Actually played baseball today for the first time since high school.

[HollywoodLeo]

well, softball, but it's better than nothing but watching it and ootp.

it was just a bunch of us in a church group goofing around, but it's got me having an itch to find a beer league or something, lol.

My hitting has gone to crap (not that it was too good to begin with). Struggled hitting underhand tosses of softballs squarely. But my defense was still as decent as it was. (also nothing to brag about, but I can read the ball and run it down)

[love_that_reefer]

Hitting a softball was a lot harder for me than baseball. On defense, the ball carries a lot more than a baseball. You also get more knucklers hit at you.

[GiantsFanatic]

Yeah man I agree with LTR, hitting a softball vs a baseball is a night and day difference, my friend told me it took him almost 2-3 years to get a softball swing down. I'm still learning as we speak(I play in a adult baseball league, and 2 coed softball leagues).

[Dry1313]

Hitting a softball is way easier...unless you're playing arcball.

I could always hit fastballs, but I couldn't hit a really good curve. So a softball, being big and straight, is perfect for my level and quick swing.

[HollywoodLeo]

they were definiteley arcing it.

I was never a good hitter even when I was at my best, but when I did hit it I was also best at fastballs.

[Dry1313]

they were definiteley arcing it.

I was never a good hitter even when I was at my best, but when I did hit it I was also best at fastballs.

Arc is totally timing; don't try and hit it back from where it comes, just try and hit it square and level.

[A'sDiehard]

I play softball a couple nights a week and in Alameda they throw major arc (that and the umps suck ass here). Been playing for almost twenty years (with some baseball mixed in) and I'm going to play until my body tells me I can't play anymore. I know guys that play 4-5 nights a week plus tournament on the weekends and many of them are married.

[catman]

My body already told me that I'm done, but I really miss playing.

[Trendy Bastard]

This will be my 3rd year of beer league softball. And I plan on really stepping up my game. I need to get my arm back in shape for third though. Last year I had a lot of trouble getting that huge ball across the diamond.

[love_that_reefer]

I play third but prefer the OF but I'm the only one that sacrifices his body and blocks the ball. Third base is truly the hot corner in softball. Not everyone can play there. I got the arm but I have problems throwing short distances, always have. I could burn one from the CF warning track to third base on the fly no problem but simply throwing to a cutoff man on a routine play was a struggle. My advise to Leo is wait til the last possible moment to swing.

[Trendy Bastard]

It really is. It can be down right intimidating being there. I've had to handle line drives that could have taken my head off. I think my previous experience there (I played 3B and 2B my whole life) has really helped me. I just have to find the right release point and stick with it. The funny thing is my first year I had no trouble. I got a lot of praise around the league for being one the best defensively at my position. Then last year my arm seemed to have a mind of its own. Either I was air-mailing it, or bouncing it over. Hardly ever made a solid throw.

As far as hitting, it's a lot to get used to (especially for baseball players). Some of the guys in the league have perfected the arc and can give you a fit up there. My first year I had a lot of trouble waiting back, and pushing the ball to the opposite field, so every one knew the ball was either going to SS, 3B, or LF. Then I realized that it's all in the hips and timing, and started hitting the ball where ever I wanted. My power isn't quite where I want it to be, so I still have to rely on my speed.

This thread has me all sorts of excited for the season now.

[A'sDiehard]

I'm straight fuckin rakin right now. My Demarini doublewall took it's last swing recently so now I'm using my Miken Camo as a backup. That Demarini was so good to me......

[love_that_reefer]

A week straight of rain won't allow our season to start

[Trendy Bastard]

As of right now my first game of the season looks rain-free.

Can't wait til Monday!

[Kingdom]

So Leo, think you could out hit your padres?