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Online now: 3 members: 3_SoftballFreak, TABLE SETTER 11, TROW; 116 anonymousDiscussion: Who is your \'best hitter\'
| Posted | Discussion |
| April 17, 2007 batguyaz 134 posts | Who is your 'best hitter' Tell us who your best local hitter is and why..... Remember that homeruns with a U2 don't really count - so lets talk about guys that can hit with an ASA bat only - |
| April 17, 2007 Gary Heifner 248 posts | I see you haven't had a lot of replies. Maybe it is because the senior players don't and won't waste their time and money playing ASA with ASA bats and those total rag 40 core balls. My team hasn't been in an ASA tourney for several years now and never will be again. The last we played in one featured balls that when hit on the screws and traveled almost 220-230 feet once in a while. I don't think that was the intent when this game was invented. You seem to think a U2 automatically means a HR at will. Even with a U2, a senior hitter still needs hitting skills, body strength and bat head speed. As to your question applied to my Chicago classic 60s team. We have won a lot of games over the last 4 years due to the power of our 1st 5 or 6 hitters. We have won 3 rings over that span due to the excellent base hitting of our bottom 5 or 6 hitters. Our best local hitter is the next guy who steps in the box. |
| April 18, 2007 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | Not in my Universe. Here in S. Cal we can use the U2 in many leagues. I will be playing unlimited arc tonight with my U2. |
| April 18, 2007 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | Forgot to mention..........I will be one of two over 50. It is an open league........16 and over. |
| April 18, 2007 batguyaz 134 posts | boy did that go south...how about this, with any bat or ball, who is the htter in your area that you would fear the most and why. Is it because he has great power or skill to hit anywhere ? Maybe we can put together a top 10 list of hittters.... |
| April 18, 2007 Pork Men's 50 13 posts | Paul Smit from Double Play, he leads off batting 8 something, NO ultra 11, and is always on base, Proably the Best Leadoff hitter I've seen, I'm glad I play with him and not against. He uses a Freak |
| April 18, 2007 wellsaz 11 posts | Here in Colorado Springs we have Larry Anderson, age 60 that can hit to any field almost every time. His bat control is off the chart. No matter where or how we pitch him the ball ends up in the green and he is standing on base. A great hitter indeed. |
| April 18, 2007 batwise 35 posts | I am only a rec player but based on what I have seen and the many of the players here in Arizona. It seems that Bill Gateley is the hittter of choice here in the valley. Major homerun power, bat control and more makes him a not only a tough out but a scoring theat with the long ball. Also my hat is off to Hank from Sunland Village, at age 84 he can still hit the ball a ton... |
| April 19, 2007 SAG 84 posts | Here in the Atlanta area it's Bruce Fairchild. Great guy and excellent hitter. Power and base hits. |
| April 19, 2007 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Thanks Steve! Ricky Dunn has my vote! He can hit the right field line or spray it around. And Steve, I'll pay you Tuesday for the compliment! :) |
| April 19, 2007 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | Without any hesitation on my part, it just has to be Ken Van Bogaert of NorthStar Video Productions playing for Roberts Construction Major in Wisconsin. We have many great hitters here residing in the Pacific Northwest but Bogie takes the cake and he really likes cake too! He is as long and consistent a hitter as those guys on the Long Haul Bomb Squad and has gone head to head with them flat bellies and come out on top several times. I saw first hand “Bogie” go 29-33 in Seattle @ the SSUSA Worlds last September, with at least 16 bombs to boot that had the local fans in complete awe; some traveling nearly 500 feet or more @ Celebration Park Federal Way, WA. Maybe Ken will send me an advance FREE copy of his next hitting video? Art Eversole (Ruth 60’s Major + Kent, WA) |
| April 19, 2007 Mighty Grip Men's 55 34 posts | My vote is for all those over 80 still hitting the ball to the outfield. my friend Dom here in the east valley (PHX) is 84 and can hit 220ft, runs better than most. Watching him play I was thinking, wish I am in that shape at 84 - then realized I am not in that shape now....Dom, you are the best. Bill Gateley |
