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Summit Minutes -- 2007 National Senior Softball Summit
2007 National Senior Softball SummitJan. 20-21, 2007
Arizona Charlies East, Las Vegas, Nevada
NOTE: To avoid confusion, the minutes are placed in the order in which they appeared on the agenda (not their actual order of discussion in the Summit) and the action on items were placed with the items as they appear on the agenda (again not when they actually took place).
Item 1:
Gary Tryhorn, Summit Chairman, welcomed the 17 Summit delegates, 20 Men's National Advisors and 14 National Women's Advisors to the ninth Annual National Senior Softball Summit.Item 2:
Terry Hennessy of SSUSA was selected as Recording Secretary.Special Presentation:
Dave Perrin of the National Prostate Cancer Foundation explained the work his non-profit organization was doing to raise money to fight prostate cancer, including a campaign during the Senior Softball World Championships in Seattle. The Prostate Cancer Foundation raised more than $250 million in 12 years and has enlisted the support of Major League Baseball and some of its top players. He asked other associations to become involved in programs to raise money to fight the disease. He said the programs could also easily include a campaign to fight breast cancer.
Special Presentation:
In a Special Presentation, Ridge Hooks, SPA delegate, awarded Bill Givens, former Huntsman Games delegate, the “Ken Maas Spirit Award” for his personal dedication to Senior Softball. Dan Needy, Huntsman Games delegate, accepted the award on Bill Given's behalf.
Item 3:
Terry Hennessy introduced the Minutes of the 2006 Summit, which were approved without discussion. Hennessy explained that the minutes of the 2007 Summit would be distributed by e-mail to all delegates and the delegates would have two weeks to notify Hennessy of changes. After the 2-week deadline, the minutes would be posted on the Summit website (www.softballrating.com).Item 4:
Gary Tryhorn reviewed the main items on the Summit Agenda (detailed below).Item 5:
Frank Mazzeo introduced the main items to be discussed by The Men's National Advisory Board. He was directed to be ready with the board's recommendations to the Summit by the end of the day.Item 6:
Connie Byro introduced the main items to be discussed by The Senior Softball Women's Advisory Council. She was directed to be ready with the board's recommendations to the Summit by the end of the day.Item 7: National Senior Softball Hall of Fame.
Ridge Hooks announced that the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame website (www.sshof.com) was up and running. Hooks distributed examples of nomination books from players and reviewed the popular and touching Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies at the SPA National Championships, the SSUSA World Championships and the Senior Softball World Series in 2006. Hooks also announced that players must now have played senior softball for 10 years before they are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame.Item 8. Old Business:
A. Geographic Restrictions Committee: The committee was instructed to review the Border Restrictions policy adopted at the 2006 Summit by September 2006 and report back to the Summit. The new policy allowed Florida and California to pick up players from bordering states – and it allowed states bordering California and Florida to pick up players from those states. Hennessy reported that the committee failed to report back to the Summit.SUMMIT RESOLUTION:
Jerry Jackson of ISA made a motion that the committee reconvene before Sept. 8, 2007, to review the border restrictions, especially looking at whether California and Florida teams should be allowed to draw players from other states. The Committee was directed to recommend by Sept. 8 whether to add any qualifications to the bordering-states rule so that associations have enough time to enact changes for the 2008 season. Seconded by Gary Tryhorn, Summit Chair. Unanimously passed. Committee includes: Steve Simmons (Chair), Terry Hennessy, Gary Tryhorn, Al Vera, and Lou Giovanini.
B. Altered Bat Committee: Committee Chairman Gary Tryhorn reported that the Summit's Altered Bat Catalogue had been distributed to all associations, but that it had not made it to the tournament level in some cases. Delegates discussed ASA's successful suit against suspected bat doctors in Oklahoma, however, delegates agreed that the problem could not effectively be fought by cutting off the supply of bats – that the only effective method was to make the penalty for using an altered bat extremely tough to dry up the market.
SUMMIT RESOLUTION:
Terry Hennessy proposed the Summit adopt the following Altered Bat Policy. Jerry Jackson seconded the resolution. Passed Unanimously. Here is the Summit Policy:
Penalty for Using an Altered Bat: If a bat is suspected of being altered to enhance performance, the tournament committee will determine if the bat will continue in play or be held for inspection. If the player refuses to turn over the bat, the player will be suspended for 10 years and the manager for one year and the team will forfeit all games. If the player voluntarily releases the bat and it is found to be altered to enhance performance, the player will be suspended for 5 years and the manager for one year. A second offense may result in the lifetime ban of the player.
