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Real name:
Don Newhard
Location:
Huntington Beach, CA
Division:
Men's 60
Messages posted by Tate22 »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| Sept. 15, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: LVSSA Tourney Sept.30th - Oct.2nd @ Jawood - He's pimping the So Cal SSA, but you know what, he's right. We just played his event in Hemet, well done Marv. @Dave Clark 5 (Dbax) "glad all over" to see you in Hemet this past weekend. Thanks for answering my question on Shadow Rock in Vegas, that is where the 9 55+ teams get to play! Thanks LVSSA, not! |
| Sept. 1, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: LVSSA World Masters Nighthawks 55 M+ will be there. |
| Aug. 29, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Home Runs for Outs Every rule should fix or prevent a problem, or it shouldn't exist. I've asked SSUSA leadership in person numerous times what problem is being resolved by making HR's outs. I've never receive an answer. We can speculate all we want, but SSUSA should be able to articulate why this rule exists since they make the rules. I can see reasons for different limits for different levels and then singles or walks, but cannot see any reason at all for making HR's outs. Enlighten us please. Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| Aug. 29, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National July 12-July 17/ Calif cup Aug 9-Aug 14 We (Nighthawks) haven't received our jackets yet either, FROM THE SPRING WORLDS IN MARCH!! Don't hold your breath. |
| Aug. 18, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: What would you do Stick8, Vegas Worlds in 2008, I played for and managed Evolution in 50 Major. I believe you were playing for an outfit from Michigan. Those line drives you hit are hardly punch and judy! I agree with you, I haven't witnessed deliberate shots at pitchers, but I get tired of the notion that hitting to the middle of the field is wrong and intended to hurt pitchers. |
| Aug. 17, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: What Define a Major Plus Player, a Major Player and a AAA player and Who rates Them Good question Joe |
| Aug. 17, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: What would you do @ Stick8 - I think there is a definite distinction between hitting the middle and taking a shot at a pitcher. Your example in no way should be considered intent to harm and is part of the game. I've been in the infield and outfield when you've sent some missles up the middle. (in your case I prefer outfield, they've slowed down a bit by them lol) Never for a second did I think you were hitting at our pitcher. I don't think many in our game would hit a shot at a pitcher to do harm. For one thing, he has a glove just ready to record an F-1 in the book. I do think, however, that there are tell tale signs if someone is going after a pitcher, usually big mouth bluster. If an ump hears that, he should step in and take action. If not tossing the jerk(s), maybe issuing a warning to both benches like in MLB. If the ump thinks things have escalated that far, then action is required. At that point, you would know that a shot up the middle is an out and an ejection. @Mad Dog - there are some lightweight umpire chest protectors that would work. For me, a mask and shin guards are enough for now. |
| Aug. 17, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Poll on discussions and posters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pricer - in my mind you are a respectful poster. But anyone hijacking a thread, especially anonymously, is not cool and most of us would like them to stay off the board unless they are contributing to the subject. If it is a personal attack, show some class and spare us. |
| Aug. 17, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: What would you do Hitting up the middle to get a hit is entirely different from "buzzing the tower". Until the rules take away the Webbie25's 25 degrees in the middle of the field it's part of the game. I've also yet to hear a pitcher swear off throwing the low, short, outside pitch. Sorry, I'm not pulling that pitch so I can ground out to the shortstop. Anyone intentionally hitting at the pitcher to retaliate needs to be tossed from a game. Talking smack like "middle's open" is also bush and should immediately be confronted. Umps need to take immediate charge if that starts happening in a game and toss the big mouths advocating a middle war. Apologies aren't necessary, but an expression of concern to anyone injured or assuring a pitcher that a near miss was not intentional is good sportsmanship. Finally, voluntarily wearing protective equipment mitigates the risk, end of story. In Southern CA, many of us know a pitcher from one of the Top Gun teams who is done for the year after taking a shot to the gut that resulted in emergency surgery and removal of his spleen. BTW, it was a crappy ball/hot bat situation in Camp Pendleton. Point, the risk is there even with the worst equipment, it's part of the game. Let's accept that, protect ourselves as each sees fit, and quit advocating that trying to get a hit up the middle is wrong. |
