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| July 27, 2018 Downs | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: PSSSA second season Fashion76: see no one has responded to your request. First the PSSSA has just completed our 2018 regular season league play. We are in the process of beginning our extended season which last two additional months, August thru Sept. In fact the game schedule in not final yet. Only about half of the league teams elect to continue playing and the majority of said teams are also the travel tournament teams. Extended season games are generally played at Celebration Park in Federal Way and only if there are too many games for their four field complex, then the league will use either Steel Lake or Underwood for the overflow. Now, all that said, if you are still interested, I suggest you contact the following persons: 1), Harlen Ward. PSSSA President. hgw1957@gmail.com (253)833-9210 2). Art Eversole. Website owner: bashman01@earthlink.net Art has a elaborate senior softball website for the benefit of all N/W softball players and associates. Request that he send a notice to all the teams reflecting your desire to join a PSSSA team for the extended season. You will need to list your personal information: name, home location, email address, phone number, age & DOB, playing position(s), etc. The minimum age to play PSSSA is 55 yrs. At the time you contact Art, you may wish to ask him to add your name to his website directory. Good luck. Jim Downs - Federal Way |
| July 30, 2017 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: PITCHING SCREEN USE MIKE: the information you requested in NOW in the U.S. Post Office mail box. You should have it no later than mid-week. If you need any further info or clarification, please feel free to contact me. My email and phone number is included in the packet. Good luck. Jim |
| July 30, 2017 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: PITCHING SCREEN USE MIKE: your list of concerns are certainly not unique. They are common to all interests that wish to consider the use of a PSS (Pitcher Safety Screen). We up here in the N/W have been utilizing a PSS for more than 7 years and each year review the Rules Attachment "A" that governs the use to address any new or additional situations. A good example was the original maximum size which was 3-foot wide and 6-foot high. The problem is that the commercially made PSS is now made in various sizes including up to 8-ft by 8-ft. We address this as well as thrown or batted balls that hit the screen. To save time, if you are interested in receiving a copy of our Puget Sound Senior Softball Rules and Attachment "A" (PSS), send me your U.S. Post Office address and I'll mail you the information. We have received quite a number or such request over the years. We use the PSS for our 30-team league of 55 to 90 ages. It is designed as safety equipment and is optional use, not mandatory. Jim - Seattle. |
| April 12, 2017 Downs | Topic: Product review Discussion: Pitchers Chest Protection Now that really deflates my pride. I'm on my way to packaging up the Fox Titan that Rezvilla sent me because it must be defective. The one I have does not hit that well or run that fast. I was assured they only come in one model. yet the funny thing is that Chief 144 says he is 6'2" and 215 lbs, while I'm 6'1" and weigh 158, and yet we both have the Lg/XLg size. I think that is because of the large side openings which also allows the body to freely swing a bat as well as permit the flexibility necessary for fielding. I'll check to see if they can find a faster running and harder hitting one for me personally in their warehouse. Seriously, glad to hear that it works for you because it is obvious that it's probably not for everyone. Let us know how it does in Vegas. Good to hear from you. Thanks and good luck. Jim |
| April 12, 2017 Downs | Topic: Product review Discussion: Pitchers Chest Protection JETHRO & CHIEF 144: I am very pleased to see the latest response from Chief144 sent today. I thought I had pretty thoroughly addressed the key concerns I had when I was shopping for an adequate chest protector. It is obvious that NO ONE product will ever satisfy all the needs and specifics for everyone. We each need to determine our own priorities and like I said, this item met my personal needs. With the totally open sides, it allows for a comfortable fit and great mobility. I have experienced no adversity when swinging a bat. However, up here in the N/W I have not had an opportunity to wear it in 100+ degree heat. Now, ask me about rain because this year I am getting to be an expert. As to your needs, I have two suggestions. 1). I was going to suggest you contact Chief144 and ask him to convey his experience with the vest upon his return from the S/W Championships in Las Vegas next week. 2). If swinging in the vest is your ONLY major concern, order one that can be returned if not satisfied, put it on at home and go outside and swing your bat as much as you desire. If not satisfied, pack it up and send it back. I'm sorry I cannot determine just what may prove to be the very best for everyone. All I can say is that it was the best product that offered adequate safety to meet my personal safety needs and concerns. Wish you a safe and productive 2017 season and like you, I look forward to Chief144's personal experience and product assessment. I am satisfied I purchased the best protection for myself and my personal safety. Good luck. Jim |