C.Umpire Committee Report: Charles Moss, Chair of the Umpire Committee, reported that senior umpires were having a hard time keeping straight which bats were allowed for tournaments. Craig Cress said that ASA provided not only a list, but photos of the bats to help with identification. Terry Hennessy said a link would be added to the Rule Chart on the Summit website (www.softballrating.com) so that umpires could go to the website, click on the association sanctioning the tournament and be taken to the bat list on that association's website. Moss also asked if the pitching rubber could be moved to a set distance, rather than using the box, which was hard for umpires to see. Jerry Jackson recommended two rubbers, one at 50 feet and one at 56 feet. He said that helped his umpires.
D. Level Consolidation Committee: A committee was established by the Summit in 2006 to study the problem of small Major-Plus and Major divisions and come up with recommendations. The committee consisted of Terry Hennessy (Chair), RB Thomas, Ridge Hooks, Bill Ruth, Bruce Fisher, Mike Sisavec.
Committee Report:
The Committee decided to do a pilot consolidation at the 2006 SSUSA Qualifier in Las Vegas with 68 teams because of the smaller divisions. Major-Plus and Major teams were combined in three divisions: 50, 55 and 65.
Here are the equalizers we used (which were recommended by the committee):
• 5-run per-inning limit (last inning open)
• On home runs over the limit (which are singles), runners already on base are forced to advance.
In the 50 Division, there were two Major teams and one Major-Plus. Using the equalizers, the Major teams came in 1st and 2nd place and the Major-Plus team came in 3rd place (the Major-Plus team was relatively weak and was later moved to Major).
In the 55 Division, there were two Major-Plus division teams and one Major team. One Major-Plus team placed 1st, the Major team placed 2nd and the other Major-Plus team placed third.
In the 65 Division, there were only two teams, one Major-Plus and one Major. The Major team took 1st place and the Major-Plus team took second.
The overall reaction of the teams was that they did not want to play together, regardless of the equalizers. However, as you can see from the results, the equalizers did work. – Committee Report by T. Hennessy
The results were given to the delegates to use as they saw fit.
Item 9: National Tournament Dates
ASA: Burlington, North Carolina (Tony Laws 336 222-5030)
Mens' 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75: Aug. 31-Sept. 3
HUNTSMAN GAMES: St. George, Utah (Dan Needy 435 674-0550)
Mens' 60, 65: Oct. 8-12
Womens': Oct. 11-13
Mens' 50, 55, 70: Oct. 15-19
74, 79: Oct. 16-19
ISA: St. Louis, Missouri (Jerry Jackson 309 353-7720)
Mens' 50, 55, 60, 65, 70: July 27-29
ISSA/ISF: Manassas, Virginia (RB Thomas 703 368-1188)
Mens' 50-70 ISF: June 22-24
Mens' 50-70 ISSA: Aug. 17-19
LVSSA: Las Vegas, Nevada (Jerry Thayer 702 304-9051)
Mens' 70, 80: Sept. 24-26
Mens' 50, 60: Sept. 28-30
Mens' 65, 75: Oct. 1-3
Mens' 55: Oct. 5-7
Women: Oct. 5-7
NSA EAST: (Joe Cothran 256 492-3020)
Mens' 50-70: July 27-29
Boaz, Cullman, Gadsen, Alabama
NSA WEST: (Chris Meyers 916 600-7072)
Mens' 50-70: Sept. 8, 9
Location: SF Bay Area
SPA: (Ridge Hooks 405 463-3317)
Mens' Major and Major Plus: 50, 55, 60, 65: July 13-15, Kansas City, MO
Mens' 60, 65, 70: AAA, AA: Sept. 13-16, Dalton, Georgia
Mens' 50, 55, 75, 80, W: AAA, AA: Sept. 6-9, Dalton, Georgia
SS-USA: Phoenix, Arizona (Terry Hennessy 916 326-5303)
Mens' 40, 60, Women: Oct. 19-21
Mens' 50, 55: Oct. 26-28
Mens' 65, 70, 75, 80: Oct. 22-25
SSWS: Mankato, Minnesota (Greg Maas 517 393-0505)
50, 55, 60, W: Aug. 24-26
65, 70, 75, 80: Aug. 27-30
USSSA: Brookfield, (Milwaukee), Wisconsin (Tom Ignaszak 414-248-3920)
Mens' 50-70: Aug. 2-5
Item 10: Rule Review
Here are the rule changes announced by National Associations for the “Comparison of Rules and Procedures” Chart that will be posted on the National Summit website (www.softballrating.com) for 2007. (Please note that all other information remains the same on the chart; these are only the changes):Home State (of teams):
Huntsman Games changes to “Team Defined” / ISA change to “Majority of Players”
Geographic Restrictions:
LVSSA: States + Bordering States
