Offseason Rituals

[basilray]

For those of you in places where you can't play real games year-round, what's your go-to offseason ritual list look like?

I used to play domeball, but the league I was in folded during the pandemic. While there are other domeball leagues, they're expensive, have lousy game times, and I just don't have the ambition to organize a full team over the winter.

These days, it's two things:
1. Back on the gym grind - I usually stop lifting almost entirely during the bulk of the early season
2. HitTrax - Thursday night league in Nov/Dec, and then some tournaments here and there from Jan to April
3. Bargain hunting - For a guy that isn't a great hitter, I sure do like to change around bats in the offseason

 

[blakcherry329]

I play all year round. A bunch of guys play throughout the winter. As long as precipitation is low, snow flurries are ok, and the the temperature is above freezing, we're out there. A little crazy, but it keeps me off the streets.
Batting cages year round. I also keep up my geriatric workout routine year round.

 

[swingnmiss]

Well, I can't play year round anymore.......I did when I lived in Hawaii, but Spokane gets too ****ing cold. Everything usually shuts down in the middle of October and I don't play again until March. I normally do three things..........
1: I lift. I lift at least 4 days, but prefer to lift 6 days a week. I do this year round.
2: Research the newest bats and hitting techniques. See what makes sense out there.
3: My personal fave.....................................Asian porn.

 

[BruceinGa]

I try to hit off my tee 5 times a week.
There are senior tournaments about once a month plus Florida Half Century the first weekend of each month.

 

[Hiltz]

I get older and fatter.

 

[basilray]

I envy you guys that can stay outdoors playing year-round.

I play all year round. A bunch of guys play throughout the winter. As long as precipitation is low, snow flurries are ok, and the the temperature is above freezing, we're out there. A little crazy, but it keeps me off the streets.
Batting cages year round. I also keep up my geriatric workout routine year round.

I should take more advantage of cages this winter, and maybe even get some solo time in a tunnel w/ a tee. I'm WAY too prone to fits of inconsistency. At my age, I'm not going to suddenly turn into a power hitter, but I have way too many games where I won't even sniff 0.500 and it's a big detriment to me getting to play more weekend ball.

 

[DirtBag215]

Watch the 76ers **** the bed and watch the Eagles implode.

 

[jbo911]

My list is the same every year.

Say I'm going to get in shape.

Don't

 

[jhitman]

We don't play from Nov thru February due to the cold weather and no league ball. My buddy and I usually do BP starting in March to get ready for league play in April.

As far as rituals go, I try to stay in shape (lifting and cardio) and watching my diet especially during the holidays. Even though I play senior ball only now, I don't want to be like some of the league players that I see in April. A lot are not in shape and don't hit BP to get ready for the season. Then once the games actually begin, they wonder why they aren't hitting well. It's not everyone, but I would say at least 80% fall into this category. At 67 I can still play at a decent level due to keeping in shape. We play on 300' fenced fields and was the only player to hit some HR's last year (not allowed to use senior bats unless you are 75). My advice will always be the same.....stay or get in shape by lifting weights and doing cardio, take BP, watch hitting videos and try everything to see what works for you.

 

[jbo911]

I may switch to full overlap this year. If I do I'll be taking way more bp to be ready.

 

[UncleMosk]

Glad I do have Winter League in Dome and maybe some tournaments. Each year get less and less calls though. The youngins don't want a 55 year old. Even though can still hang with the 30 somethings HITTING wise.

If I didn't have the indoor it would be most likely and for sure:
1) Off T and if above 30 will swing outside
2) some workout regimen in which I should look to incorporate all year

 

[DirtBag215]

Glad I do have Winter League in Dome and maybe some tournaments. Each year get less and less calls though. The youngins don't want a 55 year old. Even though can still hang with the 30 somethings HITTING wise.

If I didn't have the indoor it would be most likely and for sure:
1) Off T and if above 30 will swing outside
2) some workout regimen in which I should look to incorporate all year

Just to clarify. UNC F****N HITS! Don’t get it twisted.

 

[basilray]

I may switch to full overlap this year. If I do I'll be taking way more bp to be ready.

I tried to do that last year. It wasn't a consistent thing for me going full overlap, and between refusing to drop down in bat weight to get used to it and developing tendonitis in my right hand, I landed on a couple finger overlap.

I did pickup the new Axe 1pc, so I'm hoping that helps speed things along in a full transition over this winter.

 

[jhitman]

I may switch to full overlap this year. If I do I'll be taking way more bp to be ready.

