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Online now: 3 members: Roscoe 65, TABLE SETTER 11, dillydilly; 79 anonymousDiscussion: Rambling
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| Jan. 16, 2009 Mr. Manassas 244 posts | Rambling Gentlemen...I am a newby to this message board but not to softball. I have been playing senior softball for 8 years and softball since 1969. I obviously enjoy the game. I am concerned that the classification system in senior softball has created a situation where many tournaments have lost teams. I have been on teams where the decision was made not to go to a tournament because we were not classified where we felt that we should have been. I do not agree with that approach but I can see a team not wanting to shell out $400 and have no one to play. I do "feel' for the tourney directors for there is no easy answer and maybe there is no real good answer but I hate to see the Senior game suffer for it. Is there any organization out there with some "fresh" ideas? |
| Jan. 16, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Not sure about "Fresh" but at least one polls the players about likes and dislikes, SPA. They had a player survey that was very well constructed with plenty of time to request it and take it. Changes were made the last time it was given. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | So Ridge is now a customer service guru. I think not. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | joe not sure where you are coming from,but have never had but good things come from ridge.he does listen to us as players and tries to do what we like,even to the point of allowing the senior bats up from the usssa bats, that used to be in his assoc.what has he done to sour you on him. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | MadDog: you Texans always stick up for each other. How you doing. Butch |
| Jan. 17, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | he had moved to okiehomo :):),but hear he has moved back to tx.and why you cussing me calling me a texan :(:( i'm a new englander. just happen to live here:):) go sox,celts,pats,bruins... |
| Jan. 18, 2009 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | In a short period of time Ridge has built SPA into a really big part of our game. He has done it because he listens and because he understands who we are. Ridge is a great player, admistrator and innovator and gives us more softball. Some of my fondest memories of softball have been provided by Ridge and some of the funniest things to ever have occurred in softball were inspired by Ridge. He is a business man but he also loves our game. I also know Ridges heart and guys believe me, he has a huge one. |
| Jan. 18, 2009 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Maybe I'm too sensitive. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | maybe or maybe not ,joe,what has been your experience with SPA and why do you not like it.like jim said above,i've never had a bad time at any of ridge's tourney's.i can't say that about LVSSA's tourney's tho, but thats another story. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | I like the SPA, class tourney and Ridge is a class guy. NCI will be going to Dalton. We are foregoing a couple of overnight tourneys in AZ and Utah, to make sure we have the budget for SPA. Besides, I can't wait to get some Chicken and Dumplings at Cracker Barrel.......plus Sweet Tea..Fried Okra |
| Jan. 19, 2009 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Maddog that is what makes the world go around. I had heard that Ridge was a players guy, my guess is that maybe my age was working against me, it's certainly possible that Ridge wants to make sure his existing base is well taken care of that might be his business philosphy which I respect. Taits has mentioned a number of times that us 50 year olds need to toe the line and know our role. My role a year or so ago was specifically spelled out to me in no uncertain terms. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Lacak; Where the heck or\ did you ever read hear I said or wrote "that us 50 year olds need to toe the line and know our role." BS |
| Jan. 19, 2009 cpope Men's 75 160 posts | PLaying several big tournaments in 08, SSUSA ranks only second to SPA. Ridge Hooks does a great job and really listen to his players. Hooks does great things for the wifes, retired military and there players. He hasn't said YES to everything myself or my team has ask for but he listens and does his best to0 make it a great game to play. Both SSUSA and SPA are the tops in senior softball. JMHO |
| Jan. 19, 2009 THE HI-JACKER 118 posts | TAIT: Jan. 16, 2009 taits Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Home Run Limits jwo-2 This was asked before, I never saw a reply from the source though it does not mean it wasn't. Bruce's answer is pretty good. Bruce, That is true, and perhaps those making decisions are unable to hit them... But a clarification would be nice. But I still believe the older guys should get more than the younger guys. Let them earn their "senior" status. The get the benefits, without the dues. imho I WONDER, WHO, POSTED THIS? |
