SSUSA CONVENTION SHAPES 2010 SENIOR SEASON

Feb. 1, 2010

NASHVILLE –The annual SSUSA/ISA National Convention here focused on the future of senior softball, heard about the past year, celebrated some of the top people – from players, to the founder, to directors – and unveiled some of the new products for 2010.

“The Convention is where we mold the future,” said Bill Ruth, president of both Senior Softball-USA and ISA.

The top news coming out of the Convention for SSUSA was rules, rules, rules. (See story on Page One). But the annual Convention, which attracted more than 120 delegates, directors, city representatives and manufacturer representatives, also featured training sessions, bids from cities on major tournaments, reports on the status of the sport, and recognition of the stars of the sport, including the induction of the first two members of the Senior Softball-USA Hall of Fame.

The training sessions included CPR/AED certification, how to market tournaments, umpire clinics, bat testing and international competition.

The status of Senior Softball – and amateur sports in general – was surprisingly upbeat.

Senior Softball-USA had forecast a 10 percent drop in attendance for 2009 because of the deep recession throughout the country.

“We were happily surprised that participation actually grew 2.3 percent in 2009,” said Terry Hennessy in his report to delegates. “In addition, we have seen our Clubs & Leagues almost double – from 35 leagues in 2008 to 66 in 2009 – and international travel is booming, with our biggest trip in almost 10 years to Cuba (February 2010) already full.”

Hennessy said the growth was due to the hard work of the directors and staff of Senior Softball-USA, several of whom were honored at the Convention’s gala banquet. They included:

Gus Linke, Tournament Director of Year.

Chuck Sharkey, Rookie Director of the Year.

Mike Sisavic, Regional Director of the Year.

Roger Mota, Umpire of the Year.

Jerry Gass of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department won the Executive Director Award for his exceptional work on the fields in Phoenix during the World Championships.

Ray Starwalt, SSUSA’s Umpire-In-Chief won the prestigious Award of Excellence for his efforts to improve the umpire program and his work as a key director at major tournaments.

In addition, the first two members were inducted into the Senior Softball-USA Hall of Fame.

Bob Mitchell of California was inducted as the founder of Senior Softball-USA.

“It is indeed appropriate that Bob Mitchell be the first person inducted into the Senior Softball-USA Hall of Fame,” said Hennessy in introducing Mitchell.

“We are here today because of Bob Mitchell’s vision. Bob opened the door to national and international senior softball competition.”

Jim Sherman became the first player to be inducted into the SSUSA Hall of Fame.

“Jim Sherman is not only a great player – and one of the best hitters I have ever seen – but he is responsible for SSUSA’s defibrillator training, which has saved four lives in the past few years,” said Bill Ruth in introducing Sherman.

“Jim has a batting average of .700 over a 21-year span, has won 24 world rings and can hit the ball anywhere he wants,” said Ruth.

His crowning achievement was winning the coveted Triple Grand Slam three times.

The SSUSA / ISA Convention will be in Tucson, Az., from Nov. 30- Dec. 4, 2010. For more information, call SSUSA at 916-326-5303.