Softball Advisory Committee

Minutes
September 5, 2002 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida


The Softball Advisory Committee met on September 5, 2002 at 10:00 A. M. The following members were present: Loretta Shane, Catherine Beebe, Sallie Scudder, George Coffey and Kathy Finnucan and David Wilson. FHSAA Staff present: Cecelia S. Jackson, Gary Pigott and Ronald Allen.

The meeting was called to order and members were introduced along with instructions for completing travel vouchers. Cecelia Jackson reviewed the responsibilities of an advisory committee. Committee was reminded that they would review the previous recommendations to be presented to the FHSAA Board on September 30, 2002 and new recommendations which will be posted for the required one year on the web site.

George Coffey served as the chairman with five voting members. Mr. Wilson arrived at the meeting after the voting items had been completed. The following are the recommendations for the September 29-30, 2002 FHSAA Board Meeting.

RECOMMENDATION #1: Recommendations to change and rename the levels of the state series, expand format to the state finals, add one day to the state tournament and develop a cross- bracketing rotation system for the state brackets. (Motion by Coffey, Second by Slater)

A. Advance eight teams to the state tournament (6 classes –48 teams) and cross bracket those teams so that teams in the same region would not play each other until the championship game.
B. State Series: Region Semifinals, Region Finals, State Quarterfinals, State Semi-finals, State Finals.
C. Regional champions would advance to the state quarterfinals (8 teams).
D. Add Tuesday to the state tournament schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday).
Games to be arranged so that each class will be at the site two days only.

Rationale: The brackets as they are currently played allow the district champion and the runner-up to meet again in the regional finals if both teams advance. By advancing the regional final winners to the state quarterfinals and then re-bracket, the district winner and runner-up will not meet again until the state finals. Making this change will allow the districts with the stronger teams to advance to the state tournament.

SAC Vote: 3-1 (5 members present)
SAC 2nd Vote: 5-0 (Motion by Scudder, Second by Finnucan)
AD Advisory Vote: Disapproved 8-0
AD Advisory 2nd Vote:

RECOMMENDATION #2: Move the 2003 fast pitch softball practice date to coincide with the starting date for baseball (January 20, 2003). (Motion by Finnucan, Second by Beebe)

Rational: Softball asked for this season adjustment 2 years ago and it was denied by the Board. Baseball made the recommendation for the 2002 season and it was approved by the Board. Both sports are played during the same time of the year and both have the same number of weeks for contests. The rational for baseball was to allow players extra time to prepare for the season and reduce injuries. Softball players are subjected to the same type of injuries and we request that the same consideration be given to these athletes.

RECOMMENDATION #3: NF Experiment to use “Intentional Base on Balls” for fast pitch: After discussion by the committee and a motion to amends the request to use it for junior varsity level only (Motion by Finnucan, Second by Beebe), after further discussion, the request was denied by a 3-2 vote.

Reviewed the sportsmanship up date (data sheet).

Review of 2002 State Tournament: Committee would like to see improvement of the state tournament site when the current contract expires. Venue should be of the caliber secured for other sports to showcase the state softball tournament. The committee would like for any of it’s members to view the proposed sites for input prior to FHSAA selection and confirmation by the FHSAA Board.

FHSAA Softball Rules Clinics: A reminder item for the rules clinics regarding the pitcher’s mound and safety. Pitching area should be repacked and smoothed out so holes do not exists
in front of the pitching plate.

Discussion items by the Committee:

Discussion of the tie break procedure as to whether the coaches want to reconsider the use of it during the regular softball season and/or state series. Committee recommended that a survey be done at the FACA Softball Meeting in December and other softball meetings.

Discussion of National Federation new rule changes for 2003 season and the update from the ASA on banned bats. Schools should go to the ASA website (www.asasoftball.com) to make sure that players have legal bats.

Discussed pitching limitations in regards to increasing injuries to pitchers. There are concerns regarding the increase of pitching injuries in fast pitch throughout the state and the country. Many players are pitching multiple games during concurrent seasons (high school, leagues, travel teams) and numerous games in invitational tournaments.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

We wish to thank all members of the softball committee for taking time away from their busy school schedules to serve the students of this Association. And a special thanks to those committee members whose terms expired with this meeting.