Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 79 anonymousDetails for DD
Real name:
DENNIS DALTON
Location:
PHOENIX, AZ
Division:
Men's 75
Messages posted by DD »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| March 13, 2023 DD | Topic: Website comments Discussion: MEMORIAL SERVICE THIS WEEK FOR RICK PETERSON One of the pillars of our sport passed away recently and funeral/memorial services will be held this Thursday, March 16 at 1pm in McDowell Mountain Community Church, 10700 N. 124th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85259. Reception to follow. Rick Peterson lead the legendary CJ&S Express to a Triple Grand Slam victory in 2009 and was the heart and soul of that dynamic 50/AAA team from 2006 until he had to step away from the game for health reasons in 2010. Rick's competitive spirit, inspirational performances, and fearless persona brought life and joy to all who knew him. He was 70 years old. |
| Feb. 21, 2023 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Vote Outcome Has anyone else noticed the 5 game guarantee effectively ended in 2020 with, OF COURSE, COVID!! It's right there in black and white...on the tournament listing page-look left margin under Tournament Format. Virtually every 2020 Qualifier tournament has the same script. Here it is.... '....Five (5) games minimum initially scheduled (NOT "GUARANTEED")...' (emphasis MINE) OK, so most of those tournaments were canceled. But, the same language persists in virtually every Qualifier listed for 2021 and 2022. Prior to 2020 the "NOT GUARANTEED" language did not appear and we assumed the 5 games were guaranteed because SSUSA said they were. Despite most tournaments the past 2 years allowing 5 games minimum, quite clearly, SSUSA has been floating the idea of dropping the 5 game guarantee for some time. Nobody seemed to notice, so why not do it? When the tournament organizer says games are "NOT GUARANTEED" most of us assume he is telling the truth. Why SSUSA added that language---OF COURSE, COVID!!---and kept it there until now is a question only they can answer. Maybe they will. |
| Sept. 28, 2022 DD | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Trying for 1 more competitive 70 team in Phoenix With up to 8 or even 9 quality 70+ teams slated to compete next year in Phoenix, it's tough trying to add another. So, let's try the Message Board. Late of the AZ Scorpions, who just finished as 3rd best in the 70/Major Worlds, several of us are looking for a new challenge. We need 4-5 ballplayers to add to the 11 we already have signed up. Preferably outfielders, but anyone who loves to play and has some legs is welcome to join us. We will aim for 70/Major and play up to 12 events from October until September. Our target opening date is October 27-28 in Fountain Hills. Winter Worlds in November to follow. We intend to play year round and discourage snowbird involvement...nothing personal...but when 4-5 starters disappear for 3-4 months it wreaks havoc on any team. Bordering state rules apply. Arizona is NOT permitted to add non-bordering state players. If you want to know more, please reply here with contact information and we'll be in touch right away. In 2023, AZ Ancient will return at Major Plus. AZ Scorpions, Ranall Realty, Sidewinders all could be Major or higher. Los Vatos, Desert Bats, Full Throttle are AAA. There are rumors Los Vatos and possibly Sidewinders will each add a second team at AAA. If the above all came to pass, we would attempt to be the 10th 70+ team in Maricopa County. Please reply if you have a desire to play in this competitive division. |
| Sept. 17, 2021 DD | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: 60AAA Seeding for Worlds Can anyone unlock this door...I have done what I always do to refresh and successfully receive updated tournament results...not so this time. What's the secret? |
| Aug. 27, 2021 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: More on Major Plus Given the fact that there are generally fewer players still competing as we get older, it isn't surprising that Major Plus is not growing at the upper ends. DISCLAIMER: I haven't looked at below 60 so I have no data for the younger ages. 21 Plus teams competed in these 3 age groups in 2016 which is the high in the last 13 years; throw out the Covid year (2020) and the low is 11 in 2011 and again in 2019. The 60s have been fairly consistent with between 7-9 teams competing in 9 of the last 13 seasons; 65 M+ was adding a team per year until the Timberworks dominance really took hold in 2018; 70s are hard pressed to bring more than 3-4 teams in recent years. There are just too few players who still retain the skills to be competitive at the highest level. This is not to say that there couldn't be more Major Plus teams at 65 and even 70, though. Plenty of guys can still run, throw, field, hit, and even have a little power left...they may have been AAA players in their mid 50s, but now in their late 60s and 70s, those skills alone make them higher-rated players...perhaps even Major Plus players. The key is to find and develop them and disburse them among more teams. If the division needs more teams, create more teams. If you truly want a strong, healthy major plus division, it might be the right time to encourage some of the best players in the older divisions to spread the wealth. Start new teams. Parity makes the sport stronger. It's the entire basis of SSUSA's ratings system. |
