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Author |
TOPIC: An idea to end all the bat BS |
| Labtec
September 19, 2009
12:30:22 AM
Entry #: 3279543
| Other leagues do it, why not ours?
The league provides the bats. Every players throws in a few more bucks at the beginning of the year and we can for once and for all end all the talk about these charged up bats. Every time you go the bar it's, "This guys cheats, that team cheats, do you think so axxnd so cheats." All the pitchers have a pretty good idea of those using altered bats, but they can't tell for sure. I can't think of one reason why anyone who isn't themselves cheating would object to this idea.
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| Matches
September 21, 2009
8:41:46 AM
Entry #: 3281068
| I like this suggestion. How do we get it done?
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| widds
September 21, 2009
10:10:15 AM
Entry #: 3281170
| Not a good idea.......let`s say each team gets 3 bats, a 26, 27 and 28. Those bats will be dead and done by mid July and then what?....buy three more???
Every player has a preference of what bat they would like to swing. Just leave it be...
If someone wants to "doctor" a bat by opening it up, adding foam, shaving the inside wall, whatever, then shame on them. They shouldn`t be allowed in the league.
"Rolling" bats is considered another form of "doctoring" in the sense of "advancing" the "break in" process, but is quite common and somewhat accepted in all leagues. Proving that a bat has been "rolled" is impossible. Proving that a bat has been altered inside is almost impossible unless you cut it open.
Please don`t confuse a suspected "doctored" bat with a bat that is simply "worked in".
You can often tell if a bat may be doctored if the first 10 guys all use it and the "guy" who never hits home runs is all of a sudden, cranking it!!!!
I would hope that nobody in this league would ever go to the extent of "juicing" a bat. The chance of hurting another player is not worth the risk, or the glory.
Let guys have their own bats......
Widds
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| Flip this Bat
September 21, 2009
10:18:34 AM
Entry #: 3281183
| I like the idea of the same bats for both teams. Even the playing field. If you bring a bat that others on your team are going to use anyway why not offer that bat to the opposition. Lets put all the bats on the screen and let both teams choose from the selection. That way they will get worked in faster and if they are doctored or rolled everyone gets to use them. Dont want anyone else to use your "bat" dont bring it!!!!
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| widds
September 21, 2009
10:21:50 AM
Entry #: 3281188
| just shaking my head at that one S of S!!!
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| luv of the game
September 21, 2009
11:25:52 AM
Entry #: 3281302
| Sultan, widds already pointed that out and if both teams use the same bats they would get worn out even faster. if you get your kicks by juicing a bat to hit a ball 400ft out of a park that is 260, if that is how you get your kicks out of a softball league then you have issues.
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| Jobber
September 21, 2009
9:21:46 PM
Entry #: 3282160
| If you want to use the same bats for both teams go to those leagues
If i want to buy a bat its up to me (and I don't crank home runs and my bats are new)
Whats next boys if we hit the ball to the outfeild we can't be thrown out at first or even better lets get runners from the plate so all i have to do is swing the bat then sit down.
There are other leagues for those who don't like ours
Jobber
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| Mr. October
September 21, 2009
10:26:09 PM
Entry #: 3282222
| I can see why somebody would come up with this idea and others would agree to it.
You are the guys on the team that have never bought a bat in your life, and expect to use whatever is pulled out of someone else's bag..and then throw it at the fence when you fly out to the pitcher.
Get off your wallet and spend $300-$400 on a bat and see how you feel when everyone is 'breaking' your bat in.
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| Knight
September 23, 2009
3:21:03 AM
Entry #: 3283662
| Cheaters will always cheat.
It is morality issue, someone will get killed around here and guys will still do it.
Bottom line is it's very hard to prove and you don't want everyone accusing everyone about their bat.
I like Labtec’s idea, they do it in the Unionville Pride, same bats 26,27 and 28 and it's the best tourney of the year.
I just don't think everyone would agree to do it.
I do hate the shaved bat crap, I borrowed someone's bat in a tourney, not from my team, and after I hit a piss rocket, which I normally can't do, I realized there was something funny about the bat, I asked the kid and he finally admitted it was and I was pissed.
The USPL is a rec league and if you have to swing a funny stick, you got problems I'll take my .500 avg knowing I play the game legit.
I also love the guys that juice just to hit a softball 400 ft, 300 ft isn't enough for them.
AND FOR PETES SAKE STAY OFF THE MIDDLE.
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| widds
September 23, 2009
7:28:39 AM
Entry #: 3283688
| Missing the point totally.......
Using the same bats for one weekend is one thing. Using them for an entire year....well!!!!!!
The answer is simple, either go to a softer ball or trust in the guys in this league to play fair. I`ll pick the latter and for my years in this league, I have not witnessed the use of a juiced bat.
