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Online now: 2 members: Scooty350z15, TABLE SETTER 11; 98 anonymousDiscussion: Cal State Championships
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| Aug. 17, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Cal State Championships I had a great time at the new complex in Woodland this week. The fields were in pristine condition (new synthetic stuff like Field of Dreams) and the umpiring was good. Fran AND Dave were there which is always good for the players as their graciousness and decision making accountability helps ground, secure and operate any tournament. I even saw Terry carrying water and chopping wood, too and he's never looked better. The main comment from senior major plus players was the ball, again that wasn't very good as the weather got warm. I don't know which ball cores from apple cores but I remember what I hear and feel trying to hit a softball hard which is what I always try to do. Many of the senior major plus players are recognizing what I've been saying for a while now and that is the caliber/quality of the balls has been diminishing for a while. I won't discuss why and how that is taking place now as you all have heard it before but suffice to say it's becoming common knowledge and remember to all concerned going forward we want/need/deserve GOOD balls in order to have a good time. Speaking of better to good balls I heard LVSSA is using Trump's microcell X Rock ball like they did last year. If it's the same ball as last year that ball hits better than any 375 x 44 ball on the planet. It hit 100 degrees every day I was in LV last year and the balls left the yard with little to no visible drop off. The covers are a little loose which I liked as a pitcher but feel and field a little differently which could be gotten used to. I pretty sure I would trade a lively ball like this for minor adjustments that have to be made by us to keep the joy in our game going forward. I was one and one this weekend. My Old A's got past very good GSF and MTC teams but my 5 Spot played terrific softball but came up short against a very game and competitive East Bay Oldies team. As I study pitchers all the time I learned a lot from the gamesmanship and outright toughness of both Brownie and Jeff, the excellent pitchers for East Bay and 5 Spot. All in all, a very good tournament. It was great seeing Woody and his GSF boys. Corky, Ron, Chuck, Danny Mac and the rest. Manteca next week at the Field of Dreams for the NCSSA Championships. |
| Aug. 17, 2009 pushin60 Men's 60 61 posts | Just wanted to say that the Cal Cup major fields were run very well. Nice facility and the grounds crew did a good job of keeping the fields moist. It was a very competitive tournament and we had a good time this weekend. Congrats to Chubb on their victory. On another note, one of our guys lost his camera in the dugout on Saturday. Somebody put it in a bat bag, and as it turned out, it wasn’t anyone on our team’s bag. If somebody finds it in his bag, please contact Andy Smith, mgr. of the Double Nickels. Thanks. Ken Lange Double Nickels #40 |
| Aug. 17, 2009 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | It was a great tournament, even if we did finish 2nd to the Mustang's!!! We had fun and the fields were both very good. Great job by Dave, Fran and the gang. I just wish Dave had more time to enter the results1!! LOL |
| Aug. 18, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | I heard the microcell ball that's being used in LVSSA is more expensive than standard 375 x 44 balls. If the 375 x 44 balls are not up to par and as many have said and noted they're not, then we should go to a better ball, a higher core, higher compression ball to ensure we can have a good time. We're not going to be intimidated or BS'd by anyone, I guarantee it. There's going to be no compromising with seniors next year about the ball we use. All the TD's and ball manufacturers better take heed. It's gonna be a ball we will be guaranteed ahead of time is acceptingly alive or read my lips we won't go, attend or support those who won't/can't do it. We're not 40 year old guys and won't be punished like we we're criminals or morons. We're not going to be punished for the crimes and foolishness of the few. Get it? Our game, character and class are different and we will be treated as such or you, whoever you are, can "tell your story walking" as my dad used to say. Get it? You better. Or we'll find and expose you whoever you are and aren't. Get it? You better. |
| Aug. 18, 2009 pushin60 Men's 60 61 posts | Einstein, what was wrong with the ball used in the Cal Cup? |
