SSUSA CONVENTION SETS RULES FOR 2011; ADDS TIME TO GAMES

Dec. 1, 2010 – Senior Softball-USA

TUCSON, AZ. – The Senior Softball-USA / ISA Convention locked in rules for the 2011 season here in December, including extending game times, making the “flip-flop” rule mandatory in bracket games and allowing the oldest women’s divisions to add a few younger players.

In addition, legendary pitcher Billie Harris was inducted into the SSUSA Hall of Fame as the player for 2010, and Otis Rowland was inducted as director.

“The joint SSUSA/ISA Convention was the most successful and productive we have ever held,” said Bill Ruth, president and owner of ISA and co-owner of SSUSA. “We are seeing continued strong growth in Senior Softball-USA and the convention is invaluable in helping us shape our future growth.”

Convention attendees remembered the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees Bob Mitchell and Jim Sherman, who both died in 2010. Mitchell was inducted in a special category as founder of SSUSA (See related story on Page 1), and Jim Sherman was inducted as the first player.

Much of the action happened in the Rules Committee.

“The SSUSA ‘game’ is sound and seems well received by the players and managers,” said Dave Dowell, chair of the Rules Committee. “The only area requiring much attention was the desire of the players to be able to play more 7-inning games.

“Rather than alter the game itself, allowing for an extra five minutes of play prior to the 7-inning Championship games was a perfect solution,” said Dowell.

Here is a summary of the rule changes for 2011 (the Rules Section is in bold):

1.29C - HEADWEAR - Wearing ball caps for men changed from 'mandatory' to 'optional.'

3.8A - UNIFORM - Section amended to allow for sleeveless jerseys.

4.2(2) - ADDING PLAYERS - Amended to provide that tournament rosters are “frozen” as of the Manager’s Meeting the evening before play begins. No on-site player additions allowed without Tournament Director approval before team’s first game. Managers who do not attend Manager Meeting, and do not send a representative, would be prohibited from beginning tournament play before check-in with Field Director and be prohibited from Roster additions.

4.5 - AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT RULE - Amended to require governmental issued or medical professional issued documentation of coverage.

5.5(1) - GAME TIMES - Subsection A amended from 60 to 65 minutes for Seeding/Pool play. Subsection B amended from 65 to 70 minutes for Bracket Play (excluding Championship games. Subsection C amends official game time start from delivery of first pitch to two (2) minutes after the umpire’s coin toss.

5.5(3) - FLIP-FLOP RULE - Flip-Flop Rule remains unchanged at Seeding/Pool play level of the tournament and may be voluntarily invoked if BOTH managers agree in a game with a 10-Run differential in favor of the Visiting team at the start of the “Open Inning.” For Bracket Play, including Championship Game(s), the Flip-Flop Rule is now MANDATORY if there is a 15-Run differential in favor of the Visiting team at the start of the “Open Inning”.

8.5 - SLIDING OPTIONAL and 8.6(5) - AVOIDING COLLISIONS - Sections merged to clarify when permissible/advisable to slide to avoid collisions at 1st Base and Scoring Plate/Line.

13.2(4)D - AGE ELIGIBILITY AND GROUPING – Women’s Senior Division 65+ and 70+ are granted right to add underage players under the same theory as Men’s 75+ and 80+ now have. Women’s 70+ may add up to 3 underage players, with no more than one being 68 and no more than two being 69. Women’s 65+ may add one age 64 player.

16.6 - UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - Rule amended to include more harsh penalties for gross unsportsmanlike behavior such as assault/battery of tournament officials and umpires. Penalties strengthened to include up to lifetime ban from SSUSA events in appropriate circumstances.

In addition, the Committee directed SSUSA staff to study the rosters of those teams winning tournaments to determine if they have the limit of 5 players from a higher skill level. Staff is directed to report back to the committee.

Staff was also directed to survey senior women’s teams to determine the majority opinion on double-rostering players.

The Convention also honored several organizations and individuals for outstanding performance:

Complex of the Year: North Collier Regional Park Softball Complex.

Award of Excellence: Dave Dowell

Executive Director Award: Don Brooks

Tournament Director of the Year: Steve Simmons.

Regional Director of the Year: Pete DeRosa.

Umpire of the Year: Bruce DuPuis

Attendees also attended free CPR training sessions, discussed plans for expanding the SSUSA Clubs & Leagues program, the SSUSA Online Store, and participated in an Open Forum and played a wood-bat game.

The ISA/ SSUSA Convention will be in Clearwater, FL., from Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2011. All registered Senior Softball-USA players and managers are welcome. Please call 916-326-5303 for details.