And again, this league sets itself above all others because of the quality of the guys who play in it!
Widds
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| winnberg
September 23, 2009
9:59:43 AM
Entry #: 3283823
| Hey Mac - are you suggesting that each of those teams used/uses juiced bats? I think your dimentia may be kicking in...go get your Donepezil refilled before we ship you off to Unionvilla.
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| widds
September 23, 2009
10:01:12 AM
Entry #: 3283825
| Hey Mac,
Be careful what you write!.....last time I checked there were 8 teams in front of us with "runs for".
What team do you play for?
Widds
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| Harry Package
September 23, 2009
10:31:13 AM
Entry #: 3283859
| Hey Mac, if you're going to make accusations, sign your name to it. If not, find another league to play in. This is a gentleman's league and always has been. Your comments are offensive !
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| The Whale
September 23, 2009
11:05:38 AM
Entry #: 3283881
| Here are my 2 cents:
I think there are issues in the league about people using juiced bats. In A and B ball it is assumed that the team your playing against uses juiced bats therefore if you don't use them you will have a disadvantage. So every team playing in those tourney's uses juiced bats.
I don't want that to happen in our league. Basically for one main reason. Pitcher Safety. Unfortunately I don't think anything will change until one of our pitcher's gets seriously hurt. I think the league has done a horrible job in protecting the safety of our pitchers in the past. (Making the plate a strike, +2 home run rule, even know I think that needed to happen)
I know it's happening, because I've seen it first hand. I didn't mind when I heard it was happening in the home run contest (TL 3 years ago)because who really cares, I just don't want to see it get our of control. Unfortunately I don't have a solution yet. First, I think the league needs to state that no tampered bats can be used (I hope that's already in the constitution), therefore the league cover's it's own butt when one of our pitcher's get's seriously hurt.
Mike Whalen
Plumbers
P.S. This is a good discussion for the forum. I hope we get some of the old forum writer's back because the new people posting messages this year aren't entertaining at all.
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| widds
September 23, 2009
11:09:31 AM
Entry #: 3283883
| Thanks for your thoughts Mike.
Please clarify your comments regarding "TL 3 years ago"
widds
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| Mr. October
September 23, 2009
3:07:52 PM
Entry #: 3284158
| Nobody is using a juiced bat..and if they are.. you will never know..so lets stop beating our heads on the cement and drop the subject.
Anytime someone gets a hold of it, or a team scores a ton of runs..it's automatically assumed the bat is juiced.
99% of the guys in the league are to dumb to juice a bat..and I mean that in a good way!
Play ball.........
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| Gimme
September 23, 2009
3:58:43 PM
Entry #: 3284218
| Mr. October,
When you say nobody is using a juiced bat, you are either very naïve, or are using one yourself and you’d like the issue to go away.
If you pay careful attention to situations, you’ll know guys are using some sort of powered-up bats. As an example, watch which bat gets pulled out of a bag when The School needs some pop (hint: it’s red colored). Or watch when guys from Crupi play at Crosby... the bat they use is different than the one they’d use at Ashton.
Someone’s going to get hurt, and this type of conversation will take on a whole different tone when that happens.
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| Catapult
September 23, 2009
4:29:33 PM
Entry #: 3284252
| Gimme, you are a moron. I play for Crupi and we are playing tonight at Crosby and I can guarantee you that we use the same bats no matter where we play. As Mr. October said we are way to dumb to ever try it and way to smart to even consider it. Come to the game tonight and I will personally let you inspect each bat. I don't think juicing goes on in our league. If it did you would see about 100 players easily putting it over at Ashton. As it stands now there are only about 10 and that may be pushing it. And out of those 10 you could probably give 8 of them an old wooden bat from the sixties to use and they would still put it out. The reason why? Because they are great hitters with a ton of power they don't need any help launching them.
Gimmie, instead of accusing people of cheating just because they are able to hit a slow pitch ball over the fence why don't you spend a little more time at the gym and work on those little spaghetti arms of yours.
Doug
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| widds
September 23, 2009
4:37:22 PM
Entry #: 3284258
| Gimme, that would be a sad day......
All the more reason to stick with ASA next year.
The bats under the USSSA are unconcious and if allowed would definitely entice a pitcher to wear full equipment....
Again, please don`t be confused with a regular bat that has the optimum amount of hits to make it "broken in". We can`t point fingers at anyone without concrete proof which could only be supported through admission or cutting it open...and neither is likely to happen.
