Collier League Buys Defibrillator, Screen

Oct. 1, 2008 – Senior Softball-USA

By Frank Galuppo, Softball News Report

NAPLES, FL – The Collier County Senior Softball League starts season 14 with a heavy emphasis on player safety.

Partnering with the SSUSA’s Clubs and Leagues program, the league’s Board of Directors has taken action to improve safety for all players.

The league bought a defibrillator and trained 20 players to use it. The defibrillator will be located within 25 feet of all players.

Also, to protect the pitchers from a batted ball, the league will now be using a pitcher’s protective screen. The pitchers will be required to stand behind the screen after delivery of a pitch. The league’s present rule is batted balls hitting the screen will be a “dead ball – no pitch”.

In addition, the county has expanded the warning tracks on the ball fields to help protect outfielders from running into fences.

Plans are also in the works for firstaid training classes. With the average age of the league’s players rising to 68 years of age, the league directors feel these safety improvements will further protect the players from serious injury and possibly save lives.

The Collier County Senior Softball League states they have definitely improved their identity by taking advantage of the products and services offered by SSUSA. For the second year, the league will be insured through the SSUSA, softballs will be purchased through SSUSA, and the league will use the SSUSA approved bats.

The league’s goal for 2009 is to expand the league from 10 to 12 teams, six teams in the Major division and six teams in the AAA division. The league also plans on expanding their schedule from 24 to 32 games per season. If anyone is interested in further information about this league, contact Frank Galuppo (Phone) 239-434-6933 or (E-mail) jfgparadise@ aol.com.

The League website is www.zoomshare.com