News story

Senior Softball-USA Kicks Off First Convention; Sets Pace for Future

March 1, 2004 – Senior Softball-USA

FORT MYERS BEACH, Florida ˆ Senior Softball-USA laid the organizational groundwork for the future during its first convention from Dec. 4-6.

Convention delegates created a framework to change rules, improve tournaments, deal with player appeals and open channels of communication with players and managers throughout the United States and Canada.

"We are overjoyed at the progress the delegates have made in charting a clear course for the future of Senior Softball," said Terry Hennessy, chief executive officer of Senior Softball-USA.

"We needed to create this foundation to meet the rapidly growing demand for senior softball in America."

Hennessy said Senior Softball-USA has grown 39 percent in the past two years alone.

"This is just the beginning of the surge in senior players spurred by the graying of the baby boomers," said he said. "Every 7 seconds another person turns 50 in America ˆ and many are interested in remaining active. We want them to know about senior softball."

The first Senior Softball-USA Convention was held in conjunction with the well-established ISA National Convention. ISA is owned by Bill Ruth, who with Hennessy ownes Senior Softball-USA.

Senior Softball-USA delegates established a Rules Committee, chaired by Otis Rowland, a National Director, which consolidated and corrected several sections of the rulebook.

The Tournament Committee, chaired by Bill Reinecke, a National Director, created a set of priorities for tournaments.

"The most important aspects of the tournament were competitive divisions, good umpires, an excellent awards package, and top-notch fields ˆ including concession facilities and good field maintenance during the tournament," said Reinecke.

Delegates backed creation of the new "National Umpire Program," in which the top Senior Softball Umpires are chosen and brought into national SSUSA tournaments.

SSUSA Umpire-in-Chief Jim Sherman said he would begin putting together a list of the National Umpires, who would be approved by the SSUSA Executive Board.

Sherman also was appointed Chairman of the Appeals Committee, which will rule on protests and appeals from players and managers.

Rowland was presented with the first "Above and Beyond Award," at the convention for his untiring work to improve the sport.

"Otis has been an integral part of Senior Softball-USA since 1998, when he umpired our first AA World Championships in Aurora, Colorado. Since then, Otis has been part of almost every major event we have run," said Hennessy.

"In the process, Otis has become "Mr. Rules" our chief architect and keeper of Senior Softball Rules. Otis has been there in all weather, through every crisis and he still is one of the first to ask if we need any help in any event," said Hennessy in presenting the award.

Don Straton, the Director of Florida ISA and an ISA Vice President was recognized for his efforts to promote joint ISA-Senior Softball-USA events.

"For the past two years, Don has embraced the idea that ISA and Senior Softball-USA can help each other improve," said Hennessy in presenting the award.

"Together we can accomplish much more than we can standing alone. Change can be threatening and frightening. It takes a special person to look beyond the short-term change into the future," said Hennessy.

"Don has helped Senior Softball-USA and ISA develop an extremely strong and healthy working relationship not only in Florida, but throughout the country," he said. "This is true vision."

Delegates to the first Senior Softball-USA Convention included Rowland, Reinecke, Sherman, Jerry Jackson, Bob Deken, Pat Lawlis, Benny Villaverde, Bruce Fisher, Rudy Strauss, John Barner and Art Guty.

SSWC Executive Board:

Bill Ruth, President

Terry Hennessy, Executive Director

Don Brooks, National Director

Bill Reinecke, National Director

Otis Rowland, National Director

Jim Sherman, Umpire in Chief

Executive Board Advisors:

Fran Dowell, Marketing Director

Jerry Jackson

Regional Directors:

Don Brooks, West Texas Director (West Texas and New Mexico)

Bob Deken, Northeast Director (Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine)

Robby Carter, Southern Director (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana)

Ken Lipinski, California Director

Mickey Lauber, Upper Midwest Director (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa)

Bobby Letterman, Utah Director

Bob Martinez, Mountain Director, (Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska)

John McCarren, Southeast Director (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia)

Bob Schultz, East Texas Director (East Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma)

Joe Yacono, Great Lakes Director (Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana)

Benny Villaverde, Hawaii Director