This is a good discussion with merit. Give any bat to Hicks or Palmer and it will go....they are pure power hitters who don`t need any help to hit it out..
widds
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| spankie
September 23, 2009
6:54:46 PM
Entry #: 3284390
| I know it's impossible to identify juiced bats but there should be something in place if one is found. Lifetime ban seems fit the crime...if you care that much to cheat and modify a bat then taking away your right to play is the appropriate punishment. If one guy is caught the rest will get the message.
Unfortunatly the only way someone is going to get caught is if the box is shot really hard and a pitcher gets hurt leading to a team calling for an investigation.
I think every guy in this league has enough common sense to play by the rules.
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| luv of the game
September 23, 2009
7:56:17 PM
Entry #: 3284430
| Gentlemen, lets remember that Crosby is 246ft and Ashton is maybe 280 if that. In the slowpitch world these are extremelly small fields. Any home run that is hit out of Crosby is a bomb (only a couple are HUGE) and at Ashton most homeruns just creap over. This is an age of new bat technology, all bats have pop, you dont need a juiced bat to hit in our league, a bat out of the team bag will do just fine for any slugger. But even the weaker guy if he gets a flat pitch, good bat speed and hits the sweetspot will give the ball a ride. Give them some credit. For those that do use a juiced bat, you have issues. Ten feet over the fence or 150 feet still goes down as a homerun. The only person you are impressing is yourself and on Oct 5 whatever you did will be forgotten. I hope we are better than that and lets have some fun, this is a community, recreational slowpitch league, accept it.
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| MBA89
September 24, 2009
8:29:01 AM
Entry #: 3284783
| Listen guys I don’t presume to have all of the answers but what I do have is questions, and lots of them. Before we run off half-cocked about changing bats and calling into question if there are illegal bats in use here in the USPL, the first order of business is to conduct some sort of census to elicit whether or not the league as a whole wants to even address this issue.
I believe the first order of business is to ask the question: “Were there any serious injuries sustained this year that can be directly associated with the playing equipment.” The second question would be similar to the first and that is:”Were there any minor injuries sustained this year directly associated with the playing equipment”. It logically follows that the next question would be: “Is there a substantial number of occurring injuries that can be attributed to the change in playing equipment from previous years to this year”. Essentially can anyone show a significant rise/decline in injuries from previous years to this year to determine whether or not a safety issue even exists at this point?
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| its just a game
September 24, 2009
11:36:52 AM
Entry #: 3284951
| Gents - you have to know that a lot of bats are now being rolled or viced and depending on your opinion those might be illegal or not {really is just gets a bat to optimum level faster but the bat dies faster}. Any team in any league I am in accuses the other team of juiced bats when they lose or if an adult man hits it over a drawn in outfield. You have outfielders cheating in at 150 feet and a guy hits a HUGE BOMB at 165 feet and the bat is illegal, because a line drive hitter got a double. Is hitting a ball out of Crosby by a guy under 200 pounds really an accomplishment - I bet half the guys in the league could throw the ball over the fence from home plate. We have guys who hit 1 home run a year and when they do they get accused of an illegal bat - instead of letting them enjoy their moment guys start bitching. Just play the game and win or lose enjoy the booze - it is just slo-pitch!
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| jamie b
September 24, 2009
11:55:28 AM
Entry #: 3284983
| The plus 2 rule does a lot to neutralize big bats. If, like some of you are suggesting, guys will shoot the box after going plus 2 - they'd do it with any bat. To the best of my knowledge no one has been hurt because of the supposed juiced bat epidemic that seems only to come up at playoff time. Juiced bats are not the issue. Common sense is. Guys will also get hurt when guys pretend not to have a play on a ball or "drop" balls just to throw guys out.
p.s. - I think the bases are too far apart. Is it going to take someone pulling a hammy before we realize they need to be closer together?!
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| TC on VG
September 24, 2009
12:00:07 PM
Entry #: 3284990
| J - you're setting yourself up for a barrage of Masters jokes!
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| Baseball Guy
September 24, 2009
12:56:01 PM
Entry #: 3285064
| I agree with MBA89's comments but the real question that the needs to be asked in addition to whether or not any injuries have occured because of the bats is whether we actually think some serious injuries will occur because of the bats - the answer is 100% yes and if you don't agree try pitching.
I also agree with the Whale's comment about how the home run rule puts our pitchers in danger, you take any of our big hitters and force them to not try and pull the ball and mistakes will happen where they put one right up the gut. This is over and above the guys like Burton going up the gut on a regular basis (not suggesting for a moment he is attempting at injuring the pitcher) but its part of the game.
By limiting the bats you force us all to play better baseball and you make it safer for everyone. I would hope that no one uses 'illegal bats' but I absolutely believe people do in our league.