| Aug. 18, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Ken, The ball reacted to the temperature like a butterfly does to the wind. Hotter it got the worse the balls were. The comment I heard from many of my friends was relative to the balls we used last year and the year before. We're down from 47 x 525 balls thru 44 x 525 balls thru 44 x 400 balls to 44 x 375 maximum balls. They say we're just older and can't hit as far. Poppy cock. Say that to Sal, to Clatter, to Bogie, to Joe Tang, Rock, Roger, et al. These balls have been brought down by marketeers trying to protect themselves in the market place at our expense from other marketeers who might make balls higher than spec and scoop unfair market share. Follow the money, remember? Again, all this comes in the face and at the expense of giving us the good balls we want and need which is our chief complaint and will be going forward to all concerned. Our interest simply is to play with/hit good balls with good bats. That's the game we want to play and we WILL or we won't participate, attend or buy anything from those who don't support us. They say safety is the issue. They said the same thing at NorCal. Gary Tryhorn exposed the fallacy. That's a ruse, a cover for securing market share and eliminating competition. Like I said we've had enough and if we don't get the equipment we want and need and deserve everyone's going to know about it who's operating or moving against us and our best interests. If you want to discuss it more with me email me at joerinaldi56@yahoo.com and we can talk more off line. |
| Aug. 19, 2009 CRUSADERVB Men's 70 275 posts | HEY JOE......ENOUGH TALK ABOUT THE BALLS, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW THE 60 M+ TEAMS GET SCREWED EVERY WHERE WE PLAY, BEING PUT ON 350' BASEBALL FIELDS IS GETTING OLD. AT THE CAL CUP THE 50M+ BOMBERS WERE PLAYING ON A 280 & 250' FENCE!!! PUT THE 60AA TEAMS ON THAT ONE AND PUT THE 40'S AND 50'S ON THE BASEBALL FIELDS. GSF, OLD A'S AND MTC GETTING JABBED EVERYWHERE WE PLAY, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO LVSSA, AT LEAST WE'RE PLAYING ON SOFTBALL FIELDS WITH SOFTBALL FENCES!! |
| Aug. 19, 2009 sjuhoops 145 posts | Hey Crusader heard lvssa is putting you on the baseball field in mesquite. lol |
| Aug. 19, 2009 E4/E6 Men's 70 873 posts | I have a question for Terry and Staff. last year I asked why the Cal Cup doesnt rotate from So Cal to Nor Cal. Terry told me he was looking in to shifting the Cup. What has happened to that idea? This year we, the Mustangs 55AAA were the only team from So cal to play as a 55AAA team. At this rate the Cup may never leave Nor Cal again. Congrats to Wilson Trophy for their defense of the Cup, they played well. I also have an issue with our name, we are told we have to change our Mustang name when we move to 60AAA next year, we have had this name for well over 10 years, the Nor Cal Mustangs have only had their name for 4 years, where is the justice or rationale, of this idea? |
| Aug. 19, 2009 pushin60 Men's 60 61 posts | E4, who told you that you had to change your name? |
| Aug. 19, 2009 Just -a-base Hitter Men's 60 12 posts | I like the balls this weekend.The balls were flying out of the ball park and it did not matter where the fences were.I think that the 50's should be playing on baseball fields. |
| Aug. 20, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Ron, We're going to need some reassurances and guarantees next year before we move 10 minutes from our homes about the major elements involved with us having a good time. Enough is enough. SSUSA has intimated to me next year's going to be VERY different. They're good people. They've heard us loud and clear and we'll see. We can connect the corridor between Northern and Southern California and do our own tournaments if we need to. Joe T. You are a monster with a bat and new to senior ball. We're talking about a phenomenon that has been taking place in and around us for the last couple of years. You were hitting bombs on the big field because you're a monster with a bat, the wind shifted on the field and you played some at NIGHT after the temp had dropped which elevates the compression of any ball. The ball was OK but most of noted not in elevated heat and in genearl as good we had experienced in the last couple of years. Perception at some point is reality and a lot of us are perceiving/seeing soft-ball stuff very similarly, these days. You are hitting the ball, Joe, as good and better than at any time in our experience together. Way to go, Bro. I told you, you'd love senior ball and senior ball would love you. |
