Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 73 anonymousDetails for SS11
Real name:
Location:
,
Division:
Messages posted by SS11 »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| Sept. 14, 2023 SS11 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What do 12 and 6 foot arcs really look like? Dave - you are almost correct. But those style of backboards range from 33" tall on a small one to 36" tall (for that shape). The difference is the amount of metal under the rim. There is a minimum 28" above the rim to top of backboard on those style backboard bought by cities for playgrounds. (Known from past life). Those pitches were all 12'6" at bottom of ball or higher. For the sake of softball and 6'-12' is it the bottom or top of the ball that should be judged? |
| Sept. 13, 2023 SS11 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What do 12 and 6 foot arcs really look like? So Bruce, if it goes over the backboard, it went over 12', right? Since the top of the backboard is 12', if the ball is over that it is illegal. Correct? |
| Feb. 15, 2023 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: SANDBAGGING It will get worse, as the rules continue to change. Many teams will stop playing at the highest level with the new rules. SSUSA was always very competitive at the top levels (40-55 at least), with the tight regional roster restrictions. As they continue to keep opening it up to National All-Star teams, you will see more teams realize they can't compete with the biggest money teams paying players to fly across the country to play softball. Because of this, you will see teams break up to stay down, more often then ever before. Sit back and watch over the next 2-3 yrs. |
| Jan. 16, 2023 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: National Rules Voting Best of luck this year, Benji! |
| Jan. 16, 2023 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: National Rules Voting The issue isn't Major Plus teams not wanting to play Major rules with an equalizer. It is Major teams refusing to play against Stacked Major Plus teams even when getting the equalizer. Especially when paying $600-800 to play. I guess my point is, the old rules brought more parity, and the Major Plus levels can not afford to lose any more teams, which I think will happen. World's will show. |
| Jan. 16, 2023 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: National Rules Voting Benji, There are fewer sponsors in the game today than there were 4 years ago. Costs are greater for travel, lodging, etc.. Not every team at Major Plus has sponsorship, and even more of the Major teams lack sponsorship. When SSUSA caved to the sponsors and increased the number of non-bordering players (same side of Mississippi) from 2 to 4, that began benefiting the larger sponsorship teams, as they have the $$$ to bring additional TOP level players to that would otherwise end up on a local team. So those top players end up on a local team, that means 1 or 2 guys on that team, may decide to play with a top Major team who now is good enough to play Major +. Any rule that affects "ONLY Major +" ultimately affects the major division as well. The greater the difference between Major + and Major, the fewer opportunities the Major Plus teams have to play. When you allow Major Plus teams to add more out of region players, those teams improve even more (or they wouldn't pay to bring in someone), and then when those teams try to play local. Major teams (with the equalizer) realize they can't compete, and decide to not play. Then the Major Plus have nowhere to play all year. It is understandable that everyone wants to win worlds. Explain why the original rule of 2 players from Non-bordering states, but same side of Mississippi, is worse for parity in the game? Not all the teams that contend, have Suncoast, JK, Somerville (a great sponsor not in the game anymore?), Deluxe Bakery, FBI, Kelleher, etc. type money and without that money, attracting those player is almost impossible. |
| Jan. 15, 2023 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: National Rules Voting The Major Plus player boundaries change is going to hurt the participation in Major Plus even more. There are not many teams with the sponsorship mo ey to pick up players from out 9f a team's region, as it is. So the few teams with deep pockets, who can afford the best players, year in and year out, can c9ntinue to flex their financial power to add the best players in the country. The people on the board have it all backwards. The more regionalized teams are force to be, the more parity there is. The more teams can move up and compete. Major Plus participation will continue to dwindle. 40 M+ Southwest Championships have 4-5 teams the last couple of years. 50M+ had 2 last year, with one playing 40 Major instead of spotting runs to every team they play. World Championship participation in these classes are falling off too. California this year will have 1 40 M+ team and 1 50M+ team at worlds. They should have gone the other way back to only 2 Non-bordering state players from the same side of the Mississippi. Instead they carry to the few deep pocket s0onsors that pay players, which is against SSUSA rules, but they can't prove it, so "it doesn't happen". Look for lots of teams breaking up to move back down. |
