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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 129 anonymousDiscussion: Fifth Place in the Land of the Sun
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| Oct. 25, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Fifth Place in the Land of the Sun The 50 major plus in Desert West was a very competitive 10 team bracket. We, at 5 Spot, were seeded first and finished in 5th place. The Mavericks and East Bay Oldies, 2 California teams(who'd a thunk) were in the finals when we left the field. The balls were very good in the 15 to 20 degree less temperature that we experienced from last weekend. The are in fact very sensitive to the heat. I saw Fran for a moment from a distance which was enough to ground good feelings for the directors of the tournament. Fran is SSUSA's best ambassador, sorry Dave but somehow I don't think he minds. The complaints came in 3's. - Not enough new balls being used in the tournament. - The lights were so bad at twilight on Friday that 2 teams walked off refusing to finish the game for safety concerns. - directors would not move us to another field on Sunday morning when the sun was dangerously in the pitcher's eyes for at least 3 innings when they could have. The competition was great with many terrific players in attendance. Wally, Jack, Carl, Mark and Stick from Lansing, Crunk, Big Arms, Neil and Verne for OKI, The usual Maverick cast of characters and celebrities just to name a few. A sad note. Mike Vaughn a great hitter for East Bay Oldies went down after making a put out at first but snapped the heel of his right foot requiring surgery tomorrow in Phoenix. He's the best of guys for any of you who don't know him and a monster with a bat having a great tournament. That was a great play he turned for the 3rd out of the inning against a great Maverick team. Best to Mike and his family and for a speedy recovery. Way to go Mike. You made all of us proud of you, your stellar effort and courage. The highlight for me was watching Joe Lecak at bat for LAF against Mike Burbank pitching for Fangrabbers. They are both very good friends of mine but had never met before on the field of honor. Mike threw a waste/fast ball knee high and inside to Joe figuring it would just throw him off his sight line and Joe with great quickness and great wrists ripped a screamer, 375 + way out to left. Mike is as gracious a competitor as he is a great player and laughed and played along with his unintended mistake. The best moment of the tournament for me. Change is in the air for next year I've heard from SSUSA given the rules adjustments that should be made to help us enjoy our game and there's more than a hint of a some good things for all seniors coming just around the corner you'll all be hearing about shortly. Big Mike Macenko was there and as I've said before it would be hard to have a better ambassador relating to senior ball than Mike. He's gracious and generous with comments and advice and huge in many positive ways. I've spoken with a couple of guys who played with him in his day and all of them said he was T-H-E best. Whenever you guys see him at a tourney drop by and say hello. You won't be disappointed. |
| Oct. 26, 2009 Smokey20 Men's 55 102 posts | Joe, Had to know the Mavericks would be in the finals. East Bay Oldies would be a suprise to some, but us Nor Cal players know what we see almost every weekend. Congrats to the East Bay Oldies regardless of first/second finish. Hell of a accomplishment. I thought the balls were fine. Those that should have hit 'em far, did. Those that shouldn't hit 'em far, didn't. I know the previous weekend the temperatures were higher but we all play under the same conditions on any given weekend. Maybe in certain locations where high temperature and humdity are common we should use the Micro-Cell ball. As for Desert West, having played there in "08" I had fore warned our team about the lighting. Still, they were suprised as to how bad. Having teams walk of the field regarding safety sents a strong message to SSUSA. As the season ends and rumors fly we'll see where teams and players end up. |
| Oct. 26, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Brian, The balls WERE fine in that temperature but weren't in the 15 to 20 degree higher temperatures the week before. It's already started... the jockeying for next year. I'm with you. "When all is said and done, more is said than done." |
| Oct. 26, 2009 #19 Men's 70 302 posts | We are so happy to hear that the balls this weekend in Phoenix passed inspection!!! |
| Oct. 26, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | You mean you don't have first-hand experience with Mike from back in his prime? And here I thought you have been everywhere and done everything. Okay now, return to your compulsive ball crusade. |
| Oct. 26, 2009 cadogone Men's 50 6 posts | Yes, the light were bad and this should not happen for such a big tournment. For a softball complex to have only 2 rows of light on 3 of the 4 diamonds is unheard of. The 4 diamond has 3 rows of lights. Also the sun was bad on 3 of the 4 diamonds at different time of the day. Playing for LAF is hard enough, to compete with the big boys but to play under unfavorable conditions is a lousy way to set up a tournament. |
| Oct. 27, 2009 stick8 1991 posts | Yes the lighting was horrid on those fields at Desert West. It was tough enough for me playing the outfield looking into a bright sun against the strong hitting Mavericks team. Then our next game against a very strong MTC team started in the twilight and as darkness came in seeing the ball became nearly impossible. I'm not sure which condition was worse but for sure the brightness of the sun can't be changed so you do your best to shade it with your glove. The staff can sure increase the watts in the bulbs of those lights however. I felt like I was in some kind of cave. |
| Oct. 27, 2009 Mulewhipper Men's 55 128 posts | It was an honor playing with you this last weekend Joe. You are an awesome player and a true ambassador of the game. Only wish we could have performed up to our potential. Overall I had a great time and I look forward to next year. Any results from the finals? I can't find anywhere that has posted the finals yet. What are some of these "Changes" you speak of? Ron |
| Oct. 27, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Ron, You're a monster with a bat and a great teammate. I think the same that we under-achieved and that never feels good. I don't know still who won 50 major plus and I'm bound to secrecy on "the changes" till its broken by the source. Hopefully, we'll all hear soon enough but I'll email you on it shortly. |
| Oct. 27, 2009 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | Joe,nice to see you again this past week end.We didn't have our best week end.Doing a little re-tooling for 2010,trying to put something together for FT. Meyers Nov. 13-15.With some new blood.Waiting to hear if there are any M+ teams going.Keep up the good fight,I don't see many of your critics at the big tourneys playing at the highest level but I haven't been to a single M+ 50's World or National this year without seeing you there competeing on a compititive M+ team that says a lot. See Ya Soon |
| Oct. 27, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Thanks for the comments Ray and I look forward to seeing you soon. I just learned that the Mavericks (big surprise) beat the East Bay Oldies for the prize. Congrats Mavs for a great year and way to go, East Bay for a great effort and tournament. |
