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| June 2, 2014 stever | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Correct Call??? According to rule 8.4(1), "the defensive player may use either portion of the double bag to record a put out (once the batter runner becomes a base runner). Using this interpretation, if a runner is on first base when a line drive is caught by an infielder, the first baseman can use either the orange or white base to record the put out before the runner gets back. Unfortunately, that was not the interpretation the two umpires in our game made at the LVSSA/SSUSA tournament in Las Vegas. Their interpretation was the first baseman MUST touch the white base. SSUSA Staff - were they right or is the rule to be interpreted as written? |
| May 1, 2014 stever | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Southwest Championship results 65AAA: 1. Sidewinders 65; 2. Stixx; 3. Game On |
| April 29, 2014 stever | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Looking to join team in NW Phoenix, Az, area Do you live in one of the Sun Cities? If so, you can contact them through their clubs. |
| Jan. 18, 2013 stever | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: TOC teams How does a team that placed 4th in the LVSSA/SSUSA Worlds in 65 Major, and 3rd in the SPA Nationals as a 65 Major team, get to play in the TOC as a 65AAA team? (Levin Financial) |
| Jan. 8, 2013 stever | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Winter Classic (Menifee) Session 1 That should read Session 2 (the one that starts day after tomorrow - Thursday) |
| Jan. 8, 2013 stever | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Winter Classic (Menifee) Session 1 SSUSA Staff: When are you going to post the rest of the session 1 schedule? In particular, the 65AAA. |
| Nov. 3, 2012 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Senior softball summit I decided long ago not to respond to anything Gary19 (Dirty, etc) had to say because he is, at least in his own mind, a majority of one with the only opinion that counts. Rather than giving him any grist for his self-rightous mill it seemed more prudent to ignore him. But his attack on Fabe is over the top. It is obvious he has no knowledge of the people or culture of Hawaii. I played softball there for many years in the 80's and 90's and it truly is a close-knit community. In fact, the entire island culture is close-knit and I have absolutely no doubt that winning was a big thing there. To Fabe and his team, well earned congratulations. Hawaii no ka oi! |
| Oct. 19, 2012 stever | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Need Contact Info Need to get hold of someone from Robson.Com 65's. Can anyone help? |
| July 15, 2012 stever | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: can u play if u turn 49 after september You can't play on a 50+ team until the Winter Worlds/Nationals in November. |
| May 20, 2012 stever | Topic: Associations Discussion: AGE & RATING MIXING AT TOURNAMENTS???? I see no real problem dropping a 60 major into the 55AAA tournament, but they should not get any run differential. Theoretically, the age differential should be the offset. Many times that is the only way major teams can get into tournaments. Same thing with dropping a 60 M+ into a 55 Major tournament. One age group - one level. I would think a 55AAA team would welcome good competition. I've seen it a lot (from both sides of the equation) and have no problem with it. |
| June 19, 2011 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Classification question Winter Worlds are the first tournament of the new year. New rosters, as well. Both SSUSA and SPA have said many times that they only automatically bump up their national championship winners. Other than that, one tournament won't necessarily change a teams classification. I'm sure that this performance will put them on the radar to be watched, though. If it continues, I'm sure it will change their classification. With regard to the Major Plus player...by rule he can't play AAA UNLESS he was deemed a "non-impact" player on the Major Plus team. |
| May 29, 2011 stever | Topic: Bats Discussion: Aluminum This discussion seems to fall into the "good old days" category; at least to me. I think if we are honest with ourselves we can remember (at least some of us) when the same arguments against aluminum bats and moving the fences to 300 feet were made that it was "ruining the game we all loved." In fact, going back a little further, I can remember when slow pitch softball was looked at as an inferior product that was only good for co-ed or "those who weren't good enough for real softball!" Seems no matter how much things change, they stay the same. Bottom line, at least to me, is I don't believe the new bats or moving the fences, etc., are driving people away. I have never, I repeat never, heard anyone say this was why they weren't going to play senior softball any more. On the contrary, those that I have talked to that have quit, or at least reduced, their participation cite either the cost or injuries and the slowness of recovery from injuries. Along the same lines, I have yet to hear (except on this board) anyone lobbying for "dumbed down bats and balls" or "mandatory safety equipment" in the 15 years I have played senior softball. It is my belief that the vast majority of players not only like the advances in technology, but actually embrace it. No technology is perfect, but overall I think most seniors like it. Maybe because it is a way of fooling us by letting us think our skills are less diminished; but (again, at least to me) the allure of senior softball is the chance of competition at what not too long ago was the age most of us became couch potatoes. |
| Feb. 27, 2011 stever | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: Looking for team in Scottsdale, Az Call Steve Rustman. He runs the Rusty's 65 Major team. I don't have his phone number any more but I believe it is in the phone book. He lives in Scottsdale. |
| Feb. 12, 2011 stever | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: 60's forming new team in OKC area Elmer, what level will you be playing? How much travel (# of tournaments) are you planning on? |
