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2005 National Advisory Board recommendations
WINTER HAVEN, Florida Twelve members of the National Senior Softball Advisory Board met here during the Summit on Jan. 15-16. National Advisory Board Chairman Ted Lawson presented the Board's recommendations. Summit delegates then considered the recommendations and Summit Recording Secretary Terry Hennessy presented the Summit response:
Recommended that the States of California, Florida and Texas be allowed to have players from bordering States.
Summit Response: Summit delegates established a committee to study the California and Florida exemptions. The Regions Committee will present the findings to all associations before June 1, 2005 (which will allow association to act on the findings for the 2006 season). Steve Simmons was chosen to Chair the Committee, which will include Terry Hennessy, Gary Tryhorn, Bruce Fisher,Lou Giovanni and Al Vera.
Recommended that one exception to the Bordering States Rule be allowed for the highest division level of play in an organization.
Summit Response: The regions Committee will make recommendations on the player-exemption rule as well.
Recommend that teams entered in a tournament must play in the majority of pool play games or they will not be allowed to play in the elimination bracket.
Summit Response: All associations have agreed with this policy.
Recommend that all associations use the strike mat, plus home plate.
Summit Response: Most associations use the mat (with the exception of ASA and ISSA/ISF). Umpires in those associations have opposed the mat. However, ASA delegates said they would review the policy at their special meeting on seniors in the spring.
Recommended that the 44-COR, 375-Compression ball be used in all organizations.
Summit Response: Ball specifications remain an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
Recommend that the ASTM high-speed bat test and the 98-mph Bat Standard be used in all associations.
Summit Response: : Bat specifications remain an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
Recommend that the 60-minute plus one inning time limit be used in Pool Play with the exception that all games must be 4.5 innings and no time limit in elimination play.
Summit Response: Game time limits remain an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
Recommend that the 5-run per inning rule be eliminated for the highest level of competition in an organization.
Summit Response: Most organizations do not limit the highest levels of play to 5 runs per inning. SSUSA agreed to look at changing the 5-run limit for the Major-Plus divisions.
Recommend that the 1-1 count with a courtesy foul be used by all organizations.
Summit Response: Most organizations do not use the 1-1 count because of widespread complaints from players. Tests have shown that it only saves 2 or 3 minutes per game.
Recommend that any team that has not played in a qualifier must play in the highest level of play.
Summit Response: If there is a question, most association do raise a team to the next higher level of competition. However, most organizations rely on the National Ratings Committee, which researches teams and lets associations know where the team should play.
Recommend that one Lifetime ID Card be used for those associations that require cards.
Summit Response: Associations requiring ID cards are implementing a pilot program in 2005 for a single ID card for those associations. However, lifetime cards will probably not be used because the cards provide essential revenue for those organizations.
Recommend that the home run rules be changed to:
AA= 1 and out, AAA = 3 and out, Major = 6 and out, Major-Plus = 6 1-up and single.
Summit Response: Home Run limits remain an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
Recommend that the 65+ division be allowed to use 11 defensive players.
Summit Response: At the request of the Advisory Board last year, the Summit surveyed 65+ players through Senior Softball News and at major tournaments. The results were a dead-even split, with half of the players wanting 10 defensive players and half wanting 11 defensive players. Associations are split about 50-50, as well, with half allowing 10 defensive players and half allowing 11.
Recommend that all age groups be allowed to use 11 players.
Summit Response: See number 13 response.
Recommend that the Summit form a committee made up of two representatives from each organization to consider the altered bat issue.
Summit Response: The Summit has voted to form an Altered Bat Committee chaired by Gary Tryhorn and including Bill Given, Steve Simmons, Dick Kuyath, Gary Russell and Gary Wallich to gather and distribute information on altered bats to all associations in writing before the first national tournaments.
Recommend that seeding based on pool play be eliminated and that the elimination bracket be a blind draw.
Summit Response: Delegates disagreed, saying the overwhelming response from teams at tournaments is that the pool games count.
Recommend that teams be allowed to use unlimited offensive players.
Summit Response: The numbers of offensive players allowed remain an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
Recommend that organizations use the 6-foot pitcher's box.
Summit Response: The pitcher's box is an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
Recommend that the Summit be in (in order of preference) Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Texas and be held the week prior to the Super Bowl.
Summit Response: Summit appointed Gary Tryhorn, the incoming Summit Chair, to work with the cities of Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Ft. Myers as potential sites for the 2006 and 2007 Summits and send proposals to Summit members by March 1, with the first choice for dates for 2006 being Jan. 14-15 and the second choice Jan. 22-23.
Terry Hennessy, Recording Secretary 1/29/05
The national senior softball organizations in America:
ASA
ISA
Huntsman Games
ISSA
LVSSA
NASCS
SPA
SSUSA
National Senior Softball Hall of Fame