| Aug. 27, 2021 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: More on Major Plus Well, that chart didn't work out too well...tech-challenged... Let's try again. Major Plus teams competing in the Worlds: 2009 60+ 7 teams 65+ 3 teams 70+ 5 teams 2010 6 teams 4 teams 6 teams 2011 4 teams 4 teams 3 teams 2012 9 teams 4 teams 4 teams 2013 9 teams 5 teams 3 teams 2014 8 teams 6 teams 3 teams 2015 9 teams 6 teams 2 teams 2016 9 teams 7 teams 5 teams 2017 9 teams 8 teams 3 teams 2018 9 teams 5 teams 4 teams 2019 4 teams 4 teams 3 teams 2020 4 teams 3 teams 2 teams 2021 9 teams 5 teams 1 team Years of note: 2011 was the last year the Worlds were held in Phoenix; 2012 was the first year they were held in Vegas and there was no longer a separate LVSSA World Championship tournament; 2016 was the first year of Timberworks current streak; 2020 was the first Covid year with lockdowns and the Worlds played in St. George; 2021 Timberworks now competing 70. Some thoughts to follow... |
| Aug. 27, 2021 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: More on Major Plus Let's look at some numbers and see if we can draw any conclusions about Major Plus. These are the number of Major Plus teams that competed in the World Championships since 2009. I arbitrarily assumed the Worlds would draw the most teams of any tournament during the year. 60+ 65+ 70+ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2009 |
| Oct. 20, 2020 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Ray Ray has passed We all lose something when a fellow player passes away, and although I did not know Ray very well, I had the very rewarding and distinct pleasure to play against him and his legendary teams (Turn Two, Superior, Hamel) many times over the past ten years. My recollections of Ray are all positive as others have stated. He was warm, talented, and humble about his success, which is and always will be such an attractive quality to me. Ray's teams during the period of 2008-2017 were simply the best collection of players anywhere in the nation. Nowhere was there a group of guys as committed to each other and to winning than those Turn Two teams. From the first pitch to the last you knew you had better bring everything you have if you hoped to win...and rare wins against that bunch alone were enough to make a season a success. I remember so many epic battles with Ray and his mates, but one stands out. A doubleheader at the LVSSA World Finals in 2010 when I played with Omen 60...7+ hours on the field, over 210 runs scored combined in both games. We won the first, forcing the "IF" and proceeded to go toe-to-toe in the nightcap...after 13 innings and 7 hours in windy Vegas heat, Turn Two exploded for 20 runs in the top of the 7th to put us away. Such was the collective strength and will of those teams. It was an incomparable day and Ray (among others) and I would often take a moment to remember it as the years went by and we saw each other at the Worlds or SPA. Still do. It was always one of senior softball's great privileges to compete against the best players in the country. These Superior/Turn Two teams were that; and Ray Wimbrough and his fellows embodied the best in our game: talented, sportsmenlike, gentlemanly...yet fiercely competitive. Now, well into our 70s, the game has slowed a bit for some of us, but nothing can dim the bright, shining joy of remembering the great battles we had on the field. We all share the pain of losing your friend and teammate, knowing somehow it will never be quite the same again. And to all of you...to Tommy, and Danny, and Clattah, John, and all the others...thanks so much for the wonderful memories. With sympathy for your loss, Dennis Dalton Old A's, Omen, 15 Hitmen |
| Aug. 31, 2019 DD | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: NEED ONE MORE FOR VEGAS After 10 days of phonecalls, emails, texts, and conversations over eligibility issues with Sacramento, the 19 Hitmen are coming to Las Vegas for the 65/Major Worlds at Desert Breeze Sep 23-26. Got in just under the wire. Now we need one more "roster exemption player." Since the Hitmen are an Arizona team, you must reside here or in a bordering state. If you have appropriate snowbird credentials, that's OK, too. As far as experience, we can add you if you're 65-69 with AAA experience...or 70+. SSUSA must approve you in advance, so don't wait til the last minute. If you would otherwise miss the World Masters tournament and wanna hook up with a competitive bunch, give me a shout here with contact info or hit my email below. Cheers, DD turn2dd@protonmail.com |
