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Online now: 1 member: Raffy; 9 anonymousDiscussion: Des Moines format
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| Aug. 28 Brownie 27 posts | Just got back from Des Moines where we get stuck with Major Plus bracket. Clearly we enjoyed meeting and playing these top teams and players. Because we played good ball we, Roberts Contruction 50 Major team, get rewarded by playing the likes of Thermco, Kelly's and Ploogs, all great teams by the way. Our contention has been that sand bagging by other teams clearly occured to get teams to Majors. We decided we would not intentionally loose to play where we are supposed to be, thus we are out of the tourney by 11:00 on Sat. We expected to play the weekend, expected to play Major teams, spent time and money to participate and we really get screwed over. We encourage the individuals who run this tourney to reconsider the format. You will continue to loose teams if you do not change. And, by the way Mike Kelly, your "graciousness" of giving me home team without the flip I saw as fairly "in your face", I am hopeful you will have more respect for us farm boys from Wisc. Mike Brown 50 Major Roberts Construction. |
| Aug. 28 LA 46 posts | The original owner, Ken Maas, who passed away last year truly believed in the game and spirit of softball and NEVER intended the format to be so much taken advantage. However, we teams are so obsessed with winning, I guess that they will do just about anything. I thought that when his kids had taken over, that there would be changes. Apparnently they are not, and I cannot really see any posititve direction for the SSWS. I can see the organization up for sale in the short future. I really think they need to get involved with the BIG 3(SSUSA, SPA, ISSA) and work on somehing that benefits the players and the usefulness of our money in going to these events. Several teams from the Miidwest have opted not to go because of the format and with it being in Palm Springs next year there could be even less teams, East of the Mississippi. I hear your complaint.......... |
| Aug. 29 Proudtex40 57 posts | Who won the Major Plus? |
| Aug. 29 Drak 6 posts | Damons was in good position on Saturday afternoon. |
| Aug. 29 Robo2 238 posts | This tournament has always had the preceived problem of not trying to win. It is the tournament director's fault alone. I stated this during the tournament last year and again this year and I told him to look at this message board. The answer I got back is not everyone has a computer. Regarding Roberts - you guys are a very good team and in my estimate, belong as a Major Plus. Not only did you destroy our team (although we did not put in a good showing throughtout the tournament) but I understand that you 12 runned Thermco. Still in all, this format is the worst in the country. The reward for a Major Team being hot at any time is to play teams out of our capability to consistently complete against. If everyone remembers last year the problem was brought to the tournaments director's attention and they promised to change. Well guess what they simply lied to us. It's a sham to because the fields are in great shape and in locations to the hotels. Plenty of good resturants too. Unfortunately, the only way to go is if you are a Major Plus or a AAA team. The format is totally against any good Major team. |
| Aug. 29 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Kelly's Sports won winning the if game against Damon's 49 to 16 and then the final 13 to 12. It was a reverse of last year's final when Damon's doubled dipped us (Kelly's). I wish the balls were better. In the heat they wilted considerably. And most importantly, somebody thought that after 9 home runs the next one over the fence should be an out. We've been playing them as singles all year long and it really helps protect the pitchers from the big hitters who will drive the middle if they can't go yard. This was a big mistake and should be corrected. All in all, the weather held up. Umpiring was acceptable to good. And things seemed well organized and people were friendly. A good tournament and thanks to Damons for some great games. |
| Aug. 30 Proudtex40 57 posts | Mike Kelly, Congrats on the championship. Steve |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Brownie I have a ton of respect for your team and i will now explain how i think in tournament play. I will take visitor in all seeding games if i can to ensure that we get as many at bats as possible, i did that all year in our northern california tournaments. If i see a eam scoring some real high numbers like the Randy Smith team and the Crush team did in Hutchinson KS, then i will also take visitor as well. That worked with Randy Smith as we put up 17 runs in the 1st inning but back fired with the Crush as we put up the ole goose egg. I agree with you that the play down is not a good idea. I was thinking that it is a good way to see how major teams match up with major plus but it should not come at the expense of your team being eliminated early or not having a legitimate chance at winning. I watched you guys at your bp. saturday morning and watched you beat thet eam on the other field and you were sure hitting it real good. You had us down 12 to 1 and then 18 to 12 before we had the big inning and put me in a position where i had to walk your big man Ken who is one of the best home run hitters i have seen so far. I have nothing but respect for Roberts Construction from Wisconsin and hope to see you guys next year somewhere. Until then good luck and be safe. Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 + |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Proudtex40 Hi Steve Shannon Sure missed you in Des Moines but i now realize that if you were there with Damon's we probably would not have held on the the 1 run win in the if game. Strange game slowpitch softball. 49 runs meant that we could hit there pitchers and there 16 runs meant that they were having serious trouble with my knuckle and curve ball specialist = Einstein. Yet we both came out and played a 13 to 12 game???? Nothing wrong with the ball as we still hit 5 out with it, just a very intense game played by both squads which did include some real real good defense. Any plans for you to come back next year?? Let me know and until then take care and be safe. Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 + |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Gary19 Nothing wrong with the balls and the heat did not really have an effect on them yet in the 2nd game. Einstein is the best 2nd and 3rd baseman in senior softball and i put him in the presure cooker in the biggest game of his life with very short notice and he came thru with flying colors. That being said pitching did effect his own hitting somewhat considering his 5 home run game on friday. The if game was very very intense and only the hottest and most disiplined hitters came thru. Einstein was more focused on pitching then anything and he is the main reason that we won the championship. Damons put up 32 runs on my other 2 pitchers in the winners bracket game and could only put up 23 runs on Einstien in both championship games. The other 5 runs in the 1st championship game was on one of my other pitchers who came on in the 6th and 7th inning to give Einstien a breather. Gary19, so have you picked a team yet for next year. I want to meet you. You really sound like you know the game. Let me know Thanks Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 major plus |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | ROBO2, Gary Richter, Chip Kreugar, Gary Morris, The manager of the other New Jersey team and all the rest of the guys that i had met and had conversations with. It was a pleasure talking with all of you this weekend. Lets all stick together and let Senior Softball heads know what it takes to make the events better for our teams. Speak up and they will listen. Until next time we meet, be safe. Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 major plus |
