NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO REOPEN SPORT

May 1, 2020

The National Senior Softball Summit, meeting for the first time in 10 years, agreed Tuesday to a common set of recommendations for reopening the sport.

The eight National Softball organizations participating in the conference call had each developed their own set of guidelines and rules, but decided that a joint set of recommendations was essential to help reopen the sport nationally more quickly.

The recommendations are intended to be used in conjunction with each association’s guidelines to be sent to state and local officials, health departments and facility officials.

The preamble to the Summit Recommendations lets Health Departments know that Senior Softball is not a large spectator sport and that it is possible to establish social distancing and other requirements for opening the sport in the earlier phases of re-opening the economy.

To read the full National Senior Softball Summit’s Recommendations for Return to Play, CLICK HERE.

Some of the common guidelines include:

* Personal hygiene recommendations.

* Recommendation that players / spectators wear protective face coverings (masks or shields).

* Requirement for umpires to wear protective face coverings (masks or shields).

* Temporarily prohibiting contact and handshakes before and after games.

* Allowing players and coaches to extend outside the dugout in order to maintain a required 6 feet of distance.

* Mandating that one team be allowed to completely vacate the dugout before the next team enters.

* Prohibiting common water jugs in the dugout (players and coaches are responsible for their own water).

* A new ball for each game and balls will be periodically sanitized.

* Spectators will be requested to bring their own chairs (many parks are either removing bleachers or making them available for the expanded dugout for players).

The National Senior Softball Summit organizations include the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), USA Softball, Senior Softball USA (SSUSA), Softball Players Association (SPA), the National Softball Association (NSA), the International Senior Softball Association (ISSA), the Independent Sports Association (ISA) and the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association (LVSSA).

The Summit organizations agreed to meet again at the end of the season – or sooner if events warrant it.

Oldest Qualifier in U.S. Cancelled;
Yuma, AZ Added as a Host Site for the Southern California State Championships

For the first time in its 33-year history, the Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup, the oldest and longest running senior softball qualifier in the country, has been cancelled.

State health officials have informed the cities of Reno and Sparks that the fields will not be open.

In more promising developments, the Southern California State Championships has added Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC) in Yuma, AZ as a host venue; where fields are scheduled to be available. Dates of play remain the same, June 16 – 21. Big League Dreams in Cathedral City and Diamond Valley Lake Sports Complex in Hemet are still scheduled as host sites. No decision has been made yet as to where each of the age divisions will play.

Along with Reno, the Crabtown Classic in Maryland and the DFW Classic in Texas have both been cancelled as well, as the respective fields will not be open.

Anne Arundel County and Carroll County, in Maryland, have confirmed that their parks are closed to team sporting activities through June 30.

Oak Grove Softball Complex in Grapevine, TX will not be open until June 15.

SSUSA continues to work with our regional directors, cities, and complexes as we strive to bring the sport back as soon and as safe as it is to do so.

SSUSA would especially like to thank all of the parks departments for all of their diligent hard work in helping senior softball return to the fields.

Additionally, SSUSA will be sending out its recommendations to states, counties, and cities to help expedite the reopening of the sport.

As a reminder, SSUSA will be determining the status of upcoming tournaments two weeks prior to the scheduled start date of each respective tournament.

These two weeks are needed so that SSUSA and teams can prepare for the tournaments.

Many states are continuing through their respective phases of re-opening.

STATE-BY-BY STATE BREAKDOWN

Here is where SSUSA tournaments, scheduled through the end of July, currently stand.

Missouri - Stay-at-Home Order Expired 5/3

June 4 - 14: Missouri Open Columbia, MO

The Missouri Open is still on as scheduled.

SSUSA has been informed that Rainbow Softball Complex will have a final decision on May 29.

For more information on the Missouri Open, please contact Will Rogers, via email: willsharkdaddy@aol.com or phone: 816-916-7891.

Maryland - Stay-at-Home Order Expired May 15

June 13 - 14: The Old Line State Showdown Westminster, MD (PENDING)*

July 17 - 20: Bert Bennett Memorial Westminster, MD

*An alternate location is currently being searched for the Old Line State Showdown, June 12-16, scheduled in Westminster. Stay tuned for updates.

The Bert Bennett Memorial is still on as scheduled.

For more information on these Maryland tournaments, please contact tournament director, Tim McElroy, via email: PotomacSports1@gmail.com or phone: 301-514-2676.

Arizona - Stay-at-Home Order Expired 5/15

June 13 - 14: Mountain Madness I Flagstaff, AZ

June 20 - 21: 40s Cool Country Classic I Prescott, AZ

July 17 - 19: Ernie Jones Memorial/Western States Championships Prescott, AZ

July 25 - 26: 40s Mountain Madness II Flagstaff, AZ

These four Arizona tournaments are still on as scheduled. More information from the cities will be available May 26.

For more information, please contact tournament director Rick Seifman, via email: tournsport@aol.com or phone: 623-776-2143.

