My "inside information" comes from another board, so caveat reader...

For 2002, ASA will make the following change...

<i>Rule 8, Section 8,

T. (Fast Pitch Only) Look Back Rule. The "Look Back" rule will not be in effect until the batter-runner reaches first base.</i>

This is consistent with the FED changes for 2002 that I previously mentioned.

SamC

This was one of the 23 PROPOSED changes that were accepted. None of them are official until verified by ASA's national office.

Another interesting change - that also matches up with Fed's 2002 change - is that all subs will be permitted to re-enter one time.

And we're all going to have to buy new hats - gotta have the flag on them.

Steve,
Its bad enough to keep up with the DP/DEFO - Now we
gotta watch for subs coming back in. Better get some
bigger line-up cards - or learn to print very small.
I can see less playing time for the mediocre talented
players coming up. With DP/DEFO and subs able to re-
enter coaches should be able to keep strong teams on
the field.

Go to Wally-World and get the flags in the material
department and velco and sew or..have them sewn on.

glen

BTW Steve, Carl told me what the member UT stood for..
and all this time I thought you were a <font color = orange><b>HOOK EM HORNS</font></b> <b>U</b> [Hookem horn
sign]
member. :D

Glen,
Old college drop-out turned hippie here - but I was not at Texas, I was at Villanova in the early 70's. The UT is a baseball group I "hooked" up with a while ago - got some real heavyweights there.

I'll buy the hats - I buy several each year anyway. Even though I clean them a time or two in the season, it still looks best to have a brand new one for championship play and for opening day/night.

That's a good point - I guess - about playing time. I never got into the coaching part of the game - since I umped a few games while I played, I went right into serious umping when I couldn't play anymore. But, as long as the right number of players are on the field, who they is ain't my problem.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Steve M
[B]Glen,
baseball group I "hooked" up with a while ago - got some real heavyweights there.

Don't let Trish hear you say that, Steve. She was on that "sexist" line today!!!

Roger Greene,
Member UT

Damn, Roger
And I just got done elsewhere talking about how not to stick your foot in your mouth. And since Trish does some softball, she just might see this - and I hear she's a compadre of Glen's.

Glen,

I see this rule change as depriving mediocra players of playing time.

As it stands, the mediocre players often get time when the coach seems forced to make a decision and use up a player's availability for that game.

Now, when that decision comes, the mediocre player will NOT get into the game because the coach will most likely return the substitute originally used before giving him/her a shot at playing.

I consider this a bad rule change and not good for youth softball. And please do not tell me that the coaches will not abuse it because it will only be effective in Championship play as local leagues have always had the ability to alter any rule they desire and coaches don't play championship level just to get their players some live action.

As far as the flag on hat thing goes, the following is a paragraph from Section 4 of the US Flag Law and Regulations:

No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

I can't help it if the good citizens of MLB cannot read, nor care to pay attention, but I for one, have been aware of this since my first month in the Navy in 1970 and have abided by it since and have no intention on changing. Actually, I do not believe such a mandate exists is ASA, but I will be more than happy to blast them should I read that it is.

And that would be... who?

Certainly you don't mean the owners who have just declared a 6% workforce reduction as a labor negotiating tactic.

Certainly you don't mean the players who only follow the money.

Certainly you don't mean Pretend Commissioner Selig who runs a multi-billion dollar business that still somehow needs welfare.

I think he means all of the well meaning seamstresses who sewed all those American flags to the back of the MLB players shirts.

SamC

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Roger Greene
[B]Roger,

I was trying hard to remember the other person I saw
with the UT after signature and could not. Tried Sam C.,
GCB [where the h*ll is GCB] Mike R., and Irish Mike., and
several others, just could not remember.

Have seen and worked same tournaments as Trish before,
just never worked together.

glen

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
[B]As far as the flag on hat thing goes, the following is a paragraph from Section 4 of the US Flag Law and Regulations:

No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

I can't help it if the good citizens of MLB cannot read, nor care to pay attention, but I for one, have been aware of this since my first month in the Navy in 1970 and have abided by it since and have no intention on changing. Actually, I do not believe such a mandate exists is ASA, but I will be more than happy to blast them should I read that it is.


Mike,
Will not argue with you about your beliefs on this. I
spent 22 years active service with the USAF. It is just
something in the past almost two months now that has
been taken up in the emotion. However, LL and Pony
umpires have been utilized the flags on uniforms for years.
Not sure of any other groups.

glen

Steve,
Where did you get this good information?? We both have worked
with a gentlemen that has helped us both at one time or
another. I am sure she would tell you the same thing.
Mike Grogan./

glen

Glen,
It was just recently that Trish mentioned you in an email she sent. I think she was speaking about a complex and a particular umpire you both know.

Glen,

I'm sure they mean well, but it probably just means that they were unaware of the proper etiquette. However, even those in the military are only allowed to attach a US flag emblem or patch to any part of their uniform when and where authorized. But I'm sure you already knew that.

Mike

Glen,

You won't see my name attached to UT as I had my fill of some of the baseball folks over there before it officially became UT. A few took a very dim view of softball in general and do not think much of a softball umpire's opinion.

At one point, after being invited, I was basically severed from the list as I had a few disagreements with a particular individual who would attack you on the side and then cry about it openly.

But that is in the netherworld where I have no intention of entering in this lifetime.

Mike

Well, they've went and eliminated the provision that the flag not be attached to costume or athletic uniform.

However, they did not change where a flag patch may be affixed, nor did they elminate the part about being attached to apparel or equipment which may get soiled during use.

I'm still not a big fan of it. As much as I respect what the flag symbolizes, I still believe it takes more than displaying an icon and knowing three letters of the alphabet to be a patriot.

Okay, just had to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

Mike