| April 10, 2017 Downs | Topic: Product review Discussion: Pitchers Chest Protection CHIEF 144: Glad I could help and hope it works out as well for you as it does for me. If you want to contact me, you can obtain my email address and/or phone number from Don & Pat Rose, Ed Daniels, or Ike Pursell. I'm usually in some sort of contact with all three. Good luck in Vegas and you couldn't find a greater person or player than you have in Ed Daniels. Ann & I think the world of him. Best of luck. Jim D. |
| April 10, 2017 Downs | Topic: Product review Discussion: Pitchers Chest Protection CHIEF 144: Boy a guy sure has to be careful. Yes, the same Jim Downs from Fresno. Was the ASA Metro UIC, Fresno State's UIC for 12 years, UIC for 10 Div 1 & II Women's College World Series, fastpitch pitcher, and with Fresno Fire Dept for 32 years and SeaTac, WA Fire Chief for 8 more years. Still trying to learn how to play softball and been playing for 72 years and playing 80's this year. I see a number of the old fastpitch players from Fresno at many of the tournaments and I've been asked if I was interested in playing with them. They are a great bunch of guys and good players too. Tell them I said Hi and hope to see them more this year, Reno, CA, Vegas, and St. Geo. Now, I'm sure if you are interested in the Fox Titan protective vest after you look it up in the web, that if you call them they should be able to send it to assure delivery prior to your leaving for the S/W Championships if you ask them to expedite. Also, if not up to your standards or you don't like it, it can be returned. Omar Khyyam, thanks for your kind words. Being an ex-Fireman for 40 years, personnel safety has always been a personal and professional priority. Thanks again. Jim D. |
| April 9, 2017 Downs | Topic: Product review Discussion: Pitchers Chest Protection CHIEF 144. I shopped for quite a while to find what I felt was adequate protection for a chest protector that would meet my personal needs as a softball pitcher. A victim of heart failure and equipped with an ICD (Implanted Cardio Defib.) between my left armpit and left collarbone. Looked at surfer's protection, catcher protectors, softball protectors, and every thing else I could find on the web. Ended up with a lightweight vest that has large open arm areas, designed to be worn under a jersey, short enough to cover the stomach, but not below the waist into the pants. It protects my ICD area, my collarbones, and chest. It is a lightweight body armor vest, does not hinder my movements or interfere in any way with pitching or throwing overhand. It is a vest that covers some of my back while the sides are totally open except for a small elastic band that is attached to the back at the bottom of each side and pulls to the front and attaches with Velcro. It has ventilation holes and is very flexible. It is a Fox Titan Sport Subframe for BMX & MTB riders. Check with Revzilla.com on the web for photo and specs, or call free 1-800-766-7269. Their specs read: A standard set up for back, spine, and torso protection, rated for mountain bike, BMX, ski and snowboard. Available for men, women, and youth sizes. I'm extremely pleased as it is lightweight, flexible, and comfortable to wear and pitch, field, or throw overhand, without any interference. Hope this helps and good luck. Jim - WA. |
| Jan. 8, 2017 Downs | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Taping of bat handle. Sorry to say, I think you failed to read Section 3.4(4) of the 2015-16 SSUSA Rule Book. I know that the 2017-18 rules have been adopted, however, the new rule book has not been distributed as of yet and the new rules adopted on Dec. 5, 2016 did not change for approved bats. Now, one thing not mentioned in the prior messages is: "a bat that has excessive tape (MORE THAN TWO LAYERS) applied to the bat grip (HANDLE) is an ALTERED BAT. Remember, there is a major difference between an ALTERED bat and an ILLEGAL bat. An ILLEGAL bat is a bat that has not been approved for SSUSA play but has not been modified. (i.e. a standard baseball bat is an ILLEGAL bat.) The penalty, the bat is removed from the game and the batter is called out. Now, an ALTERED bat is one that is LEGAL for SSUSA play, but has had it's physical characteristics changed; painted, excessive tape, weight change, etc. The penalty for having an ALTERED BAT; the bat is removed from the game and SO IS THE BATTER......a cone grip made of tape requires MORE THAN TWO LAYERS OF TAPE, therefore, constitutes an ALTERED BAT.. Jim - WA |
| Aug. 17, 2016 Downs | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Using screen for pitcher JH Texas. If you'll send me your mailing, or home address, I'll forward you a copy of our Puget Sound Senior Softball rules that have been in effect for a number of years but modified when felt necessary. By request, a number of leagues have received this set of rules. Our 30 team league begins at 55 and has a number of 80's so it is also considered a safety issue. The use of a PSS (Pitcher's Safety Screen) is "OPTIONAL" but clearly specifies the placement, game use, and off-field storage. The rule is reviewed annually, and subject to change based on the majority vote of the league. My email address is: downsjba@msn.com Let me know if you wish me to mail you a copy. |
| Oct. 1, 2014 Downs | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 70's Player for Mesquite Tournament - Oct 10-11 JERSEY NICK: Please contact Gary Edgington, manager of the Black Bear Yogurt team as he is short a player or two and his 70"s WA team is playing in Mesquite Oct. 10 - 11. I'm sure you know there are no residency requirements, just age qualifications. Contact Gary as soon as possible. Phone: (253) 839-5861 or email: edges@comcast.net Also, any more 70's team members or players that would be interested in helping Gary, please contact him ASAP. |
