From The Dugout - Re-Ratings & Roster Policy Changes

Nov. 1, 2022

By Terry Hennessy

Re-evaluating Moving Teams Up

     At last year’s National Convention, the Rules Committee voted to move teams up based on the number of teams in their division at the World Championships in Last Vegas.

     After detailed consultation with the administrative staff that deals throughout the year with Ratings and Rosters, I have come to the conclusion that the Rules Committee needed further discussion of the “Formula Move-Up” rule adopted at last year’s convention.

     As adopted, I believe, the “Formula Move-up” could result in a wholesale loss of teams competing in Senior Softball in the 2023 season and in the future.

     While black-and-white mass move-ups are easy to apply and understand, they do not take into consideration the actual scores of games, histories of teams, or recommendations by those directors who routinely see the teams play.  In the 60AAA division alone, 12 of the 45 teams would have been raised.

     In many brackets, it is obvious which teams are dominant – and should be raised – and it is rarely across straight percentages.

     Before we instituted a policy with such high risks, I believe we need to re-visit the basis of Ratings and, I hope, give much more jurisdiction to the staff who work on them every day.

     After the 2022 World Championships in Las Vegas this year, we reviewed all of the brackets and made the initial determination of move-ups based on which teams in a bracket are not only in the top 10 percent but are clearly stronger than the other teams. 

     We will delay any other moves until the National Rules Committee has a chance to meet and review the policy.

Tournament Roster Policy Change

     In an effort to lock in rosters to the proper divisions for tournaments, SSUSA is implementing a new policy.  This is designed to prevent unnecessary rating changes after schedules are posted, which almost always result in changes of playing times for other teams – and worse game schedules.

     Teams that do not submit their roster by the “Hard Deadlines” for a tournament will be taken out of the tournament and their entry fee will be refunded.

     Here is how it will work:

     At the published deadline for a tournament, our Master Scheduler will establish the time and date of the “Hard Deadline.”  That is the time the schedules will be drawn.

     Each team that has not submitted a roster by the official deadline will be called and informed that if SSUSA does not receive their roster by the Hard Deadline, they will out of the tournament and we will refund their money.

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