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Online now: 3 members: Little Al, Rexy 89, TABLE SETTER 11; 95 anonymousDiscussion: Step across the aisleuit the game and go fishin'
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| Nov. 28, 2012 dMON 28 posts | Step across the aisleuit the game and go fishin' This post will certainly not change anyone's mind about what you think of the 'State of Senior Softball'. However, think about this. Everyone on this board has played this game of SLOW Pitch softball for many years. Think of the changes that have taken place in our (Senior) game over the past years. (I've played Sr. Ball for 11 years). Though there have been some cosmetic changes that have made our game somewhat safer (safety bases, 70' bases, etc.), most of the changes have been to enhance the offensive side of the game. Let me preface what I am about to say by assuring you that I am not, nor have any desire to be, a pitcher. BUT.... Why could we not implement some changes that would put the pitcher at less of a disadvantage, while leveling the playing field for all classifications. Thus, combining the classes and having greater participation in tournaments. Here's where most of you stop reading and say 'What 'chu talkin' 'bout Willis?' BRING BACK THE UNLIMITED ARC!!! Use U=trip rules for pitcher's. Let 'em dance, let 'em throw behind their back. Put the defenseless pitcher back on the field. Some of you pitcher's will say , "I'm not defenseless, I can defend myself, don't worry about me". But, you all know what I mean. Believe me, I would not like the rule at all, but the changes to the game would all be relative. Your best hitter might hit .600 instead of .850, but the differences would bring the game back in to the perspective for which it was invented. A good pitcher would be in great demand. I played in the Class 'A' Nationals in 1976 in Olney, Maryland when unlimited arc was the rule. We (Tennessee) played a team from North (or South) Dakota that had a pitcher that could throw it as high as the backstop for a strike. We beat them 3-2 in one of the most interesting games I've ever played. For most of you, that might seem a nightmare, but it challenged you to play the game as it was meant to be played. I'm probably in the (vast) minority here, but think about what you have talked about over and over again on this board. Would a rule like this cause you to quit the game and go fishin'? Not me. I think this rule could eliminate talk of home run limits, bats, balls, screens etc. The only thing I might add to help the batter, would be to give them an extra foul ball. Just something to chew for us in the cold weather climate. |
| Nov. 28, 2012 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Played that as a kid up until Sr 'ball' & church league where it was still allowed for a few years after my start in Sr ball '97-8. Guess those with the 'say' in the matters, couldn't hit the wild pitching methods & height, thus the bad in most parts. Behind the back & between the legs were favorites. No dancing needed. A good game as you say. |
| Nov. 28, 2012 Mario Men's 50 451 posts | I played in an unlimited arc leauge my 1st year in softball, 1980 I believe. The team that won the leauge every year had a guy that could throw it 20-25 feet every pitch. Did not matter if the count was 3-o he still threw it 20 feet high. I can remember getting shut out by them guys.One thing for sure is you learned to wait on the ball. |
| Nov. 28, 2012 Brock Men's 80 84 posts | In Colorado we have a Saturday Senior Travel League that's been in existence since the 90s. We don't use umpires but have the catcher and first and third base coaches double as umpires. One year in the mid to late 90s we all showed up at the post season tournament to find out that unlimited arc would be used in the tournament. The commissioner at the time was tired of hearing that the catchers/umpires weren't calling the 6 to 12 feet arc rule correctly. One team had a pitcher that could throw it as high as he wanted and have it drop on the mat. Needless to say, that team won the tournament. I play on the same team with that pitcher today and if this rule came back into play, I would definitely want to keep playing with him because I wouldn't want to hit against him. dMON, you might be onto something here. Beats the heck out of putting a screen on the field. |
