Grown up Softball guy

**CYdTracked** · 03-23-2010, 10:46 AM

Hate to ruin your rant but its something you just have to accept. There are a ton of "softball guys" in town, just go out to Walker Johnson Park in Urbandale on a given night and you'll find dozens of them. I play adult league softball but I definitely don't take it serious enough to be reserving batting cages to get BP in but I know there are guys that probably hit year round. Heck I even play with a guy that gets paid some decent money to play on a fast pitch team that plays in tournaments most weekends. He says most pitchers on those fast pitch teams make around $10,000 for the season so it's a pretty competive sport apparently.

I like playing ball myself but I'm more of a beer league softball player. I get my BP in on an empty field a week or 2 before the season starts and we're usually all drinking some beers while getting our turns in. I refuse to wear baseball pants playing rec league softball too...

**benjay** · 03-23-2010, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

It's not that I think I can just show up and get the field. It's calling all around and trying to find a place. Every team has troulble with it. You guys obviously have never coached baseball so you would not know. It's just sad that you finally get a spot and show up and there are old guys practicing slow pitch. Get a life.

I don't even disagree. But they are also just trying to have some fun and I can respect that. Spring is a busy time for baseball.

**l2alphmacchio** · 03-23-2010, 10:48 AM

I am one for promoting Little League and AAU, but I have to side against Knownothing on this one. They have every right to reserve the batting cage as you do. CRclyclone6 is right when saying some of these guys are sponsored. My hitting coach back in the day was sponsored by Easton for slow pitch. He has every right to reserve a spot at a batting cage to prepare for his upcoming season as your Little League team does, he is trying to better himself to maintain his sponsorship, just as your team is trying to better themselves for the upcoming season.

**ISU4ME** · 03-23-2010, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

I am not entitled to anything.. Even health care... However if you are old and you are taking the cages away from kids who really need to practice and need to enjoy being kids and learning the game.. You are a tool bag and need to quit. Probably the same guys that knock little kids over to try and get a foul ball.

I remember when I was a kid. We did not have batting cages to "learn" the game. We had fathers who pitched to us at the ball diamond and friends who shagged balls. Oh the good ole days...........

I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Grab a few of your son's friends and head to a local baseball diamond and you can have all the kids work on their hitting as well as fielding. Heck if you have a Milton Bradley on your team, you can even practice counting outs.

**CYdTracked** · 03-23-2010, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

I am not entitled to anything.. Even health care... However if you are old and you are taking the cages away from kids who really need to practice and need to enjoy being kids and learning the game.. You are a tool bag and need to quit. Probably the same guys that knock little kids over to try and get a foul ball.

I'd like to see you tell this to someone that plays in a 50+ league and see how you fare. I know guys 20 years older than me that are in better shape and can hit the ball harder than I can. Heck even our pitcher in 1 of my men's league is 52 and while he's not the most athletic guy in the world he's scrappy enough that he was leading our team in batting average for a good part of the year. He's not the kind that goes to the batting cages though either and probably one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

**jtd9046** · 03-23-2010, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

It's not that I think I can just show up and get the field. It's calling all around and trying to find a place. Every team has troulble with it. You guys obviously have never coached baseball so you would not know. It's just sad that you finally get a spot and show up and there are old guys practicing slow pitch. Get a life.

Not going to get into the debate about who could use it more, I sympathize with your troubles, but you also need to take a step back and think.

So tonight I'm heading out to a field to practice with softball buddies. I need to get a life? I've got spring fever bud. I'm pumped to get outside, toss the ball around with friends, and get some exercise some place other than a treadmill.

Also, close down all golf ranges... you fools aren't going pro. What are you practicing for?!?

**Knownothing** · 03-23-2010, 10:52 AM

Not once did I say they don't have a right to do it. Hell we live in America we have a lot of rights. Just because I can take the fat chick home from the bar does not mean I should do it. Just like adult softball guy. I should have friends letting me know that it's not a good idea and you look like a tool.

**CylentButDeadly** · 03-23-2010, 10:53 AM

Batting cages don't develop hitting skills as well as facing live pitching does anyway.

**Knownothing** · 03-23-2010, 10:54 AM

I remember when I was a kid. We did not have batting cages to "learn" the game. We had fathers who pitched to us at the ball diamond and friends who shagged balls. Oh the good ole days...........

I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Grab a few of your son's friends and head to a local baseball diamond and you can have all the kids work on their hitting as well as fielding. Heck if you have a Milton Bradley on your team, you can even practice counting outs.

So did your dad put a coat on you and head out when there is a foot of snow on the ground. We practice outside when possible. It's not that. Also I have no problem with playing softball. I do it. I have no problem with you going to the softball field and knocking it around.

**RyCy04** · 03-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by CylentButDeadly

Batting cages don't develop hitting skills as well as facing live pitching does anyway.

Batting cages are important for young kids because it helps in muscle memory.

**tman24** · 03-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by ISU4ME

I remember when I was a kid. We did not have batting cages to "learn" the game. We had fathers who pitched to us at the ball diamond and friends who shagged balls. Oh the good ole days...........

I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Grab a few of your son's friends and head to a local baseball diamond and you can have all the kids work on their hitting as well as fielding. Heck if you have a Milton Bradley on your team, you can even practice counting outs.

Agree I dont think we hit in a batting cage until 8th grade. Just go to an open field and hit balls helps the other kids work on fielding the ball. win win right there.

**Knownothing** · 03-23-2010, 10:57 AM

Agree I dont think we hit in a batting cage until 8th grade. Just go to an open field and hit balls helps the other kids work on fielding the ball. win win right there.

It's easy to say this when you look outside right now. I agree with that. However a month ago. Over the weekend it was not possible to go outside. For t

**CylentButDeadly** · 03-23-2010, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by RyCy04

Batting cages are important for young kids because it helps in muscle memory.

So does hitting off a tee and soft tossing. That's why when you're not facing live pitching, you go off to the side and takes some cuts off the tee and a couple soft tosses and then hop back in and face some more live pitching.

**tman24** · 03-23-2010, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

It's easy to say this when you look outside right now. I agree with that. However a month ago. Over the weekend it was not possible to go outside. For t

Probably cause I was inside playing basketball. Didnt have baseball start til the end of May. April and May is plenty of time to work on swinging and throwing.

I understand you were wanting a cage during February but so did everyone else. Just because they are little doesnt mean they instantly get the cage, unless it was reserved then yes you have some beef.

**1100011CS** · 03-23-2010, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

It's easy to say this when you look outside right now. I agree with that. However a month ago. Over the weekend it was not possible to go outside. For t

And little league kids really need to start practicing in February? If there's snow on the ground, don't practice. Or find a cage that's open and don't ***** because someone else is there first.