D-League

[berniecarbo]

Never played fast pitch softball, always slow pitch. Went to Nationals a couple of times and played C West Nationals in 2004. You have to place 1st or 2nd in your state or 1st or 2nd in a major tournament to get an invite. Below is the team picture from Midland TX. There were many teams there from all over the west and midwest including a team out of Hawaii who were some big dudes that laughed at our team because most of us were small compared to them. We beat them to put them in the losers bracket and then they went on to lose again. The tournament was 4 days long with around 100 teams there. We placed 4th overall with the 3 teams ahead of us all out of California. I am on the far left as you look at the picture.

I quit playing in my late thirties. Couldn't step into the pitch like you need to because of a bad leg and that's the time I started working for myself. There wasn't enough time for business, ball, and family. Something had to go.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

I can remember in the 50s (imagine you can too) how people reacted to Japanese products...in particular transistor radios, but others too. Remember a couple of guys who were friends of my mom and dad's who wouldn't buy Japanese stuff...called it junk. As did my dad...even though he fought in Europe.

This was the norm around me. Four uncles served in the South Pacific all were in combat. My dad's cousin was a Marine and POW. He almost starved to death and came back weighing 88 lbs He was not short either. He had no muscle on his body. Dad said you could count every bone in his spine and his pelvis stuck out covered by a thin layer of skin. No fat or muscle anywhere. He could not walk for 18 months after the war due to weakness in his legs. He had 14 broken bones from being beat while a prisoner of war. After he returned to America he had to have surgery to re-break and set them because the Japanese did not treat him. They just beat him and threw him into a bamboo hut.

A story I may have told but one I will never forget is when I was about 7 years old. It would have been 1950. My uncle was on leave from the Navy, he joined in 1942 at age 16. Lied about his age. We were in line at Woolsworth Department store and he told me to pick out a toy and he would buy it for me. I picked out a small tin car. I handed it to him and he look at the bottom. Made In Japan. He threw it across the store and said "I fit those SOB's and will never buy their junk". The dislike of Japanese immediately after WWII was off the chart.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

I quit playing in my late thirties. Couldn't step into the pitch like you need to because of a bad leg and that's the time I started working for myself. There wasn't enough time for business, ball, and family. Something had to go.

These were my softball playing days. I was probably 40 in this picture. We sure had fun. Our winter season started the first of November and ran through March. Then we took of April and started the summer season in May and went through September. Great times and great team mates.

 

[BBUK]

These were my softball playing days. I was probably 40 in this picture. We sure had fun. Our winter season started the first of November and ran through March. Then we took of April and started the summer season in May and went through September. Great times and great team mates.

Look like a member of the Big Red Machine Sir...

 

[Sawnee Cat]

No way we lose to New Mexico. Louisville has a badass quarterback but their offensive line is no match for our D. No doubt we'll put pressure on him, but that is when he shines. Could be an interesting game.

Here is a prediction for Kentucky to the Outback to face Wisconsin. Please let it happen Lord. Also Texas A&M gets the Citrus

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/bowls/predictions/

 

[warrior-cat]

These were my softball playing days. I was probably 40 in this picture. We sure had fun. Our winter season started the first of November and ran through March. Then we took of April and started the summer season in May and went through September. Great times and great team mates.

I was 58 in the first picture (far right as you look at it), and 61 in the second picture (sitting behind trophy). state champions those year as well as many other years. Younger years B, C, D, States and latter years were E States. I have about 10 or 11 State titles here. 5 guys in the second picture are over 50. Both pictures are in Norman OK and in walking distance from Lloyd Noble (OU basketball center and Gaylord Family Memorial Football stadium)

 

[BBUK]

Sorry I am not sorry, I had to post this...

My Army Buddy is on a roll....

 

[berniecarbo]

These were my softball playing days. I was probably 40 in this picture. We sure had fun. Our winter season started the first of November and ran through March. Then we took of April and started the summer season in May and went through September. Great times and great team mates.

