The latest manager email from SSUSA indicated that the Baden softball is the official ball of the 2022 World Championships. Is it the Baden Fire with the black stitching? Just curious because I have a few that I’m going to be using for BP this week.

Our Senior League uses the Baden Fire and it compares to the Worth WSL ball they have been using. To bad they couldn't link up with Short Porch the ball holds up well in the heat and good feedback when used. But they could be out of them and SSUSA needs over 500 dozen

The World's ball will be the newly released "Fire" version from Baden ... I'm not sure exactly what they call it, but it's their next generation ball ... The performance reviews are excellent, so we bought their entire available inventory (of 700 dozen balls) to ensure we have enough to supply the teams and meet additional onsite purchase demand ... Good luck everyone! ...

I've been helping Baden for the last year or so in developing a great ball for seniors, I believe everyone will be very happy with the new balls.

I'd be happy with new balls. Oh, we are talking about softballs. :)

Will this be the New Senior Baden Fire Ball
Model # SPFIRESEN-00

Yes it is how ever the seams are red and the logo also. Other than that it is the ball. So if you order they will have the new colors.

Tattooball. This is great news and thanks for helping and testing this new ball. DD said they bought out the allotment of these balls. On the Baden website it states coming soon. Do you have any timeline on when they’ll be available for purchase? They say China on them…..which most softballs do….those other manufacturers have been on the ship’s for years now. The Rock distribution chain just keeps moving the arrival date out every 3 months. Thanks again for sharing

We use that exact ball in our Senior League in The City of Rancho Cucamonga Ca. (So Cal). In the winter it's not bad. In the heat it's soft and doesn't fly anything like the Stote or the Rock. Obliviously the Rock is the best but this ball Baden Fire is weak. It breaks down in the heat quickly.

Advil ... Based on what the Baden folks and others who's knowledge and experience I trust implicitly ("Tattoo" Kevin), you may not be talking about the "exact ball" ... This is a brand new version and isn't to our knowledge, in wide public circulation ... At the time we ordered (not yet received), they hadn't delivered any yet ... That may have changed, but if so, it changed REAL RECENTLY ...

tattooball - What cover is being used for this ball?Is it the same cover as the ISSA ball? If it is the same cover Baden has been using the ball will be a dud in the heat!If it is the cover used for the ISSA ball it will be good. Please inform on this. Thanks!

Senior Softball has a rulebook and since SSUSA staff are always sharing the rules when we ask a question, I will share the rule when it comes to the ball we can use during SSUSA events including Vegas Worlds 2022.

3.5 • OFFICIAL SOFTBALL
A. Shall be a regular, smooth-seamed, flat-surfaced, pebble-textured or
dimple-textured ball with concealed stitches.
B. A yellow optic ball is preferred for both men’s and women’s play.
C. A 12-inch ball with a COR of .44 and a compression rating of no more than
375 psi shall be used in men’s play.
D. An 11-inch ball with a COR of .47 and a compression rating of no more than
525 psi shall be used in women’s play.
E. In all SSUSA-sponsored qualifiers and tournaments, official game balls
must have the official SSUSA stamp or be pre-approved by SSUSA
headquarters, located in Sacramento, CA.

As long as I have a ball that meets all of your requirements above, you should not question what ball I am using. I carefully looked at the 10 cases of STOTES I purchased in advance over a year ago because Senior Softball said this was going to be the official ball, that is until they could not get them. No where in the rule does it say I cannot use a Stote ball. All of my Stote softballs meet the requirements listed in the official rule book provided by Senior Softball. If we cannot use the Stote ball, please explain to me why you have a rulebook if you are not going to follow your own rules then please stop quoting from it.

Here are the reasons SSUSA gave me at the last tournament:

1. We want teams to be on an equal playing field - Let us bring any 44/375 ball, but do not allow the ROCK. Teams will bring the best ball they can get and it will be on an equal playing field. Of course, that would cut into SSUSA profits.

2. Many teams cannot afford to purchase balls in advance - Then why do you allow BLD to charge $8 per day per person. That equals to 3+ cases of balls for a team. We also have used 4 different balls that we were required to purchase this year that are just sitting in my garage that will never be used in a game again. What a waste of money you made us spend. Your not a Softball equipment provider, so stop trying to be.

BP35 ... You accurately cut and pasted §3.5 of the Rulebook ... SSUSA makes an annual determination of the specific Official Softball brand and model number for exclusive use by all teams during the World Championships ...The rule defines the specifications we conform with in making that selection ... There is nothing in the rule that confers any right for you to make that selection ... The specific softball for 2022 is the new Baden "Fire" mentioned above ... No other manufacturer brand, style or model number softball will be permitted for use ...