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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 97 anonymousDiscussion: Moving to Major Plus
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| June 10, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Moving to Major Plus I made the move to Major Plus this year from AAA, so I feel I am uniquely qualified to write this. This is targeted to the myriad of players that play AAA and Major that excel at this game and would be competitive at Major Plus. I was not the best player in AAA by far. Plus, I saw many major players better than I am. Yet, I have been accepted by my teammates and opponents as a Major Plus Player. There are a lot of you out there with doubts, or other reasons for not playing Major Plus, who are very capable of being impact players at that level. I say, "What are you afraid of?" Is it that there are very few teams at that level and you will be labeled as a Major Plus player for 2 years? Is it (as in my case), that there are no teams higher than AAA within 500 miles and you can't, or don't want to afford the travel schedule? Is it that the drive to compete against the best is no longer as strong as it was when you were younger? Is it the drive to win rings, which can be more easily accomplished at the lower levels? After making this move, I am puzzled that there are not more players taking this challenge. The opportunity to play the best has never died in me. Is it gone in you, or do you dare to take the challenge?? |
| June 10, 2012 audieh Men's 60 249 posts | Well said, Mark! |
| June 10, 2012 turn2 489 posts | Congratulations on your move up. You are on a very good team and look forward to see you guys in Dalton and Vegas. More should do the same because the competition is top notch. Later Donnie Turn Two |
| June 11, 2012 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | mark yes that is well said..but not everyone can get on a M+ team....i can even say it for myself,as we don't have a M+ team near me,hell we only have 1 M team here in texas.and as you know,ya better know someone if ya want to get on one of the big boy teams.yes i have played M+ but where i'm now living,no way can i play unless i drop to 50 or 55(i'm 62)or be traveling that 500 miles you talk about,i don't have that kind of money. maybe the cali/fl guys can do it,but everyone in the smaller population,area's really don't have a choice as to what level they play. |
| June 11, 2012 Paco13 424 posts | I have to agree with Mad Dog, Here in the Tidewater area of Virginia for example we only have one 50 AAA and one 55 AAA. So even if we had the talent there is no team to try to join. There are few 50M and 55M in Northern VA and MD that some of the local guys play with...long drives (4-5 hrs) on Sunday afternoon by yourself very risky. Congratulations on your move up. STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!!! |
| June 11, 2012 boston Men's 60 355 posts | Ok webbie here goes. I have played against for 8 yrs. You have always hit the piss out of the ball and played good defense. Yet at 60 you decided to make the move to M+. Many of us that have played against you felt you were M+ in ur 50's. My observation is you stayed AAA to play with your buddies. May be the same reason most guys stay in a lower division. When I played 50AAA we played M and M+ no fear. We actually played them well. Alot has to do with where guys are comfortable and with friends. Nothing wrong with making new friends but your talking dishing out money to hang with guys 1 weekend a mth for a sport. fifteen to twenty yrs. afo no problem. Now most guys r beyond the ubercompetitive stage. Would rather enjoy thier later yrs. in softball with thier dear friends. U still the Man. |
| June 11, 2012 goforit 97 posts | Good comments, Mad dog -- what about asking the Texas team that just won Reno 60 Major to move up -- they are good players and a great bunch of guys. They made us work very hard everytime we played them before we got moved to Major +. I understand the mileage difference, i live in Utah and my team Master Collision is based out of Colorado. Paco -- you don't have to live in the same state as the Major + team that you play for. If you feel you are good enough and known to other teams -- make a call or send an e-mail to the team manager -- thats what i did to get on this team, maybe it will be ok for you to play on a local team and then meet them at tournaments they enter. As i stated above I play for a team that is based out of Colorado and i live in Utah, we all play in our local leagues and then meet at tournaments to play. Luckily they accepted me and continue to give me a chance to prove that i belong in Major +. They are great guys and we all get along -- that helps. I respect all of your concerns and maybe Major + teams in other states require you to play with them in leagues, I guess all i'm saying is that if you want to play Major + look into all your options even if they are alittle out of your comfort zone. John Giesler Master Collision |
| June 11, 2012 boston Men's 60 355 posts | correction; second sentence should read. I have played against you for 8 yrs. I will say this I have seen several players in the El Paso, Las Cruces and Albuquerque areas that are very capable of playing Major and Major Plus. In fact, they could combine to make a Major or Major Plus team instead of always making AAA teams. |
