"Launching Pads"

I saw some of those "pop ups" going over at Plano Senior high last week, and usually those would not have not been home runs at other fields.

I have seen the routine pop ups going out at several fields. Craig Ranch comes to mind, when you have 16U and 17U teams playing on those small fields. But, when the new bats are being used by everyone, I have a feeling that will all change.

Hopefully teams will have their best gloves playing the field. It may be a challenging season for "home run" hitters, as get used to the new bats. Contact hitters may have a little edge, as they are just that, contact hitters. But, that is just my opinion, I'm sure there are others out there.

New bats are not as "dead" as everyone thinks they will be. 2012 models will have more pop than 2011 models. Wait and see.

Because of size and being elevated on top of a hill, Grand Prairie fits that category. Mesquire Poteet has the wind always blowing out with what seems like a tunnel carrying balls out to left field. South Grand Prairie is little as well.

As someone that played there and is now a coach there, SGP plays a lot bigger than it is. Yes, the dimensions are small, but balls do not fly out as often as you may think. However, in 2000, Jason Stokes of Coppell hit the furthest ball I have ever seen a high school kid hit at our field.

Hit a high pop up at Colleyville High and you have a good chance of it going out.

Frisco Liberty's field seems to yield a high number of HRs! Recently played at Haltom H.S. field and it appeared to hold the balls pretty well.

Trinity's field plays very small.

Jesuit, JJ Pierce, Plano East and Liberty Christian play very small with Prestonwood on the opposite end.

McKinney North and Sherman

I love Prestonwood's field! Played a playoff game there a few years back. Played big which is why I wanted it there. It's usually one of the top places on my list to play at.

Our ballpark in Sherman is a launching pad.

quote:

Originally posted by doubleday:
Trinity's field plays very small.

At least LF does.

quote:

I love Prestonwood's field! Played a playoff game there a few years back. Played big which is why I wanted it there. It's usually one of the top places on my list to play at.

If you are playing someone with big left handed bats in the lineup, no better place in the metroplex to play with that rightfield wind blowing in.

I agree, Prestonwood plays very well. I love sitting in the "LF Lounge", what a great view. We've played at several small DFW fields and it did not matter, wood or BBCOR carried very well at:

1. Greenhill (tiny)
2. Hebron
3. The Colony
4. Grand Prairie
5. S. Grand Prairie
6. Western Hills

I will say not many coaches work harder on their field(s) than SGP and Hebron.

GED10DaD

Have to agree about Colleyville...it has to be the easiest park to hit a dinger. Two parks that are surprisingly BIG...Hillcrest and Flower Mound. Flower Mound is 315 on corners but 391 in alley and 407 dead center. FM usually has a 20 mile hour wind blowing in your face so you better hit it down the line. Not sure why but Hillcrest is tough...haven't seen a single one hit there this summer and only one last summer.

funeldrill, why would you make such a statement that 2012 bats will have more pop than the 2011? Isn't the cor and trampoline measurements the same on all new bbcor bats? Do you have inside info? Are we as dads to go out and buy the new 2011 bbcor models for 2-300 dollars only to have another bat change as you say for 2012. You didn't specifically say bat change but you did say more pop on the 2012 models. What should we dads do for our boys when school starts...and then when the new models of 2012 come out? This summer has been extremely expensive for our household as it has for many others who have kids that play summer club ball. I don't really want to buy a new bat this fall and another when the 2012's come out. Can you feel my pain. (Checkbook pain that is). Please explain your comments and if you know something we don't for next years(2012) bats.

I'd be happy to explain.

We've all been bombarded with information on this board and other places about the decrease in offense in college baseball this year due to the new bats. I've done my due diligence this summer on this subject because I'm going to have to allocate more budget money this fall on bats than I ever have.

I have a contact with one of the bat companies. I've bought bats from him before. He brings out the new models to our practices and lets my players demo them during BP. He has told me to hold off purchasing BBCOR bats until the 2012's come out. He said they will have more pop. My inner skeptic immediately said, "define more pop." He insisted they will perform better. I assume it will be because of better weight distribution based on the research I've done this summer. I know a few coaches in California and they have said the same things. California high schools used the BBCOR bats this past season and they had some "issues" out there.

I can gurarantee you that there will be new standards coming out in the next couple of years and here's why. Go to youtube and search, "shaving bats."

This is not a new concept, softball players have done this for years. They pop the cap on the end of the bat and shave the inner wall of the bat thus increasing the trampoline effect of the bat. This was a widespread practice in California this past year. The trick is to pop the cap without making it look tampered. There are videos on youtube showing you how to do this, though some of the jokers on there are pretty entertaining.

There are also companies out there that will provide this service for you if you purchase a bat from them. These are the same lovely folks that would roll the old composite bats for you as well.

One of the next things to come down the road will the BBCOR tamper proof bat. Look for this to come out by 2014 if not sooner.

One of the unfortunate parts of the great game of baseball is that throughout the history of the game, there have always been examples of players "gaining and advantage." From corking bats and loading up a baseball...to rolling and shaving bats...to steroids and other performance enhancing drugs...to stealing signs...baseball players have ALWAYS tried to gain an edge.

Maybe we are just a bunch of seedy individuals in this game?
Maybe we are so obsessed by the game we do things that we might not otherwise do in a normal rational state?
Maybe this game is so difficult and so unforgiving that we feel we have to do it to keep up with the Jones'?

I do feel your pain.

Thanks for the info Funnel. Very interesting how bats are tampered with, and very, very eye opening!! I do not believe we are all seedy individuals, but there are certainly parents and players that will do anything to be the "superstar" on the team! I see it all the time. If one has to cheat to get ahead, it will catch up to them at some point.

As a coach Funnel, have you ever caught a player that had his bat "fixed"?

quote:

Originally posted by GunEmDown10:

5. S. Grand Prairie

I will say not many coaches work harder on their field(s) than SGP and Hebron.

GED10DaD

Somebody noticed! Appreciate the kind words. We take pride in our work.

quote:

Originally posted by TurnTwo1:

quote:

Originally posted by GunEmDown10:

5. S. Grand Prairie

I will say not many coaches work harder on their field(s) than SGP and Hebron.

GED10DaD

Somebody noticed! Appreciate the kind words. We take pride in our work.

HEBRON LF is a launch pad.

Also, Coach Campbell at Lewisville keeps Farmer Field immaculate.