EVENING THE PLAYING FIELD

May 1, 2011

In sports, as in life, rules are essential to avoid chaos.

But rules that are unequally applied can actually be much worse than no rules at all.

Most senior softball rules – as most good laws – are designed to prevent unfair advantages.

As a softball association, SSUSA’s primary goal is to provide an even playing field for all teams. To accomplish that goal, it is necessary to apply restrictions on rosters equally.

Some players and managers may feel that SSUSA is unfeeling and does not care about the difficulties their team faces in trying to recruit players and improve their team.

However, it is because SSUSA cares about the team that it MUST apply the rules equally. If teams are allowed exceptions that other teams do not receive, then there is no equal playing field – and it defeats the purpose of the association.

Because rules are applied equally, teams can rest assured that their opponents are facing exactly the same restrictions.

And that is good not only for all teams, but for the sport.