| Aug. 20, 2009 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | Einstein: I'm not sure of what changes are in store for the M+ division next year. From my perspective, it will take an 'about face' on the part of SSUSA as it relates to M+. It isn't just the rules that is bothersome, it's the application as well. Without boring you and everyone else on SSUSA's M+ history, suffice to say that the next good M+ event will be its first. The closest to a big event was in Phoenix at the end of the 2007 season when they had 7 teams in the 55 M+ bracket. However, someone must have noticed that during the first weekend, there were too many HRs (and then singles)and games were lasting too long (for SSUSA's needs). For the second weekend the time limit no longer included the 'finish this one + plus one more' as we were merely allowed to finish that inning. The result was a collection of 4 inning games... their web site suggested that we'd use the 'this one + one'. In addition to the 'who chases the ball' consideration, there is the basic fact that M+ games take longer than SSUSA has been able to stomach. LVSSA, SSWS and SPA seem to deal with it but not SSUSA. To me, this is more than just a passing issue. some might say that because we had 8 60 M+ teams in Reno this year that this would qualify for a 'big event'. IMO, this is only partly true because the format used was one that allowed SSUSA to fit us in with their master field grid. Without getting further into philosophical differences on this element, let's say that they did the best they could given the shortage of available game slots. 'Big events' tend to be double elimination. Game slots - if you think this through, one might reach the conclusion that quantity is more important than quality. So, Joe, there would need to be a 180 degree turn on their basic premise of M+ before we should anticipate any REAL changes. They do a really good job with the other divisions (AA-M) and this generates a lot of revenue for them. Why would they, all of a sudden, give a rat's ass about the 'weaker link' ($)? BW |
| Aug. 20, 2009 Foothills Men's 55 95 posts | Joe . The 44/375 is fine at about 78 degrees and below . The problem is, that is a temperature we rarely play at . In the heat the ball needs to be a 525 compression ball or one of the microcell balls . If it was a 525 ball , the compression would stii be around 375 even at 100 degrees . It is a simple fix . But ,TD`s don`t seem to be willing to go to the trouble . It would fix the problem . JB |
| Aug. 20, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Woody and John. I'm with you all the way, Woody and as I said, Dave and Fran intimated to me that things would be VERY different next year. I think they got and followed some bad advice. We need to stay with them on the changes that need to be made and receive assurances and guarantees that these changes will in fact be made well ahead of time. If not, we're not going to support any association or marketeers who don't/won't align themselves with our principal wants and needs. Thanks, John for the info. That's definitely a possibility for next year. We're going to be using the microcell ball in Las Vegas later this year and we'll see what the guys think of it. The main thing is to let SSUSA know what we think, feel, want and need so they'll be no chance we'll be missed or misunderstood. |
| Aug. 21, 2009 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | Joe, I always try to keep an open mind but, at the same time, I hate to continue repeating past mistakes. You already know the math, both financial and otherwise, on SSUSA's less-than-sterling record with M+. SSUSA would need the same level of change as Dr. Richard Raskind did in order to join the womens's pro tennis tour (30 years ago or so)... you know the story, he became known thereafter as Renee Richards... so I guess that anything is possible. It wasn't that long ago that SSUSA 'commissioned' the Major Plus Task Force in order to determine what it was that M+ teams REALLY wanted. After learning this, they decided that an anonymous group (aka Rules Committee)would be better suited to coincide with SSUSA's desires. Has SSUSA truly made a paradigm switch? If so, this must have occurred after the event in Woodland. Because there, once again, we were treated like the 'cocaine babies' of senior softball. So please forgive my skepticism but I need to heal the stump scars on my stomach. BW |