| June 11, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Well Webbie, here in CA in the 50s major plus moving from major to Major plus means playing the same 5 teams(uggggg!).... Major 50s has more teams to play for sure and the competition is great with no one team dominating.. We have a few players on our team that could play major plus! However, I think that who you play with is as important or more important than what division your in....I stayed with my team because I like my teammates! I know the difference in Major plus in the 50s is, you are looking at the top 10 percent of players from majors forming a Major plus team to compete at that level.. Seems to me the good Major teams have between 3 and 5 major plus talent ballplayers on those teams...If you made those guys all move up then you could form more teams instead of the same 5 teams... They should rate all the players so that it could get more teams in the major plus division IMO... There is no incentive to move up at this point in the 50s other than to have the feather in your cap that you played against the top 5 teams in the country in CA... |
| June 11, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Great comments. I reread my post and would like to amend it-it was not really meant to be as confrontational as it was for a lot of guys. Boston-to answer yours-I was never asked by a team higher than AAA to play or I would have considered it a long time ago. I'm sure Major Plus teams get tired of guys coming up and saying 'I can play M+-can I play on your team?' I did not wish to be one of those. Yes, playing with the Desperados was playing with friends, too, but the BIGGEST reason of all is that before the last 3 or 4 years I could not have afforded a major schedule. And yes there are several players that could play M+ in the area-but the vehicle is not there for most. This was not aimed at guys that cannot afford the travel, or want to play with their friends above all else-I have been there and fully understand it. Mad dog-you could play M+, but you have your reasons-I didn't mean to offend you either. I was looking for reasons other than these for guys not moving up, because there are a lot that could, and with the number of teams that get moved up and break up because they do not wish to play that level, I wonder if the FIRE to play up is less prevalent in the Senior game. Does the quest for rings ever figure in a decision to play at a certain level? Swingfor the fences-your first sentence is exactly why I opened the dialog. How are we going to get more guys and more teams playing M+? You say 3 to 5 M+ caliber players per major team-that could be several more M+ teams if they played up. Finally, though, the 60M+ teams are talking here about where they are going to go to get more teams into each tournament. That's a huge plus. A 6 team bracket with 6 evenly matched teams can provide a great challenge. Swingforthefences-maybe I was lucky to get with a group of guys that I like in M+. The whole team has made this step up exciting and fun, but my special thanks goes out to Steve Imlay and his wife Carol, and Mike Adair and his wife Dawn, and Dennis Dalton and his wife Sherilynn that have gone the extra mile to make me/us (my wife Patti) feel welcome. |
| June 11, 2012 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Webbie sometimes the manager won't let a player move up. Interesting how that works sometimes. Steve Imlay and I were talking about that same scenario just last week. Hard to imagine any scenario where a manager would keep a player from trying his hand at major plus. Can you even fathom that Webbie given the positive experience you have had. |
| June 11, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Webbie, you brought up some good points... I am happy for you that you are getting to test your skill level with some of the best in the Country.. it should be what everyone should work for even if they don't make it or don't want to... You know Joe Ranaldi still likes to test his skills with the young bucks, it is what makes him tick. I Love the fact that I will be able to play ball for the next 13 years at a high level based on what I see Joe do with the bat at 64.. He plays leagues with us against the young kids too and we still wimp up on them too.. Fun stuff! I think that it would take a player ranking system to get more teams at Major plus level... or teams made up of regional players instead of flown in guys.... most major teams have no sponsers so how can they compete with guys flying into nothern cal to play with some of best in northern cal to make a super team... My team of Barons all live within 100miles of each other.. There is no easy answer... |
| June 12, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Swing-there has never been any easy answers. There has almost always been the 'Super' teams that were the best money could buy. There is no way to combat that with rules. I think that is why they opened up to two players from anywhere, to attempt to even it up. But, money talks and always will. Lecak-that was one scenario that I would never have thought of-seriously that happens?? Wow! |
