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2006 National Advisory Board recommendations
LAS VEGAS, Nevada Nineteen members of the Menıs National Senior Softball Advisory Board met here during the Summit on Jan. 14-15. National Advisory Board Chairman Carlos Becerra presented the Boardıs recommendations. Summit delegates then considered the recommendations and Summit Recording Secretary Terry Hennessy presented the Summit response:
Goal: Increase the number of teams at tournaments: Combine Major and Major-Plus for 60 and above tournaments and use a 1+1-up home run rule, 5 runs per inning and runners advancing only when forced as the equalizer.
Summit Response:
SUMMIT RESOLUTION: Dan Needy of Huntsmen Games made a motion to select a committee to pursue what associations can do about small Major and Major-Plus Divisions to encourage greater participation. Seconded by Fred Turnier of LVSSA. Passed unanimously. Selected for the committee: Terry Hennessy (Chair), RB Thomas, Ridge Hooks, Bill Ruth, Bruce Fisher.
SUMMIT RESOLUTION: In a second motion on this same topic, Bill Ruth of ISA made a motion to call the committee the Level Consolidation Committee, add an Advisory Board Member to the committee and report back to Summit Associations by June. Seconded by Dan Needy of Huntsmen Games. Passed unanimously. Mike Sisavec, a National Adviory Board Member from Oregon, was selected for the committee.
Goal: Save money for players and increase consistence by allowing the use of all 1.20 bats (Miken Ultra II), using a 44 COR/ 375 Compression Optic Yellow Polycore ball for all age levels.
Summit Response: Associations have come closer on ball standards (almost all associations now use the boardıs recommended ball). Only three associations use the 1.20 bat standard. While it is very difficult to get complete agreement on the bat issue among all associations, the Advisory Board recommendation has been passed to all delegates to use in their efforts to come as close as possible on bat and ball standards. Bottom line: It is up to each association to set these standards and it is unlikely that a single bat standard will be enacted.
Goal: Increased Safety: Implement a 6-foot Pitcherıs box in all associations.
Summit Response: Seven of the 10 Summit associations use the pitcherıs box. The Advisory recommendation has been heard by the three association delegates that donıt use the box. The decision on implementing the box is up to those association rule-making bodies.
Goal: Increase consistency in balls and strikes by all associations requiring strike mats.
Summit Response: Most associations use the mat (with the exception of ASA and ISSA/ISF). ASA senior delegates have proposed adding the mat for the past two years, but have been unsuccessful getting the rules changed. The ASA delegates promised to pursue the mat again this year (If passed at the ASA convention, the rule would not go into effect until 2007).
Goal: Eliminate illegal player participation. When a snowbird signs his first national roster of the year, his state of residency is frozen for the calendar year. Associations should request appropriate documentation.
Summit Action: The four associations allowing snowbird exemptions came up with this agreement: The main requirements for snowbirds will be that the person lives for FOUR (4) consecutive months in each location and that the player announce at the beginning of the year which team they will be participating on when they compete in ALL of the national association finals. The forms will be available on the Summit Website: www.softballrating.com. In addition, a complete list of snowbirds for all four associations will be published on the Summit Website. The list will include the personıs name, age division and the two states in which they are allowed to play.
Goal: Increased safety. All associations should allow 11 defensive players for 65+ AA and AAA teams.
Summit Response: The delegates do not see the 11-man rule as a safety issue. The survey conducted by the Summit two years ago and a number of informal surveys of 65 managers at national association championships have consistently shown that managers are very evenly split over whether to use 10 or 11 players. Associations reflect that split, with about half the associations allowing 10 players and the other half allowing 11 players.
Goal: Stop Cheating. The advisors support the associationsı strong sanctions for altered bats.
Summit Action: Terry Hennessy said the Altered Bat Recommendation passed by the Summit last year will be posted on the website. Greg Maas of SSWS made the motion confirming that the Summit is concerned with the issue and will continue to deal with it. In addition delegates felt that it is the responsibility of advisors to help associations police the sport and ask that advisors actively help associations. Dan Needy of Huntsmen Games seconded. Unanimous approval.
Goal: Increased safety and higher quality of play Recommend that field prep should take place no less than every other game.
Summit Response: Delegates agreed that this was a great recommendation and agreed to pass it along to their associations.
Goal: Increased participation by allowing an unlimited number of batters.
Summit Response: Four associations have an unlimited number of batters, four associations allow 12 batters and two associations allow 2 more batters than the number of defensive players on a team. The number of batters remain an individual association decision, but all associations take National Advisory Board recommendations into consideration.
The Advisory Board appreciates the associationsı attempts to schedule tournaments with few or no conflicts. The Advisory Board recommends continuing the practice.
Terry Hennessy, Recording Secretary 1/23/06
The national senior softball organizations in America:
ASA
ISA
Huntsman Games
ISSA
LVSSA
NASCS
SPA
SSUSA
National Senior Softball Hall of Fame
