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Online now: 2 members: Stu Boise, curtismathews; 8 anonymousDiscussion: Bat standards
| Posted | Discussion |
| May 3 IcanRun 3 posts | I've been investigating the current bat standards and have a few questions/observations/comments. Our team recently played in Northern Championship in MN. Yes, I cracked a bat. It seems our BP balls were stored in a vehicle over night with temps in the mid 30's[F] Lesson learned. (game time temp = 42) 1)The question I have: Are the tournament directors in cold weather tournaments aware that their game balls need to be stored indoors above 60 degrees? I believe this is part of the bat issue based on manufacturers comments. 2) Why can't I use my old ASA 1.20 bat for tournaments? These bats, by design, are not as 'active' as current composite bats so don't understand what the concern is. From what I read, the SSUSA logo requirement is all about liability concerns, true? 3) Will tournament fees increase even more now that they are required to purchase equipment, train and employ extra personnel to test bats at each event? Would each bat need some type of specific labeling for every tournament? |
| May 3 JohnO28 Men's 50 122 posts | Here are your answers to your questions and after speaking with mulitple directors this is what I have found. 1 & 2) No most directors don't know enough about bats and balls to know that. Matter of fact if what we were told by SSUSA is true, then the people voting on the rules don't know either or they are putting money over their players(customers). Supposedly it was a unanomous decision to only allow SSUSA bats and several people who were voting were from the Midwest and Upper East coast states. All of which if doing their job correctly should know balls and bats shouldn't be hit in temps under 60 and the worse of all bats to be hit in cold temps are senior bats. Ironically, the ones that don't come with warranties. Makes zero sense aside from money that ASA bats which are by far the most durable if you don't count Monsta and last the longest. 3) Of course prices will go up and what makes you think there will actually be extra staff on hand for testing? I'd be willing to bet there will just be more work for the directors and create more work for the current staff. This is just going to slow things down even more. |
| May 3 TimMcElroy 953 posts | I find this whole thing comical- Players- SSUSA, you need to do something about the altered bat problem. SSUSA- Does something about the altered bat problem. (Same) Players- SSUSA doesn't know what they are doing and has no idea how to manage this. |
| May 6 JohnO28 Men's 50 122 posts | Tim, Can you explain how questioning how using an ASA bat or even a USSSA which there is data proving those bats aren't as hot as Senior bats in a Senior tournament has anything to do with altered bats? This is a totally different subject than altered bats. Maybe you commented on the wrong post or didn't understand the original question. This isn't about bat altering. |
| May 6 TimMcElroy 953 posts | A dozen posts in the past few days suggest that you're trying to bait someone into an argument. I've read the room and decided that there's nothing beneficial in it for me. So this is me leaving the cheese on the trap. |
| May 6 JohnO28 Men's 50 122 posts | Tim, LOL, if you say so. You can just admit you didn't understand the original post and FYI having an open conversation with people isn't an argument. Just because you have a different opinion than others doesn't make it an argument. 95% of the time people call them discussions. |
| May 6 Eazy Men's 50 8 posts | At least give SSUSA a chance, they are doing what players were saying needed to be addressed. I was in management for a long time and any time there was a change employee's complained. The next thing they did was try to find a way to circumvent the st system. If you're not swinging dirty you don't have anything to worry about. If you're swinging dirty now you have to find a way to circumvent the system. |
| May 7 titanhd Men's 60 640 posts | A bat that does not pass Compession test does not mean you're "swinging dirty" and or that the bat is altered. I grant the fact that Shaving is an issue and I don't know the answer but,Compression testing isn't it. Most broken in well used Senior bats will fail compression.There is no way to "break a bat in,"get to a certain Compression point stop and the bat will stay at that Compression.With every swing we're "altering compression". Rules are Rules but, what we are being told is to not "break in" your bat(s).In the eyes of SSUSA Doing so is "alterting" and making the bats illegal use. Bats being confiscated because they fail Compression is a long line of Players bats. Again . I don't know the answer and Kudos to SSUSA for addressing the problem but the solution and the Standard is not Bat Compression Testing. |
| May 8 bake 2 posts | Fellow ballplayers this is real simple, if your bat/s fails compression testing whatever that number is. You cant use it! We should be standing behind and thanking SSUSA for taking a stand!! Enough said.. Bake. |
| May 9 Scott Harder Men's 60 51 posts | Can we test all bats before the tournament? I would hate to be playing in a tournament and someone who is getting beat without evidence, accuses someone else of using altered bats, (which happens all the time). So they stop the game confiscate the bat, have it tested, and it fails, not because it's been altered but just because it's been used; the penalties start raining down on the player and the team and no one has done anything wrong. If my bat is going to fail the test, I would like to know that before the tournament starts so I can get a replacement and not get put in softball jail. |
| May 10 AJC Men's 60 222 posts | Kudos to SSUSA for addressing the " dirty bats " and trying to get them out of the game. We already get to use the hottest bats made and hit rocks with them, why some would even consider using a shaved bat is beyond me. There is no justifiable reason to step to the plate with one. Im sure once SSUSA has procured enough compression testers and feel confident in their ability to implement them they will send out notifications to everyone on how they plan on using them. The only issue that I see is that our bats will have to be tested before our 1st game. Most guys bring 3 or 4 bats each to a tournament. How long will it take to get thru the bat testing line and have a stamp of approval placed on each bat ? Guess time will tell on how this will take place. |
| May 10 AJC Men's 60 222 posts | Heres a question. Im sure you've have seen this at least once, maybe more. A smaller guy comes up, takes a half swing and the ball goes out easily to the opposite field. The bat even sounds different and everyone on your team says that bat is definitely been shaved. What do you do ? Call hin on it, do nothing ? |
| May 10 Fleck14 Men's 55 8 posts | I really appreciate SSUSA putting the effort to address a long standing safety issue and level the playing field for all hitters. We have been testing ASA bats here in Alaska for many years and the process is not time consuming or complicated. If the bats pass the test they get a sticker put on them, if they don't pass you can't use it. You don't get suspended for having a bat that does not pass. I keep a fairly new backup bat in my bag just in case. If your bat is cracked or breaking down it needs to be replaced. Some guys use a tested bat from a teammate if theirs does not pass. The testing process takes about 60 seconds per bat. We show up 20 minutes early on the 1st day of the tourney for testing. Sometimes one guy will bring 6-8 bats at a time and help their teammates with testing. I am excited about this improvement to our rules and look forward to working with SUSSA to help make the process as smooth as possible. Thank you!! |
| May 10 Woody22 3 posts | AJC…what does a "smaller guy "have to do with anything? |
| May 10 AJC Men's 60 222 posts | Woody, ive seen smaller guys actually kill the ball with a great swing. It was meant for someone who you dont expect to murder it, take less than a full swing and put it out opposite field. We all know guys that can put it out to all fields , but they have great mechanics. |