| Jan. 4, 2014 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: SSUSA shares DBO rationale Senior SSUSA STAFF: Thanks for your expeditious response. In each instance your response makes a lot of sense and in fact reflects no change in the HR rules as they previously existed, other than the DBO and HR limits. The problem I had in trying to understand the intent as worded in your News Letter, is that the statement made seems to stand alone and is neither tied to HR's or DBO's. In a completely separate paragraph, it states: "In a minor related rule change, SSUSA has now allowed for the practice of "hit and sit" following "ANY" over-the-fence home run. It does not specify additional HR's over the allotted maximum or a DBO. It does, in my personal opinion, add much more confusion than would exist if that particular statement had not been included as it refers to a minor related rule change. Anyway, seems the "hit and sit" intent is specifically related only to the DBO. Sure hope I'm right this time. Again, thanks for the clarification. |
| Jan. 4, 2014 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: SSUSA shares DBO rationale Senior SSUSA STAFF: Can you please provide a clarification regarding the new home run rule? In the News Letter, there is a stated minor change to the rule that had not surfaced in any prior SSUSA communications. There is a statement indicating a "HIT & SIT" modification that is now approved. In other words, it appears that this change permits the batter to watch the ball clear the fence, and return to the dugout, no longer being required to advance to first base? I have no problem with such a rule. However, just how does it now impact any base runners when there is an over the fence HR? 1. Are the on-base runners still required to "ADVANCE ONE BASE", or called out? 2. If "one" of the base runners elects to run all the bases, is he/she out for passing a base runner that elects not to run all the bases? 3. If the batter elects to run to first base, is he/she required to continue on to run all the bases accordingly? 4. If the batter elects to run the bases on an over the fence HR, is he/she out for passing one of the base runners that does not continue to run all the bases? I witnessed this call in championship play in the past? 5. Are all the runners (batter & base runners) still to be CALLED OUT for any violation of the base running rules, such as stepping on or over the strike mat or batters box? STAFF: thanking you in advance for your clarifications as our local league adopts all SSUSA rules that are not modified for local play and we need to be assured of the specific interpretations and applications. Thanks again. Jim Downs - Seattle |
| Nov. 28, 2013 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Positioning of screen protecting pitcher HJ: we here in the Seattle, Puget Sound area, have used a pitcher's safety screen for years. We have managed to address basically every kind of a situation possible on the playing field and modified the league rule accordingly. We have a 22 team league that goes from 55 to our oldest player, 93 this year. Due to the extreme differences between ages, skills, and abilities, we created the rule which allows an option as to whether or not a pitcher elects to use a safety screen. We specify the max. size of the screen, where the screen is to be placed, must cover a least 50% of the pitching rubber when viewed from the catcher/umpire position, cannot be closer to the batter than 3-foot in front of the pitching rubber, and the pitcher must come to a complete stop behind the front edge of the safety screen after releasing the ball. If a pitcher ends up releasing the ball parallel to, or in front of the pitching rubber, the umpire is to warn the pitcher, and the next violation, will force the manager to remove the screen or the pitcher. The safety screen may be moved backward if the pitcher desires to pitch from deeper in the 10-foot pitcher's box. At no time can the safety screen be utilized in any way to benefit a team's defense. I will be glad to send you a copy of our PSSSA pitcher's safety screen rule as it also covers no penalty to the batter for hitting the screen, live ball situation for a thrown ball hitting the screen, and also if a pitcher elects to pitch without a safety screen, no penalty for hitting the pitcher and no out for a ball hit in the vicinity of a pitcher. The rule was designed for maximum protection of a pitcher and if he elects to not use the screen, then why punish the hitters. The rule also requires a left handed pitcher to pitch from the left side of the screen and a right handed pitcher to pitch from the right hand side of the screen. Like I say, we have used the screen for years and think we now have it all pretty well covered. Send me an email if you'd like a copy of our rule: downsjba@msn.com with your mailing address. You do not need to include your name if you do not wish to do so. Jim |
