June 10, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: 50 AAA outfielder needed for TOC Can you clarify to which TOC you are referring? |
June 3, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Flip Flop rule The flip-flop rule is a good way to keep things from getting out of hand. No reason to spend another 20 minutes piling on. However, it is still a potential penalty to the team that was originally the visitors if there is a tie in runs allowed and it rolls to other criteria. But mostly, it's a benefit for the team who was originally the home team as their opponent just lost an inning of potential run scoring. It's the same effect on the team that was originally the visitors as being the home team from the beginning. It does happen once in a while, not super rare. |
May 16, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Asking for a friend; Individual Ratings My question relates to a circumstance where a new (not young) player who has never played senior ball just retired and moved into our area. He wants to play on the weekends and has found a AAA team that will let him join. However, there is a major team that wants to use him as a fill in player for one tournament. If he fills in or plays for the Major team in one or two tournaments, will that affect his eligibility to play on his committed AAA team? I've been reading everything SSUSA has posted about ratings and there is very little about how individuals are rated that I can find; rating information seems to focus on team ratings, not individuals. I'm willing to admit my ignorance and be directed to any information that may exist. |
May 9, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Bats Discussion: Bat standards 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. |
March 22, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Music City results Please don't take this as a criticism, but I agree with JohnO28. The first thing I noticed about the Baden ball was that it takes on the color of the infield after the first inning. I play mostly in the OF and that ball moves like no other I've played with. It may be hot bats, but the other balls I have to catch don't seem to jump around, slice, and move like the Baden. Again, not complaining just offering an observation. |
March 19, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Music City results I want to thank SSUSA for holding this tournament, last year was impacted by the weather and made it hard on everyone. This year's weather was much better and closer to what normal weather is for this time of year; it was nice and fun to play. In the spirit of providing input, I would like to share a few of my observations, which may be worthless, but I can try. 1. The game scheduled times are too short; needs to be 1:30 not 1:20. We had one field that was an entire game behind before noon on Saturday. This snowballed with every game getting further behind. This caused the tournament directors to move the later games into Sunday morning. First time in my life I can remember playing at 7:30am, made especially hard when we didn't get off the field until 10:30pm the night before. Maybe put a couple games on Friday evening to relieve the pressure on the Saturday schedule. Another problem was the delays between games. After a double extra inning game, the next game was delayed 15 minutes before it started. If we shortened the pool play time limit and made the rest period only 5 minutes before the next game, this may help keep games on time. That was the only real issue I saw and it impacted a lot of people and plans. 2. The Baden ball is a fair ball, you have to hit it to get it out, but it does fly when struck well. However, what I have noticed since Vegas 2 years ago when it first came out, finally became obvious to me yesterday; that particular ball knuckles and moves around on a line drive worse than anything I've ever played with. I saw dozens of examples this weekend of line drive that are normally caught are missed because it wasn't taking a straight trajectory. These kind of hits have been part of the game forever, but they used to be rare. The games ran long because the outfielders on every field every level were unable to make catches that would normally be caught. Not sure how to quantify it but I'm curious if anyone else has observed the same thing? 3. Not a big deal but I think you have the 50 platinum results wrong. MP left before the final game, they were undefeated and waiting for the losers bracket to finish. They were the ones who left so they should be made the losers of both championship games, which would make Texas Steel the winners. TX stayed and were ready to play but MP left. MP should not be declared the winners just because they left. It should be TX Steel first, MP second, 615 third |
Feb. 15, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batters Box Rule Change Dave, clearly I'm well below average; thanks for the reminder. All I'm asking it to consider taking the dirt in front of the plate out of the strike zone. Balls that land on the dirt and hit the black trim around the plate are being called strikes. |
Feb. 15, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: outfielder Virginia... got it |
