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Men's 50
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| Aug. 15, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Veteran CORE is almost ready....... Marv19, I’m interested in pre-ordering a Bat but the web site was a dead end. Also, do you have info on weights and balance? I would like to see a Picture of the final design too, the taper is important, a short taper results in handle flex that I don’t like. That’s the problem with the Reebok, it hits well but has way too much flex, compare a Reebok to a Ultra and you’ll see what I’m referring to. theBull |
| Aug. 9, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Thread to discuss altered bats I won’t argue the fact that Rolling will improve a new bat although it probably has little effect on a broken-in bat and I have no problem with SSUSA clearly stating their position, they should have done so sooner. I must say that rolling a Senior Bat is Silly, I take a new SB and put about 20 hits on it and its ready to go, time to put it away and use it only in games. I’ve had older Players ask me to break in their bats, no problem, 10 swings..done. As for using a Bat that exceeds specs., it’s just not my problem. I have no control of the supply of Bats to players. I do not specify what bats can be used for a particular Association nor do I determine how the bats are manufactured. I simply buy and use what’s allowed for where I’m playing, and I’m sure as heck not going to buy a new Bat every few weeks. If the tournaments want to provide the Bats then fine, or if someone doesn’t like my bat then they should feel free to provide a new one for me. I rarely get more than 100 hits out of a Senior Bat anyway so all are fairly new. When I started playing again in the new composite era I just couldn’t believe it, I used to have 1 Mitt, 1 Bat and a pair of cleats, good-to-go. Now I have ASA Bats, USSSA Bats, Senior Bats and wood Bats, and have to carry multiple SS and USSSA because they break so frequently. And that’s just the Bats, the Balls are just as stupid, there’s a different COR and Compression for every Associations and for different Tournaments. Most non SSUSA Tournaments I play use USSSA Bats and ASA Balls. It's getting too expensive and too complex. Einstein, I for one do not think you’re a Cheater, bat rolling is just not that big of an issue and your right, most of us just don’t care. The real issue is Shaving and Weighting, but the SSUSA has clearly defined it’s position and this should be a dead issue, it’s not allowed. In one of your previous Posts you also bring up a good point, which rules are valid and which aren’t. Read Rule 8.4(1) How many players follow this Rule? The answer is Zero, we all choose to disregard it therefore we are all Cheaters. Even SSUSA chooses which Rules to use: some Tournaments use HR’s then Outs and some are HR’s then Singles. Not a complaint, just an observation. theBull |
| Aug. 9, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Thread to discuss altered bats Bat Rolling is not Illegal according to the SSUSA Rulebook, if it’s the SSUSA position that it is then that’s fine, everyone now be aware it’s Illegal. But, Bat rolling , or Accelerated Break-in, is not the real problem, Altering Is or should I say physical Altering is. I’ve read some of the studies on Bat Altering and Rolling does change the performance of the bat but not as much as much as usage over time and not nearly as much as Shaving or changing the balance. The problem of Shaving is much greater and much easier to detect and yet little or no progress has been made to eliminate them, so how are we to Police a problem like Rolling that’s virtually undetectable. Good Luck. I’m an avid supporter of eliminating altered Bats but I do have a problem with the way bats are being tested in the Field. I’ve read on several Forums that many Un-Altered Bats are found to be Illegal simply because they have been broken-In and no longer pass the 1.20 bpf test. My position is that if I buy a Legal Bat that is accepted by an Organization, I should be able to use that bat until it breaks or is worn/damaged beyond the cosmetic limit’s described by the Association’s Rules. If a broken-in Bat is to be treated as an Altered Bat then there’s no way I can afford to buy a new bat every time it’s been broken in. The real solution in my opinion is a cap that can’t be removed without detection, is it really that difficult? theBull |
| Aug. 6, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: On My Honor 2 Ok I’ll take the pledge. Never have and never will. I preach to the kids all the time not to use shaved Bats but doubt I’ve had much impact. My Son is a big power hitter and I’ve kept him away from them, players know who uses them and I tell him once you’ve used them you will always be pegged as a cheater. Every time you hit a HR you’ll hear “ shavey”, and you’ll never be respected as a true hitter. I didn’t respond to this Thread previously because I didn’t need to make a Pledge not to cheat and Cheaters will cheat regardless of making a Pledge or not. Just wanted you to not be discouraged be the lack of responses, most agree it’s a real problem that needs to be addressed. theBull |
| Aug. 4, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Composite Bats Back in about 1990 I was about 2 weeks from a Regional Tournament and dented my blue Aluminum TPS badly enough so I couldn’t use. I looked everywhere for a new one and found nothing, no internet back then. I knew the Head of Louisville Aluminum Division so I called him and asked for help. He told me that they were completely out of the Blue TPS 32oz, but he would send me a very special TPS 32 oz. (Identical looking to what I was using) that was made only for the Major Level Team that TPS Sponsored. He told me that it would hit like no Bat I had ever swung and he was right. With a Blue Dot Ball it was easy to shots over 400’ with some mosh farther, can’t imagine what a Big Hitter could have done with it. Needless to say it didn’t last very long, especially when everyone wanted to use it. I had always suspected the big Teams like Steele had different equipment but didn’t realize how hot it was. Hot Bats have been around for a long time, just not available to the Public. theBull |