| Aug. 26, 2019 DD | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: HELP AVAILABLE FOR VEGAS WORLD MASTERS Today at 5pm is the deadline for session 2...we have received one firm inquiry from a group of players who might be available to join our roster for the Worlds. But, there is uncertainty regarding their former alliances and we don't want to negatively impact or weaken any team who is planning to go by ripping away some players. That is not our intent. Our request is made to those players whose team (like ours) is unable to bring a strong enough and deep enough squad to compete for 4 days. If you would otherwise miss the Worlds and want to play, give us a shout. That said, if we can't get our own team to Vegas, we will continue to offer players (both 70+ and 65+) to provide depth to those teams who are going to Vegas shorthanded, subject to the rules governing such last minute roster additions. See those regs elsewhere in this thread. For those of you just tuning in, we are a solid (if inconsistent) 65/Major team with wins this season over Timberworks, Ancient, Rocco's, Auto Accessories (OR) and others. Contact me at the email address noted for more information. Thanks, DD turn2dd@protonmail.com |
| Aug. 23, 2019 DD | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: HELP AVAILABLE FOR VEGAS WORLD MASTERS Updating this post after seeing a lower-than-expected turnout for session #1...our team (19 Hitmen-65/Major) has gained a rostered player due to a younger team dropping out. This gives us 10...solid, but not deep enough to make a charge against the best in the division next month. Deadline is Monday 5pm. Two ways to go here. 1) Continue to offer to help another team that is short handed. We have players over 70 as well as 65+. Reply if you're interested and need help; 2) We ask for help from 2-3 age/skill-appropriate players who will otherwise miss the biggest tournament of the year. If you're 65 or older, playing Major and want to suit up in the Worlds with a competitive team, SSUSA rules allow you to do so without qualifying. See the rule posted above...item h. covers it. We will apply for permission to add you, provided you are geographically acceptable...must border Arizona...or have approved snowbird credentials. My contact information is also above. Let's do this! DD |
| Aug. 20, 2019 DD | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: HELP AVAILABLE FOR VEGAS WORLD MASTERS Here is the rule language on the matter.... h. If a participating team's roster falls below 12/13 players,the team MAY APPLY TO ADD players until it reaches the 12/13 player level. These players may be from the SAME (or older) age group in the SAME or LOWER skill level, pursuant to the player’s history over the current and two prior playing seasons. Managers must APPLY to SSUSA for approval of these players in writing. These players are approved or denied on an individual basis. NOTE: Any player to be considered for roster addition must have been otherwise eligible as to age and residency for that team during the current Season. i.If a participating team's roster falls below the 15/16 limit,the team will be able to add players until it reaches the 15/16 player level. These players must be from the next OLDER age group in the SAME or LOWER skill level, or in the same age group, LOWER skill level, pursuant to the player’s history over the current and two prior playing seasons. Managers must notify SSUSA in writing of the players the team is adding; |
| Aug. 20, 2019 DD | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: HELP AVAILABLE FOR VEGAS WORLD MASTERS 19 Hitmen (65/Major) will not be entering the Worlds due to a blizzard of injuries, travel commitments, or other obligations. There are individual players who would be willing to join other teams that are shorthanded under the rules of SSUSA that allow for teams to add a non-roster player(s) in the event they don't have a minimum of 12. If your team is struggling to make the cut, you can reply here with contact information and I will get back to you to discuss. Or, send me an email to the address below. The 19 Hitmen were all over the map this year, but with decisive wins over Timberworks, AZ Ancient, and Rocco's the ability is there, if not the consistency. Please reach out if you need help. Deadline for this is Aug 26. DD turn2dd@protonmail.com |
