Actually, Steve addressed that.

The change was to allow the Executive Director designate the location.

At the time, I was sitting with a particular ASA member whom I believe has an inside track. One of the Past Presidents jokingly mentioned "trusting" RR to place the tournament around the country, including the possibility of Altoona, PA.

I turned to this individual and said, "I see it more like a rotation of Anaheim, OKC & Orlando".

He could throw Georgia a bone. If it wasnt for their weather, that place aint half bad. :D

As long as we dont have to go to Texas, least of all Midland.. its all good though. :D

How about also contrasting with the ground? Any color includes tan, brown, faded orange, etc.

Well, that would throw out Orange bases here, with our clay. :)

The following are the rule changes that have been approved:

Change 16U & 18U FP to 43' pitching distance

Permit the Safety Base to be any color contrasting with white

Clarified a legal bat which includes a flare/cone at the knob end of the handle

Allow JO 16U & 18U FP to wear metal spikes

Eliminate "heating" from the Note restricting the changing of the characteristics of equipment

Change the rule to return all runners to their previous base ANYTIME the BR is determined to be an Unreported Substitute prior to the next pitch.

Change 4.7.C.5 from banning "communication equipment" to "electronic equipment" from the dugout. This includes video cameras.

Change SP & 16" SP pitch height to 10' (passed by council, 162-58)

Include "Modified" in the rule allowing the pitcher to use a drying agent

Allowed Modified to use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher similar to that of the FP game.

So those are completely done deals? All of those will appear in the 2010 book?

Yep

Thanks for the update. Looks good!

This one surprises me. Why did they lower the max height? To be more consistent with other orgs? Or to get greater consistency among umpires?

The SP Task Force really wanted this. Some RPL players supported this as they contend it is easier to change bats than adjust timing. It was presented as something the players prefer and would possible draw teams back to ASA.

This was one of four changes for which the task force seriously lobbied and I believe it was the only one they got sold.

Kinda wish ASA would have stood firm on allowing college players in the Gold.. but I guess that had to go.

Thank GOD they didn't change the tie breaker as proposed - how long did it take for them to reject THAT?

Kind of surprised that the face mask didn't pass - that usually is the sort of safety thing that ASA usually takes a leadership role in promoting see, for example, the cage on the batting helmet. Perhaps if next year the proposal gets cut down to P, 1B, 3B, it will pass. And PLEASE do not lecture me on the 'its over officiating' or 'its Mommy and Daddys business' - I would prefer NEVER to see a bunch of 'bloody chiclets' out there. With a kid 12-13-14 crying in pain. If it takes me another minute or two of checking, instead of schmoozing with my partner, so be it....

It was rejected on Consent, held, debated on the floor and then rejected 178-38

Sorry, but that is ridiculous. What they are suggesting IS called parenting. And if you are aware of the hassles which were endured by ASA and the teams with the face masks on the batting helmet, you wouldn't even suggest we go through that again.

If memory serves me correctly, these proposals were rejected on Consent, did not come up for discussion in some committees due to a lack of a motion and never saw the floor.

It was, in fact proposed 3 different ways; just pitchers, F1-F3-F5, and all infielders. All were rejected by consent agenda, and all subcommittees.

And I'm thankful for that. I've not noticed a shortage of mommies and daddies at games, so they can parent their own kid.