| Aug. 30 Brownie 27 posts | Mike, the explanation is reasonable, thanks for the clarification. We clearly enjoyed playing at the top level, new for us since we just moved to majors this year. We look forward to meeting these great teams again. We had a blast given our situation. Congrats on your victory. brownie |
| Aug. 30 Proudtex40 57 posts | Mike, not sure about next year yet. There is talk of a real good sponsor wanting to put together a Virginia team so I'll wait and see what happens. I just needed a break this year and I've also been over to the sand box on business a couple of times this summer so my mind was else where. I knew Mike Rose (Damon's) would have a good team. I missed playing for him this year and simply put, Mike is a class act. I had the chance to play with another team, but had no intention of doing so. If I had wanted to play I would have been with Damon's. Take care and enjoy the fall and winter and I might just see you next year. I'll stay in touch. Steve |
| Aug. 30 BillyMac Men's 55 91 posts | Congratulations to Kelly's on their victory in Des Moines, and congrats to Damon's as well. Your two teams were the class of the 50's. I have two questions. Who made all tourney in the Major plus, and what the heck were those new combats that Kelly's was swinging? Those things were "more" than just hot. Holy crap!! peace Hit to WIN !!!! (which we didn't) B Mac |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | BillyMac Thanks for the congrats. My all world picks were Denny Jones Joe Rinaldi =Einstein Art Tresser Mike Burbank MVP Rick Perez The Combat bat is a brand new release called the Signature series and it was a limited edition run and says so right on the bat. Combat made 1,000 of them and i will end up with half of them for re sale soon. The USSSA version or the one was used by 5 different players in Hutchinson is hotter then the ASA one which was used by only 1 of our players in Des Moines. The 3 combat 98 mph bats that i brought to Des Moines were not all the way broken in yet and the majority of the team swung the 100 mph freaks that we used last year in Des Moines. This was Kelly's Sports last event this year and i wish your team Thermco and all the rest of the Senior teams a safe and fun time in the rest of your worlds this year. Thanks Again Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 Major Plus |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Brownie Thanks for understanding. I never meant it in a bad way, i promise you that. Talked to Ken Van Bogert today and will make a decision about selling his video by tommorow. I am leaning to do so as he is one heck of a nice guy and what a home run hitter. see ya next time Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 Major Plus |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Gary19 I wish you luck hooking up with a team and next time Scones contacts me, i will pass your info on to them. Take care Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 Major Plus |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Proudtex40 I hope you decide to come back out next year. You are a credit to Senior Softball and a good guy. Take Care Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 Major Plus |
| Aug. 30 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | MK, Congrats on you championship! Also, a big pat on the back to the All Tournament Team! Is Ken's video out yet? I am curious to see if he left me on the cutting room floor! :) |
| Aug. 30 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | BruceinGa Thanks for the congrats and our all world team all had a huge weekend for us. Good luck this weekend in the ASA. We are the defending champions but will not be there. ASA is supposed to take t he event to Oklahoma city next year and we will be going to that for sure. Ken was talking a little later in the year for the new video and he did mention that he had some Ga. guys in it. PS. Ken can hit it big time. That man has a swing and he told me that this was just his first senior event. Thanks again Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 Major Plus |
| Aug. 31 Robo2 238 posts | Mike, congrats on an outstanding performance. Any team that can beat Damon's must have been hot. Both teams are top shelf and congrats go to both. It is great to see all you guys whenever we play in these tournaments. Tell Joe that I still havn't forgiven him for taking away my line drive two years ago. Hopefully the tournament directors will amend the design of this tournament because it does stink. |
| Aug. 31 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Gary, The compression of the balls goes down as the temperature goes up. I'm tired of being on the wrong end of the ball/bat controversy where we all have to suffer from ignorant judgements about what's best for us. Better balls and/or bats are what we all want. And any tournaments/regulations that fall short are necessarily less than acceptable. And as Billy says, Keep Bangin' |
| Aug. 31 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Oh yeah. I almost forgot about a highlight of my experience this weekend in Des Moines. I'm talking with this big guy about who our team is doing so far in the tournament only to realize as he walks away that this is the guy who made and stars in the best video/DVD on power hitting in softball. I learned so much of what to do about driving the ball from him I was "Star Struck" talking to him. He's a great hitter and a fantastic guy and he said he's coming out with a new video soon. I wouldn't miss getting it for the world. Thanks again, to Ken Van Bogert. Way to go. |
| Aug. 31 bogie Men's 65 448 posts | I am amused but thank you guys for the kind comments. They are better than what my teammates told me when i popped up. A real pleasure to meet Mike and einstein and see that wild man Joe play...awesome.. I made alonger post in the above thread with my name on it..but really was super impressed with the level of play and comraderie in my first senior tournament. Ken Van Bogaert "bogie" Hope to include the seniors in the upcoming video. |
| Aug. 31 MK39 Men's 50 333 posts | Gary19 Please call my store toll free at 888 448 2919 ask for me. I have the Schones managers phone number for you and he asked me to get your phone number so you guys can talk. Thanks Mike Kelly Kelly's Sports 50 Major plus |
| Aug. 31 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Sorry Ken and guys. As he stated above, his name is Bogaert not Bogert as I wrote. A unusually terrific guy regardless of the spelling. |
