News story

Summit Takes Hard Line on Altered Bats

March 1, 2004 – Senior Softball-USA

CYPRESS GARDENS, Florida ˆ In a surprising show of solidarity, 10 competing national softball associations unanimously adopted a tough-as-nails stand on altered bats here in January.

In fact, the 20 voting delegates were unanimous on all of the major issues they addressed, including:

Calling for a common bat standard.

Admitting the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association into the Summit as a voting member.

Electing Gary Tryhorn, SPA Vice President, as the Summit Chairman in 2006-2007

Endorsing the National Team Ratings Committee.

"The 2004 Senior Summit brought together representatives from all of the member national organizations demonstrating the value that all the sanctioning bodies place on working together for the good of the sport," said RB Thomas, 2004 Summit Chairman.

"The near freezing temperatures at Winter Haven didn't slow down the delegates. They were one of the most committed groups and kept the best interest of the senior players in the forefront of all discussions on the issues," said Thomas.

In other important developments, the National Summit made giant steps toward common team regions, with ASA adopting regions for the first time and Senior Softball-USA adopting the same regions for Major and Major-Plus as most other associations (allowing teams to draw players from adjoining states).

In addition, the four associations with Player ID Cards agreed to discuss a proposal for a Common Player ID Card before March 1.

But by far the most explosive issue to surface at the Summit was the altered bats.

"More than 90 percent of the Major and Major-Plus teams playing senior softball today are using altered bats," Gary Tryhorn told shocked Summit delegates. "Altered bats are big business, with some bats selling for more than $1,000," said Tryhorn."Ballplayers see other teams using the altered bats and then they feel pressured to get them...the most often quote we hear is ŒI don't want to go to a gunfight with a knife.'"

Acting on a recommendation by the National Players Advisory Board, Summit delegates voted to provide a bold warning that all players would be required to sign stating the penalties for using an altered bat.

"If a bat is suspected of being altered to enhance performance, the tournament director or umpire will determine if the bat will continue in play or be held for inspection. If the player refuses to turn over the bat, the player will be banned for two years and the team will forfeit all games. If the player voluntarily releases the bat and the bat is found to be altered, the player will be suspended for one year.

"The second offense may result in a lifetime ban of the player. Players have the right to protest a bat if they feel it has been altered, but they must pay the cost of testing the bat."

Here is a summary of other Summit actions:

Single bat standard

Bats, one of the most controversial issues facing softball in the past three years, continued to hold center stage.

The National Players Advisory Board recommended that the associations all adopt the original 1.20 bpf standard used by Senior Softball-USA (SSUSA) and the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association (LVSSA).National softball associations currently follow one of three bat standards:

Senior Softball-USA and the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association use the original 1.20 bpf standard (allowing the Miken II bat).

USSSA, ISA, NSA, SPA, Huntman Games use the modified 1.20 bpf standard (which tests the bat on multiple spots on the barrel, rather than a single spot). The Miken II is not allowed for play under this standard.

ASA, ISSA, ISF, SSWS use the new ASA batted-ball standard. More than 20 bats currently on the market are not allowed under this standard (see softball.org for a complete list).

Although it is unlikely that all associations will adopt a single standard in the near future, Summit delegates unanimously passed this resolution:

"The Senior Softball Summit recommends that all associations strive to adopt a single bat standard for the good of the sport."

11 players in the 65+ Divisions

The National Advisory Board recommended that the six national associations requiring 10 defensive players in the 65+ division consider increasing that number to 11 defensive players. The associations agreed to study the proposal and ask for feedback from 65+ teams before next year's Summit.

Proponents said the recommendation was made in n effort to reduce hits back up the middle of the field, which increase the chances of the pitcher being hit by the ball.

Common ID Card

An independent company presented a detailed proposal to Summit delegates to make and distribute a common Player ID Card.

The proposal, by Dave Crowell and the Records and More company, included keeping records of the players, collecting fees for the associations and manufacturing a single card good for all participating organizations.

Players would indicate the associations in which they wanted to participate and mail a check for the association fees to Records and More. Crowell's company would process the paperwork, send a card to the player and send the player information and fee to the appropriate associations.

"Players have asked us for a Common ID Card for 6 years," said Bill Ruth, president of both ISA and SSUSA. "This proposal is a giant step toward meeting their requests."

The associations presently requiring ID Cards (SSUSA, SSWS, USSSA and SPA) agreed to have a detailed conference call before March 1 on the proposal.

Proposal for Summit Championships

ASA proposed a finals between teams winning the National and World Championships in their divisions.

Charlie Colaianni, ASA's delegate, suggested that a National Senior Summit Championships finals be held in May or June 2005 at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Summit delegates created a committee chaired by Colaianni and Steve Simmons, National Hall of Fame delegate, to study the proposal and report back on the concept.

LVSSA joins Summit

The Las Vegas Senior Softball Association became the first new member of the Summit since it was founded in 1999. LVSSA was accepted into the Summit unanimously.

Under Summit rules, LVSSA will be a probationary member of the Summit for two years, with full voting rights, before becoming a permanent member of the Summit.

Umpire Committee Report

Charles Moss, ISSA delegate and chairman of the Umpire Committee, recommended associations study alternative umpire mechanics that would help avoid collisions at third base.

He also offered to help associations set up clinics before major tournaments for senior umpires. Moss was asked to recommend ways to help improve senior umpiring throughout all associations.

Joint Team Ratings System

RB Thomas urged all associations to give the National Ratings Committee as much help and information on teams as possible to make sure the ratings list is up to date and accurate.

"The unified team rating system put in place by the Senior Summit members has proven to be very successful," said Thomas. "The classification system now in place for the senior division is a model for others. It has been a major accomplishment and demonstrates the value of everyone working together in the best interest of senior softball."

Delegates decided to continue the policy adopted last year of moving all winners of 2003 National Championships and 2nd-place teams in divisions of 4 or more teams up to the next skill level.

In addition, the Summit delegates left it to the discretion of the National Ratings Committee to move any teams, including 2003 winners, up or down during the course of the 2004 Season. The Ratings Committee remains RB Thomas, Ridge Hooks and Terry Hennessy.

Preliminary Ratings have been posted and the first set of Final Ratings will be determined by about June 15. Final Ratings are updated as necessary every few weeks after their initial posting, until the conclusion of the 2004 season.

Ratings are posted on the Summit Website: www.softballrating.com.

New Advisory Board Chairs

The National Advisory Committee announced selection of two co-chairs for the 2005 Summit: Norm Setnicker of Minnesota, and Russ Kraft of Michigan.

The National Advisory Board is made up of players and managers from throughout the United States representing different age groups and skill levels. Advisory Board members are approved by the Summit delegates.

Hall of Fame

Ridge Hooks, Executive Director of SPA, presented a special award to Steve Simmons for his work on the Hall of Fame and announced a committee to review the Pioneer Category, chaired by Ken Maas,

Hooks urged all associations to send their All World lists to the Hall of Fame Office, and announced creation of a Special Category for those players who are worthy of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, but fall outside the current criteria.

2005 Summit Site

Delegates unanimously selected Polk County, Florida for the 2005 Senior Softball Summit from Jan. 14-16. Chet Tyl, executive Director of ISA, was re-elected Hospitality Chairman.

"The ISA staff did a great job as host for the event," said Thomas.