| Sept. 15, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50 Vegas worlds 2022 Jay49er1 - While those teams are allowed to turn in a roster of their choosing, you cannot add players that have become available, and/or may strengthen your team, because they did not play a "qualifying" tournament with your team. Yet these teams can have a roster full of players who didn't play in a "qualifying" tournament. There really was no "penalty" for not playing SSUSA all year. Both teams are classified based on their roster only (Proton - Open, as that is what their roster dictates, and Flatliners - A USSSA 40+ Conference (equivalent of Major+) because they have avoided playing SSUSA gets classified as a Major team. Teams that support SSUSA during the year, want the rules and guidelines to be equally enforced for ALL teams. |
| Sept. 13, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50 Vegas worlds 2022 Dave, you missed the point that they would have to give the equalizer even if they played in a qualifying event, because they are an "open" team. So they were allowed to construct their team without it being "frozen" due to playing in a qualifying event. Often times, not everyone can make the "qualifying" event on a team due to family, work, life events. So when the whole team doesn't show up, but you can have whoever you want on your team, and you get to play by the same rules as if you played in a qualifying event, is there really any kind of consequences to not playing in a qualifying event? Even if they played in a qualifying event, they still would have to give the equalizer because their roster is an "Open" team's roster. Yes or no? So what was the consequence for not playing in a "qualifying event" and getting their roster frozen? |
| Sept. 9, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50 Vegas worlds 2022 But really, for an "Open" team, there is no consequence, as they already have to give the equalizer. |
| Sept. 9, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50 Vegas worlds 2022 Sounds fair enough Dave. Technically "Open" is the highest division right, not Major Plus. Wouldn't an "Open" team be any team with more than 4 players from Non-bordering states and/or at least 1 player from the opposite side of the Mississippi River from their registered location? My point was, if Proton (just as an example, because last year I think there was a 55+ team that did this) has players from the opposite side of the Mississippi, than having them be the only "Open" team means they aren't being classified higher for not playing in a qualifier, but because that is what their roster dictates? Again, not a question about them directly, but when the rosters are being restricted like they are (as they should be) it makes it a little unfair to have a team thrown together of the best "available" players in the country that didn't play SSUSA all year because they were playing other organizations, now they come and compete for a World Championship. SSUSA isn't the cheapest to play, and SSUSA should not bend to teams that don't support it. Otherwise it looks more and more like it is just a money grab. NOTE: I am not saying that is what has happened this year, and I believe your explanation as it is. As you have stated it, it seems fair enough. Thanks |
| Sept. 9, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50 Vegas worlds 2022 Dave, If that men's team's roster aligns as a Major + team, and they are being rated as "open" for not supporting SSUSA and playing in a qualifier, I understand. If that team should be classified as an "open" team based on the guidelines, then your explanation is BS (which I hope it is not). I just looked at the team list and understand which team it is. Knowing most of the players affiliated with that team, it will be interesting to see what players show up, as they are known enough by most. It will be easy to determine what their rating should be based on the guidelines used by every other M+ team. Why would SSUSA not offer the same to teams seeking to add players that did not play in a qualifier. Why not tell teams that they can add who they want, but any team adding "exceptions" will be bumped to an "open" team. That would give them the same chance that a team forming without playing qualifiers? Wouldn't that be "fair", based on the situation that happened? Just asking. Thanks for all of your hard work, we do appreciate it! We just want a level playing field. |
| Sept. 8, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Players looking to join a team Discussion: 50 Vegas worlds 2022 Dave, it seems they are pretty strict on roster adds for worlds, which is good. They even pulled a couple of line-up cards from games to make sure a couple of our players, played in a qualifying event. Does that mean all teams had to have played in a qualifying event? Or are there teams that were able to build their team for worlds without ever playing in an event? Hope that is not the case, or else everyone should have access to pick up whoever they want, if playing in a qualifying event is not mandatory to attend the World Championships. |
| Aug. 31, 2022 SS11 | Topic: Bats Discussion: What are Top 5 Senior Bats 2022 ? OG Dudley's obviously. But the Blue/Orange Melee Reloaded (Johnny Dykes/John Heller) is as good as any other listed above. I have had great durability with mine. They swing a little light, but they are great performing bats. |