Feb. 15, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: outfielder Which Tri-City area, there are more than a few? |
Feb. 14, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batters Box Rule Change I know I'm whining but, I have very short legs, which causes me to have a short stride of less than 18" when I swing/contact the ball. The actual batter's box is supposed to extend roughly 2 feet in front of the plane of the front of the plate. This means I can have both of my feet in the actual box while my back foot is past the imaginary arbitrary non-line plane of the front edge of the plate. I don't expect you to do anything on my behalf, just asking to consider making the dirt in the front of the plate out of the strike zone. |
Feb. 13, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Neighboring States Rules So what are Hawaii bordering states? Also how does that rule apply to Canada teams? |
Feb. 12, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batters Box Rule Change I would like to see the pitch that hits the front edge of the plate called a ball. If it hits on top of the front of the plate, you would still call that a strike, but if it hits the dirt or the black of the plate (in front only) it should be called a ball. This would help avoid forcing batter to step up to hit a flatter short pitch. Just my opinion. |
Feb. 12, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batters Box Rule Change Hi MurrayW, I understand that. But in order to hit a ball well, it needs to be at chest level, and you can't reach that pitch with one foot behind or even with the front of the plate, you have to step up to hit it. It just seems like we haven't thought this through. If a pitcher doesn't want players to run up and hit it, he can pitch it higher and deeper. It's a real disadvantage to the hitter if he's throwing flat and short and will get called out for hitting those pitches at his waist or higher and called out for taking it. |
Feb. 12, 2024 Scott Harder | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batters Box Rule Change I am OK with this rule BUT, I need to ask about a pitch that hits the dirt and the black in front of the plate so the ball bounces straight up or nearly straight up. This means the ball was at shoe level before it got near the plate. IF a batter is to hit that pitch he has to step up past the front of the plate. If he takes it he will be called out, if he hits it, he will be called out. Please help me understand what I'm supposed to do with that pitch that seems to be very popular a one to throw when I'm in the box! |
April 3, 2023 Scott Harder | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: nicest softball complexes My experience is mostly in the midwest and southern part of the country. CW is right on, the complex in Troutville, VA is one of the best. My favorite place to play is the stadium field in Plant City, FL; former Cincinatti Reds spring training location. The fields at BMAC in Bridgeton, MO and O'Fallon, IL are also some of the best. Gainsville, GA has a nice set of fields as well. |
March 28, 2023 Scott Harder | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Michigan based 55/over Men's team looking for players for Tennessee and beyond JJ curious to know what you mean? Are you playing in TN, will you be playing in other places or is this a specific tournament you're looking for someone. If someone lives in TN (not adjoining MI) can they play on your team? |
March 23, 2023 Scott Harder | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: 50 or 55 Major Team looking for Player He's a good player looking for a good team! |
March 16, 2023 Scott Harder | Topic: Bats Discussion: wig popper Upon further consideration and watching the video I would not recommend it for anyone under 60, unless you like buying replacements or are considered as a table setter. |
March 16, 2023 Scott Harder | Topic: Bats Discussion: wig popper This is a great bat if you like a one-piece that swings like a Dudley. I'm just a dumb softball guy with no talent, but it seems to me to be more helpful for those with less than the strongest swing. I have watched other use it and that's my assessment. If you slow it down and just concentrate on contacting the ball, you may like it. I had two of these bats, wound up giving them away. It's very hot but fragile, had less than 50 swings on the first one and it broke (in Florida so temps weren't the problem). When you hit it square you won't be disappointed it's as hot as any bat available. I normally hit a 30oz or 29.5oz Diamond and really had a hard time squaring it up because the heaviest they make is 28oz. Having a bat you can hit good would be better than one that's hot but not fit for your swing. For me, I gave up on it. I'm not looking forward to playing defense against it!! And really, any senior bat is good enough to get hits with. |
March 15, 2023 Scott Harder | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Music City When I was younger, I would prefer to play in bad conditions rather than not playing. Two weeks ago, I was disappointed/angry that my team decided not to play in the Music City. Looking at Zac7's post, I must have changed my position as I have aged because I'm not heartbroken that I won't be playing :) |