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Real name:
Don Newhard
Location:
Huntington Beach, CA
Division:
Men's 60
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| Oct. 5, 2014 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 55 Major Plus results Thank you Tim, and congratulations also to San Antonio Softball. After winning 55 Major in Reno this year, they were bumped up to Major Plus in June. Many posts wail on about the great injustice of being bumped to a higher division. San Antonio Softball, however, took the high road. They showed up, competed like warriors, and made it to the final game. They are a great group of gentlemen, and one tough, tenacious team. The same can be said for the rest of our draw, 2-time defending champs MTC with Gary, Curt, Perry and crew, Goodman's Racing with Gary, Mark, et al, as well as Doc's, Cal Energy, Motown Stars, and Omega. Some very impressive softball, camaraderie, and great sportsmanship in abundance. It is always an honor to compete with teams of this caliber. Thanks also to our sponsor, David Sommerville, for his generous support of the Nighthawks over the past five years. Don Newhard Summy's Nighthawks 55M+ |
| May 27, 2014 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: IVAN DENNIS PASSES The Nighthawks 55M+ send our condolences and prayers to the family of Ivan Dennis. We have had the honor and pleasure competing against this great player and even greater person for the past 5 years when we played Hendricks. We also look forward to seeing that great team of gentlemen known as Hendricks later this year, sadly minus Ivan. Don Newhard |
| Sept. 10, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: Product review Discussion: Softball and hot weather!! And now the question is, what ball will be used in the soon to occur "largest senior softball tournament in history??? Hopefully, safety will be the answer. |
| Sept. 10, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: Product review Discussion: Softball and hot weather!! IMHO, I agree with the stance taken by Marv on the Rock. After weighing the heat performance versus the freakish flight that occurs, the Rock is too dangerous and is not a fair ball at all. We've had the outcomes of key games in Vegas altered because the Rock behaves like a whiffle ball. A hitter is not going to complain when a shot hit straight at a fielder that looks like a sure out suddenly veers twenty feet away, far out of reach from the fielder who reacted to the original flight. Yes, even a DeBeer 212 can knuckle, but nothing even close to the Rock. We've certainly experienced the performance issues with the Stote in the heat, including this past weekend in Hemet. No question the Stote was not flying out of those fields like it would in March. Given the choice, however, we far prefer the safer option of the Stote until a suitable, safer option is identified. The alternative is to adjust your swing to deal with the conditions, similar to when you have to adjust due to strong wind blowing in. Having said all that, it was a pleasure as usual playing against Mr. Steve "HOF" Imlay in Hemet. With the Rock, he would have seeded a few of those thunder clouds!! Cheers; Don Newhard Nighthawks 55 M+ |
| July 10, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National : 50 and 55 Major Plus Gary - speaking for the Southern CA-based Nighthawks, a trip to Sacramento for the Western Nationals is another road trip requiring taking at least two days off work. While we have some money, we have to budget travel and time off work. We were bummed to miss Reno which is always on our schedule, but we were down to 9 healthy players and had to drop out. This weekend, we have a chance to play in San Clemente, on a Big League Dreams type complex, 3 miles from the ocean. Our 55 division has 6 quality, competitive 55M/M+teams, including teams from Arizona. The San Clemente fields are way better than Mahaney and Maidu in Roseville. We'd love to be competing against MTC and Cal Energy prior to the worlds, but it is an expensive choice when we have excellent opportunities 400 miles closer. Nothing against Nor Cal, but we'ez on a budget. BTW - Interstate 5 is a two-way road. Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| June 26, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: San Clemente 7/12,13,14/2013 Nighthawks 55M+ will be there, possibly as a 50M team. |
| May 1, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: The Rock balls Mark, nice to see you in Vegas. I totally agree with your point on the volatility of the Rock ball. If we had one, we had 10 plays this past weekend where balls heading directly to our outfielder suddenly veered away. Ronnie, while we certainly play a hitters game, it is frustrating to play with balls whose flight is as erratic as a whiffle ball. There needs to be some balance. All things considered, I'd rather use the Stote for the same reason given by Webbie. |