I reckon the 2 things I miss most are playing softball and drinking beer. I quit the softball for the reasons I mentioned. Quit the beer because I didn't want the daughter to see it in the house. After Viet Nam, I drank way to much for way to long and I just didn't want to set a bad example for her. I reckon she turned out well, so it was probably a good choice.

 

[BBUK]

I reckon the 2 things I miss most are playing softball and drinking beer. I quit the softball for the reasons I mentioned. Quit the beer because I didn't want the daughter to see it in the house. After Viet Nam, I drank way to much for way to long and I just didn't want to set a bad example for her. I reckon she turned out well, so it was probably a good choice.

Sir,
I did the exact same thing while my children were growing up. From the time they were born until they all left home I never drank. (In front of or behind them. Never had it in the house and never drank away from home.) I never allowed R rated movies in my house either though a Jackie Chan movie may make it past, you could count the R-rated movies in my home in twenty or twenty five or so years on one hand.

When my children first saw me drink in front of them was at my son's home in Gainesville, FL. when my Darling and I got back from Korea in 2015. My youngest was 25.

I still do not publicize drinking except to cut up on this site. I don't really hide it but I don't flaunt it either. My whole reasoning is I may cause someone else to drink that cannot handle it.

Kudo's to you Sir. I know it was worth it...

 

[MdWIldcat55]

First good week for my Bengals in a while - they win the bye week as Ravens and Browns get thumped and the Steelers tie the winless Lions.

The NFL seems as mired in parity (make that mediocrity) as any time in my life. I just watched the Super Bowl champs and Tom Brady play like rancid dog meat against the ex-Redskins, the team I hate the most because of their toxic owner and capitulation to PC BS.

I’m not sure what team can be counted on to perform at a high level in a given week.

 

[warrior-cat]

First good week for my Bengals in a while - they win the bye week as Ravens and Browns get thumped and the Steelers tie the winless Lions.

The NFL seems as mired in parity (make that mediocrity) as any time in my life. I just watched the Super Bowl champs and Tom Brady play like rancid dog meat against the ex-Redskins, the team I hate the most because of their toxic owner and capitulation to PC BS.

I’m not sure what team can be counted on to perform at a high level in a given week.

I am not a Green Bay fan but, I like Aaron Rogers plus his go to man is Randall Cobb and I hope he throws it in the face of all of these whiners out there. I think he lost one sponsor but, State Farm said they support his decision.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

I reckon the 2 things I miss most are playing softball and drinking beer. I quit the softball for the reasons I mentioned. Quit the beer because I didn't want the daughter to see it in the house. After Viet Nam, I drank way to much for way to long and I just didn't want to set a bad example for her. I reckon she turned out well, so it was probably a good choice.

I’m enjoying all the baseball/softball stories. I was a decent, not special, baseball player in high school - a tall, rangy SS at 6’4”, 170, and then a tall, 210 softball SS with decent power in my 20s and 30s.

The one feature I had that was somewhat special was a very good arm. I could play a very deep shortstop which let me get to a lot of balls and still throw guys out.

Then I busted my rotator cuff. I was already 40 and decided not to get it repaired and go through rehab. I just hung it up.

A couple years later, I was in Afghanistan, and my Pashtun translator, a tall willowy guy, started whipping rocks out into the Kabul River with a pretty good arm. I picked up a few and tossed them, but my bum arm was getting little velocity behind it. Too late I realized this was a macho competition for Rafi, the translator and I had fallen into his trap. He finally turned to me and said “Mr Mike, you are big but you are weak.”

I laughed but it was a bit humiliating. I eventually earned his respect, but that’s another story for another day.

 

[vhcat70]

EDIT: Sorry for the long post

I really enjoyed reading this post berniecarbo. I am a huge fan of fast pitch softball and saw some of the greatest players in fast pitch history while living in Clearwater, Florida Home of The Clearwater Bombers.

When I was a sophomore at Clearwater High I had two teachers who are in the Hall of Fame. One was my algebra II teacher, third baseman Doug Mason and the other was one of the greatest pitchers in fast pitch history, Herb Dudley. How good was Herb Dudley you ask.. Well

Coach Dudley won more than 1,000 games during his career and compiled a record of 28-9 in 16 ASA National Championships. Five times he earned ASA All-America honors and was named as the most valuable player in the 1949 and 1957 ASA National Championships.