| June 12, 2012 Paco13 424 posts | Goforit, I have no desire to play M+, first of all I don't have the passion or dedication for the game that I used to have and that playing at the M or M+ requires, secondly I have no desire to spend money to play softball when I can get my groove on playing locally with the flat bellies, but the most important reason is playing with friends and team mates that I have known for years...we have a very strong local 50AAA that we play some tourneys and have won our share of tourneys, but do to some of the players finances we do not play as often as I would like...I belong on the AAA level better suited for me. Personally I have a very special set of skills that I develop through out the years (paraphrased from the movie Taken). I am a 750-800 OBP, above average arm, soft hands, probably in the top 10% speed wise, good attitude, but lack the intensity level that once had...you know the one that when you make an error or don't come through on a clutch situation you want to kill yourself or loose sleep over it...I lost that. I just got picked up to play 50M on the ISSA worlds and I have two weeks to get mentally ready (passion/intensity), to get my MOJO back for that wkend and I will. |
| June 12, 2012 goforit 97 posts | Paco13, Good luck in the ISSA worlds, i'm sure you will do great. I agree that you have to have a desire, i never thought that i would be a Major + player but all of a sudden everyone that i knew really well in the Majors started to get on teams that moved to Major + so this worked out well for me. I get to still play with or against guys that i've known since i started playing softball again 6 years ago. Take care John |
| June 12, 2012 wagon487 Men's 55 578 posts | Paco, who you playing with? Metro? |
| June 12, 2012 Paco13 424 posts | ESB Renovations. Are you going to be there? Will be nice to see you and some of the Metro boys. |
| June 12, 2012 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | i will tell ya this webbie,its not b/c i haven't tried to find a M/M+ team..... |
| June 12, 2012 garyheifner 649 posts | Webbie 25 I can only comment on what I have seen in the midwest surronding the greater Chicago area since 2001. As you jump upward, the total makeup of the teams are simply better. More pop, more speed, better arms. Most of the higher level teams have been carefully crafted with the best around and in a few cases were flat out all-star teams. I have also seen countless teams drop 2 or 3 players who were loyal warriors and good players simply being told they were no longer needed at the next level. That sent those guys scrambling for a team. I also saw instances where managers, moving up, boldly walked right up to teams and tried to talk their 1 or 2 best players into walking away and move up. It has broken up several teams. I think the current rules allow a team to get players from their state and any touching state. Maybe if the rule gave you the managers state and only one more, maybe all this would balance out better and maybe more teams would form up. The only other thing I can think of is: for example, at Vegas stagger the say 60s events. Have the M+ play a 2 day tourney and allow the Ms or even AAAs to enter/play with no penalty if they do well. Let the Ms have their tourney the next 2 days and let the AAAs try at no penaly and then the AAAs have their 3 days. Hey, its' a week of softball for some. What could be better?? That might sound crazy but at least the M+s and even Ms could have a bigger field and not play the same teams over and over. It would give some teams the chance to see where they are at as they would play with the rules of the HIGHER team. No penalty means that tourney. If a AAA beats the M+s, they will probably be a moving next year. Just something to maybe get the wheels turning and find a way to help out the M+s and Ms find more competition. |
| June 12, 2012 Beasley Men's 50 173 posts | Webbie25, Congratulations on your move to Major+. I think you'll find playing at that level a rewarding experience. With any luck, more players will take the plunge and move up to Major+. John Beasley Team 1 Sports/South Florida Renegades |
| June 12, 2012 Fabe Men's 65 456 posts | Wish Hawaii had team rated this high! But at least we still can play and compete...see you guys in Vegas...Familystones 50AAA n 55AAA, Aloha, Fabe |
| June 12, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | If you want teams to move to major plus you have to let them know they have a chance to win. My solution would be making a rule that any team that wins Major Plus Worlds CANNOT come back with more then five total players that have won Worlds at the plus level in that age group. I see guys walking around with 20 plus Rings at the Plus level... If that doesn't scream out there is a problem nothing will. Ever association makes rules that the World winners cannot play in the same Division they just won with more then a small number of returning players. Its obviously good for the AA AAA Major Divisions to have this rule... Some version of it should be good enough for the Plus Division. The problem with this is..... Some of the top organizers in the senior program are also some of the guys winning multiple rings in the same age group. Again..... My rule would be.... NO MORE THEN FIVE CHAMPIONS CAN PLAY ON A PLUS TEAM UNTILL THEY JJMP TO THE NEXT AGE GROUP.And..... Do away with plus teams being able to build a team from not bordering states. I liked the old stand alone, bordering states thing, except for a couple big states (texas) that could use bordering states |
| June 13, 2012 Mark11 4 posts | I've been playing senior softball since 2006 and my first two years I played 50 Major Plus. Currently, I help manage and play on a 50 Major team that we believe could be bumped to Major Plus soon. I am against this move up for at least two reasons. One, there are not enough other teams to play at the Major Plus level. Two, and more importantly, the increased number of home runs allowed at the Major Plus level greatly diminishes the value of defense, the strategic use of home runs and base running. It skews the importance of home runs to the detriment of the other important parts of why we play this great game. In a word, it's "boring" for those of us that can't/don't depend on home runs to pad our offensive stats. If we could move up to Major Plus and use the same rules we use today at the Major level, I would be more in favor of being moved up. I know most won't agree, but that is how I feel and maybe others do as well. |
