Ball top vs. Bat top opinions

[honkey]

I am in the process of planning for building a cabinet. Right now, I am trying to decide how I want to build the control panels. I am going to be building a cocktail table with 2 player head to head and side by side on one side. I want to build this to play arcade games as authentically as possible. What I had been thinking was that for the head to head controls, I would put ball top joysticks (it seems like most games displayed vertically use ball top) and for side by side I would put bat top, but the more I look around at pictures, the less I see of the true arcade machines having bat top. For some reason though, I have a mental block telling me that Street Fighter would be awkward to play with a ball top joystick.
Beyond that, I also am having trouble deciding on either the long joy sticks or short ones. What do you guys think the best compromise is here?

[leapinlew]

Balltops on the vertical, bats on the horizontal

[Martijn]

Most Japanese players use ball. I prefer the Grip Of Death 

[ButterGuns]

i preferred bat tops at first based on their apperance. but ball tops have some advantages and now i've changed my mind and own ball tops.

1. ball tops can be converted to bat tops with an adapter (so ive read) but bat tops can not go ball top because of shaft size.
2. there are TONS of color choices for after market ball tops.
3. one can use the extra "underhanded" grip on a ball top for less intense games.

on length; the length of the joystick shaft is probably perfect for a top mount application. i would think shorter might be an advantage though on a coctail cab.

[lilrascal]

My plan so far (but that seems to change on a daily basis) is to have two bat tops for 8 ways, then a single ball top for a dedicated 4 way.  I was thinking of going with GGG's SmoothStick, which is a modified competition for the 8 ways.  I was thinking either their True4 or Leaf Pro for a 4 way (once I hear back from them if the ball top is changeable to a black one).  Unless of course someone once again changes my mind!!

[honkey]

My plan so far (but that seems to change on a daily basis) is to have two bat tops for 8 ways, then a single ball top for a dedicated 4 way.  I was thinking of going with GGG's SmoothStick, which is a modified competition for the 8 ways.  I was thinking either their True$ or Leaf Pro for a 4 way (once I hear back from them if the ball top is changeable to a black one).  Unless of course someone once again changes my mind!!

My current plan is to have all the joysticks 4-8 switchable from ultimarc. I am not too concerned with color (either red or black is my preference), I just want the feel of the stick to be as true to the games as possible. I see Bad Dudes and Double Dragon both use ball tops, but Street Fighter and Battletoads both use bat tops. I am trying to find what the best compromise is going to be. So many decisions!

[Donkbaca]

I used to prefer bat tops, growing up with arcades in the 90's pretty much all games here in the US had bat tops.  However, I have made the switch, I find ball tops more comfortable, there are more ways to hold the stick.  On top of that most top SF players use ball tops, they use ball tops in Japan, in addition:

Ball tops look better, IMHO, the shiny shafts look better than the dull plastic bats, and there are hundreds of different ball top colors and styles, makes it easier to match the sticks to buttons and your cab art.

You can light up ball tops

[DCsegaDH]

I like ball tops better, I just think they are better to play fighters and shmups. The different ball tops available are a bonus for me. Its all preference, their is no right or wrong. 

[syph007]

I couldnt decide in the beginning either.  I bought bat tops, then decided I didnt like them and swapped the sticks out to balltops, which I liked much better.

So.. if you have no strong pre-preference, I recommend ball tops.

[Nephasth]

Balls... to the wall.

[lilrascal]

I knew you guys would have me rethinking my decision   

[jasonbar]

I'm 40.  Games of my youth had balls.  I never really got into fighting games or later games, so bats don't excite me.

On my cabinet, when I started out, I bought lots of bat sticks.  After playing it for a while & learning more about the stick options out there, I converted all to red balls.  Can't beat red balls.

-Jason

[Hoopz]

Can't beat red balls.

Seems like a custom title to me but that Saint has a wicked sense of humor!

[wp34]

Balltops on the vertical, bats on the horizontal

+1

I was going to put a bat top on my vertical cab and it just looked weird. 

[mgb]

I was more into the bat tops at first, but I really prefer the ball tops now

[TOK]

Balltops on the vertical, bats on the horizontal

Exactly what I have now. I've found that I prefer the balltops though. I'm eventually going to switch my horizontal over to them. I don't hate the bats, I've just don't like them as much.