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Online now: 5 members: EvilEmpire45, TomBigDog, gchilders, gpump, tomhust; 13 anonymousDiscussion: pitching screen
| Posted | Discussion |
| March 12 batman27 Men's 65 24 posts | The player at 3rd base or first, i have not noticed them coming in 10 to 20 ft to face senior bats, they probably play 3ft to 10 ft back behing thier bag. the screen is a great idea. this game for seniors is to have fun, but not at expense of injury if preventable.. Ask most pitchers in 65 and up. They will for the most part support the screen. I think a 30in width,7 ft tall screen would be something to protect, and still allow the ball to go thru a hit screen with that minimum size, would probably be an out without a screen,Sorry to say but as we get older we slow down. No one will want to pitch if we keep blasting the pitchers with linedrive's, actually most power hitters stay away from the middle for that very reason.. I would rather have a screen than a pitching machine. |
| March 12 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | they have a ball that will prevent 99% of the injuries,that break bones and etc,52-275/300 ball.one of my leagues(all age)will be using it this year. there would be no need for a screen. |
| March 12 wagon487 Men's 55 578 posts | really, screen for 1st and 3rd? i don't have a problem with switching to the crappy ball for league, not for tourneys. I'm sure 99% of major and major plus players do not want to use a softer ball. I can not speak for the AAA players. |
| March 12 Jawood Men's 50 943 posts | Screens for everyone! |
| March 12 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Whiffle balls and bats for all. |
| March 12 kbl Men's 60 544 posts | batman27--i do not like to be negative on this board, "but". i am also 65+ and if you want to play with screens in your local leagues, feel free to do so. in tournament ball, ther is no way in hell there should be a screen anywhere on the field except the back stop! 1st and 3rd play back if you must. we have a 3rd baseman (65)that plays at the bag. and we play 60aaa. just my 2c |
| March 12 Mr. Manassas 244 posts | I would bet that most pitchers get hit in BP. I think that most players would not like to use a screen but I would not be opposed to any pitcher electing to use one. |
| March 12 Jawood Men's 50 943 posts | Who goes up the middle in BP without a screen? |
| March 13 saddlebrookrick 52 posts | Pitcher should decide before each game if he wants screen. |
| March 13 stick8 1992 posts | Saddlebrookrick I disagree. The game is already gimmicky enough. If pitchers are concerned about getting drilled they can always opt to wear protection--mask, chin guards, etc. Or opt not to pitch. |
| March 13 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | And maybe before each game the pitchers can decide how many strikes is a strikeout, and how many balls is a walk. And before each game the baserunners cao decide if they will run the bases counter-clockwise or clockwise. stick, as usual you are correct. |
| March 13 saddlebrookrick 52 posts | gary has spoken end of discussion. |
| March 14 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Sarcasm aside, when did the game become a democracy? Or the field a miniature golf hole? |
| March 14 saddlebrookrick 52 posts | Maybe when a few complain about bats and balls used and about pitcher safety so they can get their agenda. |
| March 14 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | saddlebrookrick,not sure what agenda's you are referring to,but i really wouldn't like to pitch with a screen in front of a pitcher,and i do pitch,tho mostly for the kids.senior ball i get to play in the field someplace,only pitch occasionally,as we know senior teams are usually full of pitchers....LOL..... |
| March 14 batman27 Men's 65 24 posts | Having heard all the comments, some quite riled I might add. I belive the original game would be perfect I dont really want to use wooden bats. But cold do that with fence's back to 275 feet. base pathes at 60ft. Who thinks that's going to happen. And I never said screens at third or first, I was implying that the corners have a little more time to react. to hard hit balls,moving in from the bag puts them about where the pitcher is.Putting on that pitching gear is safe I guess.dumb looking but safe. My solution to the screen is I wont pitch, and Im sure not wearing the armor, My hat is off to those who s5till go out there, many can play pitching position very well. and some can pitch but cant play a lick of defense,just worry about that group that are in denial about the defensive abilities. No need to get riled up, Be safe,Have fun.Did I mention, dont mention the screen. |
| March 14 saddlebrookrick 52 posts | Some on this site want to change bats or balls, I like the good stuf, but pitchers are very close to the hitters and maybe need protection. If they change balls I will still play and have fun. Until then I have decided to join the silent majority. |
| March 14 batman27 Men's 65 24 posts | I agree with Kbl,and stick8. Gimmicky is an understatement,First we had THE GAME, then came divisions A |
| March 14 stick8 1992 posts | Saddlebrookrick my observation is that most players prefer the good equipment, as long as it's equal for everybody. Bottom line is the game is about hitting, running throwing and playing defense. I prefer to keep it that way, not have gimmicky rules change it. |