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| jamie b
September 24, 2009
1:03:16 PM
Entry #: 3285072
| gotta love it when guys call other guys out but are too afraid to attach their name to the accusation. It's easy to have an opinion when you don't have to be accountable isn't it?
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| Bowen #19
September 24, 2009
1:20:26 PM
Entry #: 3285088
| Very well said.
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| widds
September 24, 2009
1:37:18 PM
Entry #: 3285105
| bad moniker Baseball guy.....
Know the game or keep your hands off the keyboard. Where do you think pitchers throw to a power hitter? If a pitcher decides to throw outside, then he should expect the ball to come straight at him.....that my friend is simple common sense!!! And if you don`t like it, don`t pitch em there.....
On another note, Burton is one of the classiest players and would never, ever try to hit a pitcher as would almost all players in this league.
I don`t believe that anyone in this league would ever intentionally try and go up the gut with the intent to injure.
Know the game......
widds
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| hatz
September 24, 2009
1:59:45 PM
Entry #: 3285129
| Very well said Widds
Burton has class + one of the best players in this league.
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| Houghts
September 24, 2009
2:36:30 PM
Entry #: 3285172
| I have been in the league for 13 + years. This is the first time I have heard people complain about illegal bats. Maybe i have my head in the sand but is this really going on?
Long live Xamer !!
Dave
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| hatz
September 24, 2009
3:04:56 PM
Entry #: 3285204
| Anyone selling there illegal bat, please call me. The catcher is getting a good workout.
Hatz
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| The Whale
September 24, 2009
5:41:26 PM
Entry #: 3285352
| For all I know Baseball guy could be my twin but if you guys would just listen he does make sense. I think Jamie is a class act (and because of that my money is on grocer to win it) but I also think other good players are class acts. That doesn't mean that some of these guys don't go up the middle. You can add Brian in that group from DST, (Brian was in my wedding party, so it's not like I'm calling him unsportsmanlike or unclassy, like you guys think Baseball guy is calling jamie) Brian is the best player in the league and he likes to go up the middle, THAT's not the point here. What I'm saying is you make these juiced bats somewhat regular and someone eventually will get hurt, from one of these guys or someone else. I hope not intentially but it will happen.
And Steve, do you actually think 80% of the pitchers in our league can place the ball as well as you say. NOT A CHANCE
MY Recommendation is one I brought up at the annual meeting 4 or 5 years ago (It got 4 out of 200 votes), which is make a bigger mat so you give pitchers a more even playing field.
Please give that some thought. I would love to hear some good reasons why its not a good reason. I don't think it will solve the issue 100% but I think it's a start.
Good discussion boys.
Mike
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| Baseball Guy
September 24, 2009
5:55:11 PM
Entry #: 3285369
| Thanks for the advice Widds of throwing inside to power hitters, I haven't tried that before! Please advise me where you pitch a guy that stands 3 feet off the plate and you don't want to walk him (not referring to burton).
Obviously it is wrong on this site to state the obvious that Burton likes the middle, I faced him 7 times this year and 5 hits were between ss and 2nd (not all ground balls, most to the field), I just know to be ready when I'm pitching to Burton.
Burton is a good hitter, every team has 2 or 3 guys that should not come close to the middle for safety reasons - they know who they are, once again this is a rec league that is competitive and it's not worth the risk to those guys with the bats we are using.
Gaymen hit it up the middle once, completely unintentional (also due to the 2 home run rule) and before the ball landed was apologizing to the pitcher - Class guy. I'd like to see more of that from the better hitters in the league.
Widds, I've never seen you go close to the middle and if you do I'm sure you'd be the first to acknowledge the pitcher. Burton apologizes if it comes close to the pitcher but my point is that he is too good of a hitter to even be playing in that third of the diamond - for this league.
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| Jim_the_Ump
September 24, 2009
7:04:43 PM
Entry #: 3285431
| Widds’ idea of hitting up the middle is forcing the first-baseman to take 3 steps to his right. Haha. Dead pull!
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| 6 out of 8
September 24, 2009
7:06:39 PM
Entry #: 3285432
| I personally am glad to be part of this league and I've been trying to get in for a few seasons just because of the level of play it is known for. But I know and noticed a majority of the guys around the league use legit bats, but guys that already hit the ball a ton seem to be the ones using the hot bats for some insane reason. When some of these guys roll up to the plate I'm glad as hell that I can't pitch to save my life, because I see these guys miss a ball and shoot middle... All I can do is cringe.
I love the fact that we can use any bat we want. Hitting double and single all the times sucks and those get boring after awhile. But a line needs to be drawn somewhere.
I'll start tinkering around with my bat (and if anybody would like to let me borrow a bat or two to shoot, I'll get them back to you) I can start popping a few shots here and there at work and figure out a technique to check these things out, I'd be game for it. Think about it and let me know.