| April 29, 2019 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: WHAT DO WE DO WITH TIMBERWORKS? The current Rodney Dangerfield of senior softball, Timberworks, can't get no respect. Their recent carpet bombing of an otherwise pristine 65/Major bracket in Vegas didn't help their cause...even though my team, 19 Hitmen, beat them soundly. Take that, Evil Empire! Now, before Doug's "Amen Choir" rushes to his defense, keep these facts in mind: Timberworks is 100-17 (or thereabouts) when playing as a 65 team since 2016; their average margin of victory is 10 runs (when you drop the 5-run spots they give sometimes); they have won EVERY SSUSA TOURNAMENT entered as a 65 team since July of 2016; when they play against 60 teams (Platinum mixes of major and plus) which they have done twice, they are 6-5 with an average margin of victory of 7.2 runs and an average margin of defeat of 4.2 runs. Players want to compete...I say, COMPETE when they play. Timberworks players for the most part fall in this category. After winning almost 90% of their games I know most are looking for a challenge. That's why I told a few of them in Vegas they will love playing and competing in the 60 age group. They will rediscover what it means to play competitive softball...to take the field knowing they might lose if they don't execute well...to be challenged on the field...to get their nose bloodied once in awhile...to get that 'agony of defeat' thing going again... The Twerks have put together a team that is too good for the 65 age/skill classifications (hats off to them!) and the most appropriate thing for them to do is drop down to 60s and see how they do. If they get their heads beat in...after 3 tournaments let them come back to 65. ANY OTHER TEAM IN ANY OTHER DIVISION WOULD BE BUMPED GIVEN THE COMPLETE DOMINATION displayed by Timberworks. The way SSUSA structured the Vegas event for 65/Major was ridiculous in that it completely neutered the Championship round. By declaring ahead of time the runnerup would win the 65/Major title if Timberworks was in the finals, SSUSA effectively made the championship game meaningless...and as a result it was not even played. As expected, Timberworks left the ballpark as AZ Ancient was playing Top Gun Elite having been assured of another tournament victory and the lucrative prize booty that comes with it...are you kidding? This happens to be an aberrant situation and the precedent has already been set by them playing 60s in the 2018 Spring Worlds and 2019 TOC last February. There was widespread dissatisfaction among the managers I spoke with in Las Vegas last week. Our team will not attend another SSUSA tournament without an assurance that Timberworks' results will not affect an otherwise excellent 65/Major bracket. That means Reno, the Westerns, Rocky Mountains, and Masters. That's $2500+ in entry fees we will spend elsewhere and I am not the only team to feel this way. If Doug won't do it, maybe the true icons on the team will take the lead and do the right thing. Rodney Dangerfield gets no respect, but he was funny. "Hey, I bought a waterbed...TERRIBLE...lumpiest mattress ever...I found out there were 2 Cuban guys inside looking for Miami...NO RESPECT..." But, there's nothing funny about a schoolyard bully. |
| Feb. 22, 2018 DD | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: RULES MADE TO BE BROKEN? Elsewhere on this Forum you will find extensive discussion about ratings. As we hear every year from disgruntled managers and players about the injustice of an arbitrary move-up, it might be time to state the obvious. The SSUSA rating system is a farce...an absurd game. Sacramento can't even follow their own guidelines much of the time. The process lacks integrity, transparency, consistency, and accuracy. SSUSA makes the rules. Then breaks the rules. Hiding behind the disclaimer "...SSUSA reserves the right to change a team at any time..." they might as well have written "We'll do anything we want whenever we want---deal with it." The policy says rating appeals are reviewed ONLY twice per year, December and June. Less than 15% of the effective dates of changes are estimated to occur in those months. "We don't rate players, we rate teams" goes the mantra. Ridiculous. Players change teams all the time and then are considered a higher-rated player and thus often ineligible to play where they wish. The idea that players don't carry ratings is pure rubbish. We're told as part of a team's appeal process SSUSA looks at recommendations from umpires on game cards. I've signed about 300 game cards over the last 14 years and have not seen one umpire comment. Just sayin. They might, but I doubt the comments are terribly relevant. Same goes for the reports from Tournament Directors. And, finally, the sending of Sacramento's recommendations to the 12 SSUSA Directors for review and comment? Nonsense. Rarely if ever has any of that information been shared with managers. And what provisions are made for the obvious conflicts of interest such as when a SSUSA Director is also a team manager? None. What we get is His Georgeness perched in his lofty Winery Tower issuing edicts about players he hasn't seen in 5 years. Maybe has never seen. He doesn't attend tournaments. Doesn't see the players. Doesn't account for the devastating effects of aging on some. Doesn't care. Surrounded by gatekeepers, he is inaccessible. Incommunicado. And unaccountably off base much of the time. All of us support the idea of parity in the game. Nobody has any fun when the score is so lopsided as to not even be a contest. But, we're a far, far cry from fair with this arbitrary, capricious, and disingenuous system. Time to reboot. |