I made the switch 20 years ago and have never looked back. I don't think I could even hit the old way with a baseball type grip now. Some people I know say you lose bat control with it. I don't see that as the case. I can still place the ball to all fields as long as I make adjustments in the batters box.

 

[swingnmiss]

I tried to do that last year. It wasn't a consistent thing for me going full overlap, and between refusing to drop down in bat weight to get used to it and developing tendonitis in my right hand, I landed on a couple finger overlap.

I did pickup the new Axe 1pc, so I'm hoping that helps speed things along in a full transition over this winter.

I switched I don't know how many years ago, when I broke my right thumb and started wrapping my top hand over it to support it. It feels so natural and comfortable now, that I can't go back. I get more distance and exit speed........One thing though. I struggle with bats that have more flex in the handle. I stay way from them.

 

[defos]

I tried a few swings with a full overlap over the years, and it felt like the bat was going to fly out of my hands. I picked up my bat to hit in a game in mid-August and realized I was holding it with a full overlap. It felt good, so I went with it and haven't switched back. Smaller bat knobs help, so I've added both store bought and homemade tapers to minimize the transition between knob and handle on my older bats with larger knobs - actually, I've added them to all my bats. 69, and swinging 30 oz endloaded bats.

 

[jbo911]

With this overlap talk, it looks like a lot if guys on the conference drop two fingers from their bottom hands off the knob. I tried that and my hand started cramping almost immediately. Probably because I thought I was going to throw the bat every swing. I can't do that at all.

 

[etnstudios]

I just drop a pinky because I'm fancy like a Brit

 

[jhitman]

With this overlap talk, it looks like a lot if guys on the conference drop two fingers from their bottom hands off the knob. I tried that and my hand started cramping almost immediately. Probably because I thought I was going to throw the bat every swing. I can't do that at all.

I have a friend that does it because he has big hands. I can't do it as I lose to much control. I drop one and the ring finger is around the knob....so more like 1 1/2.

 

[jhitman]

Glad I do have Winter League in Dome and maybe some tournaments. Each year get less and less calls though. The youngins don't want a 55 year old. Even though can still hang with the 30 somethings HITTING wise.

If I didn't have the indoor it would be most likely and for sure:
1) Off T and if above 30 will swing outside
2) some workout regimen in which I should look to incorporate all year

I used to get a call every year until I was 65 to play in a young guys league. When I played with them I still batted 3rd, 4th or 5th as the old guy. I was still playing in the outfield with them, but RF. The younger guys in LF, LC and RC were just faster. I am 67 now and just play senior ball. IMO, if you stay in shape, workout and work on your game I don't see why you can't hang with the young guys. The only drop off for me is I can't run with them like I used to.

 

[defos]

I have a friend that does it because he has big hands. I can't do it as I lose to much control. I drop one and the ring finger is around the knob....so more like 1 1/2.

I've dropped my pinkie for years, but not because I have big hands. I still hold the bat with my pinkie dropped and ring finger around the knob after going to the full overlap. I'm really holding the bat with just 3 fingers, maybe 2 depending on how much pressure, and my thumb. Never felt the least bit comfortable until it suddenly did.

if you stay in shape, workout and work on your game I don't see why you can't hang with the young guys. The only drop off for me is I can't run with them like I used to.

69 and playing with the young guys. I don't throw enough to keep/get my arm in shape, and I don't have the muscle to hit as far as I used to, but I still hold my own. I bat last, and our lead-off is legitimately fast, but smart. He has never caught me, although I'm sure I've kept him from taking an extra base at times. 3 weeks ago, we were on 1st and 2nd, #2 hitter lined one over RC. Looked like it might be caught, so we stayed on our bases until we were sure it wasn't. He left 1st a blink before I left 2nd. He said he was trying to catch me, but it wasn't happening. I don't run that well every game, but I was running well at the end of the year. Knowing he's behind me makes/helps me run faster because I don't want to hold him up.

 

[basilray]

Welcome to the Overlap Grip 2024 Thread

Something that's helped me get to both dropping a pinky AND moving to an overlap grip feel more natural is: Axe bats. It starts to make the whole thing feel pretty natural. Once you get that through impact and you trust you aren't going to toss the entire bat through the infield, it makes going to any other bat with a taper a natural progression.

During the later half of the season, I didn't feel like I could swing w/ a full overlap very well, and just overlapped a couple of fingers. I just got the new 1pc Axe in, and went to do some tee work the other night. Right away, I went back to dropping a pinky and a full overlap. It just felt right. After a couple dozen swings w/ the Axe, I put a couple buckets on a pair of other bats I own that have knob tapers, and it just felt natural to retain the pinky drop and overlap.