| Aug. 17, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Poll on discussions and posters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hitman - I'm in! To quote the Grateful Dead "Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you've got nothing new to say", (from New Speedway Boogie) |
| Aug. 11, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: LET'S FIX THE TOP---Part Three Jawood - as usual, I totally agree with you on the run per inning concept. I just think 7 is the right number, it is a compromise between a 5-run inning and having every inning open. Pricer, it's hard for all of us to admit as the years go by, but none of us in senior softball needs to be in the field for 45 minute open innings like we did when we were younger. That's one reason the run limit per inning makes sense. It's a tweak that helps us enjoy both aspects of the game. If we just want to hit, we should resurrect "over-the-line" like many of us played as kids. Our team has a pretty good offense and plenty of power, but we enjoy playing defense as much as hitting. Einstein (I still say he looks more like David Crosby, his next user id will be "Wooden Ships") makes a good point that winning in senior ball requires a whole game of performance and focus, not just one big inning. JMHO Don Newhard Nighthawks 55+ |
| Aug. 10, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: LET'S FIX THE TOP---Part Three Dennis - thanks for the kind words, it was great to see you guys in Temecula, and look forward to seeing you in Hemet in September. All problems mentioned above about player ratings or "brands" placed on any player previously on a Major Plus roster, or access to players go away if we combine M & M+ divisions. The result at the top will be bigger brackets and more varied competition. Honest competitors recognize that there isn't that much difference between M+ teams and most M teams. The equalizers help manage or balance a combined division. Way too much energy is expended trying segregate teams by subjective rating schemes. As for equalizers, I vote for 7-run innings like we just had with SCSSA. As the visiting team, it is hard to put much distance from the home team when you can only score 5 and hang on when the home team bats in the open inning. I think 7 homers, then 1 up, homers as walks, is a fair compromise. Our 55M+ team has only ran out of homers 3 times in 36 games this year, with varying limits. I've said many times that M+ causes many problems, but have yet to hear an objective reason as to why it exists. I've heard many self-serving, whiny reasons, however. There is no OBJECTIVE way to rate individual players, that should not be on the table. At the top level, skimming off succesful teams into their own division (plus) is unnecessary with the equalizer rules. Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| Aug. 9, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: SCSSA Tournament in Temecula / Results Marv - while Mike evidenced his agrarian roots as a groundskeeper, you forgot to mention that Mango the Magnificent also lent a hand with the rake, as a former high school baseball coach he is well schooled in the raking arts. In fact, I have a picture of he and Mike on the job to prove it. Great job on the tournament, well run event in a great facility. Teams should make a point of participating in your events to fill out their schedules. Don Newhard Nighthawks |
| July 19, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: How do the other major teams feel about major and major plus in western national Is it just me, or is this board like the movie Ground Hogs Day with Bill Murray. Same topics, over and over. Here are my thoughts, again. 1) Get rid of the subjective, useless Major Plus Designation. This discussion then wouldn't be throwing around labels and sorrowful tales of injustice, we would only be discussing that some teams at the higher skill levels are really good. Like that is a bad thing. Three levels, MAX. Combine Major and Major Plus, end the welfare state, whining, and stimulus package runs!!! With 5-run innings and an HR cap, a wide range of teams can stay in touch with each other and then let-em rip for the open inning. I'm with ya, Udaplaya! 2) If you really believe the Major Plus designation is necessary, please complete the following sentence - "Major Plus must be in place becasue . . . . If you actually complete that sentence, put on your competitive game face, then look yourself in the eye in the mirror. 