| March 14 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | first,anyone at the bag at either corner,still is 15' further back than the pitcher. to me a ball change is the only way to go,for us and safety. i played my first league of the year with the kids and the park has gone to the 52-275 ball,it is the first one out that everyone complained about,pebble cover(not one of the new ones that perform better),like a football or basketball.the ball played real good and carried very well(i hit one to the fence,even off a slight misshit).it had no assoc stamp on it.we had one guy get hit(not a good fielder)in the ankle pretty hard, but was still walking with no real pain.in the end we had fun(both teams)and no serious injuries. |
| March 15 stick8 1992 posts | Mad Dog that's what USSSA did, at least here in Michigan. There was (and continues to be) so much suspicion of most kids using shaved bats that the state director stated, and I quote, "if they are going to use shaved bats their going to hit shi--y balls". I know because I was in that meeting. |
| March 15 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | stick8,i don't blame him,the insurance rates are going up for parks and recs,along with law suits over the hot equipment,the cheaters have just brought it on themselves. |
| March 16 stick8 1992 posts | Yes Mad Dog that is definitely part of the reason why. What gets me is many of the kids fully admit to using shaved bats. And bat doctors advertise themselves around the parks. |
| March 16 Jerry70 3 posts | Hey! I got hit pitching BP, caused blood cots. It took over 6 months to recover. Not all have bat control to stay away from up the middle. |
| March 16 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | jerry i won't pitch BP unless there is a screen. |
| March 16 Jerry70 3 posts | mad dog, I will never pitch it again without. And wear shin guards also, you just never know. |
| March 16 Wes Men's 65 335 posts | Guys I'm a purist I think we need to play ball the way we did back 30-40-50 years ago--that includes wood bat---as someone who is trying to run a tournament what I think you do not under stand is if we do not make some commendation to the people who are getting hurt the insurance companys are going to starting telling us what the rules are going to be if you want them to insure---and if you can not get insurance what person in his right mind would take on the personal liability of having a tournament---so what are we willing to accept in turms of pitcher protection??? |
| March 16 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Has anyone here ever actually filed some type of insurance claim for an on-field injury? I have broken a thumb and torn a rotator cuff, both now healed, since starting senior ball and never filed a claim. Never gave it a thought. What would guys files claims, or worse yet suits, over? This is all very new to me. |
| March 16 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | yep jerry,we had a guy sunday get nailed just below the inside of his knee at practice b/c he doesn't like the screen,"it interferes with his pitching".he was limping still at game tursday. we had 5 claims(with actually major surgeries)in our park last year.we now have the no hit the middle rule(which is worthless to me)and now use the 52-275 ball,which i feel is the best move the park department could of done. |
| March 16 Wes Men's 65 335 posts | Gary19--we all need to hope that someone does not make a claim. Heres how the lawyer will make his case--you tournament director knew that the bats were "hot" and you let them use them--- you tournament director use a "hot" ball that you knew could hurt someone and you tournament director did not provid the protection "The screen" that was avaible so there for I got your house any anything elese that I want |
| March 16 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Gary, yes, but it's a 2nd or 3rd party coverage primarily. If you have any other ins it goes first. Most people have at least one, some two. That is one reason many do not bother with claims. But there was one\2 assn's that wouldn't pay a claim and well you know or should be able to figure out what happened there. |
| March 16 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Gary19, I know your attitude. I have messed up my ankle for 3 years, broken my shin, broken my thumb, broken other fingers, and had plenty of blood clots and bad bruises—all from softball! And, like you, I never even thought of entering a claim, much less suing a park or rec department or TD. But we are not the only kind of players. I think the kind of player that would cheat by shaving a bat is likely the kind of player that would try to take advantage of someone by suing in case of an injury. And what about the widow of a player killed by a batted ball, or the wife of a guy who is concussed or permanently injured by a batted ball (you and I both know these incidents over the years)? These loved ones don't necessarily have our attitude or our commitment to the senior softball community. When the bills mount, and their guy is suffering, they may likely sue. Then Wes is right—it will look pretty feeble in front of a jury that the association or tourney director or park "tried" to protect a pitcher by warning against hitting up the middle or mandating protective gear. That's just admitting that the hot senior bats made the game too dangerous. As long as these composites rule, our whole future enjoyment of senior softball is at risk. |