SSWS: States + Bordering States / Major+ = 2 player outside Region, Major= 1 player outside region
80+ Age Restrictions:
Huntsman: 79+
Women Geographic Restrictions:
LVSSA: None
Women's Age Divisions:
SSUSA, SPA, LVSSA: 40, 45, 50, 55,60, 65 (DROP -- 50s: 5 players 49
SSWS: 50s: 5 players 48-49 / 55,60
Players playing in multiple AGE divisions (Men Only):
SPA: 2 Divisions
LVSSA: 1 Division
NEW: Players playing in multiple AGE divisions (Women Only):
SSUSA, SPA, SSWS, LVSSA: 1 Division
Rest of associations: Pending
Strike Mat:
SPA: Yes (21 x36 Mat)
Ball Specifications:
SSWS: 44 COR, 525 Compression
Women's softballs, all associations: 47 COR / 525 Compression
Bat Specifications:
Huntsman Games, ISA: 1.20 bpf: Miken II allowed
Scoring Commitment Line:
SSWS: 32'6”
Games Scheduled at Nationals:
SSUSA: 2 + 3
SSWS, LVSSA: 3 + 2
Mercy Rule:
SSUSA: 50, 55 M+ ONLY: 25/3, 20/4,15/5
NSA: 10/5
Runs per inning:
SSUSA: 5, last open (Except 50, 55M+)
NSA, ISA: 5, last open
LVSSA: AA/AAA: 5, M=7, M+=7
Number of defensive players in 65+:
ISSA: M+ = 10, M,AAA,AA=11
NSA, SSWS: M=,M=10 / AAA, AA = 11
CHANGE HEADING: Max. Number of Batters:
ASA: No Limit
SSWS: 15
Championship Entry Fees:
ISA: $475
LVSSA: $550
Player ID Cards:
SSWS: $35
Home Run Limits:
Major-Plus Division:
ISA: 6, singles
SSWS:9+1up, out
Major Division:
ISA: 4, singles
LVSSA: 50, 55, 60, 65: 7+1-up, singles
AAA Division:
NSA: 1 +1-up, singles
ISA: 1, singles
LVSSA: 2, singles
AA Division:
NSA, ISA: 0, out
LVSSA: 1, single
Item 12: Discussion of Joint Rating System
New Rating Deadlines:The National Ratings Committee, appointed by the nine national member organizations of the Senior Softball Summit, is changing the deadlines and dates that new ratings will be announced.
Here are the dates:
Jan. 31, 2007: The Ratings are updated by Jan. 31 to reflect changes from 2006 tournaments. These changes include teams that are automatically raised to the next skill level because they won one of the nine national association championships with more than 4 teams in their division. Ratings appeals received before Jan. 15 are also decided – and teams are raised or lowered depending on their tournament performance in 2006.
May 15, 2007: This is the first time teams are rated for their 2007 performance.
Aug. 15, 2007: This is the last time ratings will be changed until after the last 2007 Championships at the end of October.
Roster Problems:
Ratings Committee members Ridge Hooks and Terry Hennessy reported that the problem of teams adding players to rosters when they attend National Tournaments that don't require qualifiers is getting critical.
They said teams are now routinely loading their rosters with stronger players to take to tournaments that do not check rosters. Those teams not only ruin the competition of the division in which they are competing, but they undermine the credibility of the National Ratings System.
Hennessy recommended appointing a committee to study the best ways to provide rosters to associations that do not have qualifiers so that they can be checked. Seconded by Greg Maas, SSWS delegate. Passed unanimously.
Summit Resolution:
A Roster Committee will be formed to research and suggest by April 15 the best way to provide rosters to associations to be checked prior to a national tournament. The committee was also directed to come up with the cost and a recommendation of paying for the program. Committee members include Bill Horton of NSA, Greg Maas of SSWS, Dan Needy of the Huntsman Games, Ridge Hooks of SPA, Terry Hennessy of SSUSA, RB Thomas of ISSA, and Al Vera of LVSSA.
Ratings Committee:
Both the Advisory Board and a delegate asked to be included on the National Ratings Committee, which currently includes RB Thomas, Ridge Hooks and Terry Hennessy. The Ratings Committee was directed to come up with an application form for those interested in becoming a Ratings Committee member.
Item 13: Summit Website
Terry Hennessy reported on the Summit-supported wedbsite www.softballrating.com and asked associations for input on any improvements. He said a link will be added to the new National Senior Softball Hall of Fame website and that all of the updates from the Summit will be posted by early February.Hennessy said the Roster Committee will be making recommendations on improving the site to help handle more information.
