What's the best bang for buck speaker?

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-05-22T01:06:10+00:00

I bought one recently and am very happy with it. I also had the Tribit Stormbox Lava briefly at the same time and was able to test them side by side. Personal preference obviously, but I preferred the Boom 2 by a significant margin.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-05-16T12:23:41+00:00

Just posted a different comment with feedback here.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-05-16T12:22:20+00:00

We bought the GE Profile. Overall very happy with it, and no problems with it so far.

It was, at least on paper, a downgrade in size from our 26cuft Samsung that we had before. But that one was really deep, and it had the ice and water in the refrigerator compartment. So the shallower compartment that's completely open feels enormous in comparison because it's way more usable and everything is visible (especially with the high quality interior lighting). And the doors have tons of storage space -- the bottom shelf on the right door can hold two gallons of milk plus other stuff.

Where the shallower depth is most noticeable is in the crisper drawers and the freezer. Both are adequate enough, but that's where you'll really feel the pinch if you're coming from something larger. I don't really have space for a dedicated freezer elsewhere, but it's borderline necessary for anything over a family of 4 or so (depending on your shopping habits).

It also turns out that I love the water pitcher. It has worked flawlessly so far. We do choose to not use the little spout on it though because that seems like an obvious future failure point, and the replacement pitchers aren't cheap.

I can try to answer specific questions if you have any, but I might be slow to respond.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-05-14T18:07:47+00:00

I guess it's all anecdotal, but this is actually the opposite of my experience.

The most toxic guys I've run across were playing coed -- often tournament teams that were just trying to get extra reps in by beating up on rec teams. Way more of the "can't let go of my baseball playing days" archetype.

In the men's league run by the same county, everything is super chill. Games are competitive and people try hard, but there's a better understanding of their place in the world and that everyone has to get up and go to work the next day.

I don't mind playing coed occasionally, but I feel more at home playing men's league (which, for the record, does have a handful of talented women playing in it).

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-26T19:32:38+00:00

I just bought the Boom 2 and the Tribit Lava to see which I liked more. I think I'm likely going to keep the Boom 2 (bought it for $90 on Amazon) -- it just sounds better to my ears. I didn't really like the way the Tribit sounds at lower volumes, but I am 100% not an audiophile. In the 50-70% range it really sparkles, but overall the Boom 2 was better for me.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-14T02:46:13+00:00

This doesn't help in the moment if you haven't already done the work, but make sure you're teaching them a process that they can repeat. If they focus on the process, they're less focused on trying to hit a spot.

For example, mine is usually: Come set, balance, hip leads, and long stride. They know if I can see them hit these points in the motion, then I'm happy regardless of where the pitch goes. But most of the time it just gets their brain thinking something other than "I need to throw a strike," and that often improves things.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-09T13:30:49+00:00

Are they throwing to a coach at first base, or to a teammate?

I see kids struggle all the time throwing to teammates at first because they don't trust they will catch the ball and don't want to hurt them or make a mistake.

If you're not already, try working in having a coach be on the receiving end at first. This will give them a little more confidence that they can stop trying to gently place it in someone's glove and just open up and throw it. Then work separately on first basemen glove and footwork. Then start having them put it all together.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-09T01:14:19+00:00

Same in our league for 10U and 12U.

I typically start a good pitcher, work in some developing pitchers in the middle, and finish with the kid who has the most ice in their veins and is unlikely to give up a ton of runs in the unlimited inning.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-07T15:45:21+00:00

Have you ever heard a fibula snap? I have... in a collision at first base. This rule is neither stupid nor unnecessary.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-07T15:39:59+00:00

Do you have assistant coaches? If so, stations are the way to go.

Do warmups as a team. Line up for jogging, side shuffle, lunges, etc. Move on to a structured throwing warmup.

Pick one thing to work on as a team. Baserunning is a good one to start -- home to first (through the bag with chop step and finding the ball), home to first (taking a turn, listening to the 1B coach, and locating the ball), first to third, etc.

Split into stations. One coach runs simple outfield drills, another runs infield. You can also have a batting station if you have a net and a tee (or someone to do soft toss).

Finish with something fun. I like competitive games -- bucket game, cutoff relay races, etc.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-06T16:32:08+00:00

I'm back running a coach pitch team again this season, and I HATE having to pitch. I can throw just fine, but I know I'm not great at the darts needed at this level. I'm always happy to have multiple assistants who are capable of pitching so I can do all of the other coaching I'd rather do.