He established the ASA national tourney single-game strikeout record striking out 55 batters in one game, a 21 innings game against Okmulgee Okla. The Bombers won the game 1-0. After beating Okmulgee, 1-0, and striking out 55 batters he pitched a total of five more games in the tournament, His total strikeouts was 130 batters, including 89 in 46 innings the last two nights.

Over a five-year period pitching for Clearwater Coach Dudley won 142 games and lost only 10 for the Bombers, striking out 2,475 batters, hurling 110 shutouts and 45 no-hitters. He hurled more than 100 no-hitters during his career. Dudley was so well respected by the Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball, that each year at the conclusion of the ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship the Herb Dudley Outstanding Pitching Award is given to the tournaments most outstanding pitcher.

Coach Dudley was the best teacher I had in school. He was a devout Christian who would not pitch on Sunday. No telling what his record would have been had he pitched Sundays .I had him for Outside Physical Ed and he always pitched slow for us. No one could have touch the ball had he not. Even pitching slow you could not hit it if he did not want you to. He put so much spin on the ball it was moving to a point you had no idea where it was going and he also had a "drop pitch" that looked like it was going over your shoulder and dropped below your knees.

I know this post is long but I can't say enough words as to how fortunate I was having him as a teacher. He was among the greats of the greats.

https://flasportshof.org/fshofmember/herb-dudley/

http://www.alsfastball.com/index.ph...l,0&cntnt01articleid=1330&cntnt01returnid=137

My uncle, Marv Farrar, played for the 1939 ASA champ Nick Carr Boosters out of Covington, KY.

 

[vhcat70]

Never played fast pitch softball, always slow pitch. Went to Nationals a couple of times and played C West Nationals in 2004. You have to place 1st or 2nd in your state or 1st or 2nd in a major tournament to get an invite. Below is the team picture from Midland TX. There were many teams there from all over the west and midwest including a team out of Hawaii who were some big dudes that laughed at our team because most of us were small compared to them. We beat them to put them in the losers bracket and then they went on to lose again. The tournament was 4 days long with around 100 teams there. We placed 4th overall with the 3 teams ahead of us all out of California. I am on the far left as you look at the picture.

Makes sense. That's as close as the rest could tolerate your smell.

 

[vhcat70]

This was the norm around me. Four uncles served in the South Pacific all were in combat.

OK, as long as we're proudly bragging, Dad & eight uncles served in WWII: His 3 brothers & BIL, Mom's brother & 3 BIL's. Eight bronze stars (Three for Dad) & two purple hearts that I know of. RIP. I miss them all. 🗽

 

[vhcat70]

The NFL seems as mired in parity (make that mediocrity) as any time in my life.

That's the intent of their system & works pretty well. But can't account for PP team management for long periods (Read Mike Brown).

 

[UK82]

Now that it gets dark early I have to bring out my trusty headlamp when grilling out. I can without question recommend DanForce headlamps. Mine is USB rechargeable and puts out the lumens like you wouldn't believe. Adjustable lighting options just seal the deal.

 

[BBUK]

Now that it gets dark early I have to bring out my trusty headlamp when grilling out. I can without question recommend DanForce headlamps. Mine is USB rechargeable and puts out the lumens like you wouldn't believe. Adjustable lighting options just seal the deal.

A mighty-weak (Oxy-moronish I know...) fire for grilling if I do say so myself... 😁 (Strong light but....weak fire...)

 

[Backer cutter]

Now that it gets dark early I have to bring out my trusty headlamp when grilling out. I can without question recommend DanForce headlamps. Mine is USB rechargeable and puts out the lumens like you wouldn't believe. Adjustable lighting options just seal the deal.

This old boy done seen it all. Campfires and frogs on a stick with ketchup and hot sauce be long gone. I miss being young.

 

[vhcat70]

Now that it gets dark early I have to bring out my trusty headlamp when grilling out. I can without question recommend DanForce headlamps. Mine is USB rechargeable and puts out the lumens like you wouldn't believe. Adjustable lighting options just seal the deal.

