Thread: Bats
View Single Post
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Sat Nov 13, 2004, 10:25pm
IRISHMAFIA IRISHMAFIA is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 14,565
Quote:
Originally posted by nhg41
Was just wondering if the ASA will ever get around to making adequate bat rules for the lower divisions of play (i.e. Mens D and E slow pitch, Co-Ed Slow pitch) We've all heard the stories of players being seriously injured or killed because the game no longer relies on talent, but more often on technology. I run a local Co-Ed league and last year proposed a rule that all the caoches in the league voted on to adopt. We allow no composites, double-wall or "shell" bats (EST, Connexxion, Demarni, etc.). Among the composites were the Synergy models, Miken models and all of the Mizuno Techfire series.
This made for a much more competitive league and kept the games from being total routs.
Over the course of the year I saw many line drives hit up the middle that could have, in my opinion, seriously injured the pitcher if the ball had been hit using one of these bats.
I play in various leagues and all have their own specific by-laws and it has become more commong in these leagues to have similar rules. Some merely outlaw composites, some just double walls and others merely specify single wall only. Of course, there is always someone who will find a loophole in any rule to give themselves an advantage.
Perhaps it is time to make it very clear that softball is generally a game of fun, not fanatics.
ASA does not officially have an "E" level, but that is actually irrelevant to the issue.

ASA standards are for ASA ball at the Championship level. Period. If a bat is dangerous to one player, it is a danger to all. Just because the more talented, perceived or actual, thinks they can handle play with that type of equipment does not diminish the power of that piece of equipment.

ASA allows associations to adopt their rules and alter them in any way those folks see fit, which is exactly what you have done.
__________________
The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
Reply With Quote