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| RyMan
September 25, 2009
7:32:40 AM
Entry #: 3285728
| My comment on this subject is a very lucid, “There is absolutely no reason to make everyone pay for unfounded accusations with no evidence or fact to support it” To simply state that the league should buy bats and to not allow players to use their own bats which they are comfortable with simply because a few people SUSPECT that there may be one or two players with illegal bats is absolutely retarded in it’s very conception. To suggest that every player has to kick in additional dollars to buy league bats because there may or may not be a retard with a shaved bat to me is absolutely astounding in lack of common sense. That is the equivalent of declaring martial law on the league and stating that we cannot be trusted to have our own bats and is insulting in its very nature. If these accusations are accurate and you happen to actually have one of these modified or illegal bats, then you should not use them this weekend. It is as simple as that.
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| widds
September 25, 2009
7:57:38 AM
Entry #: 3285744
| Well said Ryman.
You just answered the original post totally!
Widds
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| jamie b
September 25, 2009
12:55:59 PM
Entry #: 3286025
| Thanks RyMan for summing up what has become a ridiculous arguement. Nicely stated. Whale, don't get me wrong, I don't want see anyone get hurt either. The way I see it, all that we can do is put into place a disciplinary action rule if something ever does happen - ie. caught using a "juiced bat" you're gone. Until then, we have to trust that the membership is using common sense. I cannot prove anyone is doing it, so I'd have to say that's the majority (if not everyone) in this great league. Now I'm done with this and I plan to enjoy the weekend...including the beer tent. Thanks Widds!
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| My Buddy
September 29, 2009
8:24:31 PM
Entry #: 3290227
| Sometimes the only solution to problems such as this is to compromise, and in this case it's pretty simple. Buy 3 bats for each field: 26oz, 27oz, and 28oz all shaved! This way, you can either use the bat you are comfortable with, or use one of the juiced league bats. No one has an advantage because everyone has access to a crispy bat, and everybody wins aside from pitcher and hot corners. Any other brain busters? I'd pay an extra $40 for the chance to hit a homerun next year like the School and Travel team!
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| 6 out of 8
October 1, 2009
8:34:46 AM
Entry #: 3291604
| Cheating is having unfair advantage, and while I think rolling should be legal because it's just breaking the bat in quicker, I have never even done that and if it's shaved it shouldn't matter whether it's the other leagues or ours. It is a matter of fact safer at the provincials because most guys know where the ball is going, while league players tend to hit the middle more often by mistake.
Why don’t we x-ray the bats, once some people get caught and get suspended it will hopefully scare anybody no matter where they play to not use them.
You can say what you want but there are altered bats in the league and I'm not just talking rolling.
Let's just erase this thread because there is no answer that will make everyone happy and I just hope no one gets hurt by one of these because you will go to jail, assault with a dangerous weapon, no joke
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| jamie b
October 1, 2009
3:13:42 PM
Entry #: 3292018
| Dave, the ump, informed me that the punishment for this is a 3 year ban - I can't remember if that was SPO or SPN. Regardless, we simply need to adopt the same rule into our constitution. If someone wants to get kicked out of Rec. slo-pitch for 3 years so that they can hit a couple of homers they deserved to be gone.
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| 3Bagger
October 1, 2009
5:26:55 PM
Entry #: 3292168
| 6 out of 8
Great idea, I'll bring my ST8000 xray machine to the opening night next year. That'll learn em'. It's hard to beleive you even made that suggestion. Too funny!
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| Griffer
October 4, 2009
8:33:50 PM
Entry #: 3294764
| hey whale boy, i usually enjoy all your posts and laugh my ass off at them and mr. october, its a recreational fun beer drinking league for widds sake, who cares if someone cheats like school, are any of us getting signed by the harding next week or is any one gettn paid to show up or getting a six figure bonus for having the best stats? didnt think so. dont waste your breath 6 out of 8, this old men league is just for pleasure, you think these old timers are gonna change the rules to put houghton on top again, gimme a break, quit 3bagger into the wind my friend
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| korky
October 12, 2009
1:49:52 PM
Entry #: 3302235
| Sorry, but I feel compelled to jump in here.
Most of the time these topics come up, there is either an injury to a pitcher, the pitcher is complaining that he has to work and almost got hurt.....or a team is passing a bat and blasting the ball out on a "missed hit" from a guy that weighs 120 lbs.....overall, it is primarily to prevent someone from getting seriously hurt.
So here's the deal: We have 4 options to change this or drop it altogether.
