Fast pitch baseball leagues--anyone?

[gassy]

Anyone play-played in one? I emailed a league about playing next spring. It's a senior league--that hurt--I'm 38. Anyway, what's the skill level range? I played up to my teens and can hold my own I think...are these all guys that played in college and can still throw in the 80's? I have no idea what to expect. Bring it, meat.

[nostatic]

ping Seahawk - iirc he still plays.

[jhynesrockmtn]

One of my best friends, now 45 has played in a senior league near Seattle for years. I can't believe he's still doing it. He played in high school and walked on at WSU and played college ball for a couple of years. I would guess most of these guys are very skilled ex high school and college players and some who were in the minors for a bit. Much more serious than your average weekend slowpitch leagues if that makes sense.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by nostatic

ping Seahawk - iirc he still plays.

Probably my last year, we'll see.

Gassy,

I play in two leagues, an over 30 league locally and an over 40 league in DC. I am 51 and I mostly pitch.

I started playing in an over 30 league 20 years ago and I've only missed a few seasons.

The over 30 league is very competitive...some of the guys think they still "have it", that a Yankee scout is in the stands to see him play. All in all, lots of ex college and HS players who love to play. The league is very well structured...no fighting or taunting (much less throwing at anyone) is allowed and the umps can ban you from the league on the spot...sort of like Nostatic

There are a few guys that can spot and throw in the low 80's...but you'd be surprised how much slower 80 looks now. I used to be able to throw hard but now I mostly mix my 60/70 fastball with a withering array of fork balls, knuckle balls and curves

The over 40 league is competitive but more relaxed...for all the reasons you'd think: older and wiser, no delusions of grandeur.

The good: Like playing any team sport, it is fun and I've made a lot of good friends throughout both leagues. A lot of the business types in the league like the opportunity to network.

The Bad: It is a time sink...practice can go long and the actual games can last deep into the night since they generally start after 5pm during the week. I don't play on weekends.

Some of the teams are very cliquish, so I've heard, so breaking into the player rotation can be hard. I've had no issues.

If you can pitch you'll be heavily recruited. Every team needs pitching, the more the merrier. I just pitch for the over 30 squad. I show up, get as far into the inning count as possible and then go home...no kidding, the 30 year old guys are still very good players and my services aren't required off the mound. You can time my run to first base with a sun dial

In over 40 I pitch or I play third.

Go and enjoy...but a few tips:

Even if you don't pitch, get your arm in shape early.

Work on your fielding. A friend of mine plays as well and we hit the local HS fields and hit a lot of grounders to each other.

Find a batting cage and hit, a lot. Get your own bat and get your own helmet.

This is going to sound stupid, but buy one of those instructional tapes they sell on the tube. You'll be surprised how much you've forgotten about the basics.


Edit: I thought of a few more things.

Get your first aid kit ready. I keep mine in the car. You will get nicked and I keep gauze, band aids, wraps, towels, ointments, tape, etc. at the ready.

Don't ask your wife or kids to come after the first game they watch...they'll feign interest but they would rather be anywhere else. Watching a bunch of older men play baseball is not a visual, stimulating treat.

[Dan in Pasadena]

A year ago I played in a softball league with my son. I was 51 then and he was 25. No one on any of the teams was in their 30's or 40's, much less their 50's. I could bat and run with "the boys" but they scared the **** outta me playing at first base (my throwing arm is a rag - two severe shoulder separations over the years). One of those thundering bulls bearing down on me on a bang-bang play at first nearly took my leg off. I haven't played since. Moral of the story, stay among your own age and skill level. I never should have been out there.

[DavidB911]

I played baseball and softball the last 2 years. If the league you are joining is a smaller league I would suspect that it will be more of a recreational than a win at all costs league. I agree with the pitching thing, but we had problems getting people to the games towards the end. There was only about 1 good pitcher per team that could strike people out on a consistent basis. Most of the guys in the league were starters in HS or played a bit in college. If your in shape you should be able to hold your own since we had a lot of out of shape guys.

[KaptKaos]

Check here: http://www.msblnational.com/main.aspx

I haven't played in 3-4 years, but when I did it was fun. Big time sink. 9 inning games. Some leagues are wood bat only which is fun.

The same positions that the pros scout for are the same guys needed in senior ball: 1, 2, 6, 8 and maybe 3 if you're a lefty.

Pitching is a mixed bag in 30+, fastest will be mid-80s. A lot of junk.

Make sure you bring water, ibuprophen, sunscreen, eye black. Wear a cup and get some of those new compression clothes, particularly for your hamstrings.

Otherwise, if you can play, they will find a home for you.