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Online now: 7 members: 3_SoftballFreak, Coach5, LC7, O.T. Louden, TABLE SETTER 11, los1907, ronniealvarado#7; 97 anonymousDiscussion: WORLD MASTERS 2015 • Regarding the 50-Major Division
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| Nov. 19, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3491 posts | WORLD MASTERS 2015 • Regarding the 50-Major Division From FRAN DOWELL, SSUSA Executive Director - Normally, we only address protests from managers of the teams involved. In this case we will make an exception to put the issue to final rest concerning the 50-Major Division at the 2015 World Masters Championships. There are two major points alleged in the protest: 1. SSUSA re-wrote the rules governing adding players to teams shortly before the World Masters Championships, thereby providing an unfair advantage to teams; and 2. A player on Cornerstone was ineligible to play and the team should be disqualified. In regards to number 1: The “white paper” language was changed because there was a mistake in its wording that would have allowed ONLY stronger players to be added to a roster – which is exactly opposed to the spirit of the present rule. This language change was entirely appropriate and, in fact, allowed teams to add WEAKER players to their rosters. This WAS NOT a rule change. It was a change to correct mistaken wording to reflect the actual intent of the rule – and the way the rule has been interpreted, applied and enforced by SSUSA for several years. In regards to number 2: Cornerstone requested, and was granted, the addition of the player in question. The team did nothing inappropriate and the player was eligible to play. This player competed in two tournaments with a 50-Major Plus team in 2013, but aged up to 55-Major Plus in 2014 and only played 55-Major-Plus for the past 2 years (2014 and 2015). He was, therefore, eligible to be added to the 50-Major Cornerstone team for the 2015 World Masters Championships. A 55-Major Plus player is considered equivalent to a 50-Major player. The protest is without grounds and is DENIED. FRAN DOWELL SSUSA Executive Director November 19, 2015 |
| Dec. 1, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3491 posts | Enough is enough. As of today, we have removed all Message Board posts regarding the WMC 50-Major division roster eligibility issue, and we will delete all future similar type threads upon discovery. We have also indefinitely suspended the Message Board posting privileges of Tim Millette. A member of the SSUSA staff, during routine annual forms and documents maintenance, properly corrected the TOC and WMC advisory “white paper” documents to correct technical errors and bring them into exact compliance with the Official Senior Softball-USA Rulebook. In matters of a technical language conflict between any SSUSA form or supporting document and the Official Rulebook, the Rulebook must take precedence. The advisory “white papers” were in technical conflict with the actual rulebook, and had been so since at least the 2012 Rulebook edition. This technical correction does NOT constitute a rule change. The Official Rulebook governed when we issued our November 19th decision, and that remains true today. The inescapable conclusion is that, as incredible as it seems, Tim NEVER CONSULTED THE OFFICIAL SENIOR SOFTBALL-USA RULEBOOK (see below) to develop any form of clear and accurate understanding of the rules governing roster composition matters. As a result, he created and fostered a lengthy series of posts that were grossly detrimental to the best interests of the Senior Softball Community in general, and unfairly harmful to multiple other individuals. That factual circumstance is the basis for today’s action. FRAN DOWELL SSUSA Executive Director December 1, 2015 __________ C. If a qualified team's roster falls below 12/13 players, the team may apply to add players until it reaches the 12/13 player level. Those players may be from the same age group in the same or lesser skill level, or equivalent. D. If an invited team's roster falls below the 15/16 limit, the team may apply to add players until it reaches the 15/16 player level. Those players must be from the next older age group in the same or lesser skill level, or equivalent. NOTE: For Sec. 4.2(2) B-D, managers must apply to SSUSA in writing for approval of those players. Player additions will be approved or denied on an individual basis. |
