[adult-softball-l]: league play at Rainbow

[adult-softball-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that called,
sent an e-mail, came to the meeting or otherwise took the time to
respond to my inquiries about softball league affiliations.  Your input
was greatly appreciated.

The vast majority of the responses I received were in favor of ASA. 
These responses came from competitive teams and non-competitive teams. 
I had responses from men's teams, women's teams and coed teams.  There
were very few responses that were in favor of USSSA.  I would like to
take this opportunity to touch on a few of the questions and concerns
heard when corresponding with everyone.

Safety issues were the number one concern voiced by our participants. 
As an administrator of the leagues, the safety of our participants is
the number one concern.  These safety concerns included hotter bats,
hotter balls and flatter pitches.  Each one of these concerns can
present safety issues but when all three are coupled together, the
potential risk is too high.  With the exception of a few leagues, most
of the people who play at Rainbow are playing for recreational purposes.
 In the other leagues there are good players scattered among all the
teams with less talented players.  One of these more experienced players
could easily hit a ball (with a hotter bat, hotter ball and less of a
pitching arc) at one of the less experienced players and cause a serious
injury.  I know this happens now with the present ASA guidelines, but
the odds would increase with the ball coming off the bats harder.  This
safety concern is one of the prime considerations for our participants.

Another concern voiced was the relationship between tournaments and
league play regarding which national organization we might align
ourselves with.  Tournaments and league play are not really connected to
one another.  Anyone is welcome to hold a tournament at Rainbow, it does
not have to be an ASA tournament.  We hold 8-9 fast pitch tournaments
there each year.  Out of these tournaments, only one is an ASA
tournament.  Who the tournament director wishes to affiliate their
tournament with is up to each individual tournament director.  I know
USSSA does not want to put a state tournament in a park that runs ASA
leagues.  I can understand that decision.  Hosting a USSSA state
tournament would not be possible at Rainbow as these tournaments are
held the same weekends of the Show Me State Games and the City has a
strong commitment to the success of these Games.

Some of the more competitive teams have indicated a desire to play
USSSA.  However, the majority of our league teams are not competitive. 
Most of the teams will never play in a sanctioned tournament.  Each
summer we have over 200 teams play in our leagues.  At most, about 15
teams may go outside to play in tournaments.  As a director of the
leagues, I have to look at what is best for the majority of the teams in
our leagues.  The league play is what supports Rainbow.  The competitive
teams have and will continue to find tournaments to play in. 

As I said before, anyone is welcome to bring in a tournament of any
affiliation.  We would love to have some good slow pitch tournaments at
Rainbow.  If anyone is interested or knows someone who is interested in
holding a slow pitch tournament at Rainbow, please feel free to contact
me about possible dates.  Tournament affiliation does not matter.  We
would just like to see everyone have the opportunity to play softball. 
If you are interested in hosting a tournament, please contact me for an
available date and a copy of our tournament agreement.  I begin to
accept registrations in November for the following season. 

Once again, thank you for your input and your willingness to create an
outstanding softball experience.  



Carol Riney, CPRP
Sports Programming Supervisor
Columbia Parks & Recreation Dept.
P O Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
clr at gocolumbiamo.com
(573) 874-7466