 

[jhitman]

I've dropped my pinkie for years, but not because I have big hands. I still hold the bat with my pinkie dropped and ring finger around the knob after going to the full overlap. I'm really holding the bat with just 3 fingers, maybe 2 depending on how much pressure, and my thumb. Never felt the least bit comfortable until it suddenly did.

69 and playing with the young guys. I don't throw enough to keep/get my arm in shape, and I don't have the muscle to hit as far as I used to, but I still hold my own. I bat last, and our lead-off is legitimately fast, but smart. He has never caught me, although I'm sure I've kept him from taking an extra base at times. 3 weeks ago, we were on 1st and 2nd, #2 hitter lined one over RC. Looked like it might be caught, so we stayed on our bases until we were sure it wasn't. He left 1st a blink before I left 2nd. He said he was trying to catch me, but it wasn't happening. I don't run that well every game, but I was running well at the end of the year. Knowing he's behind me makes/helps me run faster because I don't want to hold him up.

I have the exact same grip with the pinky drop and ring finger around the knob. I use to use just bat tape without a knob cuff. I still have this on one of my bats, but am now getting used to the idea of knob cuffs for comfort. My APG comes that way and it feels like I get a better grip (no slippage). It's funny how things change. I can't even do infield practice hitting to my teammates with a regular baseball type grip. The overlap grip along with a lot of BP completely changed my hitting over the last 20 years. I use to be a gap hitter and still am in my mind, but can also hit HR's which before the overlap grip were few and far between.

 

[stang7222]

Just to clarify. UNC F****N HITS! Don’t get it twisted.

Don't sleep on the glove either. He plays a very good 1B. And in that summer tourney when he told me to go to SS and he'd play 3B, I didn't know what to expect. He was smooth as silk those few innings.

 

[UncleMosk]

Don't sleep on the glove either. He plays a very good 1B. And in that summer tourney when he told me to go to SS and he'd play 3B, I didn't know what to expect. He was smooth as silk those few innings.

Lol I wish I could say the same in my last over 50 game back in October. Couldn't catch a cold. The hard ones I made, the easy ones I botched ugly. Played 3rd many years but find myself to be a better 1st baseman.

Just started doing pushups again. 1st day hit wall @ 8. Now I hit wall @ 15. If I stay on the ritual I should be able to get to 30 in a few weeks.

 

[stang7222]

Lol I wish I could say the same in my last over 50 game back in October. Couldn't catch a cold. The hard ones I made, the easy ones I botched ugly. Played 3rd many years but find myself to be a better 1st baseman.

Just started doing pushups again. 1st day hit wall @ 8. Now I hit wall @ 15. If I stay on the ritual I should be able to get to 30 in a few weeks.

I haven't done a single push-up since I stopped boxing. Thousands of them a week for 6 or 7 years is plenty. No idea what I can do now and I'm not interested to know either. Good on you though, keep it going!!!

 

[UncleMosk]

I haven't done a single push-up since I stopped boxing. Thousands of them a week for 6 or 7 years is plenty. No idea what I can do now and I'm not interested to know either. Good on you though, keep it going!!!

Never a gym rat myself. I guess you couldn't tell, lol. But did some curls, shoulder work and of course the best thing for a gut.....BEER.

 

[swingnmiss]

I honestly don't know how you guy play and not lift............ That's a trip man. I get in the gym at least 4 days a week and try to do something.......Either some dumb bells or Total Gym here at work a couple of days a week. Do at least something 6 days a week. How ya'll play and not lift is something I can't understand.

 

[basilray]

I honestly don't know how you guy play and not lift............ That's a trip man. I get in the gym at least 4 days a week and try to do something.......Either some dumb bells or Total Gym here at work a couple of days a week. Do at least something 6 days a week. How ya'll play and not lift is something I can't understand.

This does mees me up. I play 2 nights a week May - July, and with kids and their sports, work, life, etc. it gets really hard for me to get in the gym. This summer, I started out better by hitting some good rowing sessions at home pretty regularly, but got lazy. I usually don't get back to the gym regularly until after fall ball ends.

Every summer, I say I'll do better, and then don't. By the time summer ball is wrapping up it starts to feel like I need to grab lighter bats, and then things just fall completely apart.

 

[DirtBag215]

I honestly don't know how you guy play and not lift............ That's a trip man. I get in the gym at least 4 days a week and try to do something.......Either some dumb bells or Total Gym here at work a couple of days a week. Do at least something 6 days a week. How ya'll play and not lift is something I can't understand.

Yup. During the offseason I run a program called 531. During the season I’ll do push/pull/legs