Softball...

Talking Poker · #1 08-24-07, 01:08 PM

In response to omahilo:

It's mostly "just for fun." I'd rather it be a little more serious, honestly. I mean, I still want to play for fun, but we have some definite weak spots on our team and people who don't seem to have any desire to improve. We've improved a TON in the last year as a team though, so that's nice.

My team only plays one night per week, but I was thinking about trying to get on another team in another league next season (starts in September) so I can play twice per week.

In Florida, some of the summer games are just brutal. The next couple of seasons will be much nicer, weather wise...

In other news, our team has always used crappy bats, and I think investing in a good bat would really help us. I think we only have 1 guy who has hit a home run over the fence, and with a decent bat, I think we'd have 2-3 more who could make it - myself included. I don't think I'd have consistent HR power, but I should be able to hit it to the fence a lot more often and cut down on the long fly outs (and hit one out when I really get ahold of one).

Do you use a good bat? I'm just beginning my bat shopping, but would like to try to get a nice doublewall bat in the $200-300 range. Any recommendations?

bdawg31 · #2 08-24-07, 02:54 PM

I am by no means a soft-ball expert - and its been a while since I have played - but the bats, IMO, make a HUGE difference. I can remember most of the time just using the decent team bats and then getting a hold of someones fancy-expensive bat - and wow, what a difference. I vaguely remember our leauge (not too serious) banning certain types of bats.

Why not try to get everyone on yoru team to kick in $20 for a really good team bat? Figure if you are carrying 15 people - that should cover the cost.

Talking Poker · #3 08-24-07, 03:11 PM

Two reasons:

1. While I agree with you that a good bat will make a HUGE difference for some of the people on the team, it will make ZERO difference for others. We have people (girls) who are lucky to make contact and get the ball to the pitcher, for example. An expensive bat will do nothing for them, so I see no reason for them to have to pay for it.

2. I'd rather not everyone use the bat. Bats only have so many hits in them, so why should the people I mentioned in #1 even use the bat? Let's save it for the people who will get something out of it.

I thought I could hopefully solve both problems by saying that I'm buying the bat, but would appreciate a one time $10 donation from anyone who plans to use it regularly. That way, not everyone will have to kick in money, but this will also limit the number of people who use it, as well. I'll guess that maybe 5 people will pay the $10, but that's fine with me...

BTW, I'm leaning towards the . This isn't the most expensive bat out there, but it's got great reviews and would be a HUGE improvement for us...

Dick's has it for $250, but I've seen it online for as low as $200 + shipping.

bdawg31 · #4 08-24-07, 03:18 PM

Agreed. That was why i suggested everyone pitching in. You could even do it on a yearly basis. As long as you dont mind telling people "you cant use the bat without the donation" then you are fine. Or if you are fine donating a bat to the team every year.

bdawg31 · #5 08-24-07, 03:20 PM

I played in a co-ed league years ago - they used a different ball for the women hitters vs the men hitters. Do they do that in your league? The ball for the women was smaller and more dense - so it went further. It was sort of in-between what i would consider a normal softball and a baseball.

It helped the average women somewhat - but if you had a real good woman player, she could really hammer that ball.

Talking Poker · #6 08-24-07, 03:23 PM

Nope. We have one ball for everyone.

Talking Poker · #7 08-24-07, 03:25 PM

This makes no sense to me.

Why make people pay extra for a bat that won't help them and that I'd rather they not use anyway?

bdawg31 · #8 08-24-07, 03:26 PM

Two words TEAM SPIRIT!!!

omahilo · #9 08-25-07, 01:14 AM

$250 is alot for a double wall bat... the new bat now is composite bats. You can get a composite bat for the same price and they are so much better.

Composite bats wont dent up like the doublewall bats do. Miken, Worth, Easton are top of the line when it comes to composite bats. They are the best bats on the market right now. You can get a freak plus for $199 which is a awesome deal. Also do you play USSSA or ASA? if you play ASA you can only use certain bats.

I attached a link below which will help with your shopping. Also they have a forum where you can post about finding a team to play on, just asking general softball stuff or even buying a bat. Ive bought several bats thought people on the forum and have had no problems with them.

Composite bats will last for thousands and thousands of swing if you treat them right. Ive seen composite bats that have all the graphics wore off of them from being hit so much and the bat itself is in mint condition.

Talking Poker · #10 08-25-07, 01:41 AM

Thanks for the link. The bat I've been leaning towards was on the list you sent:

What do you think of it? Every review I have read has been extremely positive.

I only see two bats on that page that have "composite" in their names (I didb't click on every link) and they both cost $280.

omahilo · #11 08-25-07, 05:49 AM

its not a bad bat... I got a older one (04 I think) for free from demarini a few months ago. the big question is what kind of balls do you use.

If you use .44 cor 375 compression then its a good bat for you because those are the balls that the demarini 375 is made to hit. if you use .44 cor 525 compression or .47 cor balls then it wont be as good of a bat for you because it will end up denting very easily because the harder the ball is the more likely it will dent that kind of bat.

I mean if you hit .47 cor balls with the 375 it will hit them good but the life of the bat wont be nearly as long since it is a doublewall bat.