| April 24, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: How can SSUSA possibly reclassify an established Major+ team SSUSA Staff - I appreciate, and suspect most others do as well, your willingness to respond to this question, even in an "unregulated public forum". In the spirit of transparency, it is absolutely the right thing to do. As your customers, we have every right to expect consistent application of the rules, and a straight answer to a fair question. This topic IS our business. It does not fall under the "double secret probation" doctrine. It remains to be seen if the new rating is appropriate. In the location of this event, Las Vegas, it is entirely possible to discard almost your entire hand and end up with a better one. It really doesn't matter to our team, we are disappointed to see them leave our division. One less team to play without giving pretend runs. They were a very worthy competitor, and we always had fun playing them. Trading quips with Johnny Hose is never dull ;) Jose (Salsa Kid): Amen, I've been saying that for years. See you all on the fields, good luck and good health to everyone playing this week in Vegas. Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| April 23, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: 55 Major Plus Vegas Schedule Big D - look on the 50 Major Plus schedule, it shows that issue fixed. |
| April 22, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: How can SSUSA possibly reclassify an established Major+ team Alrighty then, that explains how our 4-team 55M+ LVSSA/SSUSA bracket shrunk to 3 teams right before the event. And even better, as a result we get to play the two 50 M+ teams, including defending champ NW Legends. Just sayin', and not complaining about the strong competition. We never duck it, and don't accept the "free stimulus package" runs offered as an equalizer, but WTF? Fan Grabbers finished 3rd in last year's LVSSA/SSUSA World, we finished 4th. Mark 44, thanks for the heads-up and your restraint on only being "totally perplexed." STAFF - Like Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do. Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| March 25, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Rudy Flores Memorial Fund Tony: Thanks for the information and your efforts in putting this together. I also hope someone will post details on services for Rudy as I plan on attending wherever they are. Don Newhard Nighthawks |
| March 24, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Please send you thoughts and prayers... for the RUDY FLORES FAMILY... Hearing about Rudy is a reminder that each day is a gift as is our ability to play senior ball. I was a teammate of Rudy's for many years on the Sun Devils, we won an ASA ring together in the 40's. He was a great teammate, on and off the field. A great family man and true friend to many. God Bless you and your family. |
| March 20, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Las Vegas SW Championships Nighthawks 55 M+ will be there. |
| Feb. 6, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: LVSSA/SSUSA Southwest Championship Nighthawks 55M+ will be there. |
| Jan. 3, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Best leadoff hitter Conman/Dave - thanks for the update. Our team, the Sun Devils from Southern CA, finished third in that event. We watched your game, and definitely enjoyed the outcome. Your response to Maroadi's was well deserved. We lost the previous game to them when a game-ending hit was taken away. We were neck and neck with you guys in the undefeated game for about three innings and them boom - it was more than cattle that stampeded us! I remember Caleb, and a 6'6'' lefty at 1B that hit missles. You had a great team. Cheers and Happy New Year; Don Newhard |
| Jan. 1, 2013 Tate22 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Menifee Tournament Jan. 12 & 13, Nighthawks 55 M+ will be there. |
| Dec. 27, 2012 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Best leadoff hitter Oh geez stick8, you had to go there regarding Gary Springer. Had a beer with him last night, in So Cal we will never hear the end of this now!! LOL. As a youngin' he played 6 years in the Detroit Tigers farm system. BTW - last two years that team was known as Sommerville Softball. I also remember you as a pretty tough out whenever you batted lead off. Caleb Rabenold is a pretty strong choice as well, played against him in ASA 40's. Watched him score a run in Springfeild, MO '96 against Maroadi's and then climb half way up a backstop to punctuate his effort. Cheers; Don Newhard Nighthawks 55 M+ formerly known as Evolution |
