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| Dec. 27, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: poll:who would like My vote would be to reduce the liveliness of the current combo. Not saying to take it back far enough to remove the Hr but back to the effect of the 38oz bat and original blue dot ball. Reality: The senior bats are here to stay. The companies supply too much sponsorship money to the senior associations. IMO the ball is the thing to change. That way the players would not need to spend more money on new bats. I much prefer the all around game to hr derby. Also think the courtesy runners should be limited per inning. Do like the 2 home plates for safety. |
| Dec. 23, 2009 Player25 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: New Pitching Rule Repealed!! Congrats to the the SSUSA for repealing the no fly zone. It did not protect anyone anyway. But now the umpire has another situation to deal with. Only time will tell how "intentionally" is called. But it is a shame the SSUSA did not take the step that could/would have prevented the need for mandatory equipment for pitchers or a waiver of liability. Reducing the bat/ball combo to be as "lively" as it was years ago may have saved alot of pitchers some money. Also would have reduced the risk of the rest of the infield. The end result of the rule is to armor the pitcher and continue to play home run derby. |
| Dec. 22, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: The majority did speak for themselves in 2009-- I guess the situation comes down to the definition of "lively" combo. To me the 38 oz bats and blue dot balls were "lively". So were the cu31 and c405 bats with 47/525 balls. Not saying the senior bats should go. Also not saying the 52/265 is the answer. But there should be a way to obtain the "liveliness" of the old combos. In my experience, I am probably a poorer hitter today but with a higher batting average. How is that possible? Very simple. 1. Reaction time and mobility of the fielders has slowed with age. 2. The ball can be hit closer to the fielder without being caught due to the speed of the current combo. 3. Mis-hit balls can end up over the fence. Not advocating dumbing down the game just putting it back where we began playing. |
| Dec. 21, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: The majority did speak for themselves in 2009-- There are some who advocate no change to the game or going back to playing softball.(with out the "no fly" zone, hrs as outs, etc.) I agree with those folks with the exception, I believe the game has already been changed and I would like to get back to the game before technology took over. The game started with wood bats and much different balls. The move to the "heavy" aluminum bats improved the game to a degree but it definitely cut down on the broken bats. From there technology took over. The balls changed to poly cor (i.e., the Worth Blue Dot (original). Still the game was not changed to the point of being dangerous. Then along came the T4000. A ball that was banned in about 1 year. The bat/ball combo was dangerous and several players paid the ultimate price to prove that point. Then came the CU31 and the C 405 bats. Still not too bad. Then the titanium bat. Banned after 1 year. Then composites came along. The grey Ultra banned. Allowed the senior bats and then the change started with the balls. Began hitting the 47/525. Now the 44/375. IMO trying to slow down the ball speed. I am not against change but when is enough enough? I agree lets not change the game. To not change the game we would need to go back to the original wood bats and cork center balls. Not advocating going back that far but far enough where players do not need to "gear" up to feel safe enough to play. And those who put forth the effort and have the talent to hit the long ball are the ones doing so. Before it starts, I have no interest in any bat/ball company but an interest to see softball return to the game I grew up playing. It appears there are many others who share this sentiment but may not participate on the board. Just my $.02. Hope everyone has a joyous holiday season and that off-season training is going well. |
| Dec. 21, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: The majority did speak for themselves in 2009-- I would agree that most senior players are using the senior bats but does that automatically mean they preferred them? I remember several years ago when the T4000 came out. We went to the first tourney of the year not knowing about them and got drummed. Could not compete without using them. Is the same thing happening here? To me, not using the senior bats would be like taking a knife to a gun fight. It would be interesting to poll the players to find out what combo they prefer. (They could chose from any available, not just the senior equipment) |
| Dec. 21, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: No change in the balls for SSUSA for 2010 IMO the game was not dangerous until technology became involved, i.e. the T 4000. After several players were hurt or killed, the ball was banned. The same or similar with the titanium bats. Yes, you could get hurt with a ball to the head but do not remember hearing of anyone killed before the "changes" to the game. Why should technology dictate a change to the game with masks, screens, etc. If the players actually play the game for the love, friendship, etc. then changing the bat/ball combo should not change that. If all assoc. would change to the same bat/ball combo, those who love the game would adjust and those who play for their "ego" may not. It is true that manufacturers/inventors have the right to use technology to develop whatever they want but that does not mean anyone has to use the new developments. I agree it is about money but IMO it is the money being given to assoc. by the bat manufacturers that driving the decision to keep the hot bats. That decision has driven a large number of players to buy the hotter equipment. If not using the hotter equipment, it would be like taking a knife to a gun fight. I am not saying that all divisions need to move away from the hot bat/ball combo but it should be a decision to move the that division and not something a team gets moved into because they had success. I do not intend to speak for the majority, only my opinion. Personally I had more fun with the lesser equipment. It allowed more facets of the game to have an effect to the outcome. To me it requires more practice, talent, etc. to base hit then to hit homeruns. I would like to see the game return to the well rounded game instead of just an offense dominated game. |
| Dec. 18, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Cut-off This is one of the basics of softball and the hardest to teach to younger players just moving to slow pitch from baseball. The double play in slow pitch is very important. Plus a runner will generally score from second base in slow pitch on a hit. IMO the outfield should charge any ground ball and throw to the cut-off as quickly as possible. Obviously there are situations that demand something different but as the general rule hit the cut-off. |
