At the Captains’ Meeting on Thursday, April 5, 2007, captains discussed and voted on a series of proposals (see http://www.actonasl.com/news.asp?story=159) for changes to AASL rules. With 15 votes on each proposal (14 team representatives + 1 Commissioner), all were voted not to take these changes. The vote was overwhelmingly against, in fact, with none achieving higher than 6 votes in favor.

The summary of the rules is listed below, with more text in the linked news story above:

Proposed Rule 1: Use “safety” second base and “safety” third base.

Description: Base runners are allowed to over-run second base and over-run third base similar to how runners are allowed to over-run first base. Runners may over-run the base and continue in a straight line to the outfield or to the third-base fence with no risk of being put out, however if the runner makes an attempt to advance, the runner is in jeopardy of being tagged out.

This was defeated 14-1.

Proposed Rule 2: Use ASA umpires for all regular-season games.

Description: Use an official ASA-certified umpire for each regular-season AASL game. This will replace the AASL structure where the batting team provides a home plate umpire and base coaches with the responsibility to officiate half of each game.

This was defeated 10-5.

Proposed Rule 2a: Use ASA umpires for two rounds of regular-season games.

This was considered when Proposed Rule 2 did not pass.

Description: Use an official ASA-certified umpire for two games per team during the season. While AASL teams have experienced ASA-umpired games during playoff rounds, this proposal will allow teams to experience regular-season play with umpires as a trial for using ASA umpires in the 2008 season.

This was defeated 9-6.

Proposed Rule 3: Pitch an 11” softball to female batters and pitch a 12” softball to male batters.

Description: Male batters will be pitched the current 12” softball and female batters will be pitched an 11” softball. A female batter may request to be pitched the 12” softball.

This was defeated 14-1.

Proposed Rule 3a: For 2 to 3 games per team, pitch an 11” softball to female batters and pitch a 12” softball to male batters.

This was considered when Proposed Rule 3 did not pass.

Description: For a portion of the 2007 season, men will be pitched the current 12” softball and women will be pitched an 11” softball. AASL will collect information from pitchers, batters, and fielders for experiential data in these games in order to influence full-season usage in AASL in 2008.

This was defeated 11-5.

Other Discussion Items

Discussion Item 1: Catcher Poaching

See previous summary.

Discussion Item 2: Sliding

The AASL rule regarding sliding is not clearly written to put the onus on both the batter-runner and fielder to avoid collision and keep AASL safe. We will revise this rule. While sliding will not be required, the batter-runner must avoid causing a collision.

Discussion Item 3: Forfeits

We discussed clarifying rules to award forfeits against teams that are unable to play in a scheduled game and/or are not forthcoming to make up a postponed game that the opponent wishes to play. Based on scheduling limitations and a lack of sufficient free game slots in the 2007 schedule, this rule will not be revised in 2007.

This was discussed and if there’s an opportunity to apply logic to the make-up schedule in 2008, this will be proposed.

Discussion Item 4: Weighted Schedules

AASL has historically had evenly-weighted schedules where each team played each other team. In 2006, teams played each team one other time. In previous seasons, teams played each team one time and two similarly-rated teams (based on previous season’s standings) a second time.

In an effort to provide teams with schedules that are suited to their abilities rather than a pure round-robin, teams will be contacted and will likely be scheduled as follows, assuming rankings 1-16 among teams:

• Teams 1 through 4 will play 15 games total, including 2 games against each of the other 3 teams in the top 4, one game each against teams 5 through 12, and one game against one of the bottom 4 teams.
• Teams 5 through 12 will play 15 games total, one game each against teams 1-16.
• Teams 13 through 16 will play 15 games total, including 2 games against each of the other 3 teams in the bottom 4, one game each against teams 5 through 12, and one game against one of the top 4 teams.

Since the charter of AASL encourages a recreational experience and participation among teams, this change will provide a more appropriate balance of games for teams at either end of our spectrum.

There was a strong presence among the top 4 teams to have a round-robin schedule through the entire league, while 3 of the bottom 4 teams preferred a weighted schedule. The schedule is being constructed in a round-robin fashion.

Questions and Comments

If you have any questions or comments on these proposed rule changes, please contact Rich Gottesman at rich@actonasl.com and Matt Murphy at matt@actonasl.com.