| Aug. 3, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Composite Bats A few years ago I found one of the Original Worth Titanium Bats they only made a few thousand of before it was banned, new and still in the plastic wrapper. Everyone who sees it begs me to break it out for some BP. I’ve been tempted and would love to try it but have resisted. I wonder if the warranty is still good. I never played with wood, started with a 38 oz. Howard, went to a 32 oz. TPS when the alloys came out, quit softball and returned to Softball as a Senior with the Composites. I wouldn’t want to go back to Aluminum unless they have developed a better alloy that lasted longer, the old CU31 and 405s only lasted a few weeks before dinting into a triangle. Only go through about 4 USSSA bats a year, the Ultra ll is a different story and gets expensive. theBull |
| Aug. 2, 2011 thebull | Topic: Website comments Discussion: Survey Time: Hey stick8, I thought your “Survey Time” was a great Topic and was interested to see the responses .You wrote “Feel free to provide any commentary explaining the answer you give. Tell us what you think!! I gave my Opinion, said what I thought . I’ve always been Leary when someone says “ I’d like your honest opinion”, what they really mean is I want your Honest Opinion only if it agrees with my Opinion. When I see disparaging comments in response like I’ve seen on this Thread it seems clear that some Posters aren’t the least bit interested in what others have to say and will attack anyone with a different opinion. Come on, who on this Site is not “a real Player”, what are they, synthetic Players? And why call someone who uses a Senior Bat an “Ego Maniac”, it rare to see someone not use a SB. Is everyone in Senior Ball an Ego Maniac, apparently so. theBull |
| Aug. 2, 2011 thebull | Topic: Website comments Discussion: Survey Time: I would continue to play Softball with whatever equipment was allowed, but would not enjoy it as much as I do now with our current bat/ball combo. I’ve played in Wood Bat Tournaments which were fun but they were played on @280’ fences which kept the long ball a factor. I would not play wood bat ball on 300’ fences, boring. I also would have no problem going to a USSSA Bat, I can hit nearly as many HR’s with a USSSA just not as far,but I’m opposed to any change to the USSSA Bat until a solution can be found to cheater bats. Cheater Bats are ruining Softball and will ruin Senior Ball if we make that change now. I’m also strongly opposed to the 52/275 Ball. I’ve taken hundreds of hits with them and they are junk, they hit like socks and are very bouncy. Yes, you can hit them out with the right pitch, the right trajectory and just the right backspin. I’ll bet I could hit a Sock out if it was worn long enough and rolled up real tight but I don’t think I’ll try it. They are promoted as being safer but in my opinion there will be more injuries caused by bad bounces, especially on the poor fields that are typical in my area. If SSUSA adopted this Ball I will continue to play but I would not spend my money to travel to Tournaments for a watered down version of Softball. theBull |
| April 18, 2011 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: How many shaved bats in SS sgtmcfadden, please don't be offended but the idea of checking a Bat everytime a ball is hit over a 300' is crazy. Maybe you haven't be exposed to real power hitters, go watch a good Majors or Majors Plus Senior Team. I consider a 350+ hit routine and a good hit over 400', problem is not hitting it out it's keeping it in the Park.I use a Miken Freak in non-Senior Play and when broken-in it hits close to an Ultra 11. I do believe Shaved Bats are a huge problem, I've begun to see a few in Seniors and it's already rampant in USSSA in the Southwest. My Son plays USSSA and a Shaved Bat has become the norm, not the exception. The USSSA has their heads buried in the sand and have ignored the problem so long that it's out of control. A simple compression tester should have been developed so bats could be tested at every Tournament. My 2 cents theBull |
| Feb. 19, 2011 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Where is he now? Hi webbie. Congrats for your win at TOC. Tell me where to find the " ignore button" sounds like a great feature. theBull |
| Jan. 26, 2011 thebull | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 55 yr old OF BAT L Throw L, Power, Speed, Arm looking for a game Lots of good teams in Phoenix, but if you have any trouble finding a team we could use a good Outfielder. I'm in Albuquerque and play for a AAA 50's Team out of El Paso, all the same when your traveling. We play in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Crucus,Las Vegas, California and Texas. theBull |
| Nov. 22, 2010 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: hr hitting mad dog , Webbie25 and I have been hitting HR's against each other for 25 years and once together last year in Prescot. His way works for him but my swing is different, he uses more hip rotation and I rely more on upper body strength. I stand with an open stance with the front foot back about 4", this helps because I have less hip rotation. I use my legs and hips to generate monentum and to position my upper body into position to drive through the ball. I take a short smooth, slow stride into the ball, drive through with my shoulders then power through the ball with my forearms. I've been told often that my swing looks like it's in slow motion and they can't beleave I can hit it that hard moving that slow. Thats because I generate my bat speed with my forearms and wrists and thats hard to see. Also, I never think about where the balls going