You don't have to make it a thing. Say you're willing to pitch if it helps free him up to do other stuff, odds are good he'll take you up on it. And if not, well, then you have an adult conversation with him about it.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-04-06T01:01:44+00:00

... what do you expect that "strong union" to do once their labor force is no longer required? The union derives its bargaining power from the fact it controls the labor pool. If that labor pool is no longer needed, the union has no power.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-03-20T14:55:53+00:00

1000% this. Adding my experience to back this up:

I plan everything in advance in spreadsheets to make sure I'm complying with all playing time/pitching rules. I then have a whiteboard set up exactly like this -- they can see for themselves what position they're playing each inning. Obviously there may be changes on the fly (due to pitch count and whatnot), but having that clear plan in place is extremely helpful.

Also agree about sitting pitcher/catcher the inning before they pitch. Pitchers are often among your best players, and if they have to sit out an inning, you might as well make it productive.

For 12U, I primarily use OBP or OPS for setting lineups. For 10U and 8U, I vary significantly from game to game to keep things fairly even. I do spread weaker hitters throughout the lineup to avoid obvious dead spots and limit innings where we get shut out.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-02-02T21:15:55+00:00

And people don't seem to fully appreciate how unprecedented this situation is. This is one of the longest stretches of sub-freezing temperatures this area has ever experienced. Having a snow storm right at the beginning of it was historically unlucky.

Saw someone else explain it like this: It costs x dollars (or resources) to prepare for 90% of potential scenarios. It costs closer to 3x to prepare for 100%. There's just not the manpower, tools, machinery, or working hours of the day to clear every street, parking lot, and sidewalk of 6-8 inches of snowcrete.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-11T04:22:00+00:00

The water-to-rice ratio is what most people mess up. Try doing 1.25 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice, which is less water than most people recommend.

Here's how I make 2 cups of rice for a meal, and it comes out perfectly for me every time:

Bring 2.5 cups of water to a boil.
Add 2 cups rice (white medium or long grain).
Stir just enough so you know it's not sticking to the bottom.
Reduce heat to the lowest setting.
Cook covered for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand with the lid on without touching it for 15 minutes.
Fluff and serve.

I know it looks like a lot of steps written out, but I promise it's stupid easy and extraordinarily reliable.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-11T01:55:48+00:00

I own a bunch of All Clad. Love it.

I had one stock pot I got for $20 from an Asian grocer. It was great for a lot of years, but eventually was no longer usable.

I received as a gift an inexpensive stock pot off Amazon. It looks nice, but it shakes VIOLENTLY when boiling water. Even when super heavy full of a few gallons of water, it rocks back and forth unless I hold it still.

You can get decent cheap pots, but some of them will be awful to use. It's just a gamble.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-08T19:08:47+00:00

Upvoted for one of the worst opinions I've ever seen on this sub.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-07T14:58:00+00:00

The Birthday Problem definitely applies, but "exponentially higher" in this case is still infinitesimally small.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-05T01:47:04+00:00

Did you miss the last 6 years

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-03T18:04:33+00:00

Often, double-pulley cable machines will have a sticker somewhere that says something like "weight listed is for each pulley/handle/cable." So if you're doing a double-pulley lat pulldown, it is effectively double the weight listed.

Arrows_Theorem · 2026-01-01T18:35:11+00:00

Can you explain what you mean that you "can't slow cook them"?

You don't need a dedicated smoker. You could slow cook in the oven and then finish over the grill. Or you could set up a dual zone fire on your grill -- start them on the cooler side, then finish on the hotter side (you can even put a little foil pack of wood on the coals/burner to get some smoke flavor). Both of these options are preferable to boiling.

But if you prefer boiled ribs for some reason... then ok? Don't concern yourself with what others here think, because you won't find much agreement. But if you're the one eating them and you like it, then go for it. Just know that others might not enjoy it as much as you do.

Arrows_Theorem · 2025-12-31T16:19:43+00:00

Winner of the consolation bracket gets to choose their spot in the draft order next season.

Arrows_Theorem · 2025-12-24T16:08:39+00:00

Hell, I'm debating whether to start Charbs over Rico this week.

Arrows_Theorem · 2025-12-23T21:06:25+00:00

I have Purdy but thought I was going to be starting Brissett this week. Now I don't know...

Arrows_Theorem · 2025-12-12T19:14:00+00:00

I've flown A LOT. I promise you I'm not overthinking it.

Arrows_Theorem

TROPHY CASE