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Online now: 1 member: Crazylegs46; 8 anonymousDiscussion: What a tournament!
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| July 22 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | We, Mac 2, finished second to a powerful and deserving Mavericks team from Southern California, in the 50 major plus at SPA in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Congratulations Mickey, Aaron, Mango and the Bull, Sal (MVP), Rusty and Ken Lupinsky. It was great seeing Joe Reed, Ivan and their Texas guys, Horace, and all the Bros. from past Black Worlds, Bobby Davis, Audie and all the Hollis Bunch, Phil from Damon's and all my old adverseries, with special thanks to a guy, like Joe Reed and some others who make a tournament like this worthwhile just for the experience of being on the field with them, Mike Walker. Trumpball was right about this one, there's no better senior ball player or human being, period and he's too modest to ever believe it's true. Mike, you're the best and I'm a better man for knowing you and knowing you're around. Bruce from Georgia, as always it was great seeing you. Special thanks and consideration goes to someone whom a lot of us feel is one of the best senior softball players and human beings around, Conway Waddy, who was inducted to the SPA softball Hall of Fame this weekend, his picture along side his lovely wife who's just the best and most loyal fan we have in our sport. Congratulations to you both and C, I still remember that shot you hit against MTC last year, the walk off, to win that big game. Conway, you're a monster on the field, a true 5 tool player who can also pitch's with the best. What an asset! What a player! MTC 55 major plus, Doc, Verne, Gary Shelly, John Denim, Artie and all the boys way to go for going undefeated in the toughest tournament of the year. What a way to start the year! The balls were great. Ultra 2's and Combats predominated. The umpiring we experienced was top shelf. The fields were in terrific shape. The attitude of folks in Tulsa toward us was friendly and respectful. Ridge and his crew did a terrific job once again and thanks to all of you for a great tournament and a great senior softball experience. |
| July 22 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Guys and gals, This might be a good place to put some feedback regarding the SPA in Tulsa so others involved and running tournaments can figure out what we like and what works best. I liked the balls, Baden, I believe, 44x375. They never got to soft to hit hard even in 96 degrees. I heard one team tried to introduce a "cold" ball into a game. I liked the bigger mat as it makes hitters more aggressive and pitchers more accurate. I liked home runs than walks. I liked the equalizer after 7. They could make that 3 for me and it wouldn't change my opinion significantly. I liked unlimited run innings and the mercy rule. |
| July 22 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | We (GSF) liked most of the components of the SPA event except for the balls. There were minimal HRs in our division... we hit 2 in 5 games and had 3-4 hit against us in total. It didn't seem to be the same ball that we used last year in KC but I'm told that it was/is. But I know that the Mavericks were definitely hitting them as were the guys from Hendricks. I didn't really get to watch the other teams in the 50 division. The strike zones seemed to change quite a bit with the change in umpires from game to game. Nothing new here because this has been the case for 35 + years. Turn Two turned out to be the team to beat in the 60 major plus division. I'm sorry to learn that we will not see them any more this year. We like playing them... they play very well and are always a class act. Congratulations, Donnie, and to your team. BW |
| July 22 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | It's the same ole thing about umpires. While playing first base I chased a runner almost to right field (maybe an exageration), the umpire called him safe but after confering with the home plate umpire called him out. There were two line drives called traps that were definately not. The balls and strikes were called very consistantly. As for the balls, I hit my share of hrs but they didn't seem to "jump". I was intentionally walked several time in the last two game so I guess I was a threat. No hard feelings to the teams that walked me, just part of the games. Frank Gould hit a couple to score me. Good job Frank! The fields were good, not the level of Heritage Yards in Plano but still good. Plenty of water in the dugouts also. I MISS THE MEDALS AWARDED BY SPA, as well as the all star games, skills compteition and the hr derby they once had. Props to Ridge and his staff for the scheduling. I couldn't believe it was still 96 degrees at 8:00pm! One more thing, I was surprised at the 3.2 beer sold at the grocery and convience stores! |
| July 22 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Actually, a larger mat just alows pitchers to get away with being even LESS accurate. :) |
