SURVEY UNDERWAY TO HELP SET TEAM REGIONS FOR 2011 SEASON

June 1, 2010 – Terry Hennessy CEO

In the next few weeks, we will be sending an in-depth survey to all managers to enlist their help in establishing team regions that are fair.

In the 2011 season, California and Florida teams will be restricted to drawing players only from their own states. We are still looking at exemptions for players who have been on teams for several years. Those will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

The reason for the California/Florida decision is the number of players in those two states is vastly higher than other states.

That decision was made during the 2010 SSUSA Convention in Nashville last December by the Rules Committee.

The committee also mandated that SSUSA look into the fairness of all regions.

Some years ago, SSUSA’s regions were based on the number of senior players in an area. SSUSA dropped that standard and adopted the states-and-bordering-states rule about 10 years ago when the National Senior Summit organizations were attempting to establish common rosters – and common roster restrictions.

Today, it is clear that common rosters are not possible.

Therefore, in the next few weeks, a complete survey will be sent to managers asking for their input. After the results and comments are received, they will be sent to SSUSA Rules Committee members, who will study the results and make recommendations.

The Rules Committee will then meet, discuss the options and make a decision on regions.

The goal for making that decision is Sept. 1, 2010, so that teams have time to plan their rosters for the 2011 season.

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