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Online now: 3 members: Leck34, Matty507, TABLE SETTER 11; 113 anonymousDiscussion: new rule for pitchers
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| Dec. 8, 2009 curty Men's 60 187 posts | new rule for pitchers We use this "new "rule in the area we play league ball to protect pitchers. I think the equipment is the main reason. I disagree with some here that promote "hot" bats and balls AND KEEP THE MIDDLE OPEN. This in a game played by seniors-- slower reaction times, physically less flexible and some loss of strength. I pitch occaisionally and am generally considered as good defensively, but I can no longer get to the area below my knees on a well hit ball, with out the U-II. If a smart pitcher moves out of the box to defend the position, more power to him, but he is putting himself in jeopardy. WE ARE SENIORS! Our egos are getting in the way of safety. For those that say we are changing the game we love so much, it's necesary as we are changing also. Open up the middle,the way it used to be, but go back to the equipment we used when we were younger. |
| Dec. 8, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Curt, might I suggest you try to get into a better defensive position after each pitch. Notice how good infielders will set up in a position where their glove is literally touching the ground on each pitch, or close to it. This will ensure you can "get to" the low balls. It is easier to come up than to go down, so start low and that will help you. |
| Dec. 8, 2009 #19 Men's 70 302 posts | Dirty... this will certainly help curty provided that a spare tire doesn't get in the way. |
| Dec. 8, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Well, that I can't help him with. Okay, maybe I could. :) |
| Dec. 9, 2009 curty Men's 60 187 posts | the "tire " does hurt, but protects my innards on those M+ line drives. I know of VERY few 60 year olds that still have the reflexes of those flat bellies, but we still want to hit like we did then, so the equipment has been improved. This will lead to injuries to old a--es!It seems to me that the best senior pitchers still can't field a hard hit line drive below the knee and some right at the belly! |
| Dec. 9, 2009 DCPete 409 posts | Some of the equipment we used when we were younger included rock-hard 50 & 48 COR balls. Do you really want to take a chance of getting hit by one of those? |
| Dec. 9, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | What is wrong with 44 COR and Utrip bats? Do we have that little pride that we need everything souped-up? |
| Dec. 9, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Dirty, I doubt what you wrote is a problem but ssusa used to use 47\525 balls along with the U-2. Now it's basically the same type bats but with 40 or 44 cor and 375 comp balls. Quite a down grade. Nothing wrong with them either. You know their sponsor(s) listed on home page, and a fairly frequent poster regarding a product(s), so it doesn't take a rocket scientist or an einstein to foretell what's on the way. Perhaps sooner that expected too, given the rash of defection to it by assns as was listed in posts. It's the litigation worry, even if understandable with the assumed risk history in the courts, it isn't bullet proof. Neither will this new re word be. Game is no longer what we enjoyed playing, it has evolved to better bats, lessor balls, slower reflexes for some, younger guys enjoying the same stuff but rules going AGAINST age, If you cant make the plays, DH, coach or manage. But your nuts if you pitch w\o gear, especially is reflexes are slowing. imo Worst part about it is the pitchers job being taken away or limited, and yet, may well still get whacked. Did Scrooge show up with the Grinch? ho ho ho |
| Dec. 9, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | I personally believe more pitchers will get hit this yearbecause of the new rule. The pitchers are going to vacate the dead ball out area to field one side or the other as hitters are going to go that way to stay out of NO FLY ZONE. imo |
| Dec. 9, 2009 curty Men's 60 187 posts | dirty, you must not pitch! It's extremely difficult to throw forward and up from a ground position. After release, at which time I'm somewhat extended up and trying to back up to prepare to play defense, I find it very hard to get back to the ground. In my younger days I tried dropping to the ground and taking the ball off my cup/ shins/ thighs, but this no longer works.Also, i move in the direction of the pitch i.e. inside move right, but I can't get more than a side step over there.I'm confident to field balls at my head/chest area when playing 55 AAA, but not as much when playing major. I will wait to see how this plays out for now |
| Dec. 9, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Curt, I have pitched continuously since 1975. You just have to work at it. Work on quickness and agility. I jump rope, use an agility ladder, and practice backpeddling and then breaking down into a fielding position in front of a mirror at the Y I workout at. It can be done, and sure beats getting hit or missing catchable balls and giving up base hits. |
| Dec. 9, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | It's an absurd rule made by people who don't play or get our game. A screen would be more definitive of the prohibited area and would only result in a strike making more more sense than an out while the pitcher shuts off more of the area which will get him hit just as easily. Right on, Gary. I been exercising all night, doing little moves and reps that will help me pitch next year. |
