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| Dec. 9, 2015 phantomf4j | Topic: Bats Discussion: The care of senior bats Well guys, as far as composite material is concerned, here is my 2-cents worth. Aviation (both military and general aviation) have been using composite materials for decades and leaving them out in all weather all across the world. I even know of one instance where a composite homebuilt airplane was left to the elements out behind a guys shop. It was retrieved after years of sitting in the Texas heat. It was cleaned up, inspected and put back together. It passed inspection and flew again. I realize bats and airplanes are radically different, but the material is not vastly different. I do not really think composite materials are effected at all by being in the garage in a bat bag or leaning up against the wall. That stuff is pretty tough. |
| June 7, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batters Box Well, in our league we hit off a batters box mat that has the lines painted on. So there is no way to scrub out that forward line. It seems to me that any batter should be able to hit any pitch within that box without stepping out, but we do have guys who take a couple of steps forward as they move to hit the ball. I have heard that even if one foot is in the box it will not be called. I've heard that the umpire doesn't call it anyway because he is looking at other issues and is not conerned about that one. But then, one gets to serious playoff situations and the umpires there might well call it. I think it's a bad habit to get into simply for that reason. |
| June 7, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: hitting practice Just finished reading the excellent article in the spring issue of Senior Softball News entitled, "Batting Practice on Tee Helps Tone Swing," by Art Eversole. I hope Art himself will respond to this, but I want to hear from anyone who might offer any feedback. I built myself a hitting station in my back yard with a 12 X 20 commercial fishing net. For months I used a stationary Tee and was able to hit balls at my liesure. Then I got another idea that seems to be working well. I purchased a SKLZ Quickswing PX4. For those who are unfamiliar, this is a plastic tube type setup that will hold 8-softballs. It is on a tripod and is raised to about 6 1/2 feet. It has a battery operated feeder that will drop a ball every 6,8 or 10-seconds. It can be configured a number of ways, but it also has a small net and frame rebounder at ground level onto which the ball falls and then is rebounded up into the strike zone. If positioned right it will loft the ball about chest high and right over the plate. I can hit 100 balls in an hour with no difficulty. I put a bucket of balls up near the feeder end of the tube and load 8 balls at a time then go push the timer and hit all 8 before I feed another 8 balls. In the summer I can hit 100 balls in the morning and another 100 in the evening. With lights I could hit into the night easily. I believe live arm slow pitching is the very best for hitting practice. But I can't afford the time or the expense of doing this several times a week. However, I can achieve 100-balls in an hour as I've described above. So here is my question for the hitting gurus out there in Senior Softball: Will the drop toss method I have set up provide a better hitting experience for me than hitting off a stationary Tee? Is the motion of the ball, even off a rebounder as I have just described, a better option for building muscle memory and technique? Would I be better off just hitting off the Tee? With this approach I can position myself between pitches, I can think about bat speed, follow-through, extension, etc Even at age 71 I still love the game and want to improve, especially in my hitting technique. I have several other related questions about hitting practice, but will post those at another time. I am eager to hear from anyone who can give me some views and/or feedback. Thanks in advance. |
| Feb. 3, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Product review Discussion: gloves on throwing hand Airbosn- "J" model was an incredible machine. But we better stick to softball or get a reprimand! Manning is not the only QB that wears a glove on his throwing hand. I realize such gloves might not be for everyone, but I am looking for any edge. I have developed arthritis in my fingers, hands and wrists and in cold weather I think this glove might be useful. I will keep searching for this product and if I find it I will let you know. |
| Jan. 30, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Product review Discussion: gloves on throwing hand I'm a naval aviator from the Vietnam era. We were issued flame retardant gloves that were like a second skin. As softball4B mentions one can pick up a dime with these gloves. I am certain I could throw a ball accurately with these gloves on. Of course, they were for aviation and too long (mid forearm) to used as such. But I am convinced that such a glove must exist out there that could be applied to the softball game. I will look into the Lowe's/Home Depot idea as well as the G-Tek suggestion by Treacy. Thanks to all. |
| Jan. 28, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Product review Discussion: gloves on throwing hand Thanks taits. I will only add what I have read about such gloves. The gloves that I have heard about would indeed allow one to grip any ball, even the 12" softball. And frankly, if you observe where the hands are placed on a football it is not all that much greater than our senior softball. The fingers in gripping a football are more spread for certain, but the overall ability of the hand in this glove is flexible enough to throw a softball, with the fingers curved over the ball. I believe the product is out there, but has not been connected to softball yet. I hope it makes an appearance because I would like to try them. Please let me know what you find out and thanks again for the research. |
