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Discussion: NOTE REGARDING LAS VEGAS PLAYING FACILITIES

Posted Discussion
Nov. 10, 2009
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4315 posts
NOTE REGARDING LAS VEGAS PLAYING FACILITIES
The Winter World Championships are being held at facilities under the jurisdiction and control of either the City of Las Vegas and Clark County. These facilities are, except for events of this nature, governed by NSA Rules. As such, the base distances for all fields at all of the venues are set at seventy feet (70').

Officials at both the City of Las Vegas and Clark County have advised us that the bases are not to be moved to the SSUSA field specification of sixty-five feet (65') at any time. This is a requirement of our facility use permits. Accordingly, approaching the Tournament Directors, the Field Directors or any City, County or independent maintenance personnel at the fields will not result in the bases being moved to 65'. We regret this restriction, but remind everyone the base distances will be the same for both teams in all games of the tournament. Thank you for your cooperation.
Nov. 10, 2009
Enviro-Vac
Men's 65
489 posts
That’s just fine with me if the in-field is also skinned back the additional 5’ to compensate. I would love to see 70’ bags all the time. I love playing on 70’ bases as it brings additional strategy and defense into the game and also allows the infielders a little more reaction time to the batted ball.

Is the pitchers rubber (distance) moved back a corresponding distance?

Jim Klassen, Manager
Nov. 11, 2009
taits
Men's 65
4548 posts
This seems out of character for not being able to accommodate the 65 foot base line since NSA has 3 primary settings for the different age divisions they use them for; 60, 65, 70. So how hard is it to adjust distance since they settings or post bases for the bags should already be in place.
Nothing I can find in the SSUSA rules saw we are to use 70' base paths. If a player is health stressed over this I can only foresee trouble as an effect, especially for the older guys out there.
As for the pitching distance look for 53'. (NSA adult distance)
If it (pitching distance) is adjusted to the 50' SSUSA specs, why not adjust the bases too. So what if it is primarily a NSA used city \county, The assn. and teams\players are paying for their use as an SSUSA event.

If not done in the contractual arrangements I think the ball was not in control.
Not having these mentioned in the "flyer" is not justified.
Nov. 11, 2009
Garocket
Men's 55
259 posts
Don't let the 70 ft bother you

We moved our bases back to 70 ft 2 years ago because GRPA ( Georgia Parks & Recreation Agency) did it and so did ISA. It was almost a month before the teams even noticed it. Now they do think it makes for a better game. And we also play seniors here and they did not even blink an eye. With the majority saying it did not impact play at all.

And about NSA having 3 base distance I think not
They have 60 for fast pitch and 70 for adults. Most recreation departments would not go in and set around 12-14 sets of anchors for a 1 weekend tournament. And I am sure you do not want tie down bases
Nov. 11, 2009
einstein
Men's 50
3112 posts
We play 70 foot bases all the time
in local ball.
Gives you longer time to make plays
in the infield and outfield and being defense oriented, I like that a lot.
With good balls and bats
that shouldn't be a problem.
And as it's cooler in Vegas now
the extra work running the bases
should be a push.
Nov. 11, 2009
taits
Men's 65
4548 posts
Not my concern but rather the "dis-information" beforehand.
Huntsman had it the last time I was there as well.
Along with the 53' mound distance.
Makes for some easier IF plays.
Read pages 60, 61 got base set ups. I never stated for NSA seniors. Those are for the different age divisions NSA has. My point is that if NSA governed, they would no doubt, have each set distance already in place. The mound distance has even more. 53 was the best suited.
I still occasionally play NSA.
Just not my favorite one.
Nov. 11, 2009
SSUSA Staff
3490 posts
The membership was informed within one hour of us being informed of the base distance restriction ... We apologize if that wasn't soon enough for some ...

As for the pitching distance, the 2' by 6' pitcher's box will be chalked with the front edge 50' from the front of the home plate/strike mat ... For those fields that have an un-movable 53' pitching rubber distance (presumably most, if not all), that will put the permanent pitching rubber in the middle of the box ... For those that may be at 50', nothing will appear changed ... Hope this helps.
Nov. 11, 2009
#6
Men's 60
1173 posts
It's the same for all....let's go play...........
Nov. 11, 2009
E4/E6
Men's 70
873 posts
#6
It is not the same for everyone, while the 70' distance is the same, some teams are made up of rabbits, to these teams the extra 5' may not mean much. To other teams that arent put together this way it may mean quite a bit more. The extra 5' gives the infielders more time to make plays. Slower teams will be at a distinct disadvantage.