| Dec. 10, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | I am not saying this is the cure all, but I think guys have to try and help themselves before they ask for whacky rules that make the game worse for the rest of us. |
| Dec. 10, 2009 stick8 1991 posts | I agree Dirty. I say throw out any rule about hitting the middle. Play ball the way it's supposed to be played. Next thing you know you smash one off a third basemans leg & your out. Do you see this becoming more of a gimmick game like this down the road? |
| Dec. 10, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | stick, I sure do see that. And once they start sticking obstacles in the middle of the field they are just going to turn it into miniature golf. :( |
| Dec. 10, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | another,don't like the middle rule either.put some shin guards on to protect yourself. ok on the reflexes and such,the working out is only gonna make you stronger,but not a gaurantee reflexes will be quicker.we all slow down with time its a fact. the only real safer way to play,is to get rid of the bats or the balls. as we all know the present combo is way to hot for senior players. |
| Dec. 10, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Who says it needs to be safer, Robert and why and at what cost and who will it benefit? These are critical questions that have very real answers. Playing after fifty needs to be fun And that would be a majority opinion. LVSSA used "hot" balls and bats and we had a BLAST and no one was inordinatly hurt. And being hurt, just like Gary and Nancy have said is part of the risk/ dare/joy of playing/pitching. Separates the men from the boys without having to use a crow bar. Pitchers/players need to get ready to play defense. Why not save all your energy/investment Robert in making living on the planet safer by refusing to support unnecessary wars, cutting down trees, burning fossil fuels and polluting the oceans. In the midst of all these concerns that endanger us far more gravely than playing softball why can't we have some fun? Lively balls and good bats, forever. And free defensive subbing rules if, "You play...to win...the game." |
| Dec. 10, 2009 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Like any long term pitcher, I have been plunked quite a few times—broken thumb, broken fingers three times (all through glove), chest twice, abdomen twice, both thighs, shins without count, knee (only one ever to put me out of the game temporarily), etc. Never got hit in the face. As einstein notes, softball is a physical risk game (broke my tibia and fibula sliding into third—in a cast for 7 months) and always will be. I have no problem with that. The problem is that the risk is increasing, and dangerously so! It's no surprise that reflexes slow as we age. Every year we are a bit slower with our reflexes than the year before. To compensate, and keep the game lively and fun and as it always has been, one should play with a decreasingly lively bat/ball combo. This would make it the same risk as it was 20 years ago. Second, the newest lively bat/ball combo is more than it has ever been. Look at all the new home run hitters (like me) who NEVER hit the ball that far before. Farther hit is due to faster speed. Faster speed means less time to react and more chance of getting hit as a pitcher and an infielder (and this is what is happening). Unfortunately, faster speed means a more dangerous hit. Broken bones, not bruised bones. Concussion, not broken nose. Loss of vision, not a black eye. Heart stoppage not just a cracked rib. The result is a potentially deadly game where before there was just the risk of pain or injury. Solution: eliminate the artificially lively bat/ball combo that has produced so many new power hitters and return to the game we loved, even 15 years ago where single wall bats resulted in an all around better game (defense, strategy, base running as important as hitting). This would eliminate the need for screens, armoring up, PPR, etc. Let the pitcher and infielders field as they did before the composite bats. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 stick8 1991 posts | Dirty, next thing you know they'll let pitchers pitch overhand. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | stick, at our age that might not help much. :) I don't mind the bats, but when we mainly have them so that guys can hit balls in their 50s and 60s that many of them weren't in their 20s and 30s than something is out of whack. We are what we are, and if we weren't home run hitters in our "prime" why should anyone be entitled to turn into one now strictly due to someone else's technology? And when fundamental rules are being changed because of them something is very wrong. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 kbl Men's 60 544 posts | dirty: AMEN. ken |