| April 20, 2007 azsenior 92 posts | Second the motion for the best hitter in Az. He is truly feared by every team he plays, walked most of the time, launchs 330ft bombs or rocket shots and does not even play tournament ball. Apart from billy, whom just might be one of the best nationally I would like to also like to include a left handed hitter back home in Minn. He has a slap-like swing that puts him on 98% of the time. He is almost a sure hit to any field and with great speed (age 62 ?). I have often wondered if that slap-swing is even legal. Anyway, that\'s my two cents worth. |
| April 21, 2007 Gary Heifner 248 posts | I guess in answer to your original question, there is a guy (name escapes me) who plays for Doc Martens 60s team out of Michigan that is very tall and bats lefty and plays 1st base. I have not seen a hitter at any level of 60+ play that hits the ball with more velocity and power than he does. Its not often you seen liners inches over an infielders glove hit the top of the wall. |
| April 22, 2007 batguyaz 134 posts | Thanks for all the post. Our group of players here in Az have been talking about hitting, since what is more important in life and who we think is a great hitter and why. Since our leagues and field are so spread out it is hard to label a few names. One sure sign of a great hitter, one that stands apart from the rest is how the defense reacts then this batter steps up to the plate. Not just a shift or to move up or back but a reaction to his place in the lineup. Talk before and during the game as what to do with him, to pitch or walk, pitch in or out. His mere present at the plate is a source for talk within the defense. This my friends is the sign of a great hitter. There are those meeting this requirement and then a few at the next level, those can create what was stated above and add more. This is the guy that can hit the ball with such acridity that it becomes a sense of fear, a player that can hit hard, deep and with control. Rare to find such a guy but I am sure we all have our share within each state or area. Since my group of friends and teammates are not able to see many of the great tournaments in SSUSA and see these great players do their thing. We have to sit around having a brew and just talk about so I thank you for allow me to run on. IAs a whole we are proud of our local guy (homerun Bill) and friend which we think is one of the very best nation wide, if not maybe the best. May you all continue to hit the green and live well. |
| April 23, 2007 00Doc Men's 50 2 posts | Guys I play 50 major plus on Randy Smiths and the most awsome and smartest hitter I've ever played with is Ivan Dennis from Dallas,Tx.I'm talking 340ft +bombs. He hits the ball at will any where on the field. This guy hardly ever use the U2 he don't need it, But he does'nt mind having a little fun with it from time to time.Those of you that know him you will never meet a nicer a guy. This guy has been my Idol for a long time and I'm just proud to be batting in the line-up in the 5 spot behind ( Mr. Clean-up) Ivan Dennis |
| April 23, 2007 batguyaz 134 posts | It would neat to see some of this great hitters in a contest. sounds like there is super talnet out there. I am not sure about your local hitters but we can vouch for Billy with the following ASA bat = 348ft Yellow outlaw bat = 390ft Either way we would love to see all this great hitters play in one spot, but know that won't happen. Hats off to all you big swings out there. |
| April 24, 2007 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | Hey Gary(19)! I'm not sure the teams that Ken Van Bogaert (Bogie to his close and personal friends) played for in his flat belly days, but here's a link to his web page to view his bio on his "Sports Technique" site. http://sportstechnique.com/staff.html bashbro1 (Ruth 60's "Bat 1.000 and stay in the lineup!) |
| April 24, 2007 stanley Men's 60 15 posts | I seen some of the best on Kellys team. Clatterbaugh,Jones, Burbank, Einstein and guy from Steeles are outstanding hitters for power and placement. Clatter at 61 looks 40 years old, what a stud. The Hollis's are real hitters too |
| April 24, 2007 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | I want to give some credit to an unknown senior in the Las Vegas area primarily because he hasn't played much senior ball focusing instead on the young mans game. I believe he intends on playing some Senior ball this year. The gentlemans name is Willie Banks. Tremendous power and anyone playing the young game knows at the higher levels you hit against stictly 5 man infields where the holes aren't there. You make your own hits through the infield. Best senior hitter I have seen in this area. |