| June 13, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Mark, you just described the Catch 22. There are too few teams because few if any want to move up. |
| June 13, 2012 Mark11 4 posts | I've been playing senior softball since 2006 and my first two years I played 50 Major Plus. Currently, I help manage and play on a 50 Major team that we believe could be bumped to Major Plus soon. I am against this move up for at least two reasons. One, there are not enough other teams to play at the Major Plus level. Two, and more importantly, the increased number of home runs allowed at the Major Plus level greatly diminishes the value of defense, the strategic use of home runs and base running. It skews the importance of home runs to the detriment of the other important parts of why we play this great game. In a word, it's "boring" for those of us that can't/don't depend on home runs to pad our offensive stats. If we could move up to Major Plus and use the same rules we use today at the Major level, I would be more in favor of being moved up. I know most won't agree, but that is how I feel and maybe others do as well. |
| June 13, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Mark11-thanks for your input. This is what I was looking for. I know that at 50 and 55 M+ the homerun factor is big, but in 60 M+ I haven't seen the huge influx of home runs and I don't think we have hit 12 yet. To me the jury is still out on the 1-up and then walk part of it. I/m wondering if SSUSA isn't watching very closely how many teams are going well over the HR limit almost every game they play and balancing it with their performance in tourneys to see who might be sandbagging. If it is so easy to hit homeruns, why isn't EVERYBODY doing it? Why isn't Gary19 hollering about homerun limits set too low so he has to hit down? Oh, yeah, since he can't he wants to deaden the game so nobody else can either. Sorry, couldn't resist. But there really are a select few that hit like that. Mark-the next years convention is in Mesquite. I can tell you from experience you WILL be listened to if you come. In our game the defense does come in, because if you open the door, you can give up 9 runs instead of 5. It is a balancing act, for sure. |
| June 13, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Why does he have to come to be listened to? This is 2012, not 1912. He can be listened go in a forum just like this one. Or by email. Or by Skype. Or any number of other ways. There are plenty of ways to express your views and be heard besides a costly in-person trip, unless the idea is to suppress or at least discourage differing viewpoints. |
| June 14, 2012 Pinky 13 posts | Dear Dirty Gary 19 Why do you care what anything costs? With your superior intelligence, far superior education,and superior common sense, you surely must own half of Cleveland. Why do care what anything costs? |
| June 14, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Cleveland...it's all clear... Lebron left and Gary is a bitter person ever since.. ;-) |
| June 15, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | There are a lot of differing viewpoints and they are debated FACE TO FACE-which would scare Gary19 out of his wits to actually look someone in the eye instead of hiding behind the keyboard. Only 1 or 2 percent of senior players read this forum and blog so the vast majority are not here. In league last night against the kids, some of the Desperados were talking about the senior game and the talk was that in conversations with other teams over the last 3 years, the overwhelming feeling is that the rules make it a fun game for seniors and they don't want to change much, if anything. Only an avowed rabble-rouser like Gary19 would intimate that senior softball has in any way attempted to discourage differing viewpoints. He's just deathly afraid to do it face to face. What a hoot!!!! |
| June 15, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | If the current rules were that much fun there might be more than 3 teams in a typical senior tourney bracket. |
| June 16, 2012 sliplayer Men's 60 70 posts | Gary19, I have no problem with your questioning different concepts of our game. I think you bring some diversity to how we look at everything but I do have a problem when you get everyone off of what the thread was about. We started out with Webbie talking about moving up to Major Plus very good topic especially in how it applies to him. Instead we are writing about the same thing that has been discussed by you multiple times. That is one of the main reasons many people don't post very often or at all on the board including myself. That is a shame as many of these topics are excellent topics. In this thread Webbie definitely should be or as he has proven can be playing Major Plus as could many other players playing at AAA and Major level. Swing for the Fences I don't believe I have met you but I have heard that you are very talented and good player at any level. I saw Joe Lecak playing AAA and thought what in the world is he doing playing AAA. He is an exceptional player as well. Bob I have played ball with you and you can play at any level and any team and be a tremendously asset. I do understand the concept of playing with friends and I really understand and appreciate that concept. The bottom line is we are here to have fun and compete. Sorry for being so long winded. |