| May 2, 2010 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Regarding "To Screen or not to Screen" There is already a solution to the safety situation. "Armor up". Catchers have been doing it for years in fastpitch and baseball and it works. I caught fastpitch when younger and took many shots off the mask, chest protector and shin guards. Still hurts, but does little damage. Pitchers already have that option but most refuse to use it. The arguement that it will take away from their mobility is a load of crap. Ask a catcher. In fact, they might just become better fielders once they get used to it because it will take away some of the fear factor. And the balls aren't going back up the middle any faster than a baseball pitcher can deliver a pitch. So armor up...it won't change the rules or the way the game is played, but will create the safety. |
| April 30, 2010 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: To screen or not to screen... Two points: 1. In order to be fair, it would seem to me that pitchers should not be allowed to field anything up the middle if a screen is used. Otherwise, the better ones will move to one side, the shortstop and secondbaseman will move to the holes, and it will be extemely hard to hit a ground ball through the infield. How many pitchers would agree to that? 2. SSUSA already did a survey last year on this issue and the majority wanted the rules the way they are (good bats and balls, no screen, no PPR). Many of the most vocal on this site are most vocal about claiming the associations don't listen to the players; yet, when the majority of the players don't agree with their views they can't let it go. While it is a true trajedy when a death or serious injury occurs there will never be a way to mandate 100% safety. I have seen a player die on the field after running the bases; but we don't suggest alterations in the rules to stop running. We all accept some risk when we get up in the morning. The only way to mandate 100% safety in this issue is to play the game on a computer (then we would probably risk carpal tunnel ;).) And no, I'm not a pitcher but I am a corner infielder. |
| March 17, 2010 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: friday play Its a matter of logistics more than anything. Assuming you have a four-field complex, the first games are at 8AM and the last ones start at 5PM (since we don't want to play at night), you can get in 28 games a day. If you have 4 divisions (50, 55, 60, 65) and each division has five teams in it, and you play two seeding games and a double elimination bracket, you will need to play roughly 72 games. That means it takes at least 3 days to play the tournament. Logic says that you play the 50 & 55's on the weekends, which takes up 36 of the available 56 game times. Also, most people want to get out of there as early as possible on Sunday and no one wants to play at night. Unfortunately, that means the older brackets (60, 65) get pushed earlier into the week. It's strictly a matter of percentages...there are fewer players in the 50/55 that are retired than in the 60/65. All this doesn't even take into account the younger (40) or older (70) brackets, weather and unforeseen problems. Unless you can have 50/55 one weekend and 60/65 another weekend there is little room to maneuver, and that creates a totally different set of logistical problems. So give the TD's a break. I'm sure they'd rather spend 3 days in a motel running a tournament than 5 days. |
| Feb. 26, 2010 stever | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: major/aaa It's obvious this coach has no idea how SPA (or SSUSA for that matter) ratings are done. All teams start the season with the same rating as they finished. As long as he has at least 6 players from last years roster he is going to have a hard time getting re-rated. If he has less than 6 players from last years roster he is essentially a new team. All new teams start the SPA season rated AAA. Everyone gets lumped together in pool play and plays AAA rules. They are then broken out into brackets for the round robin based on how they played in pool play. In May, SPA makes their first rating change of the year based upon how teams have played to date. You can then appeal your rating, provided you have played in three qualifiers. There are specific things required to request re-rating and compiling that data is strictly up to the team requesting such a re-rating. Final ratings are in early July. With regard to the 55 team, changing age levels does not automatically change your rating. The advice he has given his players sounds like whining. He should at least call SPA and have them explain why they are rated as they are if he has less than 6 roster players from last year. Believe me, his advice is childish and will NOT hold SPA hostage. By the way, there has been no summit for ratings for the past couple of years. Each of the two organizations does their own ratings and there are some differences. Of course (theoretically) this means you could have different rosters for each of the organizations. Both organizations look at the individual players on your roster as well as your record when rating. If you have at least 6 players that have been playing on a Major roster, you will be Major. |
| Feb. 19, 2010 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: How would YOU rate teams SSUSA Staff: You probably need to save these two explanations because I know from 13 years of playing senior softball that this will come up again and again. This is the best explanation I have ever seen, though. I also know, having had many, many converstations with staff members regarding teams and players that the staff tries to do the best possible job in keeping the competition fair. In every case where I have been called (or have called) I came away feeling that the staff had bent over backwards to be fair. As you admitted, you aren't perfect, but I will take issue with anyone who says you don't try. |
| Feb. 19, 2010 stever | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: TOC 50AAA I think what you saw is the rule rather than the exception. Sure, I suppose once in a while a team that doesn't belong there may slip in somehow. But I also believe the staff does there very best to keep that from happening. Nothing is perfect, however. I have also found that most of the biggest complainers either don't understand the rating system, are not going to be happy unless they have a decided advantage, or both. |
