ASA Proposed Rule Changes of Note

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

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....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

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

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

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....

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.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

Craig Cress' interview with Fast Pitch Radio Show addressed the issue of the mask. It would, in fact, have to get NOCSAE-certified if they were to require such an item on the field. Just one more thing to add to the list, right?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Craig Cress' interview with Fast Pitch Radio Show addressed the issue of the mask. It would, in fact, have to get NOCSAE-certified if they were to require such an item on the field. Just one more thing to add to the list, right?

Which would require the development of a safe standard, development of masks to meet that standard, NOCSAE approval which requires a one-year probationary period and ONLY then will a certification be applied which will require a stamp on the equipment which, like the batting helmet mask, require a purchase of new equipment by all those involved.

Then comes all the whining, crying and accusations of ASA conspiring with the manufacturers to force people to buy a product which is mandated.

And then ASA becomes the bad guy when these teams show up for a tournament with non-approved equipment because "they let us use these at home".

What next, mandatory chest plates for all infielders and batters since a thrown/batted ball to the chest can kill them?

[wadeintothem]

At some tourneys, checking for the approval logo on approved chest plates is going to be quite a trick... if the nannyumps have their way.

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What next, mandatory chest plates for all infielders and batters since a thrown/batted ball to the chest can kill them?

Nahhhhhh, let just use one of those 6u ultra softballs. The ones that bounce around like super balls! now that's really 'softball' and no one gets hurt!

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What next, mandatory chest plates for all infielders and batters since a thrown/batted ball to the chest can kill them?

Don't give them any ideas!

[Dholloway1962]

So what was the true reasoning given for not allowing College Girls play 18G? Who was the big lobby for that change?

[Snocatzdad]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

So what was the true reasoning given for not allowing College Girls play 18G? Who was the big lobby for that change?

If they were honest about it the reasoning might have been about losing 60% of the top 100 teams to a competing organization whose members tried unsuccessfully to work within the system for change and were only heard on the way out the door.

What reason for moving the 18U Gold up a week can you come up with other than trying to get the teams that have committed to Premeir to at least show up to 18U Gold in addition.

That's what it looks like to an outsider anyway. JOFP in ASA always seemed to me to be analagous to the Marine division of Honda. A few years back Honda automotive retooled the engine for the Civic and had all the old tools obsoleted and destroyed. Almost every Honda outboard motor used that old civic motor and when they asked that the tools not be destroyed to avoid the cost of reengineering 100% of their bigger outboards the answer that came back from Honda Automotive was "We make $7 Billion worth of automobiles every year. Why do you assume that your 100 Million in Marine sales is even worth discussing?"

That doesn't mean that ASA JOFP isn't the #1 youth softball program, but it means that the priorities of the passionate few aren't always the main issue.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

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

[wadeintothem]

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.

[SergioJ]

Mike,

Did I read the Code changes correctly that said that College players were banned from 18U Gold and 18U 'B', but not from 18U 'A'? Or did I miss something?

Wonder if this will be a big topic at the 2010 JO Workshop?

Serg

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SergioJ

Mike,

Did I read the Code changes correctly that said that College players were banned from 18U Gold and 18U 'B', but not from 18U 'A'? Or did I miss something?

Wonder if this will be a big topic at the 2010 JO Workshop?

Serg

College players cannot play ANY B ball which is ludicrous (when teams are classified appropriately).

They cannot play 18U Gold. However, they can play 18U A. This way they are not excluded altogether in areas where a 23U program is not available.

However, as I understand it, this is a band aid and the issue will be refined next year that may allow some "college" players back.