April 23, 2017 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Need your honest opinion........ Thank you for the response Texas Transplant. I truly would like to get more comments so that I can present to the directors before start of season. |
April 22, 2017 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Need your honest opinion........ on the DUDLEY THUNDER ZN softball (.47 core, 450#compression)to be used in a competitive 60 and over league. Players range from early 60s to early 70s. NO pitching screen is used for play. thank you.... |
Oct. 25, 2016 CAT | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Tournament win..... IF a team wins a major tournament and gets moved up to the higher classification, do ALL of the players on the team get moved up? And vice versa, if a team get moved down, do all players on the roster get moved down as well? Second question, how far should an organization go back to rate a player? SSUSA has seem to be fair on the matter but there is one organization went back eight years? Can't anyone seen that, most of time, there is a difference in ability from say, 55 years to 63+ And to rely on a physician's reference is nearly impossible with all of their busy schedule. There should be a simpler way and quick way to get a resolution...Like maybe trusting a coach....Just some of my thoughts and opinions...thank you. |
Sept. 12, 2016 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 3N2 Shoes We have been wearing 3N2 shoes since 2003 and, as a team, have been thoroughly satisfied. As with any American apparel purchase, almost all are made in China. The key issue and most important to me is the service end of the product. If you have ANY issues with a 3N2 product, you can reach them via email: returns@3N2sports.com. Incidentally, I am NOT affiliated with the company but I feel that you get the most for the money in a great product and customer service team. Good luck.... |
Aug. 31, 2016 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Heat stroke We played 2 days in that heat. Those conditions should be treated just like anything else that would be hazardous to the player's health. I asked the umpire for extended times to the games and it took till the middle of the game to get water in our dugout. No concession to the situation. We lost to a team that had 18 players and inning after inning they kept an argument or conversation to the ump to keep us in the field. It worked; with heat exhaustion and not completing a full game, we lost. These moments should be handled by the umpires if the directors are not there. However, if using multiple fields, I think a RESPONSIBLE, DECISION MAKING representative should be at each field or the complex is closed. We have two players that are still recuperating. |
Aug. 31, 2016 CAT | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Central Ohio based 65AAA team.....looking for a few players to complete this year and start an early season for next year. Unexpected injuries do affect us older teams. Please inquire by emailing: funinsun333@yahoo.com thank you. |
Aug. 29, 2016 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Getting released from a team you don't want to play for any longer Well Dave, unless you have changed your ways over the years, I know that you becaome "hard nosed" about the situation probably with the player. But upon discussion with both, you "softened" up and let the player play. I know because you did the same with me as Player/coach and one of my players in an altercation after a National championship game years ago. How do I know that you did settle the situation amicably is because you are married to Fran. If you were so tough with all decisions, Fran would have "booted" you out years ago, eh? :) |
Aug. 29, 2016 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Getting released from a team you don't want to play for any longer Boy, kids will be kids! Why can't we just all be thankful to be able to play the game that we so dearly have loved for our entire lives. In this case, the coach made an offer and the player made no acceptance..Therefore, you have no agreement. If I were the coach, he does not have to release him and I being the coach, ask for the cost of the bat on a prorated basis of usage before release. The player is caught between a rock and a hard spot. He cannot play on the other team as you cannot be on two rosters. In my opinion, he either settles up with the coach by paying for bat,etc. or he cannot play in the tournament without jeopardizing forfeits on the new team's behalf...sound good ???? |
Aug. 24, 2016 CAT | Topic: Associations Discussion: Unfavorable weather conditons...... Omar, thanks for your response. The rules that you have mentioned have all been implemented in the 70s + league in our area. with the exception of the screen. With me, the verdict is still undecided with the overrunning of all bases. I feel that as the Baby Boomers start to move in those divisions and their stronger arms, an off throw to either base with the overrun could be a serious injury. I never could see why the organizations put the older divisions on fields with 325 ft. fences. In my opinion and as you said, the distance with an outfield "gapper" is a much larger area to cover and if you are in an area with higher temperatures and humidity that the players are not customarily adjusted to, then I just think that you could potentially open up the doors for some serious health issues. Leave the bigger fields to the younger divisions !! My original issue was with time limits during tournament play. As I had said earlier, I feel that you could put a limit in RR play but the tournament should be 7 innings. |
Aug. 23, 2016 CAT | Topic: Associations Discussion: Unfavorable weather conditons...... Likewise, I meant no negative criticism of the OFs. As we get older, the become more of a premium. My point, is that we can make some basic changes to the game to compensate for our ages. I feel that starting with a 1 -1 count, it may take the bat from your power hitters. I would like to see a time extension to get a full seven inning game so we can, at least, get our money's worth and/or go with the two inning on defense. We have to accept the fact that as we get older, we get a (little?) slower. The game should be adjusted for those age groups ?? |