| Dec. 18, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Why stop with a screen? I have played racketball. It is a great game. Good for conditioning and eye/hand coordination. The difference is when getting hit by a racketball, while hurting like H--- and leaving a nice donut bruise, it does not break bones, lead to sever trauma, or potentially death. I am guessing someone, somewhere has died by being hit by a racketball but would also guess not as many as with a softball. Have also heard of racketball players having an eye put out.(did not wear goggles) IMO the risk factor for racketball is near zero. The risk factor in softball with todays equipment is much greater. |
| Dec. 18, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: over all player IMO a player who has average to above average talent in all areas of the game. But more importantly has the personality that fits with the rest of the team. I call it "chemistry" but I believe most know what I mean. A team needs to support each other and have total confidence in each and every player on the team. This relieves a lot of pressure if making an out or an err. Our team had success over the last several years because of "chemistry" and an attitude of not wanting to lose. |
| Dec. 17, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Why stop with a screen? Amen. Norq44 gets what many players have been stating. Lets go back to playing softball and take the bat/ball combo a few notches. |
| Dec. 17, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Los Angeles Thanks very much. Planning a trip. Needed to know what clothes to bring. |
| Dec. 16, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Los Angeles Hoping some of the California guys can help me out. What is the weather like in mid-March? What is the average temp? Is it rainy? etc. Thanks. |
| Dec. 13, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: THAT SURVEY MENTIONED IN RED ABOVE ShaneV, I can appreciate the step form of penalty. The problem I have is the pitcher could be dead and the player/team gets a warning. This is not protection. Protection would be a screen, mask,shin guards, chest protector or less deadly bat/ball combo. |
| Dec. 12, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: new rule for pitchers After reading many of the posts about "better hitter" it appears many base hitters are in senior softball. Several posts relate to those who can base hit as well as hit the long ball. I would agree these are valuable players. Also revealing, many of the players would strategize as to when to do what. This leads me to believe not all of the hot bat/ball controversey is ego driven. I take batting practice with several players who have played both major and major + at the 50+ and 55+ level. Also play in the best league in our city with these players using single wall bats and Spirit balls.(temps 80-100). Even with this bat/ball combo, these players maintain high averages. How??? They are good hitters who find the "holes". Many of the hits may bound 4-5 times and still go for hits.(we play mostly young guys). This has shown me that a hot bat/ball combo is not needed if you are a good hitter. Now if you hit this combo, say 3 feet from an infielder it usually gets caught. With the hot combo, there is a good chance the ball may go through for a hit. IMO that is not the way softball was meant to be played. Some one told me many years ago that anyone can play softball but it takes practice and talent to play it well. The hot combos that are used today have diminished my enjoyment of the game. Also it has been mentioned there needs to be an inherent risk to the game for it to be enjoyed. Until playing senior ball I never even thought about getting injured. Now it is a very real possibility. If I wanted to do something with an inherent risk involved I would do Ultimate Fighting. (those guys must be nuts, lol) I believe that a good majority of the senior players are playing not for the hot equipment but for the comraderie, friendship and pure love of the game. |
| Dec. 12, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Is balanced softball more satisfying? I feel balanced softball is much more satisfying. Many players work hard at staying in shape, working on their defensive skills, etc. only to play in a game where just some offensive skill is used. Also to play against others that do not put forth the effort but are still able to get hits due to the pace of the ball and not the location is disheartening. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: new rule for pitchers I was in vegas with the mct rock. You call it fun, I call it home run derby. As an outfielder it is very boring to stand around getting a crick in the neck watching balls go out of the park. That to me was not softball and probably had the least enjoyment of the year. I am a believer in a well rounded game composed of offense, defense, speed, strategy, etc. IMO equipment has gotten totally out of control. We play with a single wall bat(aluminum only) and a Spirit 44/375 ball(junk) in our league. Those who can, hit home runs. Those who can't don't. There are no cheap home runs. It is a great game. The young guys play in the same league as the senior guys and all have fun. IMO there is no need for the equipment we currently use except for the egos. IMO those who work at hitting hrs, those with natural size, those with the talent, should be wanting to go to a less lively equipment so that they could feed their egos by being one of the few who could consistently hit hrs with lesser equipment. Now most everyone can hit the hr. As long as the ball goes 301' it counts the same as one that goes 500'. If there is a need to enjoy hitting the ball 500' then have a home run derby at the tourneys and use the cor 54/700 balls. Lets stop changing the game and get back to the game we grew up with. Just my $.02. |
| Dec. 7, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Better hitter???? Thanks for the responses. |
| Dec. 7, 2009 Player25 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Home Run Rule? Having 10 hrs in Major + will benefit the teams with money and a large pool of players to pull from. I would not have a problem with the rule if teams could elect to play major + but to move teams up if they do well in major is an injustice to those teams. They would either need to change the make up of the team or be very, very good to compete. There is no way to defense a hr. Just my opinion. |
| Dec. 7, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Better hitter???? Curious as to thoughts about the following question. Who is the better hitter? The player who hits 800(pick a high number) with the majority of homeruns or the player that can not hit a home run(yes, there are players like that even with the equipment available) and needs to rely on base hits. |
| Dec. 7, 2009 Player25 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Its Unanimous - The Best Senior Softball Players Are in California and Florida It appears the numbers above refer to total population. IMO Florida, California, Texas and Arizona seem to be retirement destinations, thus would appear to have a larger "senior" pool to pull from. If not mistaken, California and Florida were there own regions several years ago. Definitely could be wrong about that. I believe Florida and Texas both have half century leagues with a large number of teams. Other states may also have but I am not aware. In the region I am from in the Midwest, we would be lucky to have 10 teams at any level still playing senior ball. This is the reason IMO. Just my $.02. |