| March 17 stick8 1992 posts | Gary19 one time a guy made a claim when his car windshield was smashed in by a home run. Somehow he got the complex to pay his deductable on his auto insurance. |
| March 18 neck10 714 posts | you guys that are so againts screens should get in there and pitch a little.it doesnt matter what ball you use at that close distance you can get hurt most guys can keep the ball out of the middle but the pitcher is the one who makes them hit middle with 2 stike count outside pitches it doesnt matter to me I catch & dont hit middle |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | I have been pitching since 1976. I know the risk, and accept it. When I feel I need to turn the infield into a miniature golf hole I will find another position, or another hobby. But I won't expect the basic rules of the game to change for me. |
| March 18 titanhd Men's 60 639 posts | neck10. I can't but wonder why you would deliver an outside pitch with 2 strikes on the hitter. |
| March 18 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | titanhd,i will throw an outside pitch if i have a runner on first,to hopefully get one back to me to turn 2 with.with 2 strikes and no one on,i like to try and get it in on the batters hands,and yes you can get it done in slow pitch.also with 2 strikes sometimes i'll try to sneak a flat fast one,as most batters when they see it will swing as it is flat,this mostly works in call strike and not mat ball tho. |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Now I have been doing this for a long time, but maybe I don't know everything. How do you get an outside pitch "on the batters hands"? Am I missing something here? |
| March 18 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Gary19, are you deliberately misreading mad dog's comment on pitch placement? Read it again. As to the screen, because of two potentially fatal hits on two pitchers, both experienced, both good fielders, a screen was mandated by our league 10 years ago. I don't like it, but if I want to pitch, I have to comply. The good news is that it is very seldom in the way on anything other than a line drive or grounder right at it—not a throw from outfield (gets hit about once or twice a year over 140 games) and never from third base (easy to adjust for). The bad news is that it is tempting for the pitcher to develop bad fielding habits over time so he is at a disadvantage in a tournament without a screen. |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | No Omar, nothing deliberate. I got it now. |
| March 18 Donny C 54 posts | I agree with Omar about how a pitcher can form poor fielding habits with a screen in front of them. I get too complacant at times and I have let a ball hit along side the screen go by. Without the screen I would have been after the ball. The screen makes it much too easy for a pitcher and takes away any defensive skills. I want the opportunity to make a play on a ball. I still like the better balls and bats. I do not recollect anyone wanting to use the poorest bat out there. The days of using a $10.00 bat are long gone. There are poor ASA bats and better ASA bats, I for one want the best bat out there. Senior bats are much cheaper and work much better, give me an ultra II anyday. If they get rid of these senior bats I will still get the best bat I can find other than a Mikun ultra. There may be a time I have to play in a less demanding league but for now I like the SUSSA tournaments. They are competive a lot of fun and I meet some great ball players. I also miss Einstein's comments. Donny C. |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Donny, this is not a black or white situation. There are a LOT of choices in bats out there between "$10.00" bats and the special bats that only seniors are allowed to use. As long as the playing field is level, why do you need the "best bat out there"? The game is about fair competition, not who has the biggest ****. |
| March 19 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Screens are ok for leagues-we play with them in Albuquerque, but I hope we never see them in tournament competition. A good fielding pitcher could use one to expand his range tremendously. Plus it can take the pitcher out of catching a potential double play ball. |
| March 19 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | omar,donny c,have to agree,with developing bad habits from pitching behind a screen.i do bp from behind a screen and pitches off to the side that i used to go get,i just watch them b/c they aren't straight at me.these are pitches i would go get but have gotten lazy b/c of a screen.i keep telling myself when pitching bp to act like it is a game and practice going after them,but well you know how that goes...... |
| March 19 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | And good luck the first time you think a ball is going next to the screen, move out from behind it, and have the ball take some funky deflection off the screen on into your head. |