| Nov. 28, 2013 Downs | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: You make the call part 643 stick8, sorry to say that your application of the Batter-Runner rule is incorrect. Please refer to: 2013-14 SSUSA Rule Book, Page 43, Section 8.3, Sub.Sec. (H). The rule specifies: The Batter-runner Is Out: (H) When he moves back toward any base to avoid or delay a tag by a fielder. The ball is 'DEAD' the batter-base-runner is out and all runners shall return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. (NOTE: there was an official notification sent by SSUSA to clarify this rule to where the rule would ONLY apply to the Batter-base-runner, not to ANY BASE, and until the new 2015 Rule Book is published, that we were to "manually" delete the words "toward any base" and therefore this rule was heretofore applicable to the Batter-runner, ONLY. In essence, anytime the Batter-baserunner stops before reaching first base and TAKES A STEP BACKWARD to avoid or delay the tag, it shall be called "dead ball out", and ALL base runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. Hope this helps to clarify this rule. Jim |
| April 2, 2013 Downs | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: You make the call Gentlemen: having the good fortune and honor of serving as the UIC and umpiring at 10 NCAA Div. I & II College World Series, as well as serving as the ASA Metro UIC, your interpretation and application is correct. One additional clarification that should have been addressed, is the fact that on a fly ball, you can NEVER have a double play. Once a fly ball is caught, it then becomes an appeal play. The only force out possible, is if the fielder were to drop the fly ball, then a runner COULD be out if he/she failed to advance safely to the next base. Thus, a force out. The utilization of the term "time call" is absolutely correct. The appeal play. and therefore, umps out call, must occur prior to the base runner on third crossing home plate. |
| Jan. 22, 2013 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: loosing toenails This is not an uncommon occurrence. Nothing can affect your play and comfort more than your feet, especially when they are hurting. There are three specific problems that can cause the loss, or blacking, of either, or both, the big toe or second toe nails. I have had this experience with only with Tanel's. I cannot wear them at all. 1. The shoe design has too sharpe an incline between the front of the shoe and toward the shoe laces. This results in the toe nails making contact with the top of the shoe and catches the toe nails when running, or stopping quickly. Need to assure you have sufficent room between the top of the shoe and the top of your toes. More of a boxlike fit. 2. Be sure you have sufficient room between the end of the shoe and your toe. This is the same problem experienced by hunters and mountian climbers. Feet swell when you exert yourself over a period of time and you must allow sufficient room to maintain foot comfort. Remember, you buy your shoes when you have not been exerting yourself and your feet are not swollen. Don't be ashamed to buy a one size, a size and a half, or even two sizes larger that you normally wear. Try on shoes before you buy them.... 3. May sound funny, but a very important single issue is the way you lace up your shoes. If you run your shoe lace through the single center loop at the bottom of the shoe laces, whey you tie your laces you force the shoe's toe to pull backwards toward the toes and this in turn will force the toes to come into contact with the top of the shoe when you are running or stopping and that will pull against the toe nails. Result: adios toe nails. Better to look like a clown than to limp and not be able to run as not only do your feet hurt, but you may be huring the team too. GOOD LUCK..Jim D |
| Dec. 12, 2012 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Ratings MUCH NEEDED CONSIDERATION. I believe you may all be overlooking one major consideration. That is the number of at bats a team experiences in a game. If the home team wins, then their average number of runs will normally be based on a 7 inning game, and not the 6 innings they may have actually batted. Meanwhile, their opponent will have batted 7 times, and in essence the "averages" will actually be convoluted. It would appear the game was closer than would normally be expected if the two teams had switched the team batting order. If you are going to utilize a run average, then you may want to consider using a per inning average, not per game average. Thereby dividing the total number of runs by the actual number of team at bats. It could logically be broken down into tenths or hundredths of scored runs per inning. It would still provide a sufficient basis for comparative purposes. Just my opinion....... I've been playing this damn game or organized softball for 68 years and regardless of the rules, I still intend to play. Every year there are changes that the majority does not agee with, but still compete, and that is why we play. Good luck and Happy Holidays....... Jim D. |
| Aug. 3, 2010 Downs | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: End loaded Fish scandal Why hell yes Lecak. If you check in the rule book, it is an "ALTERED" fish. |
| Jan. 5, 2010 Downs | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 65 + tournaments- Wa. state Bluebelly. If you are from the N/W I'm surprised you do not know Art Eversole, Ruth's 65 Major Plus team. Art's email address is: bashbro1@earthlink.net He is the key to Senior Softball information for all the N/W. You can email him or you can view his website which is loaded with pertinent softball info, including tournaments. www.bashbro1nwseniorsoftball.com There is so much info available that you will need to let it download, then look for N/W Tournament Listing. Jim. |
