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Online now: 2 members: Baseball33, TABLE SETTER 11; 117 anonymousDiscussion: Ultra II\'s Why?
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| May 27, 2006 QC Softball Men's 55 20 posts | Ultra II's Why? We played in a tournament in Indianapolis the first weekend of May and everyone was allowed to swing the Miken Ultra II. Of the five games we played only two went to the seventh inning because we ran out of time. With the Ultra easy fly balls now go the base of the fence and some even go out for Home Runs. I understand why teams that can't catch or hit want these bats but why would any good softball player still want this bat allowed. The USSSA legal bats have plenty of pop and hits are hits not Home Runs. We had two guys that can't a Home Run without the Ultra hit two out each. Without the Ultra these guys can't hit .500 but with the Ultra they are .750 hitters. The Ultra needs to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| May 27, 2006 JTS2 Men's 55 88 posts | I agree it's bad for the game of softball when 90% of the players use the same bat. |
| May 27, 2006 Ken Men's 55 462 posts | JTS2, I'm curious why you would say using the same thing as the next guy is bad. Actually, I think everyone using the same equipment is an ideal situation. You would then have a level playing field, etc. At least you know you're not getting screwed by some jerk using a loaded bat. . |
| May 28, 2006 Lefty Men's 75 721 posts | Ken I agree with you. It's not like they are giving us good balls at tourneyments. They gave us a good bat with avg. balls. I don't know what tourneyment these other guys are playing in for you can only hit 2 HRs in AAA. So you still have to hit the ball on the nose for a base hit. For some guys they can afford a $200 U2 bat compared to a $300 Easton bat to compete. Now you know the guy hitting on the other does have juiced up bat. We are now hitting same if you choose. |
| May 28, 2006 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I agree with Ken and Lefty. If the U2 is legal, there is no need to worry about painted bat since most painted bats are U2's anyway. |
| May 28, 2006 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I agree with Ken and Lefty. If the U2 is legal, there is no need to worry about painted bat since most painted bats are U2's anyway. |
| May 28, 2006 Hit the gap Men's 70 154 posts | Ultra 2's, why not? To QC softball and JTS2: Go to the message board under the bats topic March 28th discussion. There is overwhelming response supporting use of the U2's. I seriously doubt that using a U2 turns a 500 hitter into a 750 hitter. I just purchased a 27 oz Synergy CNT Flex which is legal in all associations. My first 10 at bats with the CNT Flex resulted in a 9 for 10 effort with 2 HR's. Should this bat be banned? Quit beating a dead horse. The're here to stay. |
| May 29, 2006 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Gary, when Ridge Hooks polled last year's coaches I voted to stay with the 1.20 bats and 47/525 balls. I do understand why most players like the U2. |
| May 30, 2006 Wes Men's 65 335 posts | I just got a 585 which has the same Pat Number as the U2. Is it the same bat or not. Wes |
| May 30, 2006 Joncon 328 posts | Ugh....U2......hit ball.....go far....me like. ""Why do you want technology to allow other guys to do in their 50s what they might not have been in their 20s?"" Viagra ALONE grossed 1.7 BILLION dollars in 2004 |
| May 31, 2006 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | gary why is it that no matter what board i see you on,you feel the need to be negative.the u-2 is here to stay so get over it(same goes for the rest who keep pounding this into the ground).lets just play ball. |
| May 31, 2006 jc24 96 posts | I've read all the sites about the pros and cons of the U2, Ok;..it can be a dangerous bat to use, however, none of us are getting any younger, it's fun to hit with and from time to time hit a ball over the fence with it. I think a guy is lying when he says he could care less if he does or not. I don't hit many myself, from time to time, which..AIN'T OFTEN...it's just FUN!!!! I love this game and the sun will soon be down on my career, let's enjoy a few PERKS of the game and have some laughs about a few home runs we hit in our 50s and above! My 2 cents worth... Keep swing'in it boys........... |
| May 31, 2006 tater9 62 posts | Gary19, Your 50/20 comment was not negative but lightly sprinkled with a little sarcasm. You have made in known you can't understand why people would want to use the Ultra II. I will try and make this simple. They use it because they can. There are no conclusive ends to subjective concepts just interpretation which can become circular in nature. Join the circle! |
| June 1, 2006 tater9 62 posts | Gary19, Sometimes technology makes things easier for us. In everday life where we don't keep score and we aren't assessing our talents based on others abilities it really doesn't mean much we just enjoy the technological advances. Keep score and have a winner and a loser and it really changes the scope of things. As far as how you are supposed to feel, I can't answer that question only you can. Have a great season! |
| June 1, 2006 QC Softball Men's 55 20 posts | I hear everything you are saying; so don't complain when I (or my team mates) hit the middle with this juiced Ultra II bat. It was outlawed in mens open divisions because of the infielders (who are much quicker than us) were unable to get out of the way. I still play open ball and hit hit one out every eight at bats with an ASA legal bat. Now you put an Ultra II in my hand. GREAT! Every bat cost about the same to make. The difference of the $300.00 Easton compared to the $200.00 Miken is called profit! And the store of .500 hitters turning into .750 hitters is and was real. |