| June 16, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | slip, I appreciate the comment but please reread the thread before you allege I was the one who got it off topic. Far from it. |
| June 19, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | "If the current rules were that much fun there might be more than 3 teams in a typical senior tourney bracket" In California, it is fun and the rules are the same and there is more than 3 teams per bracket... you need to get out of Cleveland! FYI Slip, thanks for the kind words... I think if you polled the SS community that actually play, you would find that 99.9 percent of them would agree that we have a wonderful game, format and rules to play by.. I never ever hear of anyone complaining while we are at the Tourneys! Gary, thinks that everyone is a homerun hitter just because of the bats.. I find that just not true.. The Ball combination as it stands now is a good one and I hear no complaints about it. Nothing worse than hitting a crap ball. Gary, You have to get it thru your head.. Senior softball is a different game than the game you played in the 80 and 90s.. if it was the same we wouldn't be calling Senior softball.. FYI |
| June 19, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | I have played in other states, and saw the same thing. Read the thread about the recent tourney in Minnesota. 31 teams for 10 brackets, and that was a record turnout for them. You do the math. |
| June 19, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Well, I must admit that 10 brackets is a bit much.... for just 31 teams.. I haven't seen this in any of our Tourneys in California.. They for sure should do something about this and in NorthCalSS.. everyone plays everyone when the brackets are small and the major plus and major teams give up runs and sometimes extra players... it does make for a more competitive enviorment for all with out having to play all the same teams all the time.. plus it gives the lower rated levels a chance to swing with the big boys.. I know from triple AAA to major in our area there are great games with giving the 5 runs to the triple A teams. They should do this in USA when Tourneys are small! |
| June 19, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Gary-there have been many small tournaments over the years in all divisions-it fills the holes and allows those of us that play a chance to get some games in. Plus, getting tournament started is tough, but they grow, especially in SSUSA. Reno had 200 plus teams? Great brackets. Give it a rest. |
| June 19, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | For every Reno there are probably 50 tournaments with tiny brackets. Exceptions don't prove rules. |
| June 20, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Fifty tournaments that teams are glad to have the chance to play in-it beats nothing at all. You absolutely do not get it. But you haven't got the guts to get involved and help make it better. You just sit there behind your typewriter and complain. Worthless! |
| June 20, 2012 boston Men's 60 355 posts | Webbie those Major + teams must have been crazy not to notice you in ur 50's. Paco: I'm sort of in the same place ur at. for some reason i've lost my desire to play senior ball and tourneys. Besides the personal issues that have evolved in the past few yrs. I believe it is certain aspects of the game that get under my skin. I have played 50 AAA and we would play vs Major and Major+ teams, that was not an issue. My biggest problem is with guys who should pretty much give up the game but refuse to due to senior rules. I hate the idea of a guy being used as an EH that gets to 1st base then has a runner. Usually someone that is playing OF. I feel the same about the players that play pitcher, catcher 1st base that do the same thing. How can anyone say they love playing the game and they are only involved in 1 aspect of the game. You guys need to coach or score keep. |
| June 20, 2012 RIK56 Men's 60 137 posts | boston well i guess your talking about me,great another board member telling me to quit the game i love,at our old age sometimes runners are needed due to health issues and injuries.and forget about coaching and keep score i will take the keeping the beer cold job instead. |
| June 20, 2012 boston Men's 60 355 posts | Rik56: Amen to that job but you might want to add beer taster/tester to make sure it is cold enough.lol I am glad to see someone has a sense of humor on this board. Honestly, I would rather see a player that is capable of running. Run the bases as best he can (w/o causing physical damage to himself)than taking someone off the bench to run for him because they are faster. In my senior league guys say the weekend doubleheaders are the only exercise the get or that they come out for the exercise. Then the minute they get on base someone is yelling runner. In most cases these guys want to run but again bring in someone faster. I have had plenty of arguments over that issue. They're not hurt just slow, big frigin deal, let the slow guys run also. I guess you could say I'm an advocate for slow guys rights. lol |
