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| Feb. 6, 2025 Turning2 | Topic: Bats Discussion: e-mail update on bat testing Dave. Thanks so very much for having Nic reply, I appreciate your courtesy. |
| Feb. 5, 2025 Turning2 | Topic: Bats Discussion: e-mail update on bat testing SSUSA - thanks to Nicholas Francois, Communications Director for his prompt reply via email for my request. Thanks again Nic John028 also a thank you for the suggestion for registering but living on the East Coast we don't have nearly the number of SSUSA events my travel team from NC could attend so i have never seen a need to pay the player registration. We play ISSA/WBSC events within our travel area. Dbax - I see you are a "card carrying member" and didn't get the email either, i would agree with you and others that with bat testing being such a sensitive issue that posting the entirety of the message on the website would be very beneficial to all that frequent the SSUSA website, registered or not. This is a very good, first step for the SSUSA to help all players with the concerns that they share with eliminating the "altered" bats and both leveling the playing field and making play safer for everyone at the same time. I offered a couple of suggestions to Nic in my reply, he said he would push upstream to the powers that be and maybe more "user friendly" steps will be put in place by SSUSA for all players/teams, tournament officials and attendees to enjoy the SSUSA Tournament experience. |
| Feb. 4, 2025 Turning2 | Topic: Bats Discussion: e-mail update on bat testing SSUSA i see the references to an SSUSA email sent out with voluntary bat testing, many favorable responses thanking the association for this additional help for all the players. i have my email listed in my profile but did not receive this email. I live in NC and have not played in any SSUSA sanctioned events, only ISSA/WBSC along the east coast and probably why i did not receive. If this is listed or available on website, please let me know. Otherwise could someone from SSUSA send via email to me, and thanks. ronfratliffe@outlook.com RR aka Turning2 |
| Jan. 11, 2025 Turning2 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Looking for 75 team Stephen i'm 74 and joined a 75 Major team this past year, i previously played on a 70 Major team, i added in time to play in 3 tournaments and we won last 2, NC and couple VA players, we are registered out of NC, play ISSA primarily if you are East Coast. Have 8 tournaments on calendar for 2025 firm, maybe 2 more. let me know, thx, RR |
| Oct. 25, 2024 Turning2 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: One Pitch Softball if you have never played in a "1 pitch" tournament, you may be surprised in how much fun you might have. i played 1 pitch in the military also, opposing team pitched and like Scott said, hit it fair and its either a hit or an out, hit it foul its an out, pitch it deep or outside its a walk. SSUSA typically is on the leading edge of tournament play and maybe you put this in play for the play in or seeding day in one of your tournaments that doesn't have extensive travel involved? Back in the 80's our Jaycee organization held many 1 pitch invitational tournaments for Church Leagues and also Industrial leagues for fund raisers, typically friday nights and all day saturdays, they were always well attended and players and families in attendance really enjoyed them. Games very seldom went over 30 - 40 minutes. Something to think about. |
| Aug. 9, 2024 Turning2 | Topic: Bats Discussion: Bat testing SSUSA Staff - your Aug 8 discussion entry, after testing and bat failure you give the player two choices (1) and (2) My question when (1) is followed, "it failed testing and further analysis by qualified experts (not us) is required to determine why ..." Further analysis by qualified experts: (1) does the further testing destroy the bat? or render it non-useable after the testing? (2) are the tests non-destructive tests, examples x-ray or ultrasound ? or are the tests destructive, example RTT or ETT tensile tests, or other? Your last sentence in the Aug 8 discussion entry, " ... A bat that fails is NOT presumed to be altered ... The only certainty about that bat is that it failed testing and further analysis by qualified experts (not us) is required to determine why ..." I also have a Dudley Lightning OG bat and would not want to lose this bat for any reason, even if i just keep it with other memorabilia never to be used again. But step (2) as the only option other than sending possibly a $400 bat to be evaluated without knowing if you would ever see it again seems to be too severe an option. This step (2) implies that the owner of the bat, wishes to keep a bat that has failed a compression test for nefarious reasons and is a cheater. Guilty before proven innocent? You have already stated "A bat that fails is NOT presumed to be altered ..." but only options, (1) surrender for testing or (2) suspended for 10 years. Could the bat be marked in some way on the handle with vibrating scribe or permanent stamp with the compression results? clearly visible for anyone to see to prevent the bat from ever being used in a SSUSA tournament setting? And then handed back to the player for them to do with as they please, including using for BP, local league, or stand in the corner with their other memorabilia? I agree that bat testing is a learning experience as you have stated, just a couple of questions/thoughts that come to mind. thanks RR |
