Welcome to Arizona USSSA Slow Pitch Softball!

December 20, 2006

TO:                  Arizona USSSA Men’s Teams
FROM:            Doug Stark, Arizona Co-State Director

RE:                  Arizona Tournament Play for 2007

Arizona will return to rulebook divisions for tournament competition in 2007.  When numbers permit, we will attempt to offer separate B, C, D & E divisions.  During those tournaments, the following home run rules shall apply:

We will deviate slightly from the rulebook in this program.  As opposed to an out and offensive ejection, in Arizona it will be an inning ending out.

On occasion, it may be necessary to combine divisions.  If and when that occurs, the following home run rule shall apply:

The home run rule of the highest classified team shall always be played.  For example MB plays MC four home runs; MC plays MD two home runs, etc.

Arizona has been awarded two B, one B/C, four C, one C/D and five D NIT’s for 2007 (details elsewhere on the Arizona website).  Additionally, USSSA has created E NIT’s that will offer paid world tournament entries (no travel money).  Arizona was awarded three ME NIT’s.

USSSA will continue with the National Tournament Concept, but may offer multiple events within each geographic division.  Each Far West team advancing on to a World Tournament will be required to participate in a National, but you may play in more than one if you wish to earn more points/money.  Final particulars will be available after the January Board of Directors Meeting, but the Far West schedule has been tentatively set:

Also, please be aware of the By-Law change from 06 (page 93 Article II, Section 8).

All teams that wish to compete in out-of-state tournaments sanctioned by the USSSA must register and be classified by their home State Director.

A tournament Director shall not accept an out-of state team unless:

Remember, out of state travel is a privilege and not a right, and the State Director reserves the right to have a team play in Arizona before traveling, or to classify them up if there is any question regarding the teams ability.

For more information on the how’s and why’s of the program, do not hesitate to contact Ed Johnson, Classification Chairman, at 623-877-1336 or Mike McCormick at 480-812-8984.  USSSA has long been the national leader in innovative ideas in slow pitch softball and Arizona is attempting to continue that tradition. 

What’s new for 2007??

Arizona will institute a pilot program for 07 that will be entitled “Old School Softball”.  On certain weekends (schedule in the process of being finalized), we will offer tournament opportunities to just play ball.  No roster restrictions, no points - just old fashioned playing for the enjoyment of the game.  Teams will classify themselves into one of two divisions.  The open division will play two home runs and then the one up rule.  The recreational division will use the inning ending out.  The open division will pay a little higher entry and have more upscale awards, and the recreational division will pay less and play for T-shirts.  Combine teams, play with your city league roster, or just a group of friends…no worries about violating classification or eligibility rules.  Let’s just play!!  More information will be forthcoming…watch for this fun and exciting idea!

USSSA Altered Bats Procedures

The days of using altered bats in USSSA play are about to come to an end. As a result of rule changes to be implemented beginning in the 2004 USSSA playing season, USSSA is intent on removing all altered bats from USSSA play.  Beginning in 2004, if you feel that a player may be using an altered bat in USSSA play, you should report it to the appropriate local or state USSSA director.  The Director will have the authority to inspect the bat and to suspend the suspected offending player.  The suspected offending player will have a couple of choices:  First, he can allow the director to inspect the bat and reach his initial conclusion on whether the bat might be altered or he can keep his bat from inspection and accept a 1 year suspension from USSSA play with no right appeal; Second, if after allowing inspection, the director has decided that the bat might be an altered bat, the suspected offending player may allow the director to send the bat to the USSSA Altered Bat Committee and/or the Manufacturer of the bat for a determination on whether the bat is altered or he can accept a 1 year suspension from USSSA play with no right of appeal.  During the time of the examination of the bat by the manufacturer, depending on the sole discretion of the USSSA Altered Bat Committee the USSSA may suspend the suspected offending player pending the decision.  If the manufacturer or the Altered Bat Committee of the USSSA determine in their sole discretion that the bat has been altered the Altered Bat Committee may suspend a first time offender for up to 2 years from USSSA play. Such suspension decision may be appealed at the next USSSA annual meeting. For a second time offender, any suspension under this altered bat suspension process will be for life.

The responsibility for knowing whether a bat is altered is that of the user and the owner of the bat.  If an individual uses a bat in USSSA play or is the owner of a bat that is brought into a USSSA facility, the suspensions will be imposed with out regard to what the individual knew about the bat being altered.  An individual must know that his bat is not an Altered bat, if he brings it into a USSSA facility or uses it in a USSSA game.  If not, the individual can be suspended from USSSA activities.  The fact that the individual did not know that the bat was altered is not a factor in imposing the suspension. The question is only whether the bat is altered or not.

Altered bats are bats, which have:

1. had the surface of the barrel or the taper changed in any way such as by sandpapering or applying a solvent to the surface such as fingernail polish remover or by any other means,
2. had the plug removed/replaced or changed in any way,
3. had the knob removed/replaced or changed in any way, or
4. had anything removed or added to the inside or outside of the bat other than tape at the handle or knob.

Cracked, worn (paint/lettering wear is not a problem so long as the bat can be identified and has the appropriate BPF marking, but any wearing of the bat material or identifying paint or BPF wear will be cause for removal) or damaged bats are not altered bats, but will also be removed from play by USSSA directors and umpires.  Such cracked, worn or damaged bats will not result in a player suspension, unless the player returns the offending bat into USSSA play after it has been removed or the bat is also altered.

Don DeDonatis
Executive Director USSSA