| June 2, 2017 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: DARK CLOUDS IN 65 MAJOR PLUS Anyone familiar with the 65 Major Plus division for the past 3 years knows the name Timberworks (formerly 15 Hitmen.) The current reigning World Champs, Twerks (as they are affectionately known throughout the land) have racked up an impressive list of tournament victories including yesterday's Rockin Reno crown. Starting in 2015, the 15 Hitmen (now Twerks) have won every SSUSA tournament they've entered except two---the 2015 Worlds in Vegas, and the 2016 NorCal Cup in Sacramento. Quite impressive. Which makes it all the more astounding that their current manager, an SSUSA Tournament Director, would stoop to the stunt he pulled in yesterday's loser bracket finale in Reno. Rockin Reno is a tournament that uses the Trump Stote. But the Twerks manager must have thought he was in Las Vegas when he "accidentally" slipped in 3 Trump "Rocks" to start the game. Quickly capitalizing on the illegal ball, the Twerks hit a 3-run homer before anyone noticed they were hitting the "Rock" and then all hell broke loose when it was detected. Tournament Director Dave Dowell was summoned and he quickly ruled the BALL ILLEGAL under section 3.5(F)with the penalty being an out was called at the time the ball was discovered to be illegal. The 3-run homer was allowed to stand. Based on this rule interpretation, some may consider it a brilliant move on the Twerks part, even if it was underhanded and unsportsmanlike. Most players assume the integrity of the other manager and often fail to notice immediately when they're being cheated. Interestingly, in case you're wondering about sanctions for using unapproved equipment, the penalty for using an ILLEGAL BAT is immediate ejection from the game, surrender of the bat (or risk a 1-year suspension and possibly more), an out is called on the hitter, and all baserunners return to the previous base before the illegal bat was used. Furthermore, the penalties for using an "ALTERED" SOFTBALL are game forfeiture on the first offense and team ejection from the tournament for subsequent offenses with possible additional disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions for using an ALTERED BAT are tantamount to the death penalty for the offender. But strangely, the penalty for using an ILLEGAL BALL is 5 minutes at the blackboard writing I will not cheat fifty times. Since the Twerks manager is a prominent SSUSA Director for the past 10 years or more, one would assume he had knowledge of the Rule Book regarding such matters. He said he "accidentally" grabbed the wrong balls out of his bag...but SSUSA provides the balls we are to use; they were all Trump Stotes...and the question must be asked, "What was a bagful of "Rocks" doing in your dugout at a Stote tournament?" As they say on ESPN...."Come on, man!!" Terry Hennessey and the gang have provided us with a Seven Article Code of Ethics on the very first page of their Official Rulebook. Article 7 states: (I will) Not commit any act that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Article 1 states: (I will) Abide by the current...rules...to the best of my ability. You might think an SSUSA Tournament Director would be held to at least that standard. But you would be terribly wrong. With respect, I say to my friends on Timberworks, your terrific in-game performance was sullied by a cheap trick, a lowdown move by the master of mendacity. Now, where did I put my Original Ultra.....????? |
| July 16, 2015 DD | Topic: Website comments Discussion: CONGRATULATIONS....I THINK...WELL, WHATEVER. They're at it again in Sacramento. The annual midyear Ratings Raffle where some lucky teams get the classification of their dreams and some others get to weep and gnash their teeth. Couldn't help but notice the change involving Event Lab out of Minnesota, one of the toughest, hardest hitting, most competitive bunch of hombres this observer has seen in a long time. In the 65 Major Plus division in Las Vegas last April, Event Lab piled up 37 runs in our opening best-of-3 series game, rattling us for 10 runs in the open and winning 37-36. And, as if that wasn't enough, they went out and scored 40---YES, FORTY RUNS---in Game 2. That's 77 runs in two games and I am proud to say I was there and saw it all. They added 9 more in the rubber game for a 3 game total of 86. Line drives all through their lineup...gappers, bullets in the 5-6 hole...screamers up the middle...an occasional dinger...not a cheap hit in the bunch...and there must have been 100+ hits from those guys. Our ears were ringing. My pitchers suffered shellshock. We all have PTSD. It was a marathon day...over 7 hours on the field...before we prevailed in the deciding game. But, not a head was bowed in their dugout...they are as tough as they come...arguably the best team we've seen this year in 32 games. So....imagine my shock to see they were dropped to Major yesterday...BUSTED a rank...surely George in Sacramento must know something I don't. How in the name of all that is holy did you come up with this decision, Your Georgeness? And congratulations to Event Lab...I think. If that's what you wanted...but WHY? And you unsuspecting Major teams in 65---better start ducking for cover. His Georgeness let a Panzer Division loose on the playground. |