1. League Bats
2. Wooden Bats
3. Circle around the pitcher's mound that is an automatic out if the ball goes in that area.
4. Pitcher's screen that is also an automatic out if it's hit.
For the record, I am not in favor of changing to any of these....allow me to get that out of the way. The reason for this is if you don't want to pitch, don't! We're grown men and this is what we signed up for...to play competitive, fast paced softball. If you say something about your age, go to a 40+ league and stop crying. I respect those that have played this game for many years….but if it’s dangerous to you, play somewhere else. I suck at riding motorcycles, so I don’t ride them!
The bottom line is that this change would be a major overhaul and tumultuous to say the least. I don’t think that it would happen…but ultimately, it is up to the board and the 18 managers that hold the glue in this league.
And for what it's worth, it's not as simple as extra dollars per player.
This is my eight year in this league and I feel that its run pretty well overall….we all agree to this point…… it’s a democracy and the voices of all the players do and will get heard.
Overall, these are just my opinions…to those that don’t know me hopefully you’ll value and respect them as I have played some pretty high levels on the diamond.
And if you swing a crispy bat and shoot middle, may God have mercy on you because you are a piece of crap.
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| still cookin
October 13, 2009
12:38:38 PM
Entry #: 3303221
| Just a thought as a pitcher who actually took one of the chest this year, I am not in favour of changing any rule except maybe the allowable height for pitches.
I pitch because I like to be in the game and yes the balls do sometimes come back at you pretty fast however if we raised the upper limit of the arc it would be harder for some of the players to shoot it up the middle on a line drive.
The lower the pitch the more the batter is able to drive the ball.
Just a thought.
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| Betheman
October 24, 2009
3:49:55 PM
Entry #: 3315062
| Ah the conspiracy theorists are out in full swing. Hope the bat is legal.
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| Carp
October 26, 2009
8:21:31 AM
Entry #: 3316636
| I’m just curious if anyone has swung the new synergy extended. I currently swing a 05 extended that I bought new this past summer. It took a long time to break in so I was wondering if anyone has any input on the new one. They don’t make mine and want $400 at least to replace it.
Also is the new extended legal.
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| its just a game
October 26, 2009
11:55:15 AM
Entry #: 3317044
| Hi Carp,
The last SPN batting list came out a year ago and the Easton Synergy Extended is lgeal. Both Extended models {red and blue} SCX14 and SCX14B are good to use.
It is an amazing bat when it gets broken in and as you state it does take a while to break in, this is also a bat that a number of people have questioned this past year due to its pop. That is what happens when you buy a more expensive and better bat and it finally hits that sweet period in its life.
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| banjo
November 4, 2009
8:04:26 AM
Entry #: 3327718
| Ryman, I still think that the pitchers should wear helmets/facemasks. They might look a little funny. Most of them do anyway....hahaha!!! They could look a lot worse if they took one off the face. Walking off the field everyday is the most important thing. I know that if I hit a line drive off some guys I don't knows face. I would feel pretty bad.. there is a 100% chance I didn't do it on purpose. My solution is helmets and an automatic out for hitting to the pitcher unless he catches it. Ejection rule should apply if you hit the pitcher twice.
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| Baseball Guy
November 4, 2009
10:09:14 AM
Entry #: 3327852
| Banjo, I think your suggestion warrants a serious discussion and I would be in favour of an out if the pitcher is hit. I am aware that not everyone will agree with this rule but here are some of my thoughts.
Although not specifically stated yet on the forum I believe a lot of the disagreements arise due to varying opinions whether the USPL is a competitive league or a recreational league. I would like to describe us as a competitive rec league but have to emphasize recreation. Most of the 'great' players in our league play on a competitive team in addition to the uspl so I think that should allow the USPL to manage the league with recreation and fun as its highest mission. Most of the guys play in the USPL to get out of the house for a night or two a week, play some good ball but most importantly have a good time. The league does a great job with this but there are far too many occurrences that take the fun out of the league, I will specifically point to the draft (there is controversy every year) and the playoffs (everyone is always pointing fingers at other teams sitting out people or worse when teams advise guys not to play) - competitive league's don't have to deal with this crap hence to further my point the USPL policies and rules shouldn't look to make us more competitive against each other but more recreational (I'm not speaking of quality on the field but more the win at every cost mentality). Don't get me wrong, caliber of play is one of the main selling points for the USPL, and I'm certainly not looking to reduce this. The easiest solution to handle this would be to split the teams up every year (which I am in total favour of) but I hear the same reasons why we can't do this so I'm not going there (with this post at least) but other rules should be implemented to enhance the enjoyment and safety in the league which doesn't impact the caliber of the guys playing in the league. A home run rule fits, the safety bag fits, pinch runners fits, sitting everyone equally fits and I think pitcher safety should also be considered even if the rule steers away from hard-nose baseball beliefs. Too many guys hit up the middle and the pitcher is exposed - no one should argue this point. My only point here is, which I have taken far to long to describe, if you are very competitive there's other leagues where going up the middle isn't frowned upon, the USPL is not that league and we should try and get people to hit away from the middle. I think an out for hitting the pitcher is a step in the right direction.