| Dec. 11, 2009 seniorsbfart 44 posts | I don't pitch but my vote is for the screen. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | I pitched a couple of times with a screen until they got rid of it, and moved over to get out from behind it just as quickly as I could. I was much more concerned with getting hit by a deflection off of it than I ever was with getting hit by a ball head-on. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 stick8 1991 posts | Well said dirty. I can understand how some get an individual charge out of hitting hr's with a good bat and ball. But there is a lot more to this game than simply hitting home runs. I suppose those who came up with todays technology don't understand that. Before you know it there will be a day when a souped up glove comes out. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | well joe as your post show's your just about your self.you cry like a big baby that is having his sucker taken away from him,so he can eat his veggies. are you gonna pay for the medical bills of someone seriously injure,or even killed by the lethal bat/ball combo we have now,personally i don't think so.what do you say to the family's,"hey we were having a blast tho".now you say vegas was injury free,but from what i heard there was a couple,and more balls that fielder's didn't get to move on to have a chance to field.what is it,you afraid to play some defense,can't hit with regular bats,your ego so big that you would rather hit this combo that is unsafe to use. stick by the way they use to have an overhand league in pasadena back in the day(late 70's)used the 11" ball and pitched from 55'. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Robert. You weren't in Vegas to experience the great time we had yet you run your mouth about us having such dangerous fun. Sounds like pitching is getting too scary for you, son. You should change positions and stop trying to change the game the rest of us like to play. And as I've said a zillion times there's lots of ways to make the game safer if that's what the majority of players wants to do that won't kill the fun. Any senior association that goes to a restricted flight ball will likely turn into ghost association. Lively balls and good bats is the way we like to roll. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | first off joey i'm not your son and would never wish to be,your to selfish.you would rather see someone seriously hurt or killed just so you can have your fun. its not running of the mouth if its a fact,the bat/ball combo is very dangerous and lethal,i do wish you would read the batted ball studies that your buddy stoneman emails to ya. oh i do still pitch for the kids and it doesn't bother me a bit.we hit the classic M ball(40-300?)this past weekend in a usssa toruney and guess what,it was a great game to play.there was defense,damn do you remember that. so don't be trying to use your bully pulpit tatics with me,got it. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | I don't want to mess with you, Robert and you don't want to mess with me. We feel very differently about what's going on in senior ball. Senior ball needs a lively bat/ball combo to be satisfying enough to be successful. This is my opinion and the opinion of just about everyone I talk with. We, who attended LVSSA, with Kevin's Rock ball had a blast and it was no accident(s). We can get along without being contentious as far as I'm concerned. I'll do my best to keep it from being personal and you should, too. We're all part of the same community and should act like it. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 Player25 Men's 55 50 posts | 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. 11, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | There's something very consistent from the sound of the critics of 1.2 bats and good balls about keeping HR's for the home run hitters. It's the home run hitters, per se, that don't mind going to lesser balls. They'll still be the 'big' hitters. It's the other 95 percent that will be affected by the crappy ball. When you can't drive a ball through a hole or through a gap, hitting gets more frustrating and softball stops being fun enough to continue to want to invest in. This will happen, I will bet my bat bag. Also, everyone doesn't hit home runs even with hot bats/balls, not when there's a good pitcher on the mound. Yeah, if you throw meat like BP anyone can smoosh one but that's not the game we play. And restricted flight balls that have to be spun to hit well are a good pitcher's dream, let me tell you. A good pitcher now, with lively bats and balls can keep big guys in the park. Just watch what happens if our game goes to restricted flight balls. Games will be 5-4 and 7-5 and 5-2, mark my words and participation in senior ball will drop like the stock market in a fall. Also, 25 I know those spirit balls are crappy but at what temperature are you playing with single wall bats and those balls? In senior events for us near the central valley, California it gets hot and even good balls become mush in hot weather. A crappy ball would be impossible. We have to be careful. There's members of our community who don't really care about the senior game as I believe most of the players do and their influence (Players, TD's, Retailers) must be checked at the door. Our game is one played as we have from 4th grade with the best ball and bat we can find so we can hit it hard and have some fun. Anything less is not really getting us or liking our game or trying to sell us something. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | I play ASA, USSSA, NSA every year besides ss/usa, spa, and isa and have not played a 5-4, 7-5 or 5-2 game since my young days. I would say we didnt use the hottest ball or bat made. Games were 17-15. 25-19 etc. and was fun as you also had to play defense and no PPR rule. I agree nobody hit 120 hr. in 6 games. no one scored 58 runs in a game but that is exhibition softball or home run derby not softball and not fun. Just my opinion. I guess maybe the teams in these tourneys were better hitters or worse fielders than the games you played in. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | I know some teams and players enjoy those types of games. I just do not believe it is the majority of players in softball. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | I have to agree with player25. The LVSSA winter worlds was the worst tournament of the year. Home run after home run. And this was into the wind. The ball was way to hot. Everyone in the lineup were hitting them out. Very boring. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | I'm another one that did not enjoy Vegas. |