| Jan. 27, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Product review Discussion: gloves on throwing hand softballnuts- I have also been to that site and agree there is no mention of a glove for the throwing hand. Nevertheless, there is such a product and it is being used in other sports. Apparently these gloves have knuckle expansion and skin-like material in the palm and fingers so one can actually grip a ball as well as he does with the naked hand. I always wear a batting glove on the hand inside my fielding glove. But in cold weather I could sure see how a supple gripping glove might be useful on the throwing hand as well, especially in the early spring and late fall. I hope someone has tried this product and can add some information. |
| Jan. 27, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Product review Discussion: gloves on throwing hand I am aware that equipment of all types has been advanced beyond what any of us ever expected. I am now hearing that there is a glove on the market that actually allows one to throw effectively with the glove on the throwing hand. These gloves are surely different than a normal quality hitting glove, as I doubt anyone can throw effectively with a normal batting glove on their throwing hand. I am hearing of two product lines that offer such a glove. The manufacturers are Saranac and Sandman. Have any of you ever tried these gloves on the throwing hand? I am wondering if they are effective and if there is any performance tested data in the softball arena. Many NFL QB's are now wearing them on the throwing hand and seem to be performing as usual. Just wondering if any senior players, especially those in the northern climates, are using such a product. |
| Jan. 3, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Bats Discussion: bats and cold weather titanhd- I tend to agree with you about the negatives of hitting with a composite bat in cold weather. However, my concern stems from a comment I heard recently about bringing your composite bats inside during the winter. (storing them under the bed or somewhere) Because, according to this theory, the cold temperatures over the winter months will have a deteriorating effect on the composite material and weaken it somehow. You are correct that there are no warning labels on either bats or balls about cold temps, but that can't replace observed experience. I guess I am skeptical of the premise that repeated exposure to cold will damage a stored bat and just wondered if anyone had heard anything to either certify or dispel that suggestion. |
| Jan. 2, 2014 phantomf4j | Topic: Bats Discussion: bats and cold weather OK, this has probably been hashed and re-hashed, but I need to hear opinions on it. As I understand it, it is not usually the composite bat itself that is affected by the cold, but rather the ball. Thus, when the composite bat makes contact with a ball in cold weather, the changed consistency of the ball causes damage to the bat. If that is basically a fact, then it leads me to this question. Is it OK to store a composite bat in a cold environment during the colder months? I live in South Texas, where temps rarely fall below 30-degrees, even on the coldest nights. I typically leave my bat bag and all my gear, including bats, in my garage. I have never experienced any damage or repurcussions to the composite bats when leaving them in a cold garage. But is there any chance that cold temps could in any way cause deterioration to composite bats? So, I based my question on the premise that it is a cold ball that causes damage to a composite bat, instead of the bat itself being cold. Please comment on that premise as well as whether the "cold storage" aspect has any bearing. Thanks in advance to all responders. |
| Dec. 24, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: Bats Discussion: Time to eliminate senior bats Well boys, there are senior players and then there are senior players. Once a player reaches 70 yoa it is rare that anyone in that age bracket will hit one out. It happens, but maybe once or twice for an entire tournament. And until one reaches that milestone and beyond, he does not realize how the skills, strength and coordination erode. I am amazed at how that erosion has impacted my own game just from age 65 to age 71. There are a few 70+ players who can still bop the ball, but they are few and far between. In all honesty, I can see how a 60+ player still has all the physical assets he needs to hit with power. That becomes less of a factor as one nears age 70. So for me, I selfishly want to see the senior bats stay around for my age group. |
| Sept. 12, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: Product review Discussion: Socks Just for sheer comfort and excellent padding, I like the Thor-Lo socks. They are not therapeutic or compression socks, but are very durable and offer geat comfort. I heard once that an athlete competing in a triathalon could not find his shoes after the swim portion, so he completed the running event in Thor-Lo socks. I beleive this is possible because these socks are incredibly strong. The padded bottom and heel stays thick and comfortable for years. |
| Sept. 12, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: Bats Discussion: HAS ANYBODY TRIED THIS? mad dog- just this week I saw a guy buy a brand new bat, right out of Corky's truck, bring it to the nearby practice field and start banging away on a telephone pole. He was not tapping, he was taking a 1/2 swing. I have seen several guys in this area do the same thing. I am sorry, but I cannot bring myself to do this. A bat just has so many contacts in it to begin with. Why waste those contacts on a telephone pole? |
| Sept. 12, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: remedies for arthritis I appreciate all responses and honesty about what products might be harmful. That is always good info. I have heard that the magnetic necklaces work, but have never tried them. I also have some pain in the groin area, but attribute it to past prostate cancer surgery. I have used a product called DSMO in the past. It is a by-product of trees and was used in the 70's by veterinarians as a horse linament. It leaves a wierd taste in the mouth within 20-seconds of application, but it works like a charm. I have heard conflicting reports about its safety, but most recently it seems to be accepted again. Anyone know about this stuff or have any current data? I would like to reduce the pain, but want to do that in a safe manner. Thanks again for all responses. |