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| widds
November 4, 2009
12:36:45 PM
Entry #: 3328093
| Forgive me, baseball guy, but you will never stop people from hitting up the middle, ever!!!
If a pitcher decides to pitch a power hitter outside continuously, then he must naturally assume and respect the fact that the ball will likely be hit right back at him.......agreed?
Rec or Competitive, my experience lends me the knowledge that most players that come to the plate have the intention of just hitting the ball hard and never trying to injure another player. I also believe that knowing the "spirit" of our league, 99% of our players are respectful with regards to the rules.
In all 30 games for Travel Lovers this year,no matter who we played, anytime there was a ball hit up the middle, the player apologized, and to me, that is respect represents the kind of league we want to have.
For me, it is strictly common sense that the pitcher is 50` away and he must be aware of the possibilities when playing that position. Our rules allow our pitchers to back up to 55` if desired and perhaps allowing the pitchers to move back a little more might be the appropriate solution to your issue.
You WILL never take the competitiveness out of this league nor would anyone want to. So, as much as I respect your opinion, I don`t believe there are any rules that need to be implemented other than the restriction of illegal bats.
widds
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| Baseball Guy
November 4, 2009
1:27:09 PM
Entry #: 3328159
| Steve, pitch a good batter outside and absolutely you're more likely to see one sent up the middle - as I mentioned to you a month back how do you pitch a batter who stands 3 feet off the plate when you don't want to walk him - you can't and feel safe doing so!
Let's go back to the fat mat, give the pitchers something - it worked well 3 years ago, why did we remove it?
Yes guys want to hit the ball hard but don't think they don't have it in their mind where they want to hit it - let's just put it in their mind not to shoot it up the middle. No one has the intent of injuring players and yes everyone apologizes, that's not the point.
As per illegal bats, absolutely not an issue, putting blind faith in the governing body that all other bats are safe I think is foolish. Legal bats have much more pop now than ever, yet the pitchers mound is still the same distance. I'm not in favour of moving the pitchers mound or going to a mush ball, lets give the pitchers something though.
As per your competeitiveness statement, I must not have been clear, I do not want this league to be less competetitive, I want the bullshit to go (and don't pretend it deosn't exist).
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| StevieMac
November 4, 2009
1:29:26 PM
Entry #: 3328161
| ALTERED BATS: Any player who is found playing with an altered bat will be suspended for a minimum of 3 years from SPN sanctioned events. Any altered bat found before the start of the game, and if the SPN representative cannot establish who the owner of the altered bat is, then the coach/manager will be suspended for a minimum of 3 years from SPN sanctioned events. SPN will not be responsible for any problems of any nature whatsoever caused by the use of non-approved and/or altered bats.
Here is the rule right from the SPN rule book
If you are caught using an altered bat SPN will not take any responsibility ie. insurance etc.in the event someone is injured
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| IMFOS
November 4, 2009
10:30:43 PM
Entry #: 3328721
| Hey Steve, how do we define this ALTERED BAT? Should we get the umps to x-ray them ?
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| Watchdog
November 5, 2009
7:52:58 AM
Entry #: 3328834
| Guys stop bit%$@#^ just play the game its all good the way things are! If you think someone has a prohibited bat just challenge the bat. And have it pulled out of the game. Shaved bats, no matter how cleaned up, don't weigh the same as they did when they are new. They are usually a few ounces less then new. We did not challenge the famous red bat used by two teams this year but we will next year. So do not use it.
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| Bigworldman
November 10, 2009
8:09:24 AM
Entry #: 3334143
| The only logical explanation that I can arrive from reading this information above is a bit like Forrest Gump, he is just too dumb to realize that a guy his size is not supposed to hit the ball for distance. There is science involved here and it though it involves huge scientific and medical jargon which I will refrain from getting into at this point, but suffice it to say that most people are hindered by their own intelligence. Most people whom have the I.Q. of toilet fungus will realize that when they are not large in stature that they cannot hit the ball far. Much like small people who lift weights their brain will tell them that they cannot lift 500 pounds. Essentially their brain is telling them that they cannot do it. So they resort to deceitful behavior. Which team(s) used these bats last year?
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| Jobber
November 13, 2009
7:47:03 AM
Entry #: 3337550
| I think you might want to tell Jeff Gayman that smaller men can not hit the ball a LONG way.He may disagree.You dont have to be huge to hit it out it is timing and bat speed.