| Dec. 27, 2012 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: survey I play in 3 senior leagues in Southern CA that are packed with tournament players aged 50-65. All feature 4-3 counts, and we typically get in 6-7 innings with normal game times. The 1-1 count dramatically changes your approach as a hitter, while heavily favoring the pitcher. If you take a strike to measure the pitcher, you are suddenly in the defensive mode of swinging at crap. SSUSA is stampeding this rule for their own benefit, and that of tournament directors. Get a little whining about games running long, let's pass a new rule. Sorry, but the tournament game is about the players, not the directors or the organization. The 1-1 count should not be part of regular tournament play as it artificially changes the game without solving or improving any actual game conditions or situations (no safety or competitive improvements). Vote "No" on "SSUSA-care"! JMHO; Don Newhard Nighthawks 55 M+ |
| Nov. 27, 2012 Tate22 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Thoughts for the upcoming SSUSA Rules Committee meeting! As for the alleged problem that "plus is broken", incessantly repeating a theory does not make it correct, just annoying. At least in 50's and 55's, Major Plus is a lot of things, but it is not broken. First, it is absolutely wrong to assert that moving up to Major Plus should be the goal of every team. I have long advocated that Major Plus can and should be combined with Major, but that does not appear to be in the cards. It is also wrong, and completely out of touch with reality, to assert that a champion plus team could/should be broken in half and then just scoop up half of a new team with relatively skilled players. Why, for what purpose? The only evident reason for someone advocating that solution is to remove competition through legislation. If you need rings that badly, Jostens will still sell you one. Heck, they might even throw in an "All-Keyboard" plaque. Major Plus exists for one reason, to isolate or quarantine high performing teams who field a number of highly skilled players. Let them play each other, and improve the odds of the remaining Major teams. That is neither good nor bad, it just is, and it has not killed the game. In the last 10 years in these divisions at the SSUSA Worlds(50&55, M&M+), there has not been a significant difference in the total amount of teams playing, nor in the numbers at each age and level. It ain't broke, so there is no need to fix it. I've played and managed in these divisions for the past 10 years, including playing and managing in 55 M+ for the most recent 4 years. Never once have I heard my fellow competitors like MTC 55's(either version), Hendricks, Fan Grabbers, Roberts, Connecticut Sportsplex, MN Grayhounds, Black&Blue, Mich./Ind. combo teams or anyone else in our division whine or complain about the so-called big ole mean "dynasty" teams with the thought that they should be broken up because they win. RATHER, as Stick 8 states above, the collective sentiment has also been, bring 'em on, we'll give it our best, and if you get us, we'll be after you even harder next time. It's called succeeding through competition and performance, not legislation! For those advocating anything else in the Plus division, give it a rest, here's a tissue. Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| Nov. 27, 2012 Tate22 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: pitching screens My experience with screens is they are a distant 2nd place to appropriate protective equipment in protecting pitchers. Screens are awkward to play around, and take away a key defensive play, the come-backer, or even better, the come-backer that turns into a double play. Screens also give a false sense of security to the pitcher hopping out from behind to make an instinctive play on a shot up the middle. The injury risk comes from being struck by the batted ball, and the best thing to mitigate that risk is adequate headgear, shin guards and ultimately, a light weight chest protector. Of course, a ready defensive stance and a quick glove also help. A reasonably equivalent risk in sports is the baseball catcher. The evolution of light weight,durable protective equipment means catchers live to fight another day, NOT that a screen is in front of them. Even with equipment, catchers are quite mobile. The same protection exists for our pitchers, is currently within the rules, and does not adulterate the game as does a screen. Bright sun, bad lights at night, single wall bats or Mikens, the pitcher is still protected, as is the game. The best part is, if your macho man ego is too threatened by using the protection, you don't have to use it. Take one in the pie hole, tough guy! Catchers gear has been referred to as the tools of ignorance, but the ignorance is found in the decision to not use the only method that truly protects. JMHO Don Newhard Nighthawks 55 M+ |
