| Author | Comment | ||
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 PeteJC |
It's the bats! |
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Posts: 1261 (06/15/08 08:04:36) |
With all else being equal, the team with the hottest bats will almost always win.
Do you agree or disagree? Is this the way a competitive recreational sport should really be decided? Is there a solution? |
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besh00 |
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Posts: 72 (06/22/08 18:24:11) |
Yup, it's the bats. That's about 50% of the reason why I gave the game up. I don't think there's any turning back, too much money to be made.
I would love to go back to cheap aluminum bats and 50 COR balls. I'd probably start playing again. |
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PeteJC |
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Posts: 1263 (06/23/08 20:56:24) |
I was sceptical of the 70 foot bases rather than 65 but I think it improves the game. The infielders can get to more balls and they are more involved in the
game again. Double and triples are harder to earn and an infield bobble isn't an automatic single. As a first baseman the game is more enjoyable on 70
foot bases. As a base runner it kind of sucks that as I get older and fatter they move the bases back but it's another good reason to get the weight off
and get at least some of my speed back.
The USSSA 44/400 and the ASA 44/375 ball have also increased the chances that the defense can make a play on a ball. More balls are fielded by the infield and more balls stay in play for the out field. HR's are exciting for the hitter but they don't really involve anyone else in playing the game. The cheap HR cheapens the game. I love the composite bats and easier hitting due to a more forgiving sweet spot keeps more people in the game but crazy hot tampered bats ruin the offensive / defensive balance of the game. |
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Sharky |
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Posts: 3941 (06/24/08 21:21:53) |
I'd agree guys. I've been on some pretty good teams that were beaten by equipment. On the flipside, I've also been on some pretty bad teams that
have started winning when I showed up on the team.... and NO, it wasn't from my playing ability at all. It was because I had a good bat or two for the team
to use.
I also got sick of the constant rule changes, having to have a different bat for a different night, city A having different rules than city B, city B changing their rules half-way through the season, etc. etc. It just got to be a pain. I don't mind playing with physical pain. I have played until I barfed many times, but it isn't worth it anymore. I don't want to go out and run on a broken ankle, only to have some pissant whining about this or that or some league director who can't make up his mind. It gets old. I would be happy if they just gave us 47/525's and issued every team a Demarini Doublewall Distance or even an Ultimate Weapon and called it good. |
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Swurgen |
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Posts: 218 (07/24/08 17:33:16) |
Composite bats lose more players to the game than it retains. Pitchers/IF's who get tired of trying to field BB's. Young and old teams who get
frustrated at their inability to succeed because they don't realize how much of a diff the bats make or else don't want to invest in one. Composite
bats were definitely the nail in the coffin in this game relative to the popularity it enjoyed in the decades prior to Miken ruining the game.
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KennyH123 |
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Posts: 2754 (10/23/08 06:46:45) |
Shut up, theKen.
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MarlSrSoftball |
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Posts: 1473 (11/15/08 05:36:50) |
I agree the bat has a lot to do with it but it still takes someone behind that bat to make it work. I play on 70+ tournament teams which just about all use
the Ultra II's and I can outhit about 1/2 of the players on my team with my MUT98.
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KennyH123 |
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Posts: 2756 (11/18/08 08:45:24) |
I can't even imagine getting to play with 47/525 balls again.. man, that would be great!... a good metal bat with those balls is all anyone needs..
forget moving the bases farther apart, moving the fences back and all that other stuff. Good balls and single wall metal bats are all that is needed.
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