| Dec. 11, 2009 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | I noted in an earlier thread about a players' union that einstein should be careful what he wished for as in a real democracy, his ideas might get voted down. Despite his assurance that "everyone" loved the LVSSA winter worlds, and all tournaments should be like that with the hot ball, it seems from posts above that he may even be in the minority as many softball players like a balance of offense, defense, base-running, and strategy not just "good bat/ball combo". Some of us have been saying that for years on this site. |
| Dec. 12, 2009 JohnBob Men's 65 256 posts | I agree Omar,that very few senior agree with einstein on his hot ball/senior bat combo and all the rule changes that are thating place because of it. Einstein you say the hot balls benfits the line hitter the most because they wont be able to gap the outfield etc without them,but I have not read one post on here from someone that say they are a base hitter that agrees with you. May have been some and I missed them. Most agree with hitting a lesser ball so pitchers and corner infielders can have a chance to make a play and keep the game intact,you even when as far as saying put a screen in front of pitcher so you could hit the hot balls.(talk about changing the game). My $.02 |
| Dec. 12, 2009 JohnBob Men's 65 256 posts | Meant to say taking place in 1st line. Sorry |
| Dec. 12, 2009 LP 317 posts | the balls they used in vegas were the same ones they have used for years in the world tourneys trump 44/375 its a good all around ball. cool weather they will travel better than in warm weather. no ball will make everyone happy. |
| Dec. 12, 2009 LP 317 posts | i did enjoy the ball playing part of the tournament but it does seem its more like a regular tourney than a world event. and i havent heard a word about the one umpire system in vegas or phoenix and still the high entry fees and not the greatest awards given. anyone have and opinion on these. |
| Dec. 12, 2009 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | LP, Back when I played A and B ball and we went to a World Tournament, they had introduction of all the teams players and where they were from on a field at the complex where were going to be playing.They made us feel special to be playing in a WORLD TOURNAMENT...Now it's all about money,the awards were something anyone could have ordered from Miken.They should of had a really nice MVP awards(buy the way congradulations on that) and special AT awards....for the price we pay to play there, you would think they would do something better for a "WOLRD TOURNAMENT".This is my third trip to Vegas for this tournament, and I can't say it's any better now than then.I have been lucky enough to win it 3 out of the last 4 years....MAYBE NEXT YEAR.SSUSA,ARE YOU LISTENING ? |
| Dec. 12, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | you don't want to be messed with,joe.mmm i guess i'm scared now. SORRY, your bully pulpit tatics will not work on me. #6 your are kidding,right.you know they never have done any team right except to take our money and run. my team back when the national game came out won the first 2(out of the west,50 AAA,50M).we got a cheap nylon pullover.our bat bags from winning the westerns we won, just said western championships(same bag that good be bought at the sourvnier stand), nothing about winning it,oh we could of bought a ring. |
| Dec. 12, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | As for using the word WORLDS in a name for this or any other tournament, give me a break...? Assn's only get are teams from the USA and Canada 99.99% of the time, that I know of. How about calling it the North American Championships... Canadian teams attend many in the US, I hope its reciprocal. I think that is closer to reality... |
| Dec. 12, 2009 Player25 Men's 55 50 posts | 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 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Amen, Player. Camaraderie, friendship, pure love of the game is why I keep playing after 56 years. Hot bats spoil a lot of the game for me as you so well described. Luckily my team feels the same way, and although they have a "World Championship" in their past, they have low expectations for home runs, are tolerant of the toll age takes on reflexes and speed, and just enjoy playing together (and winning as the frosting!). |
| Dec. 12, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | player,omar,sounds like you both understand what it is all about.in our senior league i play SS and still go get balls in the hole,we use ASA balls and bats.with the senior combo's i have to cheat the way i think the hitter is going to fill the hole.there is no way to react to these hot combo's like we used to be able to. |
