Softball Advisory Committee

Minutes
August 31, 2004 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida


The Softball Advisory Committee met on Aug. 31, 2004 at 10 a. m. The following members were present: Michael Davis, Matt Lewis, Jennifer Mitchell, Gary Greer, Jeff Lang, Mark Schusterman and George Coffey. FHSAA Staff present: Cecelia S. Jackson and John Stewart.

The meeting was called to order and members were introduced along with instructions for completing travel vouchers. A reminder to the committee that the FHSAA Board meets on Sept. 26-27, 2004 to consider current recommendations and any new recommendation would be posted on the web site for the required one year.

George Coffey was selected as the chairman. The following are the minutes and recommendations for consideration.

Current FHSAA Softball Manual: The committee discussed the current softball manual and requested that the region days be adjusted to Tuesday, Friday, Tuesday format the same as baseball.

Also in discussing the previous recommendations which the Board tabled, the committee requested that Recommendation #1 be withdrawn and that Recommendation #2 be considered in preparing the RFP’s for invitation to host starting with the 2005 contract.

Recommendation #2 - (2003) 2005 – State Tournament Schedule: Recommend softball use the same format as state baseball tournament in scheduling semi-final and final games for the state tournament. Semifinals: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Championship games: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. (Motion by Lewis, Second by Lang)

Rationale: Changing the format allows only one game to be played and spectators would not have to choose as they do currently when more than one game is being played at the same time.

1st SAC Vote: 7-0
1st ADAC: 7-1 to approve provided that it remains on the web site for the required year.
2nd SAC Vote: 7-0

Tie-Break: The FACA representatives presented the results of the survey taken regarding the tie-break and there was no recommendation to adopt by the coaches. After discussion, the FACA representatives will survey the coaches to see if they will consider a tie-break optional for regular season games and tournament games. Some schools that use city and county facilities have a time deadline and this would help them to end their games in the allotted time frame.

Review of 2004 State Tournament: The committee felt the host site had improved the facility a great deal to accommodate the state tournament. Some improvements still need to be made for the remainder of the contract for this year, specifically the condition field #3.

Recommendation #1- 2005 – Submit a Request to the NF to experiment with the pitching distance at 43 feet. The committee discussed some of the reasons why this distance is not in effect for the high school program. Submit the request to the NF to allow Florida to experiment one year at the distance of 43 feet for varsity level/junior varsity level. (Motion by Lang, Second by Mitchell)

SAC Vote: 7-0

Discussion of National Federation new rule changes for 2005 season and the facemask requirement for batting helmets by Jan. 1, 2006. The update may be found on the NF web site and FHSAA web site.

Sportsmanship: A discussion of the new initiative on sportsmanship. All committee members were supportive of the new program and agree that the environment should be safe for all involved.

Discussion items by the Committee:
Discussed the procedures for softball teams to participate softball field clinics, counties that require drug testing, and recognition of all the member schools who are giving and assisting schools damaged by Hurricane Charley.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.