3)I've been on both sides of this debate over the past 5 years. 2 years up and down between 50 M+ & M, and 3 most recent years in 55 M+ One constant I've experienced is that the current equalizers of 5 runs and a cap on homers work. There is no need to separate teams between Major and Major plus. What separates teams at the end is good performance at the right time, not some sorry subjective label with a + sign on the end. 4) Sorry, but there is no objective way to designate players and relegate them to levels. Any attempt to do so is insulting to the rest of the players on a good team, and only serves to dilute competition and quarantine top players for good performance. Labeling and segragating whole teams is not right, either. And why, exactly, does someone playing nationally competitive tournament softball want to do that. Huh, can't hear you!! 5)Why is it taken as gospel that good, successful teams MUST move up (read out of the way)?? Coming through the ASA 45's (late 90's-early 00's) a team from Pittsburgh called Maorodi's/Mifflin won 5 straight titles, but every year an equal amount of teams (20-30)showed up at the ASA 45 World believing they could knock them off. Oh yeah, only one level of competition in ASA Masters. Simply stated, let's minus the plus sign, and get back to competing. Those teams that choose to stay home won't be able to blame a meaningless label. Finally, in MLB/NL Central, one might label the Cardinals and Cubs as Major Plus due to their resources. At this writing,however,the Pittsburgh Pirates are in first! JMHO Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| July 13, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Blowing up the middle in Senior Softball - are screens next??? Also - I really like the thought of increasing the height limit. Just played in a local tournament which allowed 16 foot arc. Not as easy to tee off on a pitch when you have to concentrate harder on your timing. I've always said "High rhymes with Cry". Telling pitchers they are only allowed to throw cookie height is like telling a baseball pitcher they can only throw 70mph or less. I've played against two posters on this post, Stick 8 and Einstein. They are both great hitters that would still be great hitters with higher arc. Maybe restricted arc is the biggest bastardization of all. Baseball lowered the mound and survived. I think our game would survive with a rule change favoring the pitcher. |
| July 13, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Blowing up the middle in Senior Softball - are screens next??? CSinc, you hit the nail on the head. Protective equipment prevents injuries. Southernson - great points, but one question also directed to Gary 19. How does the use of protective equipment bastardize the game? I agree that the screen in the field does, but an individual choosing to use legal equipment that gives him no advantage should not be a concern of anyone else on the field. As for the ball, in a recent tournament at Camp Pendleton, a less than lively ball was in use, I don't know if it was a .52 core, but it was no Trump Stote 44/375. All senior bats were allowed. A pitcher took a shot to the gut and ended up having emergency surgery to remove his spleen and possibly part of his appendix. My point is that skilled senior players, with restrictive equipment like single wall bats and league-type balls, can still hit any ball hard enough to hurt pitchers or infielders. Base coaches in professional base ball now wear batting helmets because a minor league coach was killed by a line drive to the head a few years ago. Is that bastardization of baseball? When the game began catchers didn't even wear masks. As a 30+ year safety/HR professional, I've learned the best prevention to injuries is to engineer out the risk. In this case, the risk engineering is best found in personal protective equipment. WHO FRIGGIN' CARES IF THE PITCHER LOOKS LIKE A HOCKEY GOALIE!! At least you'll be having a beer with him after the game instead of visiting him in the hospital. My vote, leave the ball alone, encourage your pitchers to armor up and quit bitching about balls legally hit to the middle of the field. again JMHO Don Newhard |
