2015 SSUSA Convention Roundup & Rule Changes for 2016

Dec. 1, 2015

RENO – Senior Softball USA adopted a number of rule changes here in December, including changing regional requirements for teams for the first time in 15 years, opening the door for deaf teams to play, allowing 75 and 80 division teams to pick up younger players, and making the “flip-flop” rule mandatory in all games.

In addition at the ninth annual SSUSA/ISA Convention, three people were inducted into the SSUSA International Hall of Fame (Bill Ruth of Washington for Lifetime Achievements, Michael Boone of New Jersey as 2015 Player and Chuck Towne of Texas as 2015 Manager).

Audie Hollis of Florida and Clyde “Poindexter” Phillips of California were voted into the 2016 SSUSA Hall of Fame as players and Al Murray of Florida was elected in the 2016 manager category.

“We had some great rules discussions this year, sparked by suggestions from players, managers, tournament directors, Senior Softball staff and umpires,” said Donna McGuire, Chair of the Rules Committee.  “Because our rules already were in good shape, most of the discussion involved tweaking existing rules rather than creating new ones.

“We thank everyone who provided input, and we are pleased to see that the early feedback has been positive,” said McGuire, who was unanimously elected Rules Chair for 2016.

Perhaps the biggest move by the SSUSA Rules Committee was to open the door to new regions for teams.  The committee ruled that the Northeast states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont be merged with New York to form a single “Northeast State.”

SSUSA staff was instructed to study other potential regional changes based on player population densities and report back to the committee by June, opening the door for changes in other playing regions.

In other action, the committee confirmed Cornerstone of Oregon as the winner of the 50 Major division in the 2015 World Masters Championships following a protest of the team’s roster.  The committee found the team complied with all requirements listed in the 2015 SSUSA Official Rulebook.

Here is a summary of Rules Committee action (for a full listing, please see seniorsoftball.com.):

Deaf Team Exception: – A team comprised solely of deaf individuals participated at the 2015 WMC as “Exhibition” in the 50-AA Division. They requested a waiver of the states and bordering states requirements, and offered to play at the next higher level (50-AAA), in the 2016 WMC in order to allow them to secure a sufficient number of players. It was proposed that they be allowed an exception to draw otherwise eligible players from anywhere within the United States. 

75 and 80 Age Eligibility:  – Effective Dec. 3, 2015, Men’s 75+ Division – Teams may add not more than four (4) players aged 74 to their rosters. And Men’s 80+ Division – Teams may add not more than four (4) players aged 79 to their rosters.

Higher Skill Level Team is Home: – In tournament play where there are mixed brackets, including teams in different rating groups where one team is giving an equalizer, the team giving the equalizer shall be the Home team in all such games.

Flip-Flop Rule: – The “flip-flop” rule is amended to be mandatory in any tournament game, seeding pool play or bracket play, when the Visitor is ahead by 10 runs or more at the commencement of the “open inning.”

Player Rating History for 70+ and Older Players: – For players age 70+ and older, the player-rating history term for roster eligibility is reduced from the current Season and the two full preceding Seasons to the current Season and the immediately previous Season. Effective Dec. 4, 2015.

Sun affecting batters: – If the sun is affecting the batter’s ability to see the ball, the umpire may request that the Field Director allow the pitcher to pitch from up to six feet on either side of the pitching rubber, at the side chosen by the batter as the only remedy. The request, if granted, shall be applied on a full‐inning basis only.

Drinking in the Dugout or Field Prohibited:  The consumption of alcoholic beverages in the dugouts or within the confines of the playing field will result in the ejection of the player for the remainder of the team’s games for that day.

The 2016 SSUSA/ISA Convention will be in Las Vegas from Nov. 29- Dec. 2.