| April 17, 2024 Turning2 | Topic: Bats Discussion: Interpretation of the new bat rule SSUSA Staff - Please see below BAT POLICY - approved bats - updated Sept 5, 2023 from drop down menu on SSUSA home page - Adidas: All Adidas slow-pitch bats stamped 1.21 BPF or lower are approved. Miken Sports: All Miken slow-pitch bats stamped NTS Certified with the SSUSA Logo are approved. All Miken slow-pitch softball bats manufactured before 2021 must be stamped 1.21 BPF or lower, excluding the Original Gray Miken Ultra. Worth: All Worth slow-pitch bats stamped NTS Certified with the SSUSA Logo are approved. All Worth slow-pitch softball bats manufactured before 2021 must be stamped 1.21 BPF or lower. Are these three approved bat listings correct? Am i reading the Adidas listing correctly that ALL Adidas stamped 1.21 BPF are approved? no SSUSA/NTS stamp required? As for Miken and Worth - Are both sentences required to be met? or is the second sentence for both Miken and Worth, "slow-pitch softball bats manufactured before 2021 must be stamped 1.21 BPF or lower." all that needs to be met? If yes to these three manufacturers wouldn't there be plenty of older bats available to use in colder weather for more northerly tournament play? Looking for clarity and help for those guys/teams from further north. We don't have the colder weather typically in NC and when we do we break out the 2011, 2012 Easton Salvo and others and use when it's cold. Again, trying to help the guys from up North with some "pre-planning" if i am reading the approval requirements. |
| Jan. 2, 2024 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What's the rile DD, I see the 2023 Rules Committee meeting under the Tournament drop down menu, has the 2024 Rules Committee meeting been held? if not, can you advise date and thanks, T2 |
| Jan. 2, 2024 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What's the rile DD - sarcasm aside I can't find a ball, strike, out indicator for sale anywhere that has the #4 available on the strike dial? What i find to be less difficult is to amend your rule to the reasoning that "a caught foul ball by any defender is an out" Exception: in 3-2 count system, 1st and 2nd foul tip direct o catcher are strikes, any foul is an out for 3rd strike, caught or not caught Exception: in 1-1 count system, foul tip directly to catcher that is caught or not caught for 2nd strike is a strike, if any "foul to waste" is caught by any defensive player, batter is out. Happy New Year Dave and let me know when you find that 4 strike counter, buy one for all your SSUSA umpires!! |
| Jan. 1, 2024 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What's the rile Mck71 - SSUSA came up with 4th strike, not me. Your first sentence in your last paragraph is the problem, “…..now they start you with one and are ALLOWED a courtesy foul NOT CAUGHT” Maybe in a different country or different sport or different age group you get a 4th strike. The ball was CAUGHT, by a defensive player. My reasoning is sound, but I appreciate your rebuttal, have a good 2024 also. I think this rule will come under some scrutiny in the winter rules meeting, maybe, maybe not. |
| Dec. 31, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What's the rile REF: SSUSA Staff Dec 22, 2023 post You have a bad rule (copied below from your post), you know you have a bad rule, yet too hard-headed to change. , §7.4 • STRIKE CALLED BY UMPIRE C. For each foul tip. EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter is out if it is the final strike. NOTE: A foul tip may be a “waste foul." A waste foul caught by any fielder in the air should be an out (shouldn't it?), LF, RF, 3B, 1B, P, but not the catcher? if the batter can't hit any better than to foul tip a waste foul directly to the catcher, i think everyone will agree, this batter should be out. Simply remove "NOTE: A foul tip may be a “waste foul." and all the controversy goes away. Your sentence, "there can be a theoretical 4th strike for the batter who still has "one to waste" in the count....... is an abomination of the game, 4th strike? You can correct this easily at your winter rules meeting, suggest you do the right thing. i don't think there is any legitimate argument not to make this simple change. 4th strike? Do 0ver? sounds like when we had a kid who couldn't get a hit no matter how many swings we gave them. |
| Dec. 10, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What's the rile With tournament using 1 - 1 count start, batter has a foul to give, correct, but if a foul fly ball is caught whether at the 300’ fence, even with 3rd base or straight back to catcher, a caught foul ball in this instance is an out |
| Nov. 27, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Relocating to Ahoskie NC Bill, get you started, go to the tool bar on this home page, click on leagues, click on mid-atlantic, there are 9 NC and 10 VA leagues listed, not so many in north east corner of NC but a place you can get started. Also see below, really good guy that can also help - Mid-Atlantic directors Tim McElroy, Mid-Atlantic Regional UIC MD - potomacsports1@gmail.com 301-514-2676 |