| Jan. 19, 2009 THE HI-JACKER 118 posts | TAITS: Scot, I just got an e-mail from one of Joe's, friend. Joe, is upset with LVSSA & SPA. In 2007, that was Joe's, first year in Senior Ball. The prez of LVSSA, would not let Joe, play on his AAA team. LVSSA, would only let Joe, play on a Major Plus team. SPA, had to ok Joe's, release. Joe, asked Ridge, to allow Joe, to move up to Major Plus. Ridge, was awear, that Joe, would not be allowed to play in AAA. SPA & LVSSA, agreed to use the Master World, as a SPA Qualifier. Joe's, manager would not release Joe. LVSSA, would not allow Joe, to play in it's MASTER WORLD, on a AAA team. If, Ridge, would have released Joe, Joe, could have played on a Major Plus team in Vegas (LVSSA), then gone to Phoenix & played in Vegas, on a Major Plus team. Ridge, did not release Joe. Joe, then missed the last half of the 2007 season. Hopes this help. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | THJ, I did say that, but that has nothing to do with any toe the line crap. I do feel that those 40 & 45 teams are not seniors per se, My "complaint" or "comment" there was it was that those teams get more HR's and the "Senior status" as it were without being 50+ which is the age all the senior teams used to be. A 50 year old tourney player has usually played many more games than a 40 year old guy. Why reward the younger guys, unless it's to keep their interest. Who knows next year they may be 30 & 35 teams or 30-39. More teams, more money, if they ever get the rules straight. Bad enough teams have to play out of their own division\age bracket in order to even play. TH now has one of those aged teams amongst his team holdings along with the other 2. Good for business, as that brings in the money which all this is about. I do not see anything said like what Joe wrote. If you want to take it out of context and reword it, well fine. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 zatta Men's 60 12 posts | Joe has only been playing since 2007 yet there is all kinds of controversy surrounding him. Makes you wonder? |
| Jan. 19, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | THJ, So now he crying about it, Damn, it's been over a year. Life will continue. There has been many players I read about here ant other forums about not getting "released" by a team or maybe even an assn., I do not remember now. Perhaps if players thought about actions or consequences before they acted or did something, things might be different down the line...I do feel for him but man it's nothing I had anything to do with. I've had the release problem in the past so i can relate. I have not met Joe, But would like to sometime down the road. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | THJ, One final, (hopefully) note, the only reference to 40+ divisions I find in the rule book refer to them as a "Masters Division". No listing within the HR numbers limitations. Why would they not be listed, if they were seniors. I'm sure for '09 it will\might make it in there. Lead me to another section if I missed something meaningful. Thanks |
| Jan. 19, 2009 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Zatta yes only since 2007, but with SSUSA since I think 2003 in their 40 program. Controversial maybe, unfortunate THJ went to press but because of the issue I had with SPA I petitioned to join become part of the National Advisory board, some say it is a waste, so far I think some good has come of it. My topics for this weekend are the following, I would like to see SSUSA expand their health offerings at the large tournaments similiar to Huntsman. Maybe partner up with local health providers and put up booths where seniors especially my age can get some info. Last year I presented some info on the 40 age group and I believe my input has been very valuable in the development of this program to the point where I believe SSUSA will give ASA a run for their money, much to the chagrine of some senior players. Another topic for this come weekend will be to impress upon the summit members that ignoring or hoping the Major plus division just goes away will not accomplish anything and quite possibly just bleed the problem into the other divisions. I want to partner with the 40 national director to come up with a solution to grade the newly minted 50 year olds coming in from the 40's to ensure that their talents are properly identified. This group of players is much more talented than even the group I played with and against just a few short years ago. I'll leave your age group to the folks representing you at the summit unless your a member of the advisory board also. |
| Jan. 19, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | I absolutely loved SPA tournaments all the ones I played in before this year 2008 when the ball Ridge used, intentionally or inadvertently was a dog. He's already vowed to use a better ball next year which is the right thing to do for seniors as well as protect his tournament from desertion. Unlimited time for games once double elimination begins is the most satisfying rules I ever experienced. We played a game against Pine Knob when I was with the California Rebels that went to 44 to 39 or something very close to that score took well over 2 hours and drew everyone in the complex because it was so exciting both to watch and play. There's a genuinely good feeling playing in a SPA tournament. They have the rep of being player friendly and listening to what the PLAYERS as opposed to non players say we want and need. |
