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| June 20, 2015 D-Ballgame | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: ARC OF THE PITCHED BALL @ Nancy Allen: ".....we should stay at 12' because that's what we grew up on....." Like Model T's, Tube televisions, rotary phones, etc., etc.? Really? Well, MANY of "us" seniors DIDN'T "grow up on it".....and never had ASA in our region to play......only U-trip and NSA. More and more of the "younger" seniors.....40's, 50's, 55's and even some 60's......aren't all that excited about 12'. Nor the FULL 4-3 count......so, as the younger numbers grow....changes could be right around the corner.....and SSUSA will listen to their majority $ustomers....or another association may rise up and fill the void. Remember.....nothing is forever.......cheers! |
| June 15, 2015 D-Ballgame | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Best ball in Hot Weather J R: $3.25 or $4 a ball? You get 6 supplied balls......so $4.50 is going to make a difference in a $600+ tournament? Then, the team has to buy their own balls after that anyway at a marked-up $5 a ball.......you think teams aren't willing to pay 75 cents for a superior ball? I'm not sure if the price you quoted was for retail or wholesale......I'm sure when you buy multi-cases you would get a better deal. |
| June 10, 2015 D-Ballgame | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Best ball in Hot Weather I have noticed that the Trump Stote ball has changed in performance over the past two years, whatever was done in manufacturing (thicker cover, slightly larger, etc.) has made the ball worse, especially in hot/humid weather. If this ball is used in temperatures over say 70-75 degrees, the performance drops drastically. Then, add a little wind (not much at all) blowing in and HR's are diminished greatly, even at the Major+ levels. This weekend in Sacramento (NorCal State) the only HR's that were hit were early morning or on the single field where the "breeze" was blowing out. I didn't hear of one Major+ team reaching their maximum limit......even when some balls were struck really well. Is tis the change and move for SSUSA...to keep the hot bats and dumb down the balls? Might as well just make it unlimited HR's then. Someone said to use a non-senior bat with stiffer walls and as much endload as you can swing. So, does SSUSA want players to go away from senior bats and back to ASA & U-trip bats? I agree that the ISA-ROCK is too hot of a ball, but it definitely stays good in all temperatures. The Baden FIRE is a very good ball, but unlike the ROCK, it DOES diminish ever so slightly as the temps heat up. If they could make a true 44/375 ball that would hit as well as the Trump Stote in 55 degree weather as it does in 104 degrees.....then that would be a winner! The 52/275's and 40 cor balls are terrible. How is the Tattoo NX3? Is this what senior players are looking for? If not, I would vote that SSUSA switches and goes with the FIRE ball from Baden as the official ball. |
| June 2, 2015 D-Ballgame | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Foot placement in batter's box before pitch My question is, why is it SO heavily enforced on the turf fields and made completely useless and unenforceable on the majority of all the other fields we play on? As a pitcher, I see a large number of players so far off the box that I ask the umpire "is he ready to hit"? Or, "is he in the box"? Even though I can see he is four feet away from the plate the umpire says he is fine go ahead and pitch. To not show-up an umpire, in between innings I ask the umpire if he could lay a bat down perpendicular to home plate as a bat is 34" long and the batters box is 36" wide....that this should give him a pretty good idea of where a box should extend out away from the plate after the lines are usually gone within the first few innings. The answer? Basically: mind your own business as I am the one calling the game. Do you think a player is pulling the ball (if he isn't running up in the box) standing 4 feet off the plate. Well, when it's blasted back up the middle and you hear "sorry pitch".......you think.....well, get back in the box. In Reno, I saw much less where batters were standing excessively away from the plate, due to painted lines......but to make a huge deal over being out an inch or two......to the side, front, etc. I think was pretty petty.....unless they are going to enforce it year round. |
| April 29, 2015 D-Ballgame | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Major plus problem Yes, I may have missed the point on ANYONE can play Major+ softball if they just put a lot of work into it. But, to simply try and move up half of the 50Major teams into Major+ or even combine major & major+ would be a disaster.....yes, there is that much difference. As Timmy mentioned in this past weekend in Vegas......(2) 55Major+ teams played in the 50Major bracket and played their lower HR rule and runs per inning.....and the (2) Major+ teams finished 1-2. And that's 55Major+. Put them in the 50Major+ with upper HR rules and 7 runs per inning......they win a couple here and there but for the most part...I don't think they would end the tournament in the top 3 or 4. But, if they CHOOSE to want to do that, GREAT! But, to be forced up....not sure that is the right answer. Having seen all of the divisions: AA, AAA, Major & Major+......I think the widest gap in talent may actually be between Major & Major+. Many think it's just about hitting the ball. You must take into account that Major+ is the best of the best....AD, most have proven themselves at this level.....facing great pitching, stellar defense and like many said on here....the MINDSET of competing at the upper level. I've seen many players who are fantastic players at lower than Major+ level FAIL....or, struggle once they step up to playing against Major+ teams.....the pressure, facing great defenses with speed, agility, power, etc. What was a hit at Major....just might not be a hit at major+. Many if not most Major+ teams play a 5-man infield, closing holes down...especially when they are all playing 10-15 feet back on the grass because they have the arm strength....and the 3-man outfield can run like deer and have great arms as well. Then, with hitting.....most Major+ players can hit HR's as well as hit high OBP setting up the HR for their team mates. Not trying to put non-Major+ players down.....just saying....the Major+ category is a fickle animal...in trying to get numbers up in tournaments....but keeping the Major "customers" (paying the entry fee) happy. Cheers! |
| April 28, 2015 D-Ballgame | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Major plus problem There is no comparison between Major & Major+ in the same age division. Take the time to watch some games. SSUSA does a pretty good job, and has done over the past several years. Sure there might be one team here or there that sneaks in under the radar, but SSUSA is pretty good at watching for this. The power rating factor for teams is a pretty good equalizer, meaning that a 55Major+ is comparable to a 50Major team when playing the LOWER classified team (in this case 50Major with 5 runs per inning and 6 HR's). This can be portrayed within each and every classification and age category. For some who have posted that anyone can be a Major+ player is simply NOT true. A lower player (at senior age) can go to the gym daily, hit daily...and may still never equate to a Major+ player in his age classification. Granted, there may be a player who is Major+ capable but is playing in lower classifications and can step it up and be a major+ player.....but, that doesn't mean that ANYONE can be a Major+ player. Much has to do with history of playing, skills, time spent working at your game AND your DNA! If you took the 3 very best 50Major teams and moved them up to 50Major+......they would be in the middle lower of the pack. Sure, they would win a few games here and there.....but most likely NOT be in the top 50% of the teams. If the goal is to build a team, great....get your swings and licks in and focus for the future. But, if you are limited in resources and expect a chance to win each tournament you are in or at lest finish in the top 3, then moving up is not the answer. And, this goes into each and every age division. And....there you have it! |