| Sept. 10, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: remedies for arthritis OK boys, I need collective ideas here. So if you have a remedy that works well for you I would love to hear it. I am playing in the 70+ league and like many guys arthritis is starting to impact my game. This is especially true in gripping the bat. It is also impacting my ability to move laterally. My index and middle finger knuckles on both hands are starting to "chirp" the loudest, although I also have pain in my knees and hips. I have tried the normal stuff....ibuprofen, aleve, tylenol, etc. I also have tried a variety of ointments. And while these offer limited relief, I am hoping someone has, through trial and error, found a better approach. I realize nearly everyone plays with pain at some level, but I am hoping someone has a "secret remedy" they can offer up. Hey, I'm serious here, so while it is a golden opportunity to joke around, I am hoping for some serious replies. Thanks in advance. |
| Sept. 7, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: stop all the whining Wayne37, you asked me to respond to college hazing and I will. This is a softball site and this will be my one and only response on the subject. Hazing is one of those things that will continue whether you and I approve or not. It is part of "being accepted" into many organizations. I DO NOT approve of any initiations or actions that cause serious injury or put anyone in a life-threatening situation. But, my gosh, folks, nowadays if Johnny gets called "Butthead" he goes home crying and mommy calls it bullying. That is my point. Heck, all of us went through school being called names. Sometimes that was meant to poke fun and sometimes it was just having fun period. But we have become a nation of intolerance where even the slightest poke becomes a huge bullying tactic. I correlate it to the 70's when the sexual harassment laws went crazy. If a guy said "Good Morning, you look nice today," he could be charged with sexual harassment. What a mess. It took 15-years for our nation to get over that nonsense. Now the trend is bullying. Good grief, if Johnny can't handle name calling how will he survive in the real world? That's my 2-cents and I will discuss softball from now on. |
| Sept. 7, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Why Do Some Guys Lose It Sooner Well, here is what I believe about skill maintenance as we get older. If one has been taught and has very good mechanics on the field, that will take him a long way down the road as he ages. It will never be more important than strength and speed, but he can survive as a good player for years if he has a good basic skill level for playing the game. Good hand-eye coordination is also important, but if the guys knows how to field the ball, hit the ball and play smart, he can be an asset on most senior teams. The other important aspect for a senior player is being savvy and understand what is happening around him during the game. For instance, I am amazed that senior guys seem to forget to ask themselves, "What will I do if the ball is hit to me on the next pitch." They forget about runners on base; they forget to hit the cutoff man; they do not run the bases intelligently; they hit to the left side with the bases loaded, etc. These are basics, that if mastered, will make that player effective even as he gets older. If a player has forgotten these important aspects of the game, he can watch and learn and recapture those abilities. Once he loses those pieces of the game, he is less likely to be productive or valuable to a team. |
| Aug. 31, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: stop all the whining I know not everyone will agree with my POV. That's OK, this is America. But I am tired of all the complaining in this country about athletes getting hurt, about bullying, about how to change things so that everyone gets a trophy, etc. What total bullbutter. I was bullied in school. You probably were too. It was a "right of passage." Heck, when I was a freshman, seniors would hassle us every day. It was how it had always been. But now, if someone says "boo" to little Johnny, his psyche has been damaged....give me a break. Now we are changing time honored rules in all sports so that the players do not get hurt. Football is a violent game. Softballs are hit at amazing speeds. There are no pads in basketball, and do not tell me basketball is not a contact sport. If you do, it is clear you have not played competitive basketball. My point is this: Here we are seniors and God has blessed us so that we are able to participate in sports this late in life. When I was a kid it was unheard of for a 70+ year old guy to still play organized sports. Most of them were already in the rocking chair or in "homes" somewhere. But we can still play and that is fortunate for us all. But, while safety is important, let's not change the rules of the game so that the player with no reaction time (that should porbably not be out there)does not get injured. I don't play sports I cannot compete in because I would get hurt and slow the game down for those who can play. But the rules should not be changed to accommodate my weaknesses. Am I nuts? Does anyone understand what I am trying get at? Have we become a nation of pansies or what? |
| Aug. 1, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Has the game really been toned down? Sorry guys, I clearly should have posted this further down on another thread. |
| Aug. 1, 2013 phantomf4j | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Has the game really been toned down? Sorry guys, I clearly should have posted this further down on another thread. |