| June 1, 2006 Hoover 11 posts | The answer is really simple. We like to hit the ball really far. The farther the better. The Ultra II allows us to do that the best. As long as the bat is legal, we will use it. Those of us who don't want to use it, but still want to play in the league that allows it, need to build a bridge and get over it. I play in a league that does not allow the U2. I don't hit as many home runs as I did when the bat was legal, but I'm fine with that. I love the game and just want to be a productive part of the team I play for. The home run is the ultimate base hit, but if you get three doubles and a triple to help your team, then you should be realy happy that you still have the ability to get out there and get the job done. |
| June 6, 2006 TaterinGa Men's 50 179 posts | I do not want the U2, never owned one till this year (was ask to buy one by our Miken semi-sponsored team), but I agree w/you guys. It has been voted in by the majority, so I will go with it. Mine is up for sale; why? Because, I do not want to get use to it, then when I go to another association that does not allow this bat, I do not have to change my swing. Bat confidence is very important to me. But, the bat is helping the senior association, so swing on. Later'TaterinGa |
| July 8, 2006 JMJIT Men's 65 35 posts | i kinda agreeswith Qc on the U ii`s Why #1 you can hit it longer # 2 you can hit it throught the infield Quicken than anyother bat.Enough said.But I Love Em ;-) |
| July 9, 2006 TexasTransplant Men's 70 516 posts | We have to have the Ultra II to keep this board alive. Without it there would have been half as many posts over the last 3 years. Personally, I would prefer single wall bats and good balls, but following the not taking a stick to a gun fight philosophy, just ordered my Ultra II. |
| July 10, 2006 JMJIT Men's 65 35 posts | Hey tater 9 you haVE A WAY WITH WORDS. ;-) Likw i said before u11`s make everyone better.I play 3rd base in 55`s There are time when the ball is just inposible to get to but i am not the only one.So Play on have FUN and Enjoy.. |
| July 12, 2006 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | My current ‘handle’ or ‘moniker’ is “Bashbro1”, playing Senior ball out of the Great Pacific NW! Before the Miken Ultra II was produced, I was just a “280’ Katie” or “WTPDO” (i.e. Warning Track Power Dude Only) kind of hitter and was known as just “Katie” to my teammates back then. Now I’m hitting (50) or more homes runs every single year playing Senior Softball and batting well over .700 (use to hit ~.550) since the advent of the U2 and It’s been a wonderful ride! This bat now carries me literally over the fence to pay-dirt which is located just beyond 300’ foot fence sign; virgin territory to me in my previous softball life. This bat with its phenomenal “Trampoline” effect from it’s trade secret alignment of Kevlar and fiberglass fibers and resins, has without a doubt, put me “Over The Top” in this game of senior softball. Over the top of the fence that is! I use to only be able to make “lay ups”, now I’m hitting (3) pointers from 30 to 35 feet, to use a basketball analogy. I carry myself with increased amount of self-esteem around the tournament venues not unlike a Sammy Sosa or Mark McGuire would at the All-Star game. I can now hear the whispers from the gallery when I come up to bat now…”he’s going to hit one out for sure”, or this guy has got some POP is what the defense would say. It’s similar to carrying a high-powered rifle into a knife fight. I take my U2 just about everywhere I go; to the store; to work; to the dentist ad infinitum. Every team picture I’m in at the conclusion of a Senior softball event, you can see me in the front row leaning on my U2 as it supports me and my offensive production. The U2 helps on defense as well, as you are more relaxed in the field after going “YARD” in the previous half-inning! The Ultra II is the bat of choice in Senior softball. Bashbro1 formerly “Katie” |
| July 12, 2006 GT Men's 60 162 posts | Hey Katie. Move to Houston. We need your POP. Ahhhhh hahaha |
| July 12, 2006 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | Since GT has chimed in (he's on my Senior League team) I thought I'd better get in on the fun. I used to enjoy playing Masters ball in Virginia and we could not use double-wall bats; this was through 1999 and prior to the Ultras. Now, playing Senior ball in Houston, we get to use the UII. It's true the bat does give one "confidence" that they can hit one out - if they hit it good (since the wind usually blows in from Left on our field). However, I guess I'm "old school" like some others I have read on this board. I'm a line-drive hitter and every once in a while I get lucky and one goes out. My game would not change if we went back to single wall or non-composite bats. Admittedly, my batting average would suffer since shots through the infield would not get through as quickly and some of my line-drive UII gap shots would be caught. Would I play if the UII went away - absolutely! I still enjoy the competition and the repartee amongst the players in our League and the tournaments in which we play. I have either played in National tournaments against or with a number of guys who are regular posters on this board who I would not have gotten to know on a personal basis otherwise. I look forward to each tournament to renew acquaintances and make new ones with my Senior softball brothers. LL |
