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When asked to write this column several years ago, I said I would not use it as a political platform and would only to express my observation on things, talk about the game and its rich history. To this date I have tried to calm the umpires, players, coaches and fans with respect to explaining some of the facts about the rules and other problems that came about. Sometimes it would affect my own team, but most times it affected others.

I have served twelve years as ASA Commissioner; I have served as President of the Senior Softball League, and even a year as President of the CCMSA. Served on the travel league board for the past 8 years, attended I don’t know how many meeting and cast my vote via email on many different subjects to come before the travel league board.

This past weekend is one of the few times that I have been cursed at and called a chicken or a bad sport and told I was afraid to play. The individual later apologized, as he did not understand what I was trying to say early in the day. As many other players have since expressed their feeling on the subject it has cause me to do a lot of thinking and wonder just how many players really understand what goes on in putting this league together and the position that many of the board members have taken in their behalf.

Back in January the board took a stand with respect to the classification of players and teams. Late, the board was asked to re-evaluate their stand on the Valley Lyons and the classification of its’ players. Several members, including myself, took the stand that if they were moved up by code, they should stay class “B”, but if you let one player down you must let them all down. No one player is better then the other with respect to the code, if one is up then all are up, if one is allowed down then all must come down. Later after hearing the reason for their reclassification the board agreed that all players should be moved down and that was what was recommended to the PCR board. Our opinion counted and all of their players were dropped back to “C”, unfortunately it was to late for the team to regroup and play as a team, but the players at least get to play ball and are scattered throughout the league on various teams. It in fact makes the league a lot stronger and more fun.

Now other players that have been “B” for several years want to be “C” and are asking for the chance to play, they were told NO. At the managers meeting in January, the status of Energy Link players was discussed and the board, as well as the managers all agreed not to use any of these players during the season since they were going to play in the “B” National tournament. I in fact had several emails addressed to me about how many games they would have to play in the association in order to earn a berth to the National “B” tournament. Here too I voted my onion on the matter.

Now I show up to the first weekend of ball and find that not one thing that was voted on counted. Players are stacked on one team again, players rated “B” in other states are allowed to move down and pitch in our league. Other pitchers are told they can throw in the league but must play with the last place team. In fact these pitchers are not re-rated, but allowed to pitch in the league so they can have their stats evaluated with a chance to be re-rated later in the season. So what we have is a “B” rated pitcher beating teams that are “C” and giving them a critical loss in the league. If they are going to pitch him for stats, let him pitch only against the best teams so we can see what he is really made of. To have him beat the middle and bottom teams will give you no stats to his true ability as a pitcher. 
If you think this is crying or sour grapes, then you will need to go back in the archives and read my articles, you will find that I have no bone to pick with any player or any classification. I have always said to bring the best and we will play them. I would rather get beat by a good team then win a game by the score of 20-1.

I think a team can only improve by facing better then themselves and that is the whole idea of playing softball, to get better and take pride in the achievement one makes in doing so. Take BRIK of old, and now the Outlaws, every team goes into the game expecting to beat them handily and sometimes it takes a lot to beat them. This past weekend they were ahead going into the late innings in 3 of the five games. They had Silverhawks down 8-1, Party Time Rentals down 3-1 and Fresno Shockers down 4-1 before losing these games. It only makes this team better each year by facing teams that are better then them. Two years ago they were not in very many games, in fact they got beat by the eight run rule 75% of the time. Last year they won four or five games, so you can see how they have improved, OR HOW THE LEAGUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT DOWN? I think they have gotten better due to the competition they face. But now to the point of all this and that is, that if we make rules, WE NEED TO KEEP THEM.

Why have rules if every time someone wants to break them, they just show up and play. It is a waste of my time to attend meeting, take the time to make informed decisions and research rules if they are only going to be changed or ignored. Many of the teams in the league feel the same way, many players have emailed me about this and it is always just a few that violate the rules for self gain and a chance to win a title. If this is going to be the case, then why not let the Energy Link team back into the league, it would only make it a stronger league and I don’t think they would repeat as National Champs again. It is a special thing to win it all; it takes a team effort, things to go your way, no injuries and everyone showing all the time. If they were to play and win it all a second time, then move them up, but to make them go “B”, fall apart and play in the league with other teams is just a farce.

Why not open the league up to all comes, regardless of classification and at least let the rest of us know going in what we are going to face. The Silverhawks, Party Time, Mixed Company, Outlaws, Hayes and KHT Pumpers would still get in the league to play the game we love, but at least we would not get surprised or blind sided on the first weekend with loaded up teams and rules that have changed in the middle of the game. Not one of the teams, players or managers, not even the sponsors worry about who they play. They spent the money and take the time because they love the game, but they want to see the rules followed and decisions that are voted on by all at least honored. This game is losing ground to slow pitch, to video games and scandals on the national level. So please do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. If we keep changing the rules it will not be long before there are no teams to play, no game to enjoy no weekends at the ballpark.

I apologize and am truly sorry for the soapbox, but fair is fair and right is right. Think about it and discuss it, then let your feeling be know by posting them to the smack talk on the website, or shut up and play.

See you at the ballpark in Tulare!