unless I'm trying for a base hit. When swinging freely I only focus on waiting untill the ball is in my hitting zone and keeping my arms and grip loose. Everything else happens automaticly through muscle memory from taking 1000's of swings. If I can stay relaxed and focus on the ball it's going out,unfortunatly that's easier said than done. My biggest problem hitting is Trying to hit a HR, when I think HR I overswing , tighten up and pull my head off the ball. Bottom line is that players bodies and strenghts are different and you'll need to figure out what works for you. If you can find someone who understands different hitting techniques to watch you they should be able to help. Unfortunatly everybody you ask will think they know exactly what you need to do, most will be wrong. good luck PS. the secret to hitting HR's is good technique (mechanics) developed through hard work and practice-no real secret. theBull |
| Sept. 22, 2010 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Batting Tee Have used several, worked OK, but found that a tall orange traffic cone worked best. Try to find one of the soft flexable ones. theBull |
| Aug. 31, 2010 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Fielder's Mits #6 You should check out the Worth,see what you think, has to be the Liberty. I paid top dollar for my Sons because he had to have a certain color, but I had found some discounted on Ebay because of the odd colors, purple..orange. Just spit on them alot and they will eventually turn brown. theBull |
| Aug. 31, 2010 thebull | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: SSUSA IN BOERNE Hate to pile it on but what hasn't been mentioned was the Field maintenance. There was none, fields were never preped. They didn't get watered, draged, re-chalked or batters boxs preped from what I saw. There was also no trash removal, the trash barrels were full with huge pile of trash piled aroumd them are well as piles of trash in the Dugouts. They did do a good job of keeping water in the dugouts though. If you ever play there bring your own shade, there is ZERO shade. theBull |
| Aug. 30, 2010 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Fielder's Mits The last two gloves I've bought were custom made, a Glovesmith and a Promound. Both are very good gloves and required little break in time. They cost a little more but I got what I wanted. Recently bought a Worth Liberty for my Sons Birthday gift, his request and choice. I was really surprised how good this Glove was, very well made, fit exactly how I like and is ready to play with right out of the box. Not cheap but I would recommend it highly. theBull |
| June 23, 2010 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: MCT Balls Fred, didn't know 44/375 aren't being made any longer. Where do you find that information. I looked at the ASA website and searched it and did't find any info. theBull |
| June 23, 2010 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: MCT Balls I’ve been following the discussions about the 52/275 balls, I’ve heard negative and positive comments about the ball but nothing descriptive enough for me to form an opinion. SO, I decided to find out for myself and bought a dozen, went out yesterday and put them to the test. Here were the conditions. I’m big and hit consistently with power, weather was high 90’s and sunny, elevation is 5000’, field with 300’ fences. We started a mixture of Trump and Decker 44/375 balls as well as the 52/275, left them all in the sun for about 15 minutes then started. I was using a Miken Freak Limited and was hitting the 44/375 balls consistently between 330’ and 360’ with an occasional 380” plus. I didn’t put any of the 52/275’s out but did hit the fence a couple of times. Next round I hit using the Ultra 2, the results with the 44/375’s was about the same except I hit more out due to the larger sweet spot, I did hit the 52/250 harder with the Ultra and hit two line drives out at about 320’. A Friend who also hits with power had similar results. Here’s my opinion for what’s its worth. The 52/275 is Junk, it hits bad, feels bad and sounds bad and is bouncy. Sounds like an Old Lady beating a Rug in the back yard. I understand that sound and feel are not as important as performance but it lacks in performance also. This ball hits like the 16” much ball I hit years ago in Arizona in Recreational Tournaments. If this ball is used it will completely change the game, yes I can hit it out but too infrequently and would not even try. The game would become a base hitting placement game, which I believe is what it’s proponents really want, take the big power hitters out of the game and reduce hitting to the lowest common denominator so everyone is equal. Anyway, if Seniors switch to the 52/275 I will still play locally but would not spend my money to travel to Tournaments, the Teammates I’ve spoken with feel the same. theBull |
| April 21, 2010 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: miken ultra 2 batman27 I save my Ultras for tournaments only, I get about 30-40 good hits before they break, if I'm lucky. I've had several break with less than 10 hits. The best bat I've found as an alternitive, and I've tried almost all of them, is the Miken Freak Limited. I don't like end loaded bats, the Freak is balanced and swings identical to the U2. I notice very little difference in preformance once the Freak is broken in, which does take awhile. In the future I will probably give up the U2 because of costs and stay with the Freak Limited for Seniors. The only problem is the U2 needs zero break in and the Freak needs @300-400 hits to hit well. This means you'll need several, I keep one for playing, one for a back up and a third to break in at batting practice. I'd like to see the Ultra 2 removed from Senior Ball and use USSSA bats. thebull |
| March 2, 2010 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Trying to find Ultra 2 Advanced Bats 27/29oz Sorry, they are gone. Bomber jumped on them. thebull |
