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| June 25 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Article 2 on balls, longer read What is clear is that 2003 will require patience. The bat and ball issues are complex and changing - but we are moving closer to understanding the science of these new materials. After the science is clear, we can make some informed decisions on standards for bats and balls that keep the game safe and fun. ”Insightful articles similar to this one can be found at www.SeniorSoftball.com http://slowpitch.portal.dk3.com/article.php?sid=19 Experts Warn that Lower COR and Compression Softballs Won't Solve Safety Issue courtesy of Softball News Report 2003 is shaping up to be the Season of the Ball. And some ball experts are warning that most major national softball organizations are making a dangerous mistake by lowering ball COR and Compression ratings to make up for hot bats. “Associations aren’t paying close enough attention,” said Kevin Schullstrom, national sales manager for TRUMP Softballs “They think by simply lowering the COR and Compression requirements they have made the game safe. It’s not that easy.” This year, most of the National Softball Organizations are changing their ball standards, requiring .44 COR balls with a low (375 per square inch) Compression rating. Those standards, however, may do nothing to make the game safer for pitchers and infielders, according to the ball experts.“Most of it (ball-standard change) is being done because of the perception that it will be safer for the third baseman and the pitcher,” said Tom Decker, president of TRUMP (this should read DECKER & not TRUMP ) Softballs “In reality, it’s not safer,” he said. “ In the first 60 to 70 feet from the point of ball-bat impact, the travel distance is not going to change.” Decker said the only change will be the distance the ball will travel from home plate to the fence - not it’s speed through the infield. “The net effect for reaction time for the infield is no different. If they get hit in the head with 44 COR it will be just as fatal as if they get hit in the head with a 47 COR ball at the same speeds. (THIS is WHY, a 50 x 375 is a LIL' SAFER.) “I don’t want players under the false impression that they are not going to get hurt because they are using a 44 COR ball,” said Decker. According to at least one expert, the lower COR balls may create an even more dangerous situation. “If safety is the objective, associations should require a more elastic or rubbery .50 or .47 COR ball with lower (375) Compression,” said Trump’s Schullstrom. “That’s because the lower the COR the less elastic - the harder - the ball.” The COR of a ball is determined by the distance it rebounds after it is hurled against a wall. The farther it rebounds, the higher the COR rating. Thus, the more it rebounds, the more elastic, lively or “rubbery” the ball. The Compression rating tests hardness: it is the amount of pressure it takes to compress a softball one-quarter inch. “The bottom line is that associations are trading the .47 COR for a more dense .44 COR, exactly the opposite of what they should be doing,” said Schullstrom. A Dudley spokesman agreed that associations were looking at the wrong numbers - and using the wrong tests. “Exit velocity is what they need to address,” said Chris Sims, longtime territory sales and marketing manager for Dudley Sports “The standard tests use bat speeds of 60 miles per hour, but tournament players are swinging at 100 or 120 mph,” said Sims. Balls come off the bats a lot quicker at those speeds.And bat speed apparently makes a significant difference in ball ratings - and may force softball sanctioning organizations to take a new, closer look at the ball-rating system. A recent report showed that lower COR balls actually came off the bat faster than higher COR balls. The report, “The Effect of Softball Compression and Coefficient of Restitution on Batted Ball Speed,” was based on a new study technique that used actual bat speeds and new high-tech bats. Using the new, more realistic techniques, a .40 COR ball came off the bat 3.57 miles per hour faster and went 11-12 feet farther than a 47 cor ball. |
| June 28 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r Surprising to see no post on this one. AFTER 7 YEARS and nothing done by manufacturers or associations on either balls or bats... |