| July 13, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Blowing up the middle in Senior Softball - are screens next??? My two cents, especially since I've been pitching lately. Hitting the ball where it is pitched to the center of the field is part of the game, period. That is not going after a pitcher, or "blowing up the middle". No need to apologize or explain. Pitchers are partially responsible for where balls are hit and should not expect batters to take bad swings at purposely placed pitches as a courtesy. Even the best hitters will miss slightly, resulting in a ball going close to a pitcher. Especially against pitchers whose ball is moving or on windy days. Finally, what sane hitter hits it directly at a player wearing a glove. When I hit up the middle, I want it 10 feet high gapping the two center outfielders, not right at a guy with a glove happy to hand me a 1-3 or 1UA in the scorebook. CaCman is right on on how to prepare for balls hit in the middle, Gary 19 has made these same points many time. Wearing protective equipment is the only practical way to prevent injury if you are pitching, it is currently a choice and does not give any advantage to the pitcher or disadvantage to the batter, it is simply common sense. It should remain a choice, however, not a mandate. Screens provide a false sense of security and dilute the game. Like another commenter, when I was 30 I would invite people to hit up the middle, not now with these 58 year-old reflexes and eyes. A crappy DeBeer 212, hit square by a single wall bat can do plenty of damage, so lesser performing balls and bats do not guarantee safety or protection. As a manager of a 55 M+ team, I take responsibility for how my team acts, including intentionally going after a pitcher. If I think that is happening, my player can just head for the parking lot. I will not tolerate "middle's open" comments or other inflammatory code words out of my dugout. That's not how we play. Self-policing sportsmanship can go along way towards keeping the game civil. JMHO Don Newhard Nighthawks 55 M+ |
| May 15, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: A little put together Round Robin It was indeed a good day of softball for everyone involved. None of it was possible, however, without the gracious assistance of Dan Haveron of the Top Gun organization. Besides arranging for the fields, he did an excellent job umpiring. We were fortunate to get a local tune-up for Reno. The Nighthawks and Sommerville Softball are also very fortunate to have a committed, generous sponsor in David Sommerville. Everyone on this board knows how difficult it is to find someone who loves our game enough to contribute financially to an old farts hobby with little tangible return from their investment. Summy not only understands and loves the game,but a few short years ago hit .800 with 10 HR's at the SSUSA 50 Major World in Mobile. Thanks again Summy!! Double Play 55's is a very tough opponent with a bunch of talented, classy players. Sorry they won't be in Reno, but their current challenge points out how difficult it is to get enough players committed to big events at the M+ level. I know Paul/Anna and the DP gang will be a force at events later in the year. And I'll say it for him, more than one of the bombs and lasers yesterday was hit by the newest DP'er, Softball 4B. Mike, you passed the audition!! Finally, I encourage all the powers that be in Southern California Senior Softball to work together like last year to continue the goal of providing choices to play locally that don't conflict with each other. There is room and need for what all of you offer, but not on the same weekend. JMHO Don Newhard Manager Nighthawks 55M+ |
| March 1, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Website comments Discussion: TOP GUN A TOP SHELF MESS Hey E, how much did you guys get so I know how much these T-shirts are worth! LOL. Agree that a partial refund was in order. We got three games in on Friday, so I guess 2/5ths credit would be fair. @fx - for the recored the fields were unplayable on Sunday even though the weather was beautiful. The composition of the infield did not allow for absorption and drainage. Better to err on the side of safety. |
| Feb. 28, 2011 Tate22 | Topic: Website comments Discussion: TOP GUN A TOP SHELF MESS It should be pointed out that Rick Seifman, tournament director, did everything he could to deal with the situation in a classy professional manner. He was available, communicative, and tried every contingency he could. We were fortunate to get in 3 games Friday, because Rick adjusted the schedule anticipating weather issues. We were disappointed to not get the whole thing in, but what can you do? It's real easy to 2nd guess, but if you were there as I was, what exactly would any of you done differently? Cancel? In So CA it was just as likely that the storm passed through without impacting the event. If cancelled, then what? Reschedule? Marv knows how difficult it is to get fields. I recall the first So Cal SSA event last year. You went as long as you could as well, but the weather was even worse. I had to eat a hotel room then, but why would I bitch at your association. Stuff happens!! Don't schedule at this time of year? Sunday it was clear and beautiful. Truth be told, the Poway fields might have been playable Sunday if they were better constructed for drainage in the infields. JMHO Don Newhard Nighthawks |
