OT: Anyone Play Adult Baseball?

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:01 am

Wierd Jack. I am no expert on shoulder issues. It could be anything from tendinitis to a pinch nerve, to rotator cuff, to torn labrum...etc.

The shoulder is not made for the overhand throw, that is why softball pitchers can pithc forever and baseball pitchers are lucky to throw 150 pitches.

Your problem is wiered for someone who just started thropwing again.

Maybe Diablo will have more info as he has had a ton of experience playing and coaching.

Great 2nd game BTW!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:11 am

Piggy (or anyone else)...any advice on bat weight/length?
I currently have a Louisville Slugger M9 Maple model.....33" / 30 oz.
I feels a little heavy to me......especially after many swings in the cage.
I have read conflicting views about optimum bat weight. Some say bat speed is most important and some say use the heaviest bat you can handle. All the "bat guide charts" for my height & weight (6' 1" 185)
say I should use a 34" and at least 30 oz.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:38 pm

Thanks for the help on the maple bats because I HIT A HOME RUN YESTERDAY!

Ok, it wasn't a moon shot, but a line drive that barely cleared the fence in left field. Also, we were playing at another teams park and all they had there was a softball field so the distance to the left field fence was only 340 feet. It still counts right!

I had a monster game yesterday , went 2-3, double and hr. Last week I really stunk up the joint going 0-4.

After 3 games, I really am glad I choose to get involved in adult league baseball. We are competitive but it's still about fun. We have games only Friday nights and sundays and if you played Friday night and they have enough guys for the sunday game, the coach will let you take off sunday. That's what I've been doing since I like to spend time with family on the weekends.

Again, thanks everyone for your help.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon May 14, 2007 10:22 am

Inuyasha wrote:Thanks for the help on the maple bats because I HIT A HOME RUN YESTERDAY!

Ok, it wasn't a moon shot, but a line drive that barely cleared the fence in left field. Also, we were playing at another teams park and all they had there was a softball field so the distance to the left field fence was only 340 feet. It still counts right!

I had a monster game yesterday , went 2-3, double and hr. Last week I really stunk up the joint going 0-4.

After 3 games, I really am glad I choose to get involved in adult league baseball. We are competitive but it's still about fun. We have games only Friday nights and sundays and if you played Friday night and they have enough guys for the sunday game, the coach will let you take off sunday. That's what I've been doing since I like to spend time with family on the weekends.

Again, thanks everyone for your help.

That's awesome Inuy! 340 feet is a HR in many major league parks! Heck, if it was down the line in right in Yankee Stadium, it would be 20 rows back

Which maple bat did u get? I have the Louisville Slugger M9. I think those are the one's that Barry Bonds uses. They are great, but my 33" feels a bit heavy to me. I ordered 2 Mizuno Maples that I found on the internet for $50 each that I saw in Sports Authority. They feel perfect to me. They are probably -3, while the M9 is -2. It's going to be hard to put down my M9 though, since I am hitting .600 with it
(6 for 10). I went 2 for 2 yesterday, with 2 walks. When you hit the sweet spot on it, it just feels so SOLID. I am not sure if I can hit a HR, but I hit a gapper last week that looked about 20-30 feet from the fence, so I guess it's possible if I catch one just right and pull it down the line. We play on High School fields and the dimensions are usually 285 down the lines and 350 in the power alleys.

Here is my M9:
http://www.batsbatsbats.com/Louisville_ ... Maple.html

Here is the Mizuno that I ordered:
http://www.batsbatsbats.com/Easton_2007 ... le110.html

I am so into baseball again, I have been looking into getting some type of hitting aid so I can practice at home. I have been looking at the Qucikswing http://www.sklzstore.com/store/product_ ... ucts_id=89 or some other type of soft toss machine.
I also need some type of net to hit into. They are selling this combo deal
http://www.sklzstore.com/store/product_ ... ucts_id=95
but it is currently sold out. There are other hitting aids out there, but I think hitting a moving ball would be the best, as opposed to something stationary. I have a batting cage place near me, but it closes at 7 pm and I have a hard time getting there after work.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:53 pm