California - No end date on Stay-at-Home Order, Indefinite

June 12 - 17: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sacramento/Placer Counties, CA

June 16 - 21: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Hemet & Cathedral City, CA/Yuma, AZ (LOCATION UPDATE)

July 28 - August 2: WESTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Sacramento/Placer Counties, CA*

These three TOC qualifiers are still on as scheduled.

FYI, Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC) in Yuma, AZ will be used as host site for the Southern California State Championships.

*Reminder that this year teams do NOT have to play in a qualifier to compete in the Western Nationals.

SSUSA will confirm that these tournaments will be played two weeks before they are scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

Washington - Stay-at-Home Order Through 5/31

June 13 - 14: Northwest Cup Lacey, WA

June 25 - 28: Inland Empire Classic Spokane, WA

July 25 - 26: Smash It Sports Invite Enumclaw, WA

These three Washington tournaments are still on as scheduled.

For more information on the Lacey and Spokane tournaments, please contact Washington State Director Butch Jones, via email: katstang7@gmail.com or phone: 360-791-3862.

For more information on the tournament in Enumclaw, please contact director Tom Israelson (206-841-9955 or israelsontj@comcast.net)

Oklahoma - Stay-at-Home Order Expired 4/30

June 18 - 21: Oil City Classic Tulsa, OK

The Oil City Classic is still on as scheduled.

For more information, please contact tournament director Will Rogers, via email: willsharkdaddy@aol.com or phone: 816-916-7891.

Florida - Stay-at-Home Order Expired 5/4

June 19 - June 21: Sunshine State Showdown Ft. Myers, FL

The Sunshine State Showdown is still on as scheduled.

For more information, please contact tournament director Tim McElroy via email: PotomacSports1@gmail.com or phone: 301-514-2676.

Michigan - Stay-at-Home Order Through 5/28

June 27 -  28: Holiday Classic Sturgis, MI

July 11 - 12: Bobby Chapp Memorial Lansing, MI (NEW DATES)

These Michigan tournaments are still on as scheduled.

For more information on the above tournaments in Michigan, please contact tournament director Mike Dembicki, via email: mdembicki@capitaltire.net or phone: 586-202-8376.

New Mexico - Stay-at-Home Order in Place Through 5/31

June 27 - 28: Women's Western Classic Las Cruces, NM

The Women’s Western Classic is still on as scheduled.

SSUSA will confirm that this tournament will be played two weeks before it is scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

New York - Stay-at-Home Order in Place Through 5/28

July 7 - 12: NORTHEAST CHAMPIONSHIPS Syracuse, NY

The Northeast Championships is still on a scheduled.

SSUSA will confirm that this tournament will be played two weeks before it is scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

Arkansas (Arkansas is one of seven states that never enacted a stay-at-home order)

July 7 - 12: MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS Rogers, AR

The Midwest Championships is still on as scheduled.

SSUSA will confirm that this tournament will be played two weeks before it is scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

Texas - Stay-at-Home Order Expired 4/30

July 7 - 12: Aggieland Classic College Station, TX

The Aggieland Classic is still on as scheduled.

For more information, please contact tournament director Keith Parker, via email: txhcc@yahoo.com or phone: 903-315-6374.

Oregon - No End Date on Stay-at-Home Order, Indefinite

July 14 - 19: JIM SHERMAN MEMORIAL/NORTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS Salem, OR

The Jim Sherman Memorial/Northwest Championships is still on as scheduled.

SSUSA will confirm that this tournament will be played two weeks before it is scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

Illinois - Stay-at-Home Order in Place Through 5/30

July 14 - 19: Quad Cities Classic Rock Island, IL

The Quad Cities Classic is still on as scheduled.

For more information, please contact tournament director Kenny Chard, klchard@yahoo.com or 309-721-9633.

Alabama - Stay-at-Home Order Expired 4/30

July 18 - 19: Cullman Qualifier Cullman, AL

The Cullman Qualifier is still on as scheduled.

SSUSA will confirm that this tournament will be played two weeks before it is scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

Kansas -  Stay-at-Home Order Expired 5/3

July 23 - 26: Wes Weddle Classic Shawnee, KS

The Wes Weddle Classic is still on as scheduled.

For more information, please contact tournament director Randy Rowe 816-718-3221 rrr5850@aol.com

Virginia -  Stay-at-Home Order in Place Through 6/10

July 28 - August 2: EASTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSIHPS Loudoun County, VA*

The Eastern National Championships is still on a scheduled.

*Reminder that this year teams do NOT have to play in a qualifier to compete in the Eastern Nationals.

SSUSA will confirm that this tournament will be played two weeks before it is scheduled to commence. For more information, please email info@seniorsoftball.com.

Indiana -  Stay-at-Home Order Expired 5/1

July 31 - August 2: ISA SENIOR WORLD SERIES Columbus/Shelbyville, IN

The ISA Senior Worlds Series is still on as scheduled.

For more information, please contact tournament director, Jerry Jackson at 309-267-8772 or jjackson@itv-3.com