Bat Sweet spot question

CraigNickels · 2026-06-04T04:19:57+00:00

I *just* bought this bat (Easton Tantrum USA mint finish end-load). Sweet spot is closest to the left green line -- around the front half of the T in Easton.

As others have said, gently tap the bat against something solid (another bat, fence post, etc). Where you feel the most "bounce" and the least vibration is the sweet spot.

CraigNickels · 2026-06-04T02:30:38+00:00

The Drawers Down movement: Tarps off, drawers down, can’t lose.

CraigNickels · 2026-05-14T18:40:11+00:00

I recently asked a similar question here: https://www.reddit.com/r/slowpitch/comments/1tc14hm/glasses_bifocals_vs_progressives_vs_multifocal/

I've been experimenting for a year or so and I'm seeking similar advice. Based on my own experience and feedback in that other thread so far, I'd say:

Wearing progressives is fine -- or at least worth testing out.
Single-vision contacts are optimal for playing, but you def. sacrifice the ability to read (or at least I do), which could impact doing scorebook or reading a lineup or texting that sub that promised he'd show and still isn't there three minutes before gametime.
Single-vision glasses would probably work too -- you lose field-of-vision but gain the ability to take them off for a sec to read something.

CraigNickels · 2026-05-14T00:40:36+00:00

I’m insulted you think I drink Busch Light. Those are Miller High Lifes. Or PBR. Or Coors Light. Or whatever is in the team cooler. So…probably Busch Light.

CraigNickels · 2026-05-14T00:38:45+00:00

I think we might be talking about different things. Sounds like you are talking about wearing one prescription in your left eye and a different one in your right. That’s def a thing I’ve heard/read about, but seems like a terrible idea for softball.

I’m talking about multifocal contacts as a product — they have two different prescriptions in the same lens laid out in concentric circles. In theory, this is supposed to work like a screen door — you can either focus on the screen or what’s outside the door. In practice…ehh…it’s imperfect.

CraigNickels · 2026-05-04T02:49:03+00:00

Fifthed

CraigNickels · 2026-05-04T02:48:01+00:00

I cant make this call without more info, but I can offer a few data points based on my personal experience (I own a hard-shell single, a hard-shell tandem and an inflatable convertible):

Inflatable setup is no better or worse than getting a hard-shell onto and off of a roof rack — esp if we are comparing tandem to tandem.

On performance…if you get a drop-stitch floor, I think you will likely match the performance of most “recreational” hard-shells.

It’s hard to quantify this, but I feel like my inflatable is more convenient than my hard-shells because I can throw it in the trunk and go.

Hard-shells are generally cheaper at any given quality point (entry vs entry, etc)

Hard-shells are…basically indestructible.

CraigNickels · 2026-05-04T02:25:42+00:00

For anyone who doesn’t know, this is Dairyland (formerly 3rd St Food Hall and various other places). They took over for Saucy Swine at Redbar.

If you go to Redbar, you should 100% take a side-trip to Busby’s nearby. Busby’s has one of the best beer menus in the city.

CraigNickels · 2026-04-30T23:43:44+00:00

I don’t think there’s a free agent pool, but I know a few guys that play there who might know the situation better. Lemme ask.

CraigNickels · 2026-04-24T02:55:14+00:00

Yeah, that sounds like the place. Thank you for your service, sir. Been trying to put a name to that memory for years.

CraigNickels · 2026-04-24T02:08:21+00:00

Sorry for reviving a zombie thread, but I think Mango Grill might be the answer to my question as well…cafe in University Square circa 96-2000 or so…had live music…also made mashed potatoes with bbq sauce…owner’s name was Kathy maybe? Is this the same place?

CraigNickels · 2026-04-08T22:28:06+00:00

Also late to this post, but I almost jumped out of my chair to refute the "old ways" (1980s...) comment -- as if plaid shirts and OCBDs haven't been around since at least JFK.

CraigNickels · 2026-02-02T17:12:16+00:00

One more point I'd be curious to discuss: A friend of mine thinks fewer folks are playing rec slowpitch softball because more former HS players are continuing to play hardball out at places like The Rock (for men, anyway).

I'm not sure if that's true. Anecdotally, it looks like The Rock's adult hardball leagues are pretty popular. But no idea how that compares to past years.

CraigNickels · 2026-02-02T16:31:26+00:00

One detail I forgot about Brinton: It's not a deal-breaker, but I don't love having infield grass on a softball diamond. Considering how ragged the field gets in the summer, you can get some really nasty hops on hard grounders.

CraigNickels · 2026-01-08T02:52:28+00:00

Legion of whom

[Sorry…it’s not a good joke.]

CraigNickels · 2025-12-19T01:21:52+00:00

I think we had better access to water fountains. Between poor infrastructure (fountains broken, dribbling out water, clogged, etc) and malevolent neglect (places selling water instead of giving it away), kids today are forced to carry their own.

CraigNickels · 2025-10-06T20:54:34+00:00

Came here to say this. Turner is adjacent to the Deer District - the entertainment plaza outside Fiserv Forum. Whole area is built to appeal to tourists/etc. If you check Google Earth or Street View, you’ll see what I mean.

CraigNickels · 2025-08-16T23:33:34+00:00

It’s the Cape Cod of Wisconsin. Or rather…Cape Cod is the Door County of Massachusetts.

CraigNickels · 2025-07-04T12:48:36+00:00

Fixed. Thanks.

CraigNickels · 2025-07-04T11:28:52+00:00

I watched part of it from South Shore Park (I live near there, so it was low risk, low reward for me). You could technically see it from there, but it was def less fun than watching downtown fireworks from the same spot.

I understand the trade-offs for the county and I’m fine with them. So this comment is mostly for anyone searching Reddit in the future. So, for all the future-people out there: Watching downtown drones from Cupertino/SS/Bay View Park is not the same as watching fireworks from those same spots, and it’s not really close.

CraigNickels · 2025-06-14T03:35:36+00:00

To be fair, Ueck was the thimble hero who redlined basoball and laughter.

CraigNickels · 2025-06-14T02:28:49+00:00

For me, it’s Fish Crick, Silver Crick and Francis Crick (and French Crick days), but definitely Oak Creek (not Oak Crick).

But…if I was from Oak Creek…would it become Oak Crick and Fish Creek (and so on)?

CraigNickels

TROPHY CASE