| Dec. 13, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | OK. I'm glad you've found a balance on your team regarding winning vs playing together. Every team has to determine where they are on that continuum and even AAA teams can be more "win" oriented than some major teams. There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of players prefer to play with a lively bat and ball combo, OK and that would mean that only one of us, me or you is right about what the majority of players expect/need/want. I can live with that. Plus, it's the majority of players that should get the nod regarding regulations and standards. Without polls and voting it's tough to evidence one's claims and then we're left to what and who makes more sense or what players believe is the case. Good ball and bats define our game, OK and I'm glad SSUSA has decided for all of us that the ball used this year, the Stote 44x375 ball and senior bats, will not be diminished for the coming year. That ball is very lively with our senior bats except when it gets very hot but if the balls are kept in the shade they should function well enough. |
| Dec. 13, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | Joe, I thought you told me they could respond on the ball themselves. I saw no resonses but I see your saying the same as I did. mmmmm |
| Dec. 13, 2009 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | einstein, you're right. You think most players desire, even demand a hot bat/ball combo. I think the hot bats have demeaned the game and robbed it of the joy of defense, strategy, and baserunning. No way to tell who represents the majority without a poll. You claim to have asked many and they all agree with you (and I earlier said that with your personality it is unlikely they would disagree to your face) and I claim that most of my acquaintances at AAA and major level resent the increasingly hot bats that make a mockery of the game. Who is right? Hard to tell. Maybe Major + players favor the home run combo and the weaker teams would like to return to a more balanced game. Seems unlikely anyone will finance and develop such a poll in the near future, however. |
| Dec. 13, 2009 LP 317 posts | hey taits every here of a thing called the world series. senior softball comes closer to that being a truer statement than baseball. in vegas there werent any teams that i know of from out of country, but in phoenix there were some. unlike baseball, senior ball will let teams from another country compete all they have to do is get here. with the exception of canada in baseball. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | taits, teams from CA,TX,NM,HI,NV,MN,OK,UT, AND CANADA,were all in the 60 bracket.Kinda screws up your thought process.11 from CA. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 neck10 714 posts | dirty can you hit a ball over the fence from second base?????? |
| Dec. 14, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | World... Those are all from the northern continent, Over 70 teams were out of Canada alone for softball. But I'm talking the World here like Germany, France, China, Australia et al.... More like the Huntsman Games overall. 7 different countries in their Volleyball portion. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Those 70+ Canadian teams were at '09 Huntsman softball. I didn't make it clear. 7 different countries in volleyball there as well. Those are Global countries (world wide) Not just the state side and Canadian teams. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | taits, sounds like sour grapes to me.....SSUSA named this tournament, we didn't.Why can't you just be glad we went undefeated and won the Winter Worlds ? |
| Dec. 14, 2009 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | taits, Also we beat a very good team form Canada and Hawaii,does that count? |
| Dec. 14, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | neck, how far is the fence? What bat? What ball? How far are the bases? :) |
| Dec. 14, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | #6, Kenny, I'm definitely not knocking the win. Just the Title or Name of the event. WORLDS ... it's not. All teams count regardless. Dirty, are are the knees holding up? Synvisc still working? LP, Yes and the same applies there (BB) too. A lot of miss identifiers or names within all sports. Only used Huntsman as example because they use World Games as part of title and do indeed get teams from all over in the 24-25 different events. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Scott, thanks for asking. Well, after a bout of tongue cancer last winter during which I dropped 40 pounds a very hard way they now feel really good. Have not had any injections at all since then. Just using Glucosamine Chondroitin daily, and exercising them to keep them strong, and I have had no issues last summer or this winter indoor season at all. It has gotten to the point where I don't even think about them anymore when I am playing, and fortunately they don't remind me either. :) I ice them after I play out of habit, and the next day they feel really good. Played three times a week last summer, and am thinking of adding another league next summer if they continue to feel like this. The first real championship I was ever aware of, the ASA Open Nationals in the early 60s, was always called "worlds". Going back to the days of Jim's Sport Shop and Michael's Lounge that has been the nickname for them. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 jrhunch 113 posts | i dont care what bats you use but the ball should always be good.there is validity to einstein's statements just look at the issa tournie in manasses.it was dying until they moved it to salem and used the good balls and bats.now it is the best tourney i have been to and i have been to 5 so called worlds.asa in burlington nc used a good ball with asa bats with fences at 325 and it was the most competitive tournie we played with every team having a good chance to win.the pitching screen will have too much impact on the game.it would hurt our team because it takes our pitcher's defense out of the game.i would only use the screen when the sun is in the pitchers eyes and it would be an out and if their was a batter on first a doubleplay. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 neck10 714 posts | dirty fence 275 to 300 grey ultra dudley sb12 night & day ball |