Item 14: Staffing the Advisory Board
Review process for staffing the National Advisory Board. Delegates requested a form that prospective Advisory Board members could fill out and submit for approval by the Summit Chair. The form has been added to the Summit website. In addition, ads soliciting candidates for the Advisory Board appeared in three editions of Senior Softball News. Delegates requested that the Chair strive to create a board with broad geographic, age and skill representation. Gary Tryhorn agreed, but said many times we have had to accept almost everyone who applied so that we would have enough to fill the board. He said he hoped that the new Summit Chair would receive more applications from the website and through continued advertising in Senior Softball News.Item 15: Review of National Senior Games Association Request to Join Summit
Gary Tryhorn presented an application submitted by the National Senior Games Association to be admitted as a voting delegate to the National Senior Softball Summit.The National Senior Games holds their qualifying tournaments in 49 of the 50 states and holds their national tournament every other year.
Several questions were raised that could not be answered because no representative of the association was present. Jerry Jackson made the following motion, seconded by Bill Horton and passed unanimously:
Summit Resolution:
The application to admit the National Senior Games Association to the Summit will be put on hold until a representative can attend the Summit to answer questions by the delegates.
Item 16 and 18: Women's Advisory Board Recommendation.
See Senior Softball Women's Advisory Council Recommendations and Summit Responses.Item 17 and 18: Men's Advisory Board Recommendation.
See National Advisory Board Recommendations and Summit Responses.Item 19: New Business
SafetyTerry Hennessy explained Senior Softball-USA's initiative to provide defibrillators for tournaments and CPR/ First Aid training to directors, officials, managers and players. Hennessy said SSUSA will make their Safety Trainer, Jim Sherman, available to other associations. Sherman, a retired firefighter, has been training groups on CPR / AED / and First Aid for 40 years and is a nationally recognized expert in the field.
Bill Ruth seconded the motion, saying he is not only buying a defibrillator for himself, but will bring it to the next Summit. He said the cost of the defibrillators is coming down and it is well worth the cost – and the time for the training – to save even one life.
Ridge Hooks recommended that directors carry inexpensive walkie-talkies so that serious medical issues that occur at outlying fields can be quickly handled.
Snowbirds and Other Roster Exemptions
Delegates brought up several problems dealing with rosters, including the Snowbird Exemptions allowed by some organizations and the rule allowing one player from out of region by other organizations. The question was raised about doing away with the Snowbird Exemption and having all organizations adopt the one-player exemption rule.
It was explained that the Snowbird Rule was designed to allow players of any level to participate in tournaments while they were living in their secondary residences – it was not designed for Major-Plus teams to use to expand their rosters using players who were snowbirds. One the other hand, the One-person exemption was specifically designed to help Major-Plus teams pick up one player outside their regions.
Hennessy said there were a number of problems this year with illegal snowbirds and all of those problems were caused by Major-Plus teams. He said in the 7 years SSUSA had the Snowbird exemptions, there had been very few problems among the Major, AAA and AA teams.
Gary Tryhorn, Summit Chair, said that a player on his team, Doc DeMarco, was suspended for violating the Snowbird rule in both SSUSA and LVSSA. Tryhorn apologized for the embarrassment this incident may have brought to the Summit because of his position as Chair.
Both SPA and SSUSA said they are looking at the One-Player exemption for Major-Plus teams and will make a decision within the next few weeks. Associations with the One-Player exemption in place include NSA and SSWS.
Associations with a Snowbird Exemption include SPA, SSUSA, LVSSA and ISSA.
Coordinating Major-Plus participation in Tournaments
Bill Ruth relayed a proposal from the Ploog Construction 50 Major-Plus team from Minnesota to help build Major-Plus participation at tournaments. The proposal was to establish a network of communication between the Major-Plus teams so that they each know which tournaments the others plan to compete in during the season.
Ridge Hooks said SPA tried that kind of coordination last year in a number of qualifiers. He said it didn't work at any of the tournaments because teams that said they were going to attend dropped out at the last minute, saying they didn't want to spend the money to travel to the qualifiers.
Delegates agreed that it was a good idea, but the coordination should be done informally among the Major-Plus teams and not by the associations. Associations said they were willing to help the teams with contact in formation, but the coordination should be doine by the teams themselves.
Item 20: Site for 2008 Summit
SUMMIT RESOLUTION:Bill Ruth, incoming Summit Chair, recommended that the Summit move to Phoenix in 2008 from Jan. 18-20. Delegates agreed to meet in an additional session from 7 pm – 9 pm on Friday Jan. 18 to relieve the pressure on the Summit on Sunday. Unanimous approval.
Page last modified: March 5, 2007
The national senior softball organizations in America:
ASA
ISA
Huntsman Games
ISSA
LVSSA
NASCS
SPA
SSUSA
National Senior Softball Hall of Fame
