Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 3 members: CHI-TOWN BALLERS, TABLE SETTER 11, dillydilly; 122 anonymousDetails for thebull
Real name:
Location:
, NM
Division:
Men's 50
Messages posted by thebull »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| Feb. 19, 2010 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Trying to find Ultra 2 Advanced Bats 27/29oz I have two 29ozs, one unused and one with @ 15 swings. I thought I'd really like them because I drop a finger on my left hand and had a sore spot on my palm from the knob. The Advanced felt great but I had trouble with it slipping my grip. thebull |
| Oct. 7, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: New Baden balls and AX_HANDLE bat I’m curious to see that Baden Bat but couldn’t find any info on it. Anyone know where to look? I remember years ago there was a bat with an oval handle, was suppose to keep your knuckles lined up correctly for the perfect swing. Like many gimmicks it faded away. thebull |
| Oct. 2, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: new ball talk Lecak, we won’t be in LV until November. We're from an area where it's very difficult to field a full, quality team. We plan on 14-15 players for a weekend and 10 show up so we try to select only 4 or 5 bigger tournaments a year and still have trouble getting enough players. Next year some of us might look for an out of state team to play with. Sense this is a thread about balls I would like to comment on a direction I'd like to see our game take. In previous posts I've been completely against dumbing down the ball/bat performance, but this was primarily in response to players who I believe want to eliminate the home run completely and force the big hitters to play their base hit game. I do agree that it’s too easy to hit a home run but using crap balls or switching to a 52-250 is not the answer,it will ruin our game and drive many players away. A more reasonable solution would be to get rid of the Senior Bats and use USSSA bats. The big hitters use Ultras because they can, not because they need to. If we got rid of the Senior Bats we could settle on a good quality ball that will play more consistent in differing temperatures, last much longer and field well. The Game and the Players benefit from a good quality ball. The softballs I recommend are the Decker (Big Shark 44/375) the Trump (AK-EZ-ISA-Y) and possibly the Worth Gold Dot. Which ever ball we settle on, Tournaments should not be used as a testing ground for new balls, there is no shortage of players who will gladly pound test balls for an evaluation. thebull |
| Sept. 29, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: new ball talk Single digit scores? Are you for real? You must be playing low level fun league and now you want to return to those good old days of beer ball by dumbing down the Senior's game.You are probably a weak hitter and always have been, it's easier to bring others down to your level than it is to rise to their's. If weak players who are afraid to play against stronger players are allowed to determine the future of Senior Softball then I say "you can have it". You can call it SoftBall-Less. There is nothing wrong with the rules and equipment last year, no changes were required or justified nor should any have been made. If you want to see what people really think just look at the numbers, attendance is way down and dropping. |
| Sept. 29, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Is the game better in 2009 This year was not nearly as fun as previous years. Just look at attendance, way down, this year in Tucson there were only 26 Teams. And after SSUSA's little experiment with crap balls next year they wont have any teams. Unless changes are made , or should I say undone, the players and teams I've talked to will look for other places to play. It's such a shame to see SSUSA cut it's own throat, maybe it's best they die quickly so someone else can step in. |
| Sept. 21, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: NO BALLS!!! A follow up to my previous Post. I've read all the other Posts concerning the quality of the balls and find many of the arguments silly, Decker already makes a ball that meets the requirements we are looking for yet we get stuck with the Miken. Why not let teams bring and use thier own balls if they choose to? As long as they meet the 44/375 spec., who would object and why? thebull |
| Sept. 21, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: NO BALLS!!! I played in Tucson this weekend, and yes, the balls were horrible. It felt like playing in a wood bat tournament, it completly changed the game. Had we known they were going to use sub-standard balls we would not have attended. In the future ( if we return)we will not attend a tournament unless the balls being used are disclosed ahead of time. At the Managers meeting we were told that they wanted to try the Miken's due to a shortage of Trumps. Why try out a new ball at a Major Tournament, I could have told then with one swing that they were crap balls, I could have also given them a list of other quality balls they could have used. I'm so disgusted with my experence in Tucson that it will be a hard sell sell to get us to return to another SSUSA Tournament. thebull |
| Aug. 27, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Balls again? If you really want a good ball thats consistent and will last many games then try using a Decker. I have buckets of Trumphs and Deckers and the Deckers are much better. Have hundreds of hits on the Deckers over the past 3 years and they still hit well, and I'm not talking about weak hits, we pound them. Trumph is a decent ball but are inconsistent and don't hold up as long. |