Jack, I bought a Mizuno as well. I don't recall the model of it, but it's a 32 inch bat, and is colored Red. I bought it at Sports Authority for 80 dollars. The finish on it is so nice that when I first saw it at the store, I thought it was a metal bat.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:44 pm

Inuyasha wrote:Jack, I bought a Mizuno as well. I don't recall the model of it, but it's a 32 inch bat, and is colored Red. I bought it at Sports Authority for 80 dollars. The finish on it is so nice that when I first saw it at the store, I thought it was a metal bat.

I saw that bat at Sports Authority as well. It was so pretty, I would be afraid to hit with it

. How do u like it? Does it have a nice solid feel?

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:33 pm

JackB1 wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:Jack, I bought a Mizuno as well. I don't recall the model of it, but it's a 32 inch bat, and is colored Red. I bought it at Sports Authority for 80 dollars. The finish on it is so nice that when I first saw it at the store, I thought it was a metal bat.
I saw that bat at Sports Authority as well. It was so pretty, I would be afraid to hit with it . How do u like it? Does it have a nice solid feel?

I had the same feeling when I first used it. I was like it's so nice looking, it should belong on a mantle, not in a game. The bat is great. I think you probably can't go wrong with Maple bats. The ball just flys off it, especially if you hit it dead on. I almost feel like I am cheating since all the other guys are using old bats or 20 dollar bats like my old one.

One thing about the Louisville Slugger one I saw at sports Authority, I just didnt like the feel of it compared to the Mizuno and Easton bats. Not sure why, but seems like the other bats are more polished than the LSlugger one I saw at a comparable price.

I just hope to god I dont break this bat. I don't think I am strong enough to and I dont think the pitchers in my league can throw that hard to break it. but we're going up against this team this friday who had a guy play semi-pro ball back in the early 90s. He's has 4 very good pitches and really pitches and thinks like a pro pitcher. I've heard his fastball reachs around 85. He's already thrown a no hitter in our league. I just hope he doesn't break my bat.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:34 pm

double post

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:28 am

JackB1 wrote:Second week of the season, we had a double header to make up a rainout. First game was a nightmare. they had a pitcher that threw all kinds of junk and threw overhand, sidearm and others. I went 0 for 3 with a walk and struck out swinging on a changeup that reminded me of bugs bunny ("one, two, three strikes your out"). We lost something like 8-2.

Second game was a totally different story. different team with a much easier to hit pitcher. I went 2-4 and had a stand up triple that was a line shot into the left center gag that hit about 20 feet before the fence. It was the farthest hit ball the whole day, both teams combined. I hit the ball so perfect, on the sweet spot, it was a beautiful thing It was like when you nail a 5 iron to 2 feet from the pin and you forget all the other shots you hit into the trees all day.

I do have a problem though....maybe you can help me out Pigpen. My arm is killing me when I throw. I was playing 3rd and could just about make the throw from 3rd to 1st, but with a lot of pain. Is it just from lack of throwing in a long time? Should I throw more or rest my arm more? I am so confused. The weird thing is that it doesn't hurt at all after the game. Just mostly during the throw and for about 2 minutes afterwards.
I feel it in the place where your arm connects to your shoulder. I noticed that it hurts less if I throw directly overhand rather than 3/4, like you do when pitching. I hope it gets better.......if it doesn't, I will be a liability in the field.

I have similiar pain when I fool around with the kids I work with when I coach them in softball. I can't throw the ball anywhere without pain shooting down my shoulder.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:15 am

Inuyasha wrote: I just hope to god I dont break this bat. I don't think I am strong enough to and I dont think the pitchers in my league can throw that hard to break it. but we're going up against this team this friday who had a guy play semi-pro ball back in the early 90s. He's has 4 very good pitches and really pitches and thinks like a pro pitcher. I've heard his fastball reachs around 85. He's already thrown a no hitter in our league. I just hope he doesn't break my bat.