| July 23 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | I'm in agreement with BW, our team, Boaz/ASI enjoyed the tournament except for the balls and having to play 3 games on Friday. It certainly did not help having the balls sit out in the heat all game once we gave them to the umpire prior to the start of each game. I know we would have been in better shape Saturday if we had not had to play the first DE game Friday evening. It's not too much for the "younger" guys but our team is 60+ with 2 guys who are 65. One of our best players was unable to arrive until Saturday at which time we were already in the loser's bracket. However, we were only 1 run from being 2-0 in the seeding games and getting the bye! Our age group seems to be very well balanced and it looks like whoever gets hot on a given weekend will win. On the umpiring side, we were told at the manager's meeting on Thursday that they "were serious" about the 6-12 foot strike zone. However, I saw the Florida pitcher consistently throwing it up to 14 feet with no calls and also firing them in flat, also with no calls. I'm sure that helped them finish second to Turn 2. I complained to the plate ump in one game but I might as well have been talking to myself - which I have been known to do! The other pitchers kept the ball in the allowable range and did not jump on the umpire when he called a pith illegal. It was good to see my friends from all over the country! The Turn 2 boys are very good and put a whupping on us and several other teams to win our division. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Lincoln. The good news is that Turn 2 will not be there; however, Clatta and Butch Hayes will be playing with Connecticut Sportsplex. Maybe they can help them against Premier and MTC. LL |
| July 23 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Nothing personal, but I am nowhere near 60+ and I wish my eyes were good enough to tell 12' from 14'. |
| July 23 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | Dirty, so you cannot tell the difference, who cares? LL feels that he can and I believe him... he sure as heck sees the ball well when he hits... and when he plays the outfield... and he was there... while you were still in Ohio. LL, your point about the Fri PM games is very pertinent. The SSUSA Task Force pointed this out in its survey and the response was overwhelming against this sort of thing. As you know, GSF was fortunate enough to avoid the DE games on Fri but knew how difficult it must have been. We were still there for Conway's induction @ 7:30pm (in street clothes) and the facility was still boiling (high 90s). The down side though in waiting until Sat AM for the first DE games is that 1-2 teams could play 3 games that day in the winner's bracket. This isn't so bad if they put some of the games back-to-back. I hate to have to warm up 3 times (at our age) in the winner's bracket. If we're in the loser's bracket we have to deal with whatever comes our way. Given both sides of it, I am inclined to agree with you... wait until Sat AM for the DE games... several teams are still adjusting to the time change, not all players can arrive for the Fri games, etc... it allows you to re-group. We'll see you in Lincoln, NE... at the Ribfest. By the way, Greg will use Dudley 44/400 balls (ZN Thunder)... and it should be 10 degrees cooler than in Tulsa. BW |
| July 23 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | BW, Thanks for your support. Having played this game for over 40 years, I have a good idea of what 6-12 looks like. Your comments about the DE situation are right on. It was blazing hot and we sat around after our 2PM game waiting to see when we would have to play the first DE game. Just being outside all day - from about 9AM until our 5:30 game is very draining. That's no excuse, however, since Turn Two had to endure the same heat. They just came out and laid two big innings on us after we took the lead. They are a class bunch and most are old friends and teammates. Clatta told me that he does not remember having to start DE the same evening as the seeding games. However, I do know his teams usually are in the BYE situation and not subject to the extra game! Looking forward to seeing everyone in Lincoln. We'll come limping in but we will be there. We just lost our LCF due to a work committment but we should get our RF back. Our 1B is having prostate surgery so we will all be praying for him. LL |
| July 26 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Dear "the" wood (what, you are the only one???), He cannot either. Few if any can. |
| July 26 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | I didn't pick the nickname, it was given to me by teammates 30 years ago or so. There were also another guys called 'The Webb', The Wheel', The Rod', etc... I never gave strong consideration to its literal accuracy. I'm hopeful that this is ok with you. BW |
| July 26 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | 'Few, if any ,can'... but not LL? I guess there's no way that he could be part of the few, as you state it. Have you met LL? Or are just one of those guys that knows a whole bunch of stuff but never shows up to play in the big events. I know, I know... you're putting several kids through college so you barely have time to censure us... and there are too few teams... and it's too costly... we've heard it before. BW |
| July 28 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Well there is certainly little value to most tourneys. Unfortunate, but true. |
| July 29 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | i guess gary,oops i mean dirty,that could be said of all your remarks on this board,no value. |