| Oct. 11, 2021 SS11 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: major plus Terry/Dave, I think part of the issue on why the number of Major Plus teams will continue to decline is because of the roster changes being allowed from a couple of years ago. I hope this trend does not continue. It was 2019, I think, that you went from 2 players from non-bordering states (same side of Mississippi) to 4. That caters to big money teams that can afford to strengthen an already competitive team into one of 2 or 3 dominant teams. Players that otherwise might play from a local team (strengthening that team) now play on out-of-area teams weakening the local team. I recommend going back to 2 players from Non-touching states. Any team with more than that, can then be considered an Open division team (limit to 4 non-bordering players, of which 2 can be anywhere in the country). These teams will have to spot runs or fielder to Major Plus teams. By allowing teams to add non-local players, you are catering to sponsored teams. The more money the team has, the better players it can get. |
| Sept. 8, 2021 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 2021 World. Championships - Dave or Terry On the tournament home page it states that the XRock SS ball is the official ball of the tournament. Is that the only ball that will be able to be used? Will SSUSA have plenty to be purchased? If we have the Stote Microcell balls, can we use them? I know this year is a little different due to the issues with supply chains around the world, so wanted clarification before we get out there? Thanks |
| Aug. 26, 2021 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Looking for opinions and or thoughts Here is another take, that may or may not be popular. They created an extra division this year, "Open". So now there is one "Open" team, and they feel that other teams of a lower division might take the 11th fielder or 5 runs? The same question can be asked back, Should there be an asterisk if an Open division team wins a Major Plus World Championship? It is great that there is 1 sponsor at that level to pay for players from the other side of the country to represent their team, and would be an honor to be asked to do that. There might even be another sponsor or two that could do that, but choose to build a Major+ team instead. By that same philosophy, why have any divisions? Why not have 1 division and best team wins? How does a Major+ team with no sponsorship, or vary limited sponsorship, compete with the All-Star teams made up of players from across the country? Why not just let teams choose the division in which they play? I think it was a bad call to increase the number of out players from non-touching states from 2 to 4. It caters to teams with sponsorship money, and makes it more difficult for teams that do not have that money to compete. Because it was the highest division, it was pretty competitive. You end up like USSSA Conference where you have 3-4 Major Teams that have the largest budgets. This is building towards that. According to the announcement from earlier this year, in Seeding games, the equalizer is required or still optional? "the Open team would be required to give an equalizer per usual equalizer rules." "SSUSA Rules Committee Approves Open Division for 2021 Jan. 1, 2021 SACRAMENTO - The Senior Softball-USA (SSUSA) National Rules Committee voted unanimously to create an Open Division on Wednesday. In the online special meeting, Rules Committee members established an Open Division for ages 40+ through 70+ that would follow the same playing rules as the Major Plus Division. Open Division teams would use the same team roster composition rules with the exception that each Open Division team may draw up to two of its four out-of-region players from the opposition side of the Mississippi River as the team’s home state. As soon as a Major Plus team draws one player from the opposite side of the Mississippi River, it becomes an Open Division team. The motion passed 8-0. The Rules Committee confirmed that Open Division teams would need to qualify for the SSUSA World Masters Championship by playing in at least one SSUSA tournament, and that in any pool games against Major Plus teams, the Open team would be required to give an equalizer per usual equalizer rules. The Committee created the new Open Division, rather than just changing Major-Plus rules because they felt it would put teams moving up from Major to Major-Plus division at a distinct disadvantage. In addition, many Major Plus teams have already established their rosters under current rules. The new Open Division and roster rule becomes effective Feb. 1, 2021. Terry Hennessy noted that SSUSA staff still need to survey managers on the other roster rule topics presented to the Rules Committee in December. The committee will reconvene to consider any additional rule changes after those surveys are complete." |
| Aug. 26, 2021 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 2021 World Championships equipment Dave/other SSUSA staff, What balls are allowed for use at the 2021 World Championships? Stote Microcell 44/375 (must have SSUSA stamp)? Trump XRock with SSUSA stamp? Any and all balls that have the SSUSA stamp? Thanks |
| Jan. 15, 2021 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 2020 or 2021 Rule Change? Was the rule changed for Major Plus teams to go from 2 out of region players (same side of Mississippi) to 4 to help sponsors build the best teams possible? Why not make it like USSSA and just let teams go cross country? That rule favors sponsored teams, and will lead to a decrease in participation in major plus over the next 2-5 years. |
| July 16, 2019 SS11 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National Field Assignments? Wehn xan we expect to see the field assignments? |
