Discussing the rules

New Rules for SSUSA: Boundaries, Balls, Altered Bats

March 1, 2004 – Terry Hennessy CEO

Senior Softball-USA will be moving some borders for 2004 for the 70 Division and all Major and Major-Plus teams in the 50, 55, 60 and 65 Divisions.

Teams in those divisions will be allowed to pick up players from states and adjoining states (with the exception of California and Florida, which can only draw from within their own borders).

The reason the 70 Division borders were tightened (from drawing players either East or West of the Mississippi River) was to even the playing field for teams. A few teams had ruined competition in the Major Division by recruiting many of the best players.

The Major-Plus and Major teams borders were expanded to come more closely into line with the border restrictions of many other associations, so that teams were playing with common rosters and could be more easily rated by the National Team Rating Committee. In addition, the ball standard has been set: Optic yellow balls with 44 COR, 375 Compression. The bat standard DOES NOT change for Senior Softball-USA. All bats meeting the Original 1.20 bpf standard are allowed at all Senior Softball-USA sanctioned events. That means the Miken II bats can be used.

Senior Softball-USA is dedicated to working toward a single bat standard, but we feel it is only fair to make that change over a reasonable amount of time, allowing players who bought bats in good faith to get a season's use out of them.

We are probably going to go with the modified 1.20 bat standard beginning in 2005 in an attempt to work toward fewer bat standards ˆ and less confusion in the sport. The final decision will be made by the SSWC Executive Board this spring.

Senior Softball-USA agreed at the Summit to send to every SSWC director forms on altered bats that will have to be signed by every team member. The notice reads:

"If a bat is suspected of being altered to enhance performance, the tournament director or umpire 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 banned for two years and the team will forfeit all games. If the player voluntarily releases the bat and the bat is found to be altered, the player will be suspended for one year.

"The second offense may result in a lifetime ban of the player. Players have the right to protest a bat if they feel it has been altered, but they must pay the cost of testing the bat."

Players on each team will be required to sign the document.

Other rule changes include:

4 Removing a section that said a batter running toward the pitcher would be called out. A batter is only called out if he steps out of the batter's box.

4 Adding that any player present and on the roster may be a courtesy runner.

4 Consolidating two sections to make clear that a player on the roster can be added to the lineup and placed in the game.