Wow, that will be a real test for you. An 85 mph fastball mixed with other pitches will be very tough to hit. Move as far back in the box as you can, choke up a little and try to have a qucik, compact swing with no wasyed movement. You could also take a wider stance than normal and shorten up your stride. Let me know how you do against him. I haven't faced anyone yet in my league that could blow a fastball by me yet, but mine is an over 40 league and most of the pitchers rely more on "junk" to get guiys out.

I also love the maple bats. They are a bit heavier than ash, but not too bad. I fouled off a fastball right in on the hands into the dugout and was surprised it didn't break the bat, so it probably takes a lot to break them.
I use a thin rubber bat sleeve on my wood bat during batting practice or at the cages to protect it. Do you use any tape on it or rosin/pine tar? I haven't tried any of that stuff...just some good batting gloves.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:29 pm

Inuyasha wrote:I've heard his fastball reachs around 85. He's already thrown a no hitter in our league. I just hope he doesn't break my bat.

You have to make contact for that to happen.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:49 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:I've heard his fastball reachs around 85. He's already thrown a no hitter in our league. I just hope he doesn't break my bat.
You have to make contact for that to happen.

bunt.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:03 pm

Inuyasha wrote: I just hope he doesn't break my bat.

You mean you wouldn't "gladly" trade your bat for a broken-bat bloop base hit like the big leaguers?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:21 am

Had a rough game last night......we faced this guy who threw 90% SLOWWWW curve balls and I went 0-4 dropping my avg from .600 to .429. We had one bad inning where the other team scored 8 runs after one out and lost 10-4. I made a big mistake and tried a different bat (mizuno) and the difference was very noticeable. I am gladly going back to my Louisville Maple M9. It feels so much more solid, it's not funny. I guess there really is a difference among different bats. I read somewhere that some manufacturers use an inferior maple. I got a good deal on 2 mizuno bats on Ebay ($50 ea.) but they went back up on Ebay last night.

Hope I get mu hitting back on track this Sun. I was in a nice groove until this junkballer came along

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu May 17, 2007 4:35 pm

JackB1 wrote:Had a rough game last night......we faced this guy who threw 90% SLOWWWW curve balls and I went 0-4 dropping my avg from .600 to .429. We had one bad inning where the other team scored 8 runs after one out and lost 10-4. I made a big mistake and tried a different bat (mizuno) and the difference was very noticeable. I am gladly going back to my Louisville Maple M9. It feels so much more solid, it's not funny. I guess there really is a difference among different bats. I read somewhere that some manufacturers use an inferior maple. I got a good deal on 2 mizuno bats on Ebay ($50 ea.) but they went back up on Ebay last night.

Hope I get mu hitting back on track this Sun. I was in a nice groove until this junkballer came along

I have the complete opposite bat opinion as you. I love my Mizuno and had returned a LSlugger. I think the Mizuno took more time to break in for me. I am more use to it now after a good day or two of batting practice.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu May 17, 2007 5:32 pm

Inuyasha wrote: I have the complete opposite bat opinion as you. I love my Mizuno and had returned a LSlugger. I think the Mizuno took more time to break in for me. I am more use to it now after a good day or two of batting practice.

We aren't comparing the same models. I had the basic natural Mizuno model and you had that red one. Did you try a Louisville M9 Maple model?
I haven't tried the mizuno that you have and I heard that you can get "lemons" in bats like anything else. My M9 always fees solid, even if I dont hit the sweetspot and the Mizuno felt very bad to me unless I nailed the sweet spot. The M9 also had much more "pop" with the same swing effort. To be honest, I didnt try the mizuno for a long time. I just knew after several hits with it that I like my LS much more. Bats are an individual thing though....you have to find something that YOU like. I do know that Sam Bat is widely considered the #1 maple bat of the pros and Louisville modeled the M9's after the Sam Bat maple's. I got a LS cause the y are $40 cheaper than the Sam's. Louisville Slugger is the most widely used bat overall in the majors though and they are trying to capture the maple bat market that Sambat pioneered.