| Sept. 6, 2014 DD | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Partial Knee Replacement Experience My orthopedic surgeon told me a year ago my MRI suggested I might be the "poster boy" for partial knee replacement. He sent me to a specialist more experienced in the procedure and the specialist nixed the procedure in my case. The problem was I had too much arthritis in the remaining two compartments according to the latest MRI. He said the partial would be a waste of time. The original surgeon explained partials as a less invasive procedure that (WHEN CLEARLY INDICATED) offers less bone and blood loss, possibly less pain, and a shorter rehab---all good things in my book. In my reading about this condition, I learned some partial knee replacements were done when they clearly were not indicated, thus resulting in poor surgical outcomes. As a result, my surgeon also said many partials eventually need to be revised, meaning a full knee replacement will eventually be required. Furthermore, the medical data seemed to indicate those patients who had had partials and needed full replacement surgery later, did not do as well as those who had done the full knee replacement in the first place. For these reasons, I decided to forego the partial and when I'm ready have the full knee replacement done. In the meantime, to coax out another year (maybe 2) of playing, I bought a loader knee brace and make liberal use of ibuprofen, Voltaren gel, and ice packs to get through tournaments. I consider myself fortunate as my knee gives me considerable pain when playing ball; however, once that subsides (usually within a couple of days after the tournament) I can walk, bike, play golf, and otherwise live a low-pain life. As my friends know, I'm a chicken and am putting this surgery off as long as possible To be fair, I know of several players who have had excellent results with partial knee replacements...it's an awesome decision and one you should make with as much information as possible. In the end, only you can decide what is best for you. Good luck. |
| Aug. 4, 2014 DD | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: WHY SEVEN RUNS PER INNING? As I said starting this thread, I've been on vacation and unable to get to the computer to respond. Thanks to those who take issue with my premise. Let me reply. First, to Rich (Swing 4 etc): I don't mean to say we NEVER score seven runs in an inning...we do occasionally...my 65 team scored 4 of them in a row in Reno in the title game. So it does happen...but only as often as to essentially ruin most games by shortening them to 6 or even 5 innings. Since the expansion of runs allowed (first 9 and then 7) fewer than 10% of all non-championship games in Major Plus go seven innings. At over $120/game, that's unacceptable. Now, to Dave (Mango): Defense is important at any level, not just major plus. As you'll see later, the argument that Major Plus teams play better defense does not hold water, either. As for using the 7 runs per inning mechanism to get more at bats...well, what is so sacred about getting 4 ABs in a game? Wouldn't 5 or 6 plate appearances be better? And, as for who plays more softball, let me ask you the same question---games that go 5 innings in 70 minutes...or games that go 7 innings in 90 minutes? SSUSA proved a few years ago when they raised the time limits by a mere 5 minutes that 7 innings were quite reachable---WITH A 5 RUN LIMIT. They should go back to that standard. And, my good friend, Mark (Webbie): You know my passion for the defensive side of the game. I would love to believe your contention...however...I can't. Nobody plays better defense than those 40 year olds we saw at Reno...simply stupendous plays left and right---ahhhhh, young legs. But, their average game score in Reno was 23-18 (41 total runs) in 48 games played. By contrast, the average 50 Major plus score was 25-17 (42 total runs) in 25 games; the average 55 Major Plus score was 26-18 (44 total runs) in only 12 played; and the average 60 Major Plus score was 19-14 (33 total runs) in 12 played. The 40 Masters with 5 runs per inning have game scores commensurate with the highest levels of older division play. The only way for older Major Plus division teams to score more runs is to let them play seven innings. Reducing the number of runs allowed per inning from seven to five will enable them to do that. |
| Aug. 1, 2014 DD | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: WHY SEVEN RUNS PER INNING? El Staffo---at odds....???...decidely so. Those players who proposed and advocated seven runs per inning no doubt had the best of intentions, but the empirical data just doesn't support their contention, Even at 5 runs per inning and an open, Major Plus games should feature scores with both teams routinely in the 30s...do the math. But, they don't. Look it up. So much for "groove" theory. |
