad the Mob broke up, great team and a better bunch of guys. What are your plans next year? |
| Nov. 21, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Stick, I'm uncommitted as we speak. I have some options but my leg healing is the key for me. I was able to play shortstop last weekend for the first time in over 2 years so I'm optimistic. U-Trip rules would go a long way to helping us resolve the pitcher vulnerability issue with a good bat/ball combo. I would go 3-15 with the arc, widen and lengthen the rubber and make the plate larger. |
| Nov. 22, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | How many decades-old rules are you willing to screw with just to keep "a good ball/bat combo"? In other words, so you can artifically hit the ball a long way. |
| Nov. 22, 2008 Proudtex40 57 posts | Let me add one other "long ball guru" to the list. Donnie (Clatter) Clatterbaugh hit one well over 500' in a Maryland Tournament back in the 80's while playing with Steele's. Of course there were seven or either others on the same team that did the same. But again, Clatter certainly deserves his cudo's as well. Steve Shannon |
| Nov. 22, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Einstein, imo 15 ft arc is a bit high. I'd go standard utrip--a true 3 ft from the release point to 10 ft from the ground with a perceptable arc. I'm sure you'll hook up with someone next year. Your a damn good pitcher and hitter so your phone will be ringing very soon. It's only been a month or so since Phoenix and I already miss playing. Add to that it's 25 degrees here in Detroit today. Hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving!! |
| Nov. 22, 2008 smooth01 Men's 50 128 posts | Mike Petersen from Bagbey's has hittest the farthest homerun I have ever saw. (more than once) |
| Nov. 22, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Just another example of your negativity and troublemaking spirit, Gary Sommers. You fool fewer of us at every turn. Someday, SSUSA will figure out what to do with you. Most of us already know. |
| Nov. 22, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Stick, We've got the advantage out here in that we can play all year round. We do less during the winter but it's not hard to play twice a week throughout to keep the timing and muscles from deteriorating. I love pitching. Ideally, I'm looking for someone who needs a major plus level mound man because as we both know the caliber of the pitcher is key to winning the most competitive games. Happy holidays to all you Gekel guys. I hope I'll see you all, again, next year. |
| Nov. 23, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Einstein I do play once a week in a golfdome but it's not really the same. Since it's on friday nights it's really more of a social thing--if you get my drift. That, working out and swinging in an indoor cage is about all us midwesterners can do to during the cold weather. Perhaps it makes us more excited when the spring comes around. I'm sure we'll cross paths again my friend. Stay healthy! |
| Nov. 23, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | So how many rules are you willing to screw with? |
| Nov. 23, 2008 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Stick it was 75 degrees light wind and abundant sunshine here in Vegas for the tourney this weekend. Thats all thought you might want to know. You guys take care up there and we'll see you after your spring thaw, I believe that would be around early May. |
| Nov. 23, 2008 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | I love this board and check it every day, However, I'm sick and tired of Dirty Gary. He jumps into every discussion just trying to tick us off. He is successful with me. I wish he lived in my town. |
| Nov. 23, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Jim, I read his posts. If I think he is sincere I reply. If I don't, I don't. You're in control, remember that. |
| Nov. 23, 2008 tater9 62 posts | Brett, Thanks for the kind words. You and I both know that I owe my hitting prowess to you and only you :) JT |
| Nov. 23, 2008 Gary Heifner 248 posts | I don't know if it is urban legend or not????? I remember on one of the SB web sites in recent years, a guy saying that one of the big name guys hit a ball that cleared the fences and pocked or plugged in wet ground. After the game someone noted the how far out it looked and when measured was around 600'. Does anyone remember or know of this. |
| Nov. 23, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Dave and SSUSA The only reason for Gary's last 2 posts are obviously negative in motivation and are in effect belittling. How many times are you going to let him violate SSUSA standards and rules of conduct without making a move to hold him accountable. Time to walk the talk, Dave. Jim, He won't attempt to deal with you directly in any accountable fashion. He has no interest in pursuing positive interests, being accountable, or showing up man to man to deal with any of his nonsense. And still, SSUSA enables him and all his BS. |
| Nov. 24, 2008 stick8 1991 posts | Joe, Thanks for rubbing it in, you made my day!! lol Just got in from making sales calls and we had a bout a 1/2" of snow this morning with the temp about 35 as I type this. Oh well, sucks to be here I guess. How Vegas go? You and yours have a great Thanksgiving and stay healthy. |