I just turn on the porch lights. Switch easier to find than headlamp/whatever - see lost gas cap - as it never moves places on me.

 

[Backer cutter]

I just turn on the porch lights. Switch easier to find than headlamp/whatever - see lost gas cap - as it never moves places on me.

I light a bonfire in the pit. What am I missing here?🙃

 

[UK82]

I just turn on the porch lights. Switch easier to find than headlamp/whatever - see lost gas cap - as it never moves places on me.

No porch light for me. Headlamp much more precise even if I had one.

 

[bertfan31]

I just turn on the porch lights. Switch easier to find than headlamp/whatever - see lost gas cap - as it never moves places on me.

That's what I'm able to do as well, plus my meat thermometer lights up when it's dark and that's really all I need. Will say though that I don't grill in the dark very often unless I've got an overnight cook going.

 

[UK82]

That's what I'm able to do as well, plus my meat thermometer lights up when it's dark and that's really all I need. Will say though that I don't grill in the dark very often unless I've got an overnight cook going.

We're late eaters. Plus these old peepers aren't the greatest. Never have been. I need light and lots of it when grilling in the dark.

 

[Backer cutter]

That's what I'm able to do as well, plus my meat thermometer lights up when it's dark and that's really all I need. Will say though that I don't grill in the dark very often unless I've got an overnight cook going.

You really use a meat thermometer? I mean, I know it’s probably the safe , modern, kosher, hip(that’s the one), way. I just, well, lets just say, after grilling, camping and cooking over an open fire, for over 45 years, I haven’t been sued yet. Never used one.

 

[UK82]

You really use a meat thermometer? I mean, I know it’s probably the safe , modern, kosher, hip(that’s the one), way. I just, well, lets just say, after grilling, camping and cooking over an open fire, for over 45 years, I haven’t been sued yet. Never used one.

It's more of a convenience thing for me. I could easily do without one but nowadays thermometers are foolproof. Just stick it in and monitor the temp without lifting the lid. Even monitor from within the house while typing away on the D-League.

 

[BBUK]

That's what I'm able to do as well, plus my meat thermometer lights up when it's dark and that's really all I need. Will say though that I don't grill in the dark very often unless I've got an overnight cook going.

Who'd you cook for overnight?


Edit: I ain't got the sense God gave a goose... 😅

 

[BBUK]

You really use a meat thermometer? I mean, I know it’s probably the safe , modern, kosher, hip(that’s the one), way. I just, well, lets just say, after grilling, camping and cooking over an open fire, for over 45 years, I haven’t been sued yet. Never used one.

BC, it is really just one of his old clubs he broke off kind of short. He be hep man... 😁 (At least trying to look hep...)

 

[BBUK]

It's more of a convenience thing for me. I could easily do without one but nowadays thermometers are foolproof. Just stick it in and monitor the temp without lifting the lid. Even monitor from within the house while typing away on the D-League.

Yeah but that keyboard don't smell.....good.😏

 

[Backer cutter]

BC, it is really just one of his old clubs he broke off kind of short. He be hep man... 😁 (At least trying to look hep...)

Putter?

 

[BBUK]

Putter?

Sputter, putter, studder, someone else's mudder... One or two of those...

 

[Backer cutter]

Sputter, putter, studder, someone else's mudder... One or two of those...

You doing alright? Seems last I heard you were struggling a little with family time. Sorry if it’s not appropriate question. Just thinking about you good man.

 

[BBUK]

You doing alright? Seems last I heard you were struggling a little with family time. Sorry if it’s not appropriate question. Just thinking about you good man.

Thanks for asking, (This place is about as home as I get except when me and my Darling are alone focusing on each other.) I struggle like a man dealing with three wives. I thought I had it bad when I had my Darling and my two grown daughters were living with me for about two years. THEN they got their own homes. Still dealing with the three wives syndrome but now things are spread apart into three different homes. I never knew I had it as well off as I did...