| June 20, 2012 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Boston you have bigger problems than just softball. I'm going to tell you a story and don't care if you like it or not. I have a friend here in Vegas who has had two hip replacements and after one of them suffered a major setback due to infection. This gentleman was a monster of a player back in the day. What your advocating most likely may have killed this gentleman. You could see the determination to come back and play even at a much reduced capacity and folks here in Vegas were glad to accomodate. His love of the game as you put it probably saved his life. I've seen guys crawl to the park to be with their friends theres a dignity to getting out and trying. In some cases it is more noble watching someone struggle than watching the healthy guy who doesn't appreciate what he has. |
| June 20, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | boston, I have learned that I could live with the "courtesy" runner IF the last out had to run. Would get rid of a lot of the currently legal shenanigans, and would most likely result in runners only for guys who actually need them. |
| June 20, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Lecak-great point. I think Senior Softball is sometimes about a lot more than the game itself. |
| June 20, 2012 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Minor injuries that involve the capability to run could easily become major ones if pressed to the limit. Case in point myself. I received a slight tear in my rt hamstring just before Reno but said i would be there, I was. Dr said not to play or make sure I took care of it as much as possible. ie a runner & wraps. I had four layers to keep it in place but made it to the bases ok and a runner took over. Don't regret doing it, but sort of paid for it for 3 days after. Do not think I made it worse which is my point because of the runners. I didn't hurt the team at least and would play hurt again as I have before. Still have one in league though one night a week. Webbie25, camaraderie & lasting friendships. |
| June 20, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Webbie25, camaraderie & lasting friendships. While these are all well and good, why do they keep score and standings? |
| June 20, 2012 boston Men's 60 355 posts | Lecak: You bet I appreciate what I have. From the time I turned 50, will be 58 this year. I have had 6 surgeries, had 2 done in one day so I could comeback quicker. I have played with cracked ribs, bruised ribs and concussions in tournaments running into fences. I have been carried off of fields and returned an inning or 2 later and finished the tourney. At one tournament some 6-7 yers ago in Alb. I shared time going from a softball tourney to the BMX track competing for a state championship. On several occasions I play in senior ball and kids tourneys may play as many as 8-12 games in a weekend. So please do not talk about desire, love of the game etc. to me. The people whom have known me for years have been concerned about my health along with my wife because of my reckless regard for my body when I play. As for my bigger problems. If you call having a newborn grandson almost die at birth while I was at Worlds in 2010 and affect you negatively a bigger problem, you're correct If you call coaching and working with your 6 yr. old grandson in coach pitch baseball a bigger problem, your correct. Side note: His team won the 7U AA New Mexico state championship. These problems or personal issues as I called them, have just put senior ball on the back burner. As for your story it was nice and in a league I could see your point. As for you caring whether I like it or not, it is a non-factor. We don't know each other and what we think of each other is completely inconsequential in these discussions. Thanks for the story and the response. I always relish differing points on issues. As long as it is civil |
| June 20, 2012 cyborg45 Men's 75 194 posts | I'll try to get back here on the original thread. This is my first year playing senior ball. Here in Wichita Ks, there is no senior softball whatsoever. I have been very fortunate to hook up with a major plus team from Kansas City. Great bunch of guys and extremely well managed, (KC Kids). I missed last year with an injury, so it has been more difficult than ever to come back, especially at this level. I wanted to play at the highest level that a team would accept me at.Given the choice and the chance, I would urge everyone to play at their highest level possible.It was extremely satisfying competing against the very best in Reno. We'll be in Dalton and Vegas. I'm looking forward to the competition at the very highest level with the best softball athletes in the country in our division. |
| June 21, 2012 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | Living in a remote part of Colorado, it is difficult to move up as you suggest Webbie. In fact, it is difficult to get on a team in mid season if you are not on one early on. I played 60 major last year but we had guys move to 65 and others went under the knife, so the team dissolved. Currently not on a team for the first time since 1999. Is a bit tough on the phsyche as I have a passion for the game and still play hard. Super glad for you Web as I felt you were a major/major plus talent anyway. |
| June 21, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | I've been asked why I didn't call a M+ team to play. I've often wondered how many guys do that and are nowhere near the ability except in their own minds. I did not want to be one of those. But, if you are interested in playing, maybe letting that M+ team know you are interested couldn't hurt. |