| July 13, 2006 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | Hey Gary(19)! I'm sure you've heard the expression “life begins @50”? It’s because of the Ultra II that life begins @50 for us guys still playing the game of softball! LOL… Oh, you can call be ‘Bashbro1’, or you can call me ‘All-World’, or you can call me ‘Longgone’, but ya don’t have to call me “Katie” any longer! And to my email friend GT residing in Houston, TX….you can call me Art! |
| July 13, 2006 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | Why Gary(19), I have to admit that your last thread on this subject was maybe the most profound comment I’ve read of yours lately and I couldn’t agree with you more. Yes, I’m aware and do understand that I’m being assisted with and incredible prosthesis (i.e. U2) but I try and keep those thoughts suppressed so as not to damage my ego and keep living the “dream”! Bashbro1 (Playing out of Kent, WA for W.E. Ruth Realty) |
| July 20, 2006 red from Wylie tx. Men's 60 48 posts | My suggestion has always been, single walls for AA, double walls for AAA and Major and Plus hit anything you bring. This would keep sudo Major players out of these divisions. I know chicks dig the long ball but hey we are over 50, safety should be a priority. The lower division do not have the skills of the big boys. As I told someone complaining once about the Majors, these guys were better than us when we were 20 and they are still better.. I do thing the Miken is to hot for the lower division. It's not about HR's its about the speed in which a ball gets to the pitcher, 3rd baseman or a base runner, as someone said in this thread there is a reason the young guys don't use this bat. It was to hot last year when Miken was not a WORTH"" bat??? Amazing how a few bucks will change someones mind. |
| July 22, 2006 biggeorge Men's 60 25 posts | Wow! I think there's something to this Ultra 2 thing. Can you imagine "Stock Cars" really having to be Stock?" How about no "Walking" in basketball? No "Steroids" in baseball. ZZ Top not being able to over-dub to sound like a ten piece ensemble. Major-plus teams not being able to constantly cheat with out of area players. Worst of all, how about catching your wife with some "recreational player" who chokes up just after having a three homer game in league play on a 280 field with the wind blowing out having used your slightly altered Ultra 2? Well what the hay, you're only a 135 lb. guy. Whats wrong with a little edge? I just think that the Ultra should be by prescription only then all the 'home run wannabees' and 'bat whiners' who can't hit home runs at home either, can do some one stop shopping. |
| July 23, 2006 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | HYPOTHETICAL SUGGESTED SENIOR SOFTBALL BAT AND BALL EQUIPMENT GUILD LINES FOR 2007: 1. Wood bats only for co-ed and local recreation - ball 47 COR 525 Compression :COLOR (Optical Yellow) 2. Single wall aluminum for Single ‘A’ - ball 44 COR 525 Compression :COLOR (Optical Yellow) 3. Double wall aluminum for Double ‘AA’ - ball 44 COR 525 Compression :COLOR (Optical Yellow) 4. Any of the previous plus Half & Half composites for Triple ‘AAA’ - ball 44 COR 400-525 Compression :COLOR (Optical Yellow) 5. Composite bats for Major and Major Plus Only! - ball 44 COR 375 Compression : :COLOR (White Only) Understand that the 44COR 375 Compression ball in the Major/Major+ will be home run self-regulating in the hotter afternoon temps as the ball compression reduces from the ambient heat and does not fly as far. Also, when youi stop by a game in progress you'll know immediately by the White ball that it's a Major or Major Plus game. And just maybe with these proposed equipment guild lines, it will not be necessary to restrict home runs with a rule and just let the bat and bat dictate that naturally. And furthermore, it could be a ''deterent' for some of the 'big' guys trying to 'play down' in an event. Bashbro1 (W.E. Ruth Major Plus 60’s, Kent, WA) |
| July 23, 2006 biggeorge Men's 60 25 posts | Here! This is really simple: Some blowhard and we all know who they are, puts together Team This or Team That and rumbles into town with his Super Major bunch of hired guns, mostly illegal players of course with altered bats on top of that. The tourney director in his ultimate wisdom throws some AAA team to the dogs as usual to satisfy the appetite of the Blowhard in order give them the red meat they hunger for in pool play. A recreational pitcher gets killed or severely injured and some ambulance chaser sees an opportunity. Soon there is a pitchers net but a third baseman suffers the same fate and now, the Insurers balk and there are no fields to play on because of the liability factor. By the way, signing a waiver with regards to neglience is a moot point. Never thought about the liability factor did you? Lawyers will get around to this sooner or later and then our game will be ruined forever, not that it isn't already. If God had meant for man to fly etc... If you can't hit a rolled sock out with a branch like Bruce and several others, then you're not a homerun hitter. Accept it! I don't see Meade whining that he can't run as fast as smaller more agile players. |
| July 23, 2006 boston Men's 60 355 posts | I play in open leagues mainly usssa w/ the young guys 20's, 30's. They use the Synergy +, Freak + and Mayhems. they also use 47 to 50 core balls. I myself use the Catalyst and Freak + w/ great success. Of course in my senior league everyone uses the U2. Which is fine. I've hit my share of bombs w/ many diferent bats, but teams pick me up for my defense, speed and ability to get on base. Hitting bombs is fun but w/o people getting on base it's just one run. With the technology today U2's, Mayhems, Synergys and know the NRG. It really doesn't matter what a good hitter swings the ball comes off it like a rocket. So using the U2 doesn't really bother me. |