On a related note, I picked up a 7 ft. circular pop-up practice net and a Wilson soft toss machine, so I can get my swings in at home

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:30 pm

JackB1 wrote:
Inuyasha wrote: I have the complete opposite bat opinion as you. I love my Mizuno and had returned a LSlugger. I think the Mizuno took more time to break in for me. I am more use to it now after a good day or two of batting practice.
We aren't comparing the same models. I had the basic natural Mizuno model and you had that red one. Did you try a Louisville M9 Maple model?
I haven't tried the mizuno that you have and I heard that you can get "lemons" in bats like anything else. My M9 always fees solid, even if I dont hit the sweetspot and the Mizuno felt very bad to me unless I nailed the sweet spot. The M9 also had much more "pop" with the same swing effort. To be honest, I didnt try the mizuno for a long time. I just knew after several hits with it that I like my LS much more. Bats are an individual thing though....you have to find something that YOU like. I do know that Sam Bat is widely considered the #1 maple bat of the pros and Louisville modeled the M9's after the Sam Bat maple's. I got a LS cause the y are $40 cheaper than the Sam's. Louisville Slugger is the most widely used bat overall in the majors though and they are trying to capture the maple bat market that Sambat pioneered.

On a related note, I picked up a 7 ft. circular pop-up practice net and a Wilson soft toss machine, so I can get my swings in at home

cool. My cheap original $20 bat already is cracked so I am glad I got a maple one in time. The LSlugger I had, it just didn't feel right for me. Maybe like you said, I just didnt have the right bat when I tried it.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:19 am

JackB1 wrote:
Let me know how you do against him.

K
K
[backwards]K[/backwards]
K

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:41 am

Told ya! Don't have to worry about breaking the bat when you K 4 times. LOL.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat May 19, 2007 9:40 pm

dont feel bad Inuy.....I'm sure you had company

I pulled on 0-4 last Wed and cant wait to try and redeem myself tommorow. I am going back to my original bat, never to stray again

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:42 pm

This guy was really good. We got 4 hits off him but 3 of those hits were to RF where the outfielder was overweight and slow. The pitcher was wild too so it was sort of scary up there since he really brung the heat. I don't know the difference between 80 or 90mph, but I hardly could see the ball when he threw a fastball. I was thinking about trying to bunt but thought it wouldn't be cool.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:10 am

Inuyasha wrote:This guy was really good. We got 4 hits off him but 3 of those hits were to RF where the outfielder was overweight and slow. The pitcher was wild too so it was sort of scary up there since he really brung the heat. I don't know the difference between 80 or 90mph, but I hardly could see the ball when he threw a fastball. I was thinking about trying to bunt but thought it wouldn't be cool.

Nothing wrong with laying one down. I do it sometimes if I am not hitting good that day or if I just need to get on base and the 3rd or 1st baseman looks slow.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:05 am

Anyone know where i can get a bat corked? I just always wanted to have a corked bat just to feel the difference. I've been told it's good to use for batting practice. I 'm afraid to ask anyone on my team since they may think I want to cheat in the games. But I really don't, I just was always fascinated about how to cork a bat.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:14 am

Here you go

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/base ... 11.graphic

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:54 am

Inuy,
Just thought I would share this with you.

There are lots of great baseball videos at http://www.totalvid.com.
It's only $10/month for unlimited viewing and I think there is a free 1 week trial period. I have watched most of the hitting videos and they helped me a lot. You should check it out.

I have no games this weekend so I am going crazy not playing.
I ordered a solohitter from http://www.solohitter.com so I can get
my swings in at home. I hope it comes soon! I tried a practice net
and a tee, but I couldn't find any level ground around my house, so I
brought that stuff back. The solohitter I can put in the garage or on our back patio and practice even when it's cold out.