The Softball Thread

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

Just curious to see if there's any adult softball players on MSH. We just started a team at work and I haven't played in 10 years so I'm pretty excited.

I'm way outdated when it comes to gear though - but I'm slowly replacing it! Got an Eagle mitt today and hopefully Easton's new bat in April.

[mack 44]

Started last year with a team at my work. I went in thinking it was easy peasy compared to baseball but damn did I look foolish.

Got the Stealth and Synergy bats last year and still rock my old Trap-Eze.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

I remember when you got that Stealth...

Now Synergy, is yours ASA legal?

I might be getting the new one, extended barrel.

[mack 44]

Yeah, I made sure mine was legal. I think it was the Synergy+ that got banned, so they made the Synergy 2. I just learned to stay away from anything with Titanium or made by Miken.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

That's the one I wanted to get, but couldn't (Syn2) so I'm looking at the Extended, but that'll be in April.

[mack 44]

I'll have to look into that. Some assbag on the team that pretty much had bought all of the team's equipment pulled a Cartman and quit this year, taking his shit with him. I currently own 50% of our bats and we got the corporate OK to get more.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

How do composite bats hold up? The one I'll be getting won't be warrantied...

[mack 44]

Honestly? I don't care for them and they seem to die out. I like aluminum better and absolutely love the Stealth because it has a composite handle with a metal barrel. Those are the kinds of bats I prefer for power.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

Hmm...does it eliminate the vibration you get from aluminum?

[mack 44]

Oh yeah, they do hit like a dream but no power. If you're into spraying the ball for basehits, composites are mint. I love the feel but chicks dig the long ball....which to me is legging one out that I hit at a girl real hard.

[mik3 1]

I can't find any leagues around here, maybe I need to get an office job and be a ringer on their softball team.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

I can't hit for power. I want a light bat that I can hit 'em where they ain't...plus we only get one HR per game...

[mack 44]

Go with composites. Synergy is a champ and so is the Worth Wicked composite.

[nyhockey6 1]

I'm impartial to Demarini stuff since my brother works for them. I was able to take some swings with an eVo and a vexxum 10. Both killer bats, the eVo is a slo-pitch bat and the vexxum is for fast pitch.

[iceholes 0]

well... three nights a weeks for the last 4 years since I cut back from 5 nights...

I have way too many bats all way too much $$$

My first Synergy was a bat not a stick...

I dont have a problem paying $300+ for a bat like I do 150+ for a stick.

I know my Bat wont break because of someone else , or get stepped on, or break on a face-off,,,etc.. Sticks dont last any where near the life of a Bat IMO..

bATS ARE ALL PERSONAL PREFERENCE!!!!

most composites are awesome bats...

I use an old Kelley wraptech...freak plus and freak 98 and an original and second batch synergy.

Oh I also feel Tanel cleats help your knees/ankles through summer hockey

Go long go deep, but dont go foul

[mack 44]

Plus bats generally have a nice year-long warranty.

Tanels were the ones with the 360 degree cleats right? Circular pattern? I still use my metals in the OF and just make sure not to walk on the concrete.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

I got some conversions but I can't use metal...

[mack 44]

We technically can't either but I'm not going to go Ty Cobb anyone and our outfields are too slick for anything to work. Conversions are great though, but when I had those I got called on for having spikes more than when I've actually had them on.

[iceholes 0]

yes Tanels are the 360 degrees!!!

[Shorthanded67 0]

Well my old baseball cleats from high school (I'm now 28) finally bit the dust 2 days ago. I have to go buy some new ones tomorrow for this weekend and obviously it's the first time I've had to buy them in over a decade. Any recommendations for someone who's playing once, maybe twice a week for just recreational slow-pitch softball? Nike branded athletic footwear has always fit me best and Adidas is usually a bit too tight-fitting. Thanks ahead of time for any and all suggestions!

EDIT: They have to be rubber molded, not metal tip.

[JR Boucicaut 3799]

I like adidas...bought a set of conversions...they are sick...all black :)

[Shorthanded67 0]

Yeah this is a lot different than buying hockey skates....generally I know exactly what I'm looking for in skates. On my day off work today, I have to make the rounds to 3 or 4 stores (hard to find rubber tip VS metal!) and try some on. I'm definitely a fan of all-black though.

Another dilemna is breaking them in. With skates it's no problem because I'm out on the rink 5 times a week. With softball, it's a bit tougher because I'm lucky to get a game a week (with rainouts). Other than wearing them around the house (my downstairs neighbors will kill me when I walk on the tile :P ), I guess I'll have to look like a fool and head up to an empty diamond and do some sprints.

[BK 0]

Cleats dont take as long to break in. My soccer cleats were flimsy out of the box (and they had better be.. I payed more for them than my skates).

[patr0510 0]

these are the babies i got. I have the metal ones in, but the come with non-metal too. they also have flames on the bottom. they will set you back about $120 canadian.

[mack 44]

Nike conversions, I forget the model. I'd keep a couple spikes on because the OF at the softball fields were insanely slick, so I just had to be careful not to walk on the concrete.