I have never been one to use the phrase "I don't have time." I detest that phrase as we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

I am a time manager's, time manager. That skill alone has taken me very far. I am thankful but I sure wouldn't mind a few more hours of me and my Darling and less of some others. (But I love them...)

 

[bertfan31]

Who'd you cook for overnight?


Edit: I ain't got the sense God gave a goose... 😅

I didn't see the edit

 

[BBUK]

I didn't see the edit

I just added it, I'm not prejudiced, I'll mess with anyone.... 😁 ✌️

(Glad you saw it though, one could have thought I was serious...)

 

[berniecarbo]

I’m enjoying all the baseball/softball stories. I was a decent, not special, baseball player in high school - a tall, rangy SS at 6’4”, 170, and then a tall, 210 softball SS with decent power in my 20s and 30s.

The one feature I had that was somewhat special was a very good arm. I could play a very deep shortstop which let me get to a lot of balls and still throw guys out.

Then I busted my rotator cuff. I was already 40 and decided not to get it repaired and go through rehab. I just hung it up.

A couple years later, I was in Afghanistan, and my Pashtun translator, a tall willowy guy, started whipping rocks out into the Kabul River with a pretty good arm. I picked up a few and tossed them, but my bum arm was getting little velocity behind it. Too late I realized this was a macho competition for Rafi, the translator and I had fallen into his trap. He finally turned to me and said “Mr Mike, you are big but you are weak.”

I laughed but it was a bit humiliating. I eventually earned his respect, but that’s another story for another day.

I was also having shoulder problems when I quit playing. It got progressively worse over the years. By age fifty or so, I couldn't lift my arm over shoulder height, so I had the rotator cuff surgery.

 

[Backer cutter]

Thanks for asking, (This place is about as home as I get except when me and my Darling are alone focusing on each other.) I struggle like a man dealing with three wives. I thought I had it bad when I had my Darling and my two grown daughters were living with me for about two years. THEN they got their own homes. Still dealing with the three wives syndrome but now things are spread apart into three different homes. I never knew I had it as well off as I did...

I have never been one to use the phrase "I don't have time." I detest that phrase as we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

I am a time manager's, time manager. That skill alone has taken me very far. I am thankful but I sure wouldn't mind a few more hours of me and my Darling and less of some others. (But I love them...)

I am lucky to have kept ONE wife for 39 years, and she would be the first to agree. I have one daughter, and almost lost my mind over her when she was a teenager. But she turned out great. My only dog is a she. But, don’t tell my wife, but she’s my best friend. But, yeah, estrogen ocean overload. Best of luck to you BB, and then some.

 

[BBUK]

I was also having shoulder problems when I quit playing. It got progressively worse over the years. By age fifty or so, I couldn't lift my arm over shoulder height, so I had the rotator cuff surgery.

My son had that when he was 16 or so. Worst pain I ever saw someone go through. I cried along with him when he woke up from the anesthesia...

 

[starchief5]

This old boy done seen it all. Campfires and frogs on a stick with ketchup and hot sauce be long gone. I miss being young.

3 good things about not being young:

1 Senior discounts
2 Medicare
3 Fit right in with the D League with "back in the day" stories

 

[BBUK]

I am lucky to have kept ONE wife for 39 years, and she would be the first to agree. I have one daughter, and almost lost my mind over her when she was a teenager. But she turned out great. My only dog is a she. But, don’t tell my wife, but she’s my best friend. But, yeah, estrogen ocean overload. Best of luck to you BB, and then some.

(I may not have been plain in my explanation from your response.)

My daughters are acting like I am their husband and Dad in the honey/ Dad-do department. I mean nearly full-time asks by each.) I've been married for nearly as long as you. My daughters (My two other wives I call them due to their constant bickering and asking for the honey-do things from me that wive's normally ask. "Dad, will you or can you.." is how it starts, but much more/ many requests than my Darling has ever made in rapid-fire succession.) are 38 and 31 now.

My daughters are great BUT, they have to grow up and realize me and their Mom are not in our 30's any longer. My darling and I are both getting worn out by them and their constant requests/ orders. God Bless you and your family...