News story

Advisory Board Urges Mat, New Awards, More Games

March 1, 2001 – Senior Softball-USA

LAS VEGAS ˆ Players want smaller trophies, more games, a common strike mat, no night games ˆ and they want the championship games to be wrapped up by noon.

Those were some of the major recommendations made by the National Senior Softball Advisory Board, made up of key players and managers from around the country, to the Summit members here in January.

"While we realize that all nine national organizations are different, we feel these recommendations will improve the game for everyone," said Carlos Becerra, who presented the recommendations on behalf of the Advisory Board.

The recommendations included:

-- Change team awards. Teams no longer want the big trophies.

-- Make National Championships a minimum of 5 games.

-- Make the strike mat an extension of the plate (SSWC dimensions).

-- A runner touching first base or home plate (not the safety base at first or the scoring plate at home) is not an appeal play. The umpire will now make the call.

-- Enforce the filling out of lineup cards.

-- Championship games should be scheduled to be over by noon on the last day of the tournament.

-- Tournament schedules should be available a week before games begin.

-- Major players can only play on another Major team (unless they drop down an age group).

-- No night games, if possible.

-- Field should be prepped before each game (more important than bat and ball regulations).

-- First Aid Kits should be available at all fields.

-- Lower compression balls should be used for AAA and AA divisions.

Summit delegates traditionally take the recommendations under advisement. While many of the suggestions may be enacted, there is no guarantee that they will all be adopted.

"Some organizations can not act on the recommendations as quickly as others because they have to be approved by committees that have already met for the year," said Ridge Hooks, Summit Chairman and SPA president. "But we will all take them back with us and do what we can ˆ they are excellent recommendations."