| Aug. 21, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | One thing you can't control it the weather. We know that if its going to be hot or not in most places we go. If hot weather is expected, EXPECT poor performance with the balls after a bit. Both teams will be playing with it, so what is big deal. Overall, most any ball would otherwise "perform" well in warm weather, say up to 80-85 degrees as an example. Nothing unfair there. Go, live with it, enjoy playing, or stay home, & regret it. Most balls that have been used played well in up to even 90 degree weather. But many cities get hotter than that, still your all using the same balls. Perhaps you could talk the assn's into YOU (team or self) providing ALL the balls and live with the kudos, complaints, missing balls, expense and so fourth. Might be interesting or dull depending on where, when, & weather. Now there was a thought, a sex change, A few bat differences but not many. They even play in some shorter fields. Wow. Talk about a reality check. lol Screw the balls, just play and enjoy it.. |
| Aug. 21, 2009 turn2 489 posts | If the balls are bad why can't we buy them from the TD and hit as many as we want? This way if I hit one out or foul it off I have to go get it or buy some more balls. We spend a lot of money going to the worlds and what is a few more dollars to purchase balls and hit them all weekend. This way I will get more than 1 new ball per game to hit. This is not hard to do, just ask Ridge how he likes this idea. Later, Donnie Turn Two |
| Aug. 21, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Don, Your "supposed to" start with a new one, doesn't always happen however. TD will have the same balls and I don't have a problem with your suggestion. Unless left out in the heat, they may last longer with rotation in and out of the game. Heat is 1 reason for balls going flat, Either way, both will be using same balls. Its not like some are using 52\275's or what ever and the others are using a 52\525 or so. Just like crooked lines and short\deep fences, both teams are stuck with it. |
| Aug. 21, 2009 E4/E6 Men's 70 873 posts | Pushin 60: Fran told our manager that because we are moving to 60's and the Nor Cal Mustangs are already 60's it doesnt matter how long we have had the name, we are then the new kids on the block. Lets see, 10 years or 4 years. Kind of follows some other decisions made by ownership. A very poor one if it holds up. |
| Aug. 21, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | I think I'd go with longevity, but why not both of you change...nor cal and so cal mustangs... at least it kind of democratic.. |
| Aug. 21, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | E4/E6 and Scotty, I think the biggest concern for SSUSA would be how to distinguish between one another in computurese. You can use diacritical marks like ~ or`or * for the other one allowing both of you to have the name that is meaningful to you. There's got to be a way to make both parties happy without either of you giving up the essence and meaning of your team's name. I'm sure there is. |
| Aug. 21, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Joe, Kinda like knowing who someone is would be great or even a team, or location, but far too many are paranoid it seems or really prefer the ambiguousness of nothing said or listed. got no problem with it but it's pretty bad looking for those who post wanting to hook up and leave squat for info. Maybe morse code is the answer for them. -.. .- .... = DAH |
| Aug. 31, 2009 pushin60 Men's 60 61 posts | I’m bumping this back up to the top to see if I can stimulate the conscience of the guy who has my teammate’s camera. We had the 3:30 game on field #2 on Saturday, and somebody on our team put the camera in the wrong bag in our dugout (first base side). As it turns out, it was PROBABLY the bag of someone from the 2:00 game. SSUSA won’t give out the phone info for the manager of the team that had that dugout, but if he is reading it here, we ask that he contact Andy Smith, mgr. of the Double Nickel 55’s. This camera isn’t tiny like a lot of the digital ones on the market. It is a large one, and resembles an older style SLR and is not something you could miss in your bat bag. Therefore, we ask all the guys from that team to check their bags to see if they might mistakenly have something that doesn’t belong to them. Thanks for your help. |
| Aug. 31, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Ken, Not good imo, for withholding the mgr's info. But perhaps you can get him to call the guy for you, about it... If the team is also a NCSSA team you can find that in their web site. Those numbers & email addy, are available for the most part. You might try the assn's down your way as well. Old style camera or not I'd think he would have noticed it some time during the day or weekend. Hope you\he gets it back. What was team name? |