| Nov. 6, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: "The Pickle" MS - You should cut and paste these local rules to allow supportive comments/conversations by BJ and the many other umpires that offer much assistance on this forum. I trust there is something being interpreted incorrectly as you have stated above a rule set that is entirely too confining or restrictive for play. To my knowledge there is but one rule that prohibits direction or stopping the act of running by the batter/runner or any baserunner and that is 8.3.H in the SSUSA rulebook. Other than the running of the bases in reverse order making a mockery of the game is an automatic out also. Not knowing the wording of your local rules, how would that rule set govern the play below: base runner rounds third thinking they could score, but throw comes into either catcher or pitcher cutting of the ball, he jams on brakes BEFORE reaching the commitment line and is going back to 3rd, the fielder that got the throw toward the plate then throws wildly to 3rd in attempt to pick off the runner, runner then changes direction and scores a run at the scoring plate or line. As you have described in your local rule set he could not score?? Bad rule or interpretation of your rule set. |
| Nov. 6, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: shipping more than 1 bat at a time if you cant find a box specifically for two bats just use a single sized box, cut down one side, find another piece of cardboard, fold a 90 degree side to increase the size you need, tape it securely, and you're good to go. I've done several times |
| Sept. 27, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batter out of the box The batters box dimensions as currently used by SSUSA and most other softball organizations are fine as currently stated. Box is 4' forward from the first angle on home plate, thus 4' less 8.5" allowing 3' 3 1/2" for stride. Box is 3' reward from this same measuring point and typically never an issue. txnighttrain earlier spelled out this same forward stride length The problem is twofold - first problem is bad enough by itself, the second problem happens entirely too often and is much more serious. 1- grounds crews many times just chalk in a rectangular box, no measurements are made at all, fix this and 95% of the problems go away. Managers should include a tape measure in their travel bag and simply measure the box before the game begins, show any errors to umpires and tournament directors and if necessary erase any forward lines that are erroneous. Example: I'm 5'10", right hand hitter, stand with my right foot in line with the front edge of the plate and impossible for me to overstride and clear the front line of the batters box IF its chaulked in properly. Possibly a 6'4" or taller guy could overstride? Maybe 2- Umpires not trained properly or "you know the umps i'm describing next" The ump that wants to be a central focus point of the game, call outs anytime that he can. Any and all attending a game and are subject to an umpire continuously calling batters out of the box and becoming too much of a focal point know what i am referring to and that something is wrong. An umpires primary job is to use good judgement and knowledge of ALL the rules to render a fair and equitable game to both teams. Address the batters box BEFORE the first pitch with the umpires and other officials and the problem goes away. |
| Sept. 8, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rescinding the 11th defensive player rule Fuzz - Some feedback per your request. I can feel your pain, i play middle or 2nd for an ISSA 70+ Major team and also love to hit it hard past the SS or 2B depending on their position and the pitch. Honestly without a middle fielder it seems like hitting/playing when i was a young guy, as well with continued good health and mobility i feel like my team would have a plus over other teams without a middle defensive player. I'm sure the intent is to have more roster players playing defensively and not just EH. You are correct with the middle being choked off and many more double plays being turned. Just give it a chance, find a player with a good arm, reasonable fielding skills and position FAIRLY close to 2nd and turn more double plays than the other team, and GOOD LUCK!! |
| Aug. 25, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Does the run count? Two Rule sets apply - 1.1.A.5 which has NO requirement for the third out appeal to nullify a run scoring to be on a forced play. ANY of the infractions listed in the rule set that are appealed and produce the 3rd out appeal can negate a run scoring during the same play. Missing a base is one of these infractions, does not matter if a preceding or trailing runner. |
| Aug. 24, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Does the run count? READ 5.7.B NOTE. don’t use part of a rule set, use the entire rule set |
| Aug. 24, 2023 Turning2 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Does the run count? BJ - this is a third out situation, not a timing play, maybe your buddy DD or maybe Tim will comment. I’ll stand by my position supported by the rules that I cited. |
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