Nov. 11, 2009
taits
Men's 65
4548 posts
All post to this are valid but in writing my original post to this thread, my concern was primarily for the 70's & up players.
This year too many have passed on for many reasons, I didn't want this to add to it with another 5 feet between each bag. Good thing it shouldn't be 100* out there.
As for the pitching distance, many guys pitch from about there anyway, Me, I'm at about 51.
E4\6 his on the mark though.
Nov. 12, 2009
doker
Men's 60
185 posts
I agree #6 the same for all...what's the problem??? Most associations are thinking of going to this base length but just haven't done it yet and wouldn't this make it a little safer for the infielders and pitcher with a good ball and the ultra bats???..doker
Nov. 12, 2009
#6
Men's 60
1173 posts
E4/E6, What I am saying is that the infielders will have more time to make the throws.........rabbits or not they are both playing the same game.....it's there, we have to live with it,nothing is going to change it for Vegas.
Nov. 12, 2009
einstein
Men's 50
3112 posts
E4 is right.
Some teams are built more for speed.
It's fundamentally like some other
rules/standards for us so teams/players
know well ahead of time if and how to compete.

All goes to the basic question of who
we are and how and what game do we really want to play.
It's the essence and fruit
of all our arguments.
To learn, define and serve the most fundamental aspects of the game
that make it the most fun
and fair for ALL.
That's why knowing who we are and
what lies at the heart of us,
a senior player,
is the key.
You won't get there being self interested or imposing your will
from the outside or from on high.
You need to be one of us,
like and love us and our game
ask us who we are and what we want,
use common sense,
be open to our input,
survey and poll us,
then you will know what we know
and how best to proceed.

70 foot bases
won't kill our game and surely
not the tournament in Vegas
but like E4 said
this is significant and creates
lots of changes for us
that need to be weighed
carefully and understood for their effect on OUR game.

I know Joe Lecak is happy.
He told me the team he's putting
in Vegas is made up of lots of new
fast guys, "no bellies" I was told,
and looks forward to competing
and evaluating their performance
and potential for next year.


Nov. 12, 2009
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4315 posts
Lesson learned: This is the type of disclosure item that is better suited to a casual footnote during the Manager Meeting! ... This is Las Vegas, guys ... "They are exactly who we thought they are!" (Dennis Green, former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach) ... Juct kidding! ... Good luck everyone and play well!
Nov. 12, 2009
Jawood
Men's 50
943 posts
70' bases gets lost in all the pitcher protection discussion. We should be playing at 70' all the time mainly for safety reasons - but it also makes it a better game. More double plays are turned, outfielders cutting the ball off in the gap may have a play to throw a runner out and those missed hit "texas leaguers" are no longer automatic doubles.
Nov. 12, 2009
Garocket
Men's 55
259 posts
Agreed 100%
It makes for a much better game
Also these same discussions were being said when it went from 60 ft to 65
Not on message boards ( they were not around then LOL) and when they first went from 46 pitching to 50 you would have thought they had ruined softball the way it was sounding, but quess what
after a few weeks everybody was happy they changed them
the 53 or 55 pitching does not affect the hitters at all
the 70 foot bases will only be thought about on close plays LOL
for the average player running thats only 1 step more to each base . But it does take away that Texas leaguer being a double or at least it makes the batter think about it a little more.
It acutally has more effect on fast runner than slower
Takes away that slapper that tries and beat it into the ground and out run it to 1st
Nov. 12, 2009
taits
Men's 65
4548 posts
Garocket,
I take it you were not a Prodigy or Compu$erve user...
The message boards existed in the early 80's. AOL also had them.
More like two strides. But distance wasn't my concern it is age and in the heat in summer. Yes it shouldn't be hot in Vegas now...
70' has been on the drawing for years. So has thoughts of further mounds (53-55) with that. I'd rather have higher pitches.
Nov. 13, 2009
Dbax
Men's 65
2101 posts
Garocket is right. 70' bases will penalize the fast guys, and have no effect on slower runners. Infielders will have that extra 5' in order to throw the fast runners out.
Nov. 13, 2009
taits
Men's 65
4548 posts
At least the slower ones would have a "fighting" (running) chance to get on at 65 feet...
Why don't we just move to BB field dimensions, pitching too. That will make some really "happy". lol
Eventually 70' will be the standard, but I fear the heat will take its toll. With it will no doubt increase the pitch distance as well to 53. So with that will the box also move back as well? <53-59> Why not an even 60?
Would be nice to see honest stats on double plays made both 65 and 70 base lines.
Nov. 14, 2009
SoCal'er
76 posts
I agree that it will make DP's easier and give more advantage to the outfielder throwing a runner out. As to infielders deeper, 50's and some 55's may be helped but most 60's and up are playing as deep as they can get away with and still get it to 1st.I like the 70' bases, not automatic 1st to 3rd and 2nd to home on a hit.
Nov. 15, 2009
LP
317 posts
a thought, is ssusa hiring the local umps that are nsa cause if they do they might call the 12ft. arc illeagal, i pitch hate to have to gut the pitches in.
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