Softball and baseball’s
favorite newspaper since 1987
USSSA Update
By
Gerry Turnberg
Central Divisional
Vice President
Finally,
as the snow melts away, we see brown blades of grass, hopefully soon turning
green. This winter was way too long, but now we all can look forward to a
prosperous spring, summer and fall of USSSA softball.
This weekend, we
kick off our NIT schedule at
What’s new and what
we again will emphasize in 2011: 2010
brought big changes in the presentation of our softball program. We eliminated
the printing of the “USSSA GUIDE/TOURNAMENT Book” and posted all of the
information found in that book on our website at www.mnusssa.com. In general,
the feedback received from our participants and league directors was positive
with suggested changes noted and made for 2011.
Please visit our
state website for all tournament listings, fliers and ads for tournaments.
Umpire information, World champion’s photos, State Hall of Fame information and
inductee photos are posted along with much, much more.
Bat standards – The performance standard for all bats will be a Bat
Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.2 or less. The BPF was developed by the American
Society of Testing Materials (
Altered bats – Use of such bats will not be tolerated in USSSA
play. Players using such bats will immediately be suspended for at least one
year.
State Tournament
play that advances to National Competition – A minimum of nine
players can start a game. However, an out shall be declared when the 10th position in the lineup is scheduled to bat. A
10th player may be added any time before the end of
the game. Any team that starts a game with 10, 11 or 12 players may drop to the
minimum nine players to finish the game. All vacant spots in the lineup will be
declared an out every time that lineup position is due to bat. If the team
starts with 9 or 10 players, they are not allowed to add the 11th or 12th player at a later
time.
All
Pitching – The pitcher may
pitch from the pitcher’s plate or from an area the width of the pitcher’s plate
and up to six feet behind the pitcher’s plate.
Baselines – 70-foot baselines
may be used in all adult programs. Hopefully all of our parks and complexes
will have their bases at 70 feet. This will give the fielders extra reaction
time and put more defense into the game. This is the BEST rule since the 3-2
count was put in place.
Women’s Class
“D”& Mixed Class “D”
– Will have competitive and recreational divisions again in 2011. We ask that
league directors register teams in their proper class.
Bat 12 – Teams will be
allowed to bat 12 instead of 11 if they choose to do so (two additional hitters
instead of one).
Men’s “E” and Mixed “E” Program
– In the Men’s “E” and Mixed “E” Programs, any batter who hits an untouched
fair fly ball over the fence in fair territory will be declared out and it will
be an Inning Ending Out. That spot in the lineup is also an out each time it
comes to bat.
Flip Flop Rule will be used in all programs.
Use of Improper
Language and Players outside the Dugout Area – These are two topics that will again be emphasized at all
umpire clinics. It is a MUST that league directors, team managers and umpires
enforce these two topics with teams.
Team Registration ID
#’s – All teams will receive an 11-digit
ID #. All tournament reports must include the team ID # and game scores.
Rosters Online – All teams playing
in tournaments must have their rosters registered online on the USSSA National
website (www.usssa.com). This should be done before you participate in any
tournament.
Softballs – All softballs used in our program will be the Dudley Optic
Yellow Classic M in the men’s program and Classic W in the women’s program.
That is a 40 COR ball with a compression of 325 lbs.
A reminder to
individuals who play on teams in different classes – You are eligible only
for those weekend tournaments which include your highest-classified team. There
is no reason for individuals who play on “A” or “B” teams to be participating
in “C” or “D” weekend tournaments. This is something that must be policed by
the players themselves. Teams found in violation of this will forfeit all
awards and travel expense monies won and individual player eligibility may be
placed in jeopardy. Ignorance is not an excuse; know the rules!
Player/Team
Classifications – The Minnesota Recreation & Park Association’s
Recreational Sports Commission (
State Hall of Fame – We are accepting applications for our State Hall of Fame.
The criteria for enshrinement into the Hall are listed on our website. To get
applications for this, please contact my office or visit our web site at mnusssa.com.
State Hall of Fame
Golf Tournament – Our Hall of Fame Golf Tournament will be Thursday, June 16 to
benefit our State Hall of Fame. This is a fun-filled day. The tournament is a
four-person scramble with an
Women’s Equalizer
NIT – May 14-15 is the weekend of a Women’s Equalizer NIT where
lower classified teams get runs to start the game. We will also have a women’s
“D” tournament that same weekend. Visit
www.mnussa.com to view fliers of these tournaments.
Central Division
National Tournament Sites
–
Men’s Class C Blaine, MN
Men’s Class D Omaha, NE
Men’s Class E Bridgeton, MO
Women’s Class B C D Blaine, MN
National USSSA
Website Access:
www.usssa.com
If I can be of any
assistance in any of your softball needs, please call 763.571.1305 x 108 or
1-800-862-3659 x108, email turnberg@mnrecpark.org or stop by my office at
Remember – it is
you, the player, coach, fan and umpire that make USSSA a GREAT organization and
the place to be!