| Nov. 28, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | dMon-I was introduced to slow pitch in the late 60's and 70's and unlimited was the rule. I learned how to go up and get those pitches, so it can be done. But it would sure make a difference. You are right, the proportions of the game have changed. It would be almost impossible to put the genie back in the bottle and go back to the way it was. Back then a home run meant something and you ran it out with pride all the way around the bases. Our Diablos team of the late 70's felt if we scored 15 runs a game we would win most of them. We did. However, if you did go back to that game, it would be a HUGE adjustment for everybody, and, yes, we have gotten used to hitting .800 or better. Back then .700 was an absolutely top notch average, and .500 was passable if you could play great D. The kids game borders on ridiculous with these bats, and that's before they are shaved. But it is just like everything else. We won't see Wooden drivers in golf any more, or Manhattan Rubber Bowling balls. It's progress, for what it's worth. Having said all of that, I would not quit if we went back to wood bats. I would try to make the adjustment back to that equipment because I love the game and the friendships gained from it. But it is easier to say let's play it the way it is. |
| Nov. 29, 2012 dMON 28 posts | To SSUSA: I put this out here for thought, but also for discussion. It's not so far-fetched as to be totally ignored. It keeps the 'senior' equipment in the game, but rachets down it's total impact while allowing lower classification teams with effective pitchers to compete with higher level teams. I may be 'spittin' in the wind' but maybe a compromise, of sorts, could be arrived at that would be beneficial to the game as a whole. |
| Nov. 29, 2012 JDub Men's 60 206 posts | GET RID OF SENIOR BATS AND NO NEED FOR UNLIMITED ARC, SCREENS, OR HOCKEY GEAR ! ! ! Regards, Jeff White |
| Nov. 29, 2012 dMON 28 posts | I agree Dub, but the bats aren't going away...I've flogged this equine carcass almost as long as G19, but I'm finally convinced the bats aren't going away. |
| Nov. 29, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | Of coarse the bats are not going away... Nor will the manority of seniors support anything that makes it harder to hit... For the most part we are playing a glorified Xbox game where the participants/batters are able to do things they never were able to do before.... I'd be all for unlimited arch, aluminum, real soft ball, 16 inch or wood bats... The senior games now are crazy..... |
| Nov. 29, 2012 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Tim, As it is now it give the advantage to the offensive game. < If the pitcher needs to always throw meat balls, as has been that what it will continue to be, an advantage. > Let the pitcher decide what he wants to throw or even how it is thrown. Wiffle balls for you then, I get it. lol |
| Nov. 30, 2012 Donny C 54 posts | I agree the live bats will not go away. The pitcher needs to be able to get back in the game and be a factor; use the high arc and get rid of meat ball pitches that we now use. The arc we have now is most certainely made for the hitters, that coupled with the live bats makes it hard on the pitchers. Make the mound bigger which gives the pitcher more tools to use. I understand some pitchers are better than others, but this is still slow pitch, not that difficult to hit a slow moving ball average height 4'. Now a ball coming straingt down from 20 feet is much more difficult to hit. This gives a big edge to the pitcher(who has little now) in a couple of ways, more difficult to hit well, and gives the pitcher time to move back and protect himeself much better. It sure would cut down on a lot of HR even with the live bats. I love to pitch unlimited arc, but not to crazy about hitting it. Thuis is the biggerst reason we do not have high arc, few like to hit it. DonnyC |
| Nov. 30, 2012 JDub Men's 60 206 posts | Roger that, Very Few like to Hit Unlimited Arc! The Problem is we need Umpires & TD's to Enforce The 12' Ceiling. Whining about Height is equal to Arguing Balls & Strikes in my book! As I mentioned previously, I Umpire too, and there are a lot of Umpires that are Intimidated by Players that think 12' is too high. They want 10' or less, and as a Hitter, I do too, but again, I know what 12' is. I Pitch, I Hit, I Upmpire, so I think I got it . . . IMHO (LOL) ! ! ! Jeff White #7 Arizona Elite |
| Nov. 30, 2012 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | I agree with most like the 10' arc, but all your doing is serving up the ball on a platter. Might as well give then a T to use. Like I said, you want a offensive advantage. Eliminating the limits, low and high should negate the need for calls on the arc. |
| Nov. 30, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | taits-you can't eliminate on the low-that opens it up to fast pitch. |
| Nov. 30, 2012 cyborg45 Men's 75 194 posts | First year in senior ball at age 67. Playing down in 60 major plus. I rather like the pitching rules/limits as they are. What might be discussed is the juking/ faking of the pitch before the actual delivery, sans USSSA rules. The real good Utrip pitchers are really good at this. No one pitch is then served up as they may be perceived now. No matter how patient you are, there is usually a little timing issue. This gives the pitcher a little advantage over what they have now. The disadvantage is it slows the game down a tad. Food for thought |