| May 1, 2007 wellsaz 11 posts | Bill Gateley is still in our eyes the best 'pure' hitter in senior ball. I have a video of him hitting - even Doc from SSUSA agrees that he may be the best. |
| May 2, 2007 The Pro 81 posts | I've played slow pitch for 40 years and have never played with or against a better hitter than Hank Cluess (kidz4ever - 60 major plus). He is the best combination of power and average I've ever seen. He can get base hits line to line and hits as many home runs and hits them as far as anyone in Senior ball. He uses a U2 in games, but doesn't need to, in BP with USSSA bats he regularly hits 30-40% of the balls out of the park. Respect: I've seen him walked with the bases full numerous times and in our last tournament he was intentionally walked in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs and nobody on and we losing by 5 runs! Most impressive, however, is his consistancy. He has been doing this for decades and is still doing it with no slow down in sight. |
| May 2, 2007 sjuhoops 145 posts | thanks gary ill give you the cash this weekend(haha) |
| May 2, 2007 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | I wondered how long it would be before someone mentioned Hank. I almost did so yesterday. Gary, I was sitting behind you @ Lorenzi on Sunday and he does owe you some cash.;-) I've played with some very good power hitters over the years (Elby Bushong, Mike Cellura, Denny Jones, Dennis Myers, Rick Wheeler and Ron Parnell come to mind). I have also played with some extremely good on base % guys... Billy Steele, Jerry McCollough, Ron Galvan, Roland Bleitz, etc. Conway Waddy has had phenomenal success over the past 2 years... both power and ob%. We have a new guy named Barry Oliver that also seems to be able to do it all. But, over the past 10-11 years, I have seen no one as consistent as Hank. If I didn't know his level of integrity we would have been checking his bats... that's how far or how hard he hits the ball. Bob Woodroof |
| May 2, 2007 CRUSADERVB Men's 70 275 posts | ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.....WHAT IS HANK PAYING PRO AND WOODY [MEAT] BUT.......I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU GUYS, THAT'S WAY HANK IS MY IDOL, HE'S NOT IN THE HOF FOR NOTHING!! I'M SOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING OLD ENOUGH IN NOV. TO BE REUNITED WITH ''THE KIDZ'' WHAT A GROUP OF NICE GUYS!! HANK IS THE MAN!! |
| May 2, 2007 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | Terry Perryman from Okla City. 4 years ago we played about 10 tourneys for the year. Terry made 3 outs for the season. He had perfect stats in both the SSWC and SPA tourneys. One of those outs was in Gadsden NSA where he was up with the bases loaded, two outs in the final game against Thomas Engineering. He mis hit it 299 ft and the right center fielder made an incredible tournament winning catch. |
| May 2, 2007 stanley Men's 60 15 posts | A teammate heard they would be a homerun contest at several of the SSUSA summer championships. Cool. |
| May 2, 2007 batguyaz 134 posts | Would love to see those home run contest. Too bad our Az guy, homerun Bill does not play tournaments. In any case it would still be fun to watch. |
| May 3, 2007 sjuhoops 145 posts | CRUSADERVB nice try you still have to TRY OUT(HAHA) |
| May 3, 2007 CRUSADERVB Men's 70 275 posts | HANK.........I CARRIED 9 BAT BAGS IN VEGAS, WAS STEADY CATCHER FOR ''PRO'' THAT BROUGHT ME SOME EXTRA VOTES....I NEED MAYBE 2 MORE!! OH , AND I PULLED THE COOLER!! |
| May 3, 2007 sjuhoops 145 posts | Ron. you did a bang up job. so much so that if you dont make the squad next year we still have an opening for a bat/cooler/catcher for pro guy. I would vote for you.(haha) |
| May 12, 2007 replant 97 posts | when I read this stuff, why do I always get the feeling that ,Batguyaz,batwise,Mightygrip and wellsaz are the same guy? |
| May 12, 2007 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | replant..............you forgot homerun Bill |
| May 12, 2007 replant 97 posts | Good point Salio2K. I guess I'm not the only one catchin on to this guy. |
| May 13, 2007 batguyaz 134 posts | Just a group of guys in the same area talking about the same thing too many times. |
