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Online now: 3 members: Dick6, TABLE SETTER 11, kara4sure; 68 anonymousDiscussion: New SPA rule on playing down?
| Posted | Discussion |
| Sept. 2, 2006 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | New SPA rule on playing down? I just noticed that the SPA rules now state that you can't play down from one classification to another in different age groups. The example given was that if you play 55 Major you can't play 50 AAA, only 50 Major. In the past I was told that you could drop one classification in the same age group (50 Major can drop to 50 AAA). We had thought that a 55 Major could drop to 50 AAA. I bet this will affect several players that play 50 and 55! |
| Sept. 2, 2006 TexasTransplant Men's 70 516 posts | Bruce, We specifically checked on this earlier in the season. Your reading of the rule is correct. In SPA, you must play at the same skill level even though you drop down to a younger age group. I don't know when this rule was put in. We checked on it about two months ago. Doesn't seem right, does it? |
| Sept. 2, 2006 Bob50 Men's 60 242 posts | Bruce, When we checked before the season started SSUSA told us that if someone played 50 Major Plus they could not play 55 Major. This would seem to make some sense although I don't know how close they have regulated this rule. I think it would make sense to allow someone who plays 55 Major Plus to be able to play 50 Major since they are dropping down an age group. In this regard the SPA rule doesn't make much sense to me. What do you think? Bob Schulz |
| Sept. 2, 2006 grumpy55 Men's 60 102 posts | What does someone do if they play 55 major and the team folds, and the only team in their area is a 50 aaa or even 50aa? Would they be done? |
| Sept. 3, 2006 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | grumpy55, a good example of this is Bruce Walker. He lives in KC, Mo, I think, and doesn't have a Major Plus team to play with. SPA has declined to allow him to play with the AAA team there. I believe last year you could drop one class, so the AAA team would have to move up to Major for him to play. My question is what will the players on teams do that have won a national and are moving up. Everyone knows that some of these teams can't compete at the higher level and will probably drop 3 or 4 players and rename the team, remaining at their previous level. Now, will these players be classified at the higher level? I know in SPA your class doesn't matter in qualifiers, but next year at the nationals, will these teams players be protested by the TD or opposing teams? |
| Sept. 3, 2006 Gary Heifner 248 posts | There is no good reason why you should not be able to drop down into a lower age group and also drop a classification level. ex. 55major to 50AAA. I have been in senior ball long enough to see that age matters. The speed of the game drops with each age group jump. I have seen the difference going from the 50s to the 55s and now to the 60s. My team is in our 3rd year at the 60s level and the teams with the 59yr olds are pounding us pretty good. Also, if a player is a biological freak, and hits a bunch of HRs, as you go down the amount of HRs allowed drops. Even if Bruce drops to a AAA team, he will probably get a chance at only 1 per game. It can actually be entertaining to watch a HR ringer, taking 1/2 swings so he doesn't hit it out. Bottom line, this is a game for "ALL" seniors and the powers that be need to find a way for "ALL" to play. This situation will get harder to deal with as I have seen many seniors going to the gym, working out, losing weight in order to get physically better. Not finding a way for all to play is like saying be as good as you can be but don't get too good or famous because you will get screwed. |
| Sept. 8, 2006 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I have been informed that the intent of this rule is that if you play on two teams, different age divisions, same season, you must play at the same level. The way that I read the rule was that from one season to the next you must play at the same level. I hope SPA clearifies the wording of this confusing rule. |
| Sept. 8, 2006 turn2 489 posts | has this rule been in place all year? if so, i saw a lot of 50-55 players in texas that play on major plus teams playing with major teams. i know because i ask the td how many major plus players could i have on a team and still be able to play major. as usual i got no direct response. i was told it depends on who the players are. same old runaround.so if it was in affect then no one did anything about it.just a thought see everyonr in plam springs and vegas. later donnie turn two / rekco 55 major plus |
| Sept. 8, 2006 Number 13 15 posts | Playdown causes a can of worms! (see discussion under SPA Plano 65 AA in tournaments). This new 2006 rule has led to a problem for at least one team. A 72 year old played on two AAA teams in 2005. The 65 team went 0-5 in Phoenix. This year he again was on the two AAA teams 65 & 70, because his 70 team did not go to many tournaments. He played with 65’s in Indianapolis (again 0-5). He also traveled with this team to Plano, paying his flight, room & food. Prior to the championship game he was informed he could no longer play on the team. Because of re-ratings the 70 team was rated higher than his 65 team. He was not allowed to receive the champions watch, or any of the other awards he would have qualified for. I believe this rule should not penalize existing rosters and should only affect add-ons. And I think a lower rated team in a younger age group should also be allowed to have a player who’s older team may be higher rated.. But it is a re-rating on a team that had this player. It is a ‘team’ rating. It should not force a team to ‘drop’ a loyal teammate and friend. |
