EmptyMessage board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 6 members: DeanMO, Jaylew42, Marcos Rodriguez, Rambrose13, Rollie, Tab27; 13 anonymousDiscussion: SSUSA Rules Committee Meeting • 12/22/2009
| Posted | Discussion |
| Dec. 23 SSUSA Staff 3505 posts | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE • Three Rule Changes for 2010 SSUSA Season The Senior Softball USA Rules Committee, after studying important information gathered from a new survey system launched last week, met via telephone conference call on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, and has adopted three major changes in the playing rules for 2010. Those changes include repealing the “Middle No-Hit Zone”, instituting tough penalties for players intentionally hitting up the middle at the pitcher, and mandating protective safety gear for pitchers. “We developed this new survey technique to gather essential information from our managers (the key decision makers in our industry) on a multitude of issues in the future, with this being the first use of the new technology,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA Chief Executive Officer. “The results were outstanding: 63.9 percent of the managers responded – and 75.2 percent of those responding also provided written opinions which helped the Rules Committee immensely,” said Hennessy. The survey question was designed to find out whether pitchers were being hit by batted balls more often, less often, or about the same as in past years. The survey results were: • 69.2 percent: Pitchers hit about the same. • 16.9 percent: Pitchers hit less often • 13.9 percent: Pitchers hit more often. As a result of the survey, and the hundreds of comments submitted, the SSUSA Rules Committee voted on these three rule changes: 1. The Middle No-Hit Zone Rule is repealed. 2. Any ball intentionally hit up the middle at the pitcher will result in an ejection from the game and possible suspension. 3. Pitchers shall wear protective head gear and shin guards at a minimum, but may elect not to do so by signing a waiver of liability in favor of SSUSA, its officers and officials. The Pitcher's waiver will be printed on the Official Game Cards and pitchers electing not to wear protective gear will be required to sign the card before they are allowed to pitch. The rules go into effect immediately. SSUSA RULES COMMITTEE Sacramento, California December 23, 2009 |
