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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 61 anonymousDiscussion: Using one ball for all games
| Posted | Discussion |
| Aug. 20, 2015 TAT22 74 posts | Using one ball for all games I would like to propose that SSUSA use only the "Rock" softball in every tournament starting next season. I have heard a lot of complaints about the trump stote ball and how in hot weather it does not fly. I have also experienced this first hand in several tournaments, in cool weather the trump stote does just fine, but once those temps get above 85 degrees this ball loses a lot of it's flight. Having to shell out good money for tourney fees, flights, hotels, etc. I believe we deserve the best ball and have heard nothing but good things about the "Rock". |
| Aug. 20, 2015 Enviro-Vac Men's 65 489 posts | Agreed! |
| Aug. 20, 2015 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Know what you mean about the Trump Stote. Hit it in a recent tournament on a hot afternoon and fielders kept moving in a step every inning! On the other hand, don't think the Trump Rock is a legal ball, only used at Vegas because of LVSSA tie-in. I have heard many complaints about the Rock because it is too lively (probably why it is illegal) and wears out fielders and makes a mockery of the game with so many long ball hitters and power shots through the infield. Might as well hit a tennis ball. |
| Aug. 20, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3482 posts | There are no current plans or intent to use "The Rock" softball at any events other than the two LVSSA/SSUSA tournaments, the Southwest Championships and the World Masters Championships. |
| Aug. 20, 2015 Perl 212 posts | Why not come out with a list of approved balls and have teams hit their own ball? That way the organizers wouldn't to supply/chase balls and teams could hit the "APPROVED" ball they prefer. My bet is nobody would hit the trump stote, especially in hot weather. |
| Aug. 21, 2015 Turbo 34 Men's 50 47 posts | They used the Stote last weekend in Birmingham in 90 degree heat. The ball jumped off the bat. It was hard to keep it in the field of play. |
| Aug. 21, 2015 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | 100percent agreed one ball! I wouldn't mind if they went to the NCSSA Fireball or the Rock.. |
| Aug. 21, 2015 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | I should say if you aren't going to used the rock SSUSA then go the the Baden Fireball.. at least they keep up with the Temps over 90.. |
| Aug. 22, 2015 Phoenix26 21 posts | If they would use a different cover on the Stote, that would help with performance. Leather or composite. Playing in Manteca last weekend with the Baden Fire(2SB550YS) 100+ on both days. 102 on Saturday when I left and balls still flying. It's listed as a composite cover and feels much thinner. Probably why you see so many get nicks/tears. Should add that some sites list the Baden as a composite while some list it as synthetic. Definitely a thinner cover than any other softball I have. |
| Sept. 1, 2015 Silas W 2 posts | Teams pay a lot for entry fees......that's ok, especially when organizers run a good tournament. However, when organizers are supplied with balls from a sponsor, and those balls are 'dead', teams should always be allowed to use an 'approved' SSUSA ball. When you drop a ball on concrete from five feet and it doesn't bounce more than a foot, I'd classify that as a pretty 'dead' ball. I've seen this more than once in the past few years. Of course, this could be alleviated by sponsors not giving organizers crappy softballs in the first place. And yes, as written about previously, there is variation from lot to lot of the same brand. |
| Sept. 1, 2015 Mango Men's 50 159 posts | The Rock should never be used in Vegas, Reno or anywhere else the ball flys. It changes the game dramatically. With today's bats the ball is too hot.. |
| Sept. 1, 2015 Fabe Men's 65 455 posts | When should the rock be used? If you travel 3000 miles to play with a sock it would be a bummer! Aloha, Fabe |
| Sept. 1, 2015 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Fabe, there is more distance between a rock and a sock than one letter! I would guess that several balls are able to withstand the heat of Vegas (and other locations) without severe deterioration in performance. The Baden Fire is one, but there probably are others. The Baden is nearly as hot as the Rock and so I agree with Mango that both change the game too dramatically, especially when used with composite bats. |
| Sept. 2, 2015 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Baden Fire would be a best ball to use everywhere.. it is better to grip when throwing then the Rock and as Omar says it flys pretty good and won't fall apart like the Trump.. |
| Sept. 2, 2015 TimMcElroy 942 posts | There are 2 sides to the game (offense and defense). Hitters will adjust to whatever is thrown at them. There is no defensive adjustment you can make on a ball that is hit 400 ft. And, as we age up our reaction time doesn't improve. Hot balls and aging players are a bad mix. In my opinion, there is no need to change. (Dare I say that Mango and I agree?) One more thing... as a guy who organizes leagues and tournaments for players of all ages, I can only shake my head and chuckle when somebody suggests that balls are free and / or provided by the sponsors. It is simply not the case. |