Aug. 20, 2016 CAT | Topic: Associations Discussion: Unfavorable weather conditons...... Omar, I know how you feel. I, likewise pitch and get a little perturbed when I see the outfielders walking out to their position and I have to wait, especially with a heat index of 116! But then again, I realize that these same players are the ones that do the pinch running. Everyone talks about changing the format of balls/strikes but just incorporate the 2 inning for defense. And what you said makes sense about giving all players the additional rest and a lil more pep in their step. |
Aug. 18, 2016 CAT | Topic: Associations Discussion: Unfavorable weather conditons...... I clocked a few games and almost 25% of the game are for players walking on and off the field. My suggestion, for league play, is for each team to play out in the field for 2 innings and keep everything the same. (say the 3rd and 4th innings on defense). you play 3 outs, clear the bases and start another inning. But no matter what rules, there should be exceptions when you have blistering heat with heat warnings. (not advisories) |
Aug. 14, 2016 CAT | Topic: Associations Discussion: Unfavorable weather conditons...... during tournament play. We just got back from the games in Manassas. On Friday, the temperature was 97 and yesterday had a heat index of 110 !! Yes, 110. Every game I had asked the umpires for some leniency on the time frame of a game. Heat conditions of this nature is not a safe situation to be in not alone for a senior playing ball. There was no exception to the time frame and several teams were purposely imposing insignificant questions to the umpires to delay the game and keeping the opposition on the field in the blazing heat. Our games never completed 7 inning due to the delays and we as I am sure other teams were not granted the full game(s) for what our fees paid. The outcome of our games were by 1 to 2 runs in which the additional inning or two could have changed the outcome for all. So here is my complaint: when you have to play in adverse conditions, there should be exceptions to the rule....#2, I feel that the RR games could have a time limit but the tournament games should be played out to the fullest, with the exception of the mercy rule. Sometimes, we fail to remember that we are not the young, healthy, vivacious kid anymore and still to some, winning is important but you health and well being should be the most! thank you for letting me vent. |
May 5, 2016 CAT | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Brickyard-Nancy Allen Those tournaments that Ho has mentioned are SPA tournaments and I would not recommend. Several of times, I have seen them change your team classification in the middle of a tournament. Once they have your money, there is nothing you can do. SSUSA does listen to your concerns and allows, if at all possible, the opportunity and ability for all senior players to be able to play and have fun. Some organizations just "hears" you but with my experience, SSUSA will "listen". Tournament fees are expensive so make it worth while.. |
May 2, 2016 CAT | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Ohio based 65AAA team.....looking Unexpected injury.....possibly could use a utility player with good hitting skills. please inquire: funinsun333@yahoo.com thank you. |
April 6, 2016 CAT | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Re-classification Thank you for the immediate responses from the SSUSA staff. We are regrouping as a team after 8-13 years of not playing and I have been very pleased with the SSUSA staff for their guidance as well as the other softball organization from South. What I like is that they LISTEN with open ears to help and not just hear. As a player coach, it has made it so much easier for myself. But the problem we have had is with the other organization (lets just call them the Sooners). I was wondering if there are other teams that have problems with reclassifying players. That group is keeping each player's classification from as much as eight years ago! I may be naïve, but I feel that there is a huge difference with a player's physical ability from 60-65 than from 66-70. That Sooner group has us jumping through hoops to reclassify and then telling us it will take up to 2 months for changes. Here we are, without stepping on the field, being canceled out of tournaments. We are a 65 AAA team and some of the players we have rated as Major are lucky to be alive and able to walk. Are there teams still out there that still play for blood and guts and the glory of winning a trophy or a Chinese watch? I think that the organizations should listen more to personal issues and from the age groups of 65 and older, why not place them on the honesty of the coach/manager and just eliminate the Major division; or am I off limits on this. If God has Blessed us to still be able to play the game that we have so dearly loved since our childhood days, so be it and let us play. Again, if I am naïve, I still don't think that is this age group, many teams will "sandbag"..correct me if I am wrong. Thank you for allowing me to vent..my BP is a little lower.Interested in comments... Let's play ball, be safe and have fun. Thank you George, Fran, Dave, Terry and staff...God Bless. |
April 3, 2016 CAT | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Re-classification Can anyone tell me how an individual can reclassify his status to a lower ability status with SSUSA (ex: Major to AAA ) thank you. |
March 22, 2016 CAT | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Ohio based 65AAA team.....looking we could possibly take one more player with the above criteria..thank you for viewing the post and ALL have a safe season... |
Jan. 25, 2016 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Best Wishes to Terry Hennessy this is something that can NOT be overlooked....60% yes SIXTY PERCENT of all men 65 and over had some type of prostate issue and/or cancer...I am surprised that the organizations (SSUSA..SPA..and ISSA)do not jump on the information express..This issue and tests should be encouraged at every tournament and every piece of literature that goes out to the players...There should be support groups for your leagues as it can be a personal and disturbing issues to some...But if caught in time, it is not an issue as opposed to waiting later. Set up a date to check your prostate... |
Jan. 20, 2016 CAT | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Ultimate Bat Bag - Obie The last time we purchased bat bags and roller bags, it was through the owner, Obie with Ultimate Bat Bags. I believe he played with Scrap Iron out of Colorado. I understand it is under new ownership. Can someone help me out here with the new owners and/or offer suggestions for a good, durable roller bag? And if anyone knows Obie and Bunny, give them my best....larry (ohio) thanks |