| June 1, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Trump Balls at Las Cruces Played this weekend in Las Cruces and there is no question that there is a difference in the Senior Balls. The balls we used were not nearly as crisp and lively as the ones I've hit the last two years. You could easly tell the difference just by feeling them, they felt soft, almost like they had a thin layer of foam beneath the cover. They hit well in the cool mornings and really died in the afternoon heat, but home runs were still achevable.I actually liked them, alittle slower(safer) through the infield but still went out with a good hit. I pitched several games and saw some hard shots up the middle and beleave a Pitcher with reasonable fielding skills should be able to protect himself. The lively Trumps are just too easy to hit out, and also think a ball as dead as the 52/250 ball would be a disaster. Maybe this less lively Trump should be used exclusively in the future. thebull |
| May 8, 2009 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Looking for Ultra 2 Advanced rooster10, I've hit the launch, it's a good bat but has a smaller sweat spot than a ULTRA, is hard to hit over 400' and broke after less than 100 hits. I really like the Ultra Advantage, I drop two finger on my left hand and the small knob doesn't aggravate my knuckle but the 29 oz is too light. I'd like to keep one of the advantages for my bat collection. I have a Tidal Wave Water Bat, an original titanium WORTH still in the wrapper, a Ultra l ,30 oz as well as a closet full of bats that were touted as the hottest new bat available, most are junk. Best bat ever made is the ULTRA ll, have hit over 500', best UAAASA bat is the Freak Limited, best ASA Bat, forget about it, no such thing as a good ASA Bat. ASA has regulated itself into extension which is the same direction that SSUSA is taking. This probably isn't the best thread to use but I need to vent, I'm a long ball hitter and I'm fed up with big hitters being regulated out of the sport. For some reason softball leagues want parody amoungst players, everyone has to be a base hitter, home runs are outs, next they'll start banning players who continue to hit home runs. I say "if you can't run with the big dogs then stay on the porch". Locally we are tired of the SSUSA BS and play more locally sponsored tournaments, we use a 3 HR limit and foul balls after that, works well. I'll wrap up by saying I like SSUSA but it's on a path of self destruction similar to what ASA did, ASA is officially dead in my Region. After SSUSA cuts it's throat and finally dies someone else will step up and fill the void. thebull |
| May 8, 2009 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Looking for Ultra 2 Advanced rooster10, I've hit the launch, it's a good bat but has a smaller sweat spot than a ULTRA, is hard to hit over 400' and broke after less than 100 hits. I really like the Ultra Advantage, I drop two finger on my left hand and the small knob doesn't aggravate my knuckle but the 29 oz is too light. I'd like to keep one of the advantages for my bat collection. I have a Tidal Wave Water Bat, an original titanium WORTH still in the wrapper, a Ultra l ,30 oz as well as a closet full of bats that were touted as the hottest new bat available, most are junk. Best bat ever made is the ULTRA ll, have hit over 500', best UAAASA bat is the Freak Limited, best ASA Bat, forget about it, no such thing as a good ASA Bat. ASA has regulated itself into extension which is the same direction that SSUSA is taking. This probably isn't the best thread to use but I need to vent, I'm a long ball hitter and I'm fed up with big hitters being regulated out of the sport. For some reason softball leagues want parody amoungst players, everyone has to be a base hitter, home runs are outs, next they'll start banning players who continue to hit home runs. I say "if you can't run with the big dogs then stay on the porch". Locally we are tired of the SSUSA BS and play more locally sponsored tournaments, we use a 3 HR limit and foul balls after that, works well. I'll wrap up by saying I like SSUSA but it's on a path of self destruction similar to what ASA |
| May 8, 2009 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Looking for Ultra 2 Advanced shortly50, I have a brand new 29oz and a 29oz with @ 10 hits on it. I would trade for a new 30 oz. ultra ll, regular knob. The 29's are just alittle too light for me. thebull |
| March 20, 2009 thebull | Topic: Bats Discussion: Anyone used one of the bamboo bat's? Don't bother with bamboo, they are junk. Stick with wood unless your hitting easy shots into gaps. thebull |
| March 6, 2009 thebull | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Fields in Mesquite Can anyone tell me about the fields and facilities in Mesquite. Looked on Google Earth but shots appear to be very old, one field wasn't there and another looked like baseball fields. thebull |
| Feb. 27, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Advice on Shin Guards I'm looking for a good quality shin guards for pitching. Local stores carry a poor selection and I don't want to buy online with out some recommendidations. They need to be light, easly taken on and off and be compact yet still provide good protection. Looked at soccer guards and motocross guards neither of which would work well. The baseball shin guards I've seen are too bulky, look more like Ice Hockey Goalie guards. Any Ideas? thebull |
| Feb. 25, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Was it stupidity or lack of moral values?? Joncon, I've always told people, if you’re going to give me a BS excuse at least have the courtesy to feed me a good line of BS. It was the truth and has apparently your satisfied with the explanation. Besides we don’t need your glove, we have trouble using the one’s we already have. The big guy in the blue shirt probable won’t make the next tournament and has asked that I fill in for him and accept your offer for the beer although I’m not sure what you mean by “next time”. Next time we meet or next time we(accidentally) misappropriate your glove. thebull |