| Dec. 14, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | I would be just fine. Thanks for asking. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 LP 317 posts | #6 the vancouver team was from washington state they had one player from canada. |
| Dec. 14, 2009 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | LP, That's what you get when you take a cowboy to Vegas........doesn't know the difference from Washington State and Canada.........I did talk to the one player for the team who hit that last home run.He told me most were from Washington State and several from Canada,he lived in WS and now lives in Phoenix. |
| Dec. 15, 2009 E4/E6 Men's 70 873 posts | As I see it, the invitation is out there for the "World" to attend and compete in any of the World events advertised on the SSUSA website and newpaper. You can lead a horse to water, but you cant make em play. I agree SSUSA uses the term Worlds more often then it probably should. But whats in a name? I would play if they werent named at all. Happy Holidays boys! |
| Dec. 15, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | So I guess they have email addys for the masses (teams) let alone any updated advertising all over the 'world'. Perhaps they (worldly teams) do a softball search & go so far as to inquire. But given the distance of say Europe & cost involved, they need some assurance that they will play more than 2 teams... Like that is going to happen... wonder how they would be rated. Drop them in a bracket that isn't filled yet? No real problem, would be nice however. Just like the fly rule, wording is off somewhat, I feel for the reality of it all. Not the only sport though. Chances are I would play in a no named event also. |
| Dec. 15, 2009 E4/E6 Men's 70 873 posts | SSUSA seems to manage putting together International goodwill events against Japan, Australia, Italy, Germany and Spain. Why wouldnt they be able to do the same for them coming here? Make it an All Star event, with guarantees of playing at least 3 different teams. |
| Dec. 15, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Got that right. On the face of it.... I'll leave it at that. |
| Dec. 16, 2009 neck10 714 posts | just wondering some guys cant hit it out from second base!!!! |
| Dec. 16, 2009 neck10 714 posts | THE SCREEN IS THE ANSWER i PITCH BATTING PRACTICE IN OUR SUMMER LEAUGE ROB SCHLEEDE(steele sports) is on our team he hits rockets you dont have to worry if it hits the screen it cant get to you.if you step outside of the screens protection shame on you but with a guy like Schleede hitting you dont have time to back up or move side to side. |
| Dec. 16, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Comparing BP to a game. Interesting. What years did he play with Steeles? I don't know the guy at all, and certainly not saying he can't hit, but Steeles was based 20 minutes from me in the 80s and 90s, and I played against them in the 80s, and the name is not familiar at all. And yes a screen would be the answer, IF we were playing miniature golf. |
| Dec. 16, 2009 neck10 714 posts | I dont know he just went in (michigan)usssa hall of fame two years ago. go to anaconda.com mike has an artical about the detroit hitman thats schleede,and to let you know batting practice is worse guys are working on there up the middle shot.also look usssa mi. hall of fame yall find him or ask mike macenko or type in mike macenko when he comes up click on his web go to house of swing softball links scrool down he has an article about schleede playing outfield. |
| Dec. 16, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | I am just curious. I will look him up. No doubt BP is much different, and a screen is needed there if for no other reason than the sheer volume of pitches a guy throws in a short amount of time you just can lose concentration too easily. But in a game it is just not the same. Concentration should not be an issue. And the presence of the screen just can change too many other things that go on in the infield. |
| Dec. 16, 2009 neck10 714 posts | dirty just google rob schleede |
| Dec. 16, 2009 neck10 714 posts | trust me he still hits the ball we go to marquette mi in the dome in the winter he just loses the ball!!!!!!! |
| Dec. 16, 2009 neck10 714 posts | well there's no answer we will never get our youth back ,but we will be able to hit a lot longer than play defense.in the 55& older leauge we play in theres fellows 70yrs young there ,I try to hit everything I pull in the air so I have no chance of missing & hitting first baseman & just never go middle.I think I would strike out before going middle on some of the elderly fellow's |
| Dec. 16, 2009 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Correct neck, we never will get it back. But some guys seem hell bent on trying with the technology of others. I agree with you. I play for fun on Saturday mornings with a group of guys that probably runs from mid-40s to late 70s. I certainly admire the older guys who can still get out there and play, but am also concerned at times for their safety and do my best to protect it. |