| Sept. 2, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3482 posts | This is like a stroll down memory lane! ... It's been years since we had to post this on an almost-weekly basis to appease the lengthy analysis on the topic by that guy with the user name that looked a lot like the name of the guy who invented the light bulb ... "...There are NO current plans to change the official bat/ball specification for SSUSA sanctioned events ... Until further notice, the Anaconda Trump Stote 44/375 softball and approved 1.21 BPF softball bats are the norm ... For LVSSA/SSUSA sanctioned events (only), the ball is the Anaconda "The Rock" 44/375 softball..." |
| Sept. 2, 2015 tattooball 774 posts | First off some balls are not what they are stamped. The multi layer balls are basically .44/525 with a padded cover to fool the test protocol. The other ball mentioned I have had the lab test it and it isn't even close to what the cover says it is. Now the ball used in the worlds in Dalton was a totally different ball, it sounded horrible but flew very well for guys that really can hit home runs. When I got there on Thursday the 60 teams that I have friends on were all complaining. Friday morning my first swing went a loooong way. Our team hit the limit every game and then some. I brought 2 of them back and had them tested again not what they say on the cover but I think it was a very good combination of cor/comp for senior games and a lot safer than a multi layer. |
| Sept. 2, 2015 Tim Millette 615 posts | The ball that Seuss is using now stinks when it gets real hot..my preference would be the ball ncssa uses. I have heard usssa is going to a hot ball for seniors..and mango will like this..high homerun totals then walks after you hit your limit. As it is...our team votes on all events to attend and my vote is always no for the ssusa events that are in hot weather with a dead ball (western nationals). My no vote is decided by two things...dead balls and having to play Friday morning. |
| Sept. 2, 2015 spoonplugger Men's 60 95 posts | We used a tattoo ball in Rockford a couple of weeks ago at the ISSA worlds. It was 94 degrees and the ball was great. Try it you'll probably like it. |
| Sept. 3, 2015 NYGNYY 215 posts | I am a fan of the Rock or Fire. Just a little confused by SSUSA staff posts to this thread. Their first post states LVSSA/SSUSA and Southwest and World Masters and their second post in BOLD states just LVSSA/SSUSA only....which one is correct---I would assume BOLD!! |
| Sept. 3, 2015 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | If it is in Vegas it is The Rock. |
| Sept. 3, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3482 posts | Re-read it, please ... There are only two events sanctioned jointly by LVSSA/SSUSA: The Southwest Championships in April and the World Masters Championships in September/October ... BOTH of those are Las Vegas based events and are the ONLY tournaments affiliated with SSUSA where "The Rock" is the official softball ... For the remaining 60 or so events sanctioned annually by SSUSA (individually), the official softball is the Trump/Stote 44/375 Optic Yellow ... |
| Sept. 3, 2015 Perl 212 posts | SSUSA Staff So are you saying, even though it seems the majority does not like the Trump Stote ball especially in hot weather, that this will remain your official ball for next season and beyond? |
| Sept. 3, 2015 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Contract with Trump has not yet expired. Until that happens SSUSA cannot talk about a new ball even if it was going to happen. |
| Sept. 5, 2015 Tate22 Men's 60 280 posts | To build on Mango's comment, the Rock should not be used, period. It is dangerous, based on how it sails like a whiffle ball. It's not that it travels farther on an HR, it's that is swoops and veers 30-40 feet off of the trajectory of a line drive. I've seen very good outfielders break in the initial direction of a line drive, only to have the ball break away at the last second to become unplayable. I'm not talking about a little knuckling action or top spin, I'm talking about a ridiculous joke on fielders. I'm no fan of the Stote in hot weather, but the Rock is way to unpredictable for use in a game that should feature defense as well as offense. |
| Sept. 5, 2015 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Tate22 that is why the Baden Fire would be the best choice all around! |
| Sept. 6, 2015 Webbie25 Men's 70 2413 posts | Tate-you are absolutely right about the Rock. I love to hit it hard because it does all that dancing, but sure hate to chase it down. 2 years ago in worlds I had a ball hit well to my right as I played right center. I broke immediately, got a good jump and thought I had a shot. It landed 40 feet BEHIND ME after duck hooking. I understand the contract and all, but sure like the Baden better. See you in Vegas! |
