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Originally posted by Larks
Mike,
I play 100 games a year. I've been playing for 14 years. I know a lot of managers and players in Cincinnati and I can tell you that the complaints arent here to the extent you imply they are coming in to the association. In Cincinnati we use .44 / 375s in leagues AND tourney play. Injuries are down. Games times and scores are down. Things are headed in the right direction.
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Each year I umpire as many games, UIC multiple state and regional tournaments, umpired in four upper-level ASA NCs and two International Softball Federation SP World Cup tournaments, played for over 20 years and my total umpiring life has covered 37 years. I think I can fairly state that I've been around the bases a few times.
Now that we have the credentials out of the way...
ASA went to those balls last year, that is not just a local rulte. however, the game times and scores have not gone down at all in Delaware. As the ASA State UIC, I really am nothing more than an umpire when it comes to local issues. Yet, I am the first to hear the complaints along with the county (which operates the program). The Mikens have been banned locally and what complaints do I hear now? It isn't about the Mikens being dumped, but "when are they going to outlaw the Synergy?"
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Look, I just believe that after last summer, ASA needs stability. Like it or not, players will not exempt the ASA from blame this time. If they have a ban on specific bats that fail the 2003 testing program fine, ban it. Anything else drastic can and should wait.
Why arent the Associations pressuring parks to switch to the new balls for all play rather than just championship play. None of you have yet to disagree with my point that too many parks are still using .44 & .47 / 525s!!
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You apparently don't understand the responsibility of sanctioning bodies. ASA handles championship play. They do not have the authority to tell private organizations how to run their business, just as ASA will not have those organizations dictating to them how to run championship play. Granted, the local parks are taking a risk when using equipment which has been deemed unsafe by other organizations, but if it is such a problem, why do the teams use the balls? The rules set a maximum standard, which means if you choose to play with balls that are of a lesser COR or compression, there should be no complaints.
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The ASA needs to make an approved material decision for 2004. If that means no composites, fine but I still submit we can wait because I believe moving ahead with arbitrary bans now will lead to a lengthily and costly court battle. You can complain about having to go thru court but the bottom line is when you accepted the mantle of being the decision maker on equipment, your interpretations will be subject to review. Thats just the country we live in.
I believe if you wait, your chances of staying out of court go way up and the on-going mission still gets accomplished.
Take your time and get it right.
Larks.
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And that is just what ASA is doing, making decisions, they just don't happen to be popular ones in the eye of some teams. And whether you like it or not, ASA must be careful to avoid litigation, as does every other corporation in this country in which we live.
If the manufacturers weren't so damn greedy and would actually look at their product's affect on the game instead of their bank account, the game and it's participants would be much better off. And they would still make their bucks, just legitimately.
As an active player, can you tell me the affect of what you consider the unpopular decision to ban the Miken UltraII has taken on USSSA or NSA? I haven't heard any complaints.
[Edited by IRISHMAFIA on Jun 10th, 2003 at 11:08 AM]