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| injuredagain
November 14, 2009
2:41:09 PM
Entry #: 3338709
| I have learned that people take this league way too seriously.
I suggest that if players want to take it that serious they should join a tournament team or something and let the REC players have fun.
But then again most of us are probably too washed up for any tourney team to give them a roster slot.
Ultimately this is the league players responsibility to keep us as players safe.
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| Knight
December 2, 2009
7:16:09 AM
Entry #: 3353371
| Keeping with my new practice of using this website as a venue for advertisements I have another for you all. Where can I get a tainted bat?
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| Gimme
December 3, 2009
3:46:29 PM
Entry #: 3354445
| If you're looking for tainted, perhaps you should ask the School where they got their "red" bat.
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| Sammy
December 7, 2009
8:03:38 AM
Entry #: 3356216
| Maybe we can put a green handle on the red bat, then it would be a holiday cheating bat. Or we can get Cheetah Woods to sponsor the bat.
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| on a mission
December 10, 2009
10:58:50 PM
Entry #: 3358673
| When the say obstacles will come ur way boy, the good lord must have been Talking to us! Can some one jus answer this 1 question, WHY? Why cheat with a potent bat. No one is perfect but DANG! and that is what i really wanted to say!!!!!
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| biggdaddy
December 11, 2009
6:52:15 PM
Entry #: 3359038
| I will leave it at this...I don't know who started it but there should be some folks that would be embarrassed if they were caught with a illegal bat.....as someone said play ball, don't cheat...wow.....SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Da Man
December 17, 2009
7:33:48 AM
Entry #: 3361695
| I'm not going to get into a pissing match over this bat issue. I can say from the years I have been in the league that most teams will not or have not used an illegal bat. I was out at the Arms one night recently and one person from an unnamed team acknowledged that they had used an illegal bat for the past two years. As to all the other crap I am not even going to get into it but will say that next year when we play that team we will challenge the authenticity of that bat.
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| guapo
March 9, 2010
7:41:25 AM
Entry #: 3410505
| Not surprising. Sadly, we have a few cowards who enjoy using illegal bats in this league and no one wants to do anything about it. I guess we just accept it and pretend they aren't out there.I am going to say it now before the season starts and get it out of the way then I am leaving this topic alone. Anyone that needs to use a rolled or shaved bat other than a home run derby is a douche. If you want to be a superstar hitter try practicing instead of using illegal equipment.
And for the record while I am standing on my soapbox, all of my bats are subject to all of your personal inspection anytime.
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| Mr. October
March 9, 2010
9:43:49 AM
Entry #: 3410611
| Great...Now all you have to do is let me know who you are so I can come over before the game and inspect them...
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| tuck00
March 9, 2010
7:21:27 PM
Entry #: 3411363
| I think the best way to prove that you use legit equipment is to hit .278 with one home run.
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| Knight
March 23, 2010
7:10:54 AM
Entry #: 3422954
| In the spirit of the recent Olympics let’s all agree that anyone that shoots the box this summer will get a triple gainer, double axle, and pirouette on their butt!
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| BT
April 5, 2010
10:29:38 PM
Entry #: 3435142
| Forget about all this bat chat crap. Let’s play ball boys!
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| MBA89
April 7, 2010
10:43:45 PM
Entry #: 3437194
| Uhmmm...nice TL rant
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| Imhoff
April 19, 2010
11:29:03 PM
Entry #: 3448267
| Who cares, slo pitch is a game, use whatever you want. Is it any less of a game if you wear plastic spikes as opposed to metal? Unless yer in the older leagues, we all grew up using aluminum, wood or graphite bats that are legal. I find it laughable that some people who are so hell bent on using fixed bats couldn't garner a decent batting average with normal bats but think if everyone else used doctored bats they would improve there stats.
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| ShoelessJoe
April 21, 2010
8:10:07 PM
Entry #: 3450551
| I'm just wondering WHY guys want to stay aluminum? Living in the past or just too scared of how they'll suck without the aluminum? Give it up, boys we aren't going pro!
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| WoodSucks
April 24, 2010
7:36:57 AM
Entry #: 3453192
| I agree, just messing around. Don't go power hungry psycho for no reason sir! I'm not a fan of wooden bats and I don't think we should try to be like the major leaguers when no one in any of the leagues is even close to that kind of talent. We need all the help we can get when it comes to hitting!
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| lawnman
May 13, 2010
6:09:46 AM
Entry #: 3473422
| I say this to my wife every night.
Honey,give wood a try on an open mind. You may like it, you may not, but at least you tried it.
This league is a lot of fun, you meet interesting people, develop great friendships and enjoy the game. That is what is important.
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