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Online now: 3 members: Rookies 40, cecil, curtiss; 11 anonymousDiscussion: Age Verification at Tournaments
| Posted | Discussion |
| Nov. 25 17Black Men's 60 414 posts | Hello. First of all, I would like to say I just turned 50 this year and am new to Senior Softball. I have played tournaments for the past 30 years in ASA, USSSA, NSA and even ISA. I just returned from the Vegas Tournament, and I really thought it was very well run, at least in the 50's divisions!!! Great Job!! That being said, I was "surprised" at how quickly registration and ID checking went before the tournament. At the site I played at, the Director did not match up faces to ID's and had our entire team checked in, in less than a minute. I am a "young" looking 50, know I am a "young" looking 50, and have a pretty good idea of what somebody who is "50" should look like. (good shape or not) My "guess" is, there were quite a few guys who are going to be waiting a while (quite a while) to "really turn "50" who were playing in this tournament??? (or) there are some genetic anomalies who should be donating their genes to science? My "gut feeling" is there were a few guys playing who "probably" were 8-12 years from really being "official" A couple of our fans are in the health care field, all they could do is shake their heads? Since age requirements are "kind of" what makes senior softball---well---"Senior Softball" has there ever been any movement to check ID's "every day" at a tourney (or) maybe before the last two teams play in the tournament finals. I know tournament directors don't have enough time in the day as it is! Again, this was my first senior tournament, I had a great time, and I'm certainly not a genetic expert. A few players just seemed a bit "peculiar"??? |
| Nov. 25 kbl Men's 60 544 posts | 17Black--i played in Phoenix this year and they had a good idea. you got a wrist band when you checked. what do you all think of that procedure? ken |
| Nov. 25 kbl Men's 60 544 posts | (checked in) |
| Nov. 25 17Black Men's 60 414 posts | If the wristband is something like the kind you get at an all inclusive vacation resort (or the local hospital LOL) that might be a good idea? What is to keep somebody from cutting one with scissors and gluing it back together on another wrist??? MAYBE if it had a bar-code and player name and ID # ???? |
| Nov. 25 Jawood Men's 50 943 posts | I really doubt that players/teams would risk suspension just to try to sneak someone through that isn't 50. Not worth it! |
| Nov. 25 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | you should of had your ss-usa id(it is a photo id also) which you would of had to submit age verifcation to get.yes there are a lot of young looking 50+ players,hell there are a bunch in thier 60's who look like they shouldn't be there.i think its just our living style now a days.i get asked all the time when i play with the kids and when i tell them i turn 60 in jan,they all don't believe me.so be thankful on your youthful looks and have fun playing. |
| Nov. 26 17Black Men's 60 414 posts | ^ ^ ^Yes, my entire team had our ID cards. The ID card is certainly a good thing. Short of doing DNA testing, and I'm not Sherlock Holmes either, there is nothing that could stop a guy from using somebody else's ID card if they had some similar characteristics. Yes, had lots of fun playing! I'm also not accusing anybody of cheating. mad dog is right, many guys who are 50+ and 60+ today are more youthful than past generations. I know what my dad looked like at even 40. I like the Idea of getting checked in at registration and getting a non-removable wristband that verifies the player. It's still not fool-proof, but would need (at check in) to be accompanied by the Player ID, and another picture ID (drivers license or passport?) This could also keep a team from picking up another player and bringing him in later in the tournament who was not cleared to play? I will say I saw "youthful" guy play two games for a team who was not at an earlier game that day, or at a game the previous day either. Must have had trouble getting a flight, been on a roll at his casino, was getting botox or playing in 40's? :) |
| Nov. 26 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Like I asked in another thread, who really believes old guys won't cheat? |
| Nov. 26 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | They do, just not as obvious because very few (assn's, TD's, and Umps) look to check and enforce then. Look around the other boards, E-bay, CL, web sites. most if not all offer "services" for just about anything you want. It's really ignored, imo. |
| Nov. 26 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Thanks taits. Many on here fool themselves into believing that just because special bats are allowed old guys won't still cheat. Just foolish, but they continue to claim that anyway. Is it everyone? Of course not. Just like it is not all of the kids who play. But do various guys in various ways, including altering bats? Only a fool things not. |
| Nov. 26 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | 17,SPA does all that you say should be done,2 id's,wrist bans done at check in. there has been a few times that teams have had players who had submitted false paperwork to get thier ss-usa id card,before they have turn the proper age. some might have been playing in the lower age group as you suggest,i have done it and you have to juggle your time between teams. |
| Nov. 27 neck10 714 posts | why dont you guys talk about important things the good teams arent going to use illegal players so they wont win anyway.I would be very surprised if 1% use illegal players,except the teams that are from one state and register from another???????????????? |
| Nov. 27 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | 17black what division of the 50's did you play? I'm not sure why folks in their late 40's (49) and early 50's looking young for their age would surprise you. Many of the guys and gals playing tournament ball are probably off the bell curve in terms of the general population. |
| Nov. 27 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | well neck,it has happen in the past,50M+ a couple of times.i won't bring up teams names,but it has happen. |
| Nov. 29 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | 17black, It could of been me they say I look 35.:) |
| Nov. 29 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | mmm butch ya better be careful with those lies your telling. LOL |
| Nov. 30 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | It has been several years now (I believe it was in the '90s), but there was a instance where a 50 M+ team won a NATIONAL with several illegal players. One, I believe, was 43! The team was stripped of their "Championship" and the second place team was awarded the win. |
| Nov. 30 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | 10,same team i'm thinking of,also something happen in vegas,a few yrs later, with an underage player,team also won and was stripped. |
| Nov. 30 J R 251 posts | The wrist bands are a good process. They should change colors after each sessions. I saw players staying wearing armbands from previous session. Being from out of state nobody knew them. |
| Nov. 30 Duke Men's 65 908 posts | Gentlemen, In my last tournament, there was no check-in done for players. If it was done at all, the manager checked the entire team in, and the players showed no ID's at all, nor showed up to the sign-in desk with the manager. As far as seniors cheating, that is absolute a true statement. How many cheat, I do not have that answer. In a tournament about 18 months ago, I played in a 55 tournament, where there were at least 2 teams that had illegal players. One team had 2 players that looked like they were barely 40 playing SS and 2B, so I asked them. They both laughed, but after the game they came clean. He also said the director knew all about it. The other team had 6-7 players that were 50-54, but I did not know that till the next day, when I talked to one of the guys on that team. Again, the director knew this. I cannot entirely blame the teams, but what is up with the integrity of the SSUSA directors in this paragraph and the above one? The ironic thing in this particular tournament, I was missing a lot of my team for this tournament, and could have added 2 53 year old players asking to play, but I did not think to even do that. Is it possible that seniors, or for that matter, any age group, use illegal equipment(specifically, bats)? Of course they do. I know of several players that are known for that, and watched superior umpires catch these players and throw them and the bat out. It should be noted that many players take the chances to cheat with bats in leagues and tournaments. I feel this to be true, because I was looking for a bat on ebay, one category of bat was altered/rolled bats with over 10 bids on it. What is up with this? LOL! All of the above is 100% fact, that I am aware of, and this is why I am buyer beware now about buying used bats, so I only buy new ones from known sellers. With all of the high tech equipment out there, there is absolutely no need to cheat, but there are many that choose to do so. With the above information, this is why I will never manage or coach a team again(at least my name will not be listed as such), because I do not care to be suspended for idiots that want to use an illegal bat without my knowledge. I know my players do not use illegal bats, but what about subs that I may utilize that are suggested from a player on the team that I do not know?? Andy Smith |
