From the Dugout: New Game Standards to Debut at Missouri Open

June 1, 2020

By Terry Hennessy
SSUSA CEO

On Thursday, the first wave of 61 teams will compete in Columbia, Missouri –  the first SSUSA Qualifier in almost three months. 

The Missouri Open has created national focus on seniors playing softball during the pandemic because of an article in Time Magazine last week.

In this tournament, SSUSA Director Will Rogers and UIC Donna McGuire will be rolling out our new rules and recommendations designed to make the tournament as safe as possible.

We ask players and spectator alike to observe the new standards.

Our directors and umpires will be wearing face shields, catchers will be wearing face masks, managers are asked to keep the game balls and disinfect them between innings, players are asked to spread out in and out of the dugout to maintain social distancing – and spectators are asked to do the same in the stands.  When not playing, players are asked to wear face masks and maintain social distancing.

Click here to read the full rules and recommendations.

These procedures are for the safety of everyone at the complex. 

SSUSA – and all other national softball organizations -- want to be able to open the sport throughout the nation in the next few months. If players and their friends and family follow these pandemic rules, it will go a long way in showing the sport can be played without spreading the virus.

We respect the fact that some will disagree. But those who do not agree and do not want to follow the procedures will make it difficult to re-start the sport we love. 

Therefore, if you do disagree and do not want to follow the new rules, stay home.  You will be more than welcome to return when the pandemic is under control and hopefully we will be able to relax the new standards.

This is for the good of the game, your fellow players and their families.

Thank you!

Terry Hennessy is chief executive officer of Senior Softball USA and can be reached at terryh@seniorsoftball.com.