| Feb. 25, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: HR'S There are a lot of things to consider and I couldn't possibly address all in detail but I did want to express my opinion which differs from many. In the comparison between a HR for a single and a opposite field I realize I oversimplified, when playing 1+1, no HRs left an OTF for a single many times can be an advantage for the defense. Sure the OTF is an safe single but you give up the extra bases and lets face it there are very few, percentage wise, batters that can take it out at will and I am certainly not one of them. To really understand my objection to a HR for an out you need to understand my hitting style, when I hit I try to select a pitch I can hit, time my swing and make good contact. That’s it. The harder I try to hit a HR the less likely I am to do so, I just hit it hard and take what I get which in most cases is a line drive for a base hit. When in a ( HR for a out) situation especially in a key situation and I try to alter my swing I’m much more likely to pop up or drive it hard right back at the pitcher and I prefer to avoid both. Sometimes when you hit the ball hard, no matter how hard you’re trying to hit a line drive the ball will go out, I believe the 1+1 rule gives the hitter the freedom to hit away without being penalized and still achieves the level of fairness needed for the AAA Division. Sure there will be times when you play a team that pounds away at the ball ( I’ve played against several) but if they do it with any constancy they will move up quickly. The Home Run is a special part of the game, they can come at any time, from almost anyone and are an exciting part of the game .. they should be kept. Last year we won several games with walk off home runs, and they didn’t come from our HR hitters, they were hit by the most unlikely batters that only have a couple of HR’s all year. I know I probably won’t sway anyone from their current opinion, that isn’t my intent, I only wanted to give a different perspective than most of what I’ve read. Most will base their position on how it affects themselves and their team, which is natural. Here’s a worst case scenario: Your team has spent thousands on airfare, travel, food, entry fees and time off at work. Your in a key game on Sunday, your 3 HR’s are gone and someone hits one OTF for an out. Costs you the game and sends you home disgusted, maybe then you’ll re-consider the new rules. Looking forward to seeing familar faces. Thanks thebull |
| Feb. 24, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: HR'S I also agree that the 1+1 up was the fairest way to handle HR's for the AAA division. Most of the responses tring to limit HR's come from players who can't hit HR's and seem imtimitated by those who can. In my opinion a Player should never be punished for hitting it over the fence..EVER. I train my off season for the HR and practice my swing for the HR and in a game it's my goal to hit the ball as hard as I can and if it goes it goes. Now we've got a bunch of pencil-necks making HR rules to shape the game to their hitting ability and style. I don't have the option of joining a Majors Team because my area can't field one, we struggle tring to field a competive AAA team. We just don't have a large enough player base to choose from, so there is a wide range of players ability on our team. We can have no HR's in a game and have 8 in the next and the 3 HR rule kills us. I for one will not give up hitting HRs and learn to hit opposite field or up the middle. I'm sure many will say that's my problem but I dare you to pitch me a little BP while I practice my up the middle shot. You won't like it. I'd rather quit the game than intentionally hit at the pitcher. Lets go back to the 1+1, it keep the game exciting,simple and fair. The 1+1 did not slow the game and did not force HR hitters to hit up the middle. The only reason I can see for the new HR rules is to force some AAA teams or individual players up to the Majors because SSUSA needs more Majors teams. Just because a team like mine has 3 or 4 players that can hit the HR it doesn't mean that the team as a group is a Majors team, we are not. The decision to move a team up should be determined by their preformance at Tournaments. Who wants to travel, spend alot of money so we can hit over the fence for outs. To respond directly to TGlll: joining a Major team is not an option, why should I have to quit my team and play for a team a 1000 miles away? How did the HR rule make the game more fair, a HR for a single is the same as a opposite field base hit for a single and as to strategy.. whats wrong with the strategy of going to the plate and just hitting the ball hard. This is softball not billards. |
| Feb. 24, 2009 thebull | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Was it stupidity or lack of moral values?? I am also on the New Mexico team and think it was good that Joncon brought this issue up so an explanition could be offered. No one was tring to steal his glove although it my have seemed that way at the time. What added to the confusion was as we were entering the dugout another player(not Joncon) also approached our dugout asking if we had seem his glove, everyone present searched and we didn't find it. I can't really blame Joncon for being mad because I've had someone actually try to steal my glove and I'm still pissed 2 years later. One good thing to come out of this is that this is the most ink this team has ever recieved. thebull |
