2010 West Texas USSSA Reclassifications

[Bobby Drum]

2010 West Texas USSSA Reclassifications will be listed here no later that Monday December 14, 2009. December 12, the area directors and West Texas Reclassification Committee will meet to discuss final moves for the 2010 season.

[Bobby Drum]

2010 USSSA West Texas Rules and Bump Information


Other Important 2010 Dates
August 7-8 WTX Men's Class C State Tournament - Midland, TX
August 7-8 WTX Women's State Tournament - Midland, TX
August 7-8 WTX Men's Class D State Tournament - Amarillo, TX
August 7-8 WTX Men's Class E State Tournament - Amarillo, TX
August 21-22 WTX Hispanic Men's/Women's/Mixed State Tournament - Lubbock, TX

Midwest Division - National Dates - 2010

Men's B SBW-Euless September 4-5 Sherwood, AR August 21-22

Men's C Cedar Hill August 28-29 Nashville, TN August 21-22
Men's C Tulsa September 4-5 Lafayette, LA August 28-29

Men's D Houston August 28-29 Fayetteville, AR August 21-22
Men's D Hutchinson, KS August 28-29 New Orleans, LA August 21-22
Men's D Boomer-OKC September 4-5 Jackson, MS September 4-5

Men's E Aurora, CO August 21-22 Lafayette, LA August 21-22
Men's E Midland August 28-29 Tupalo, MS September 4-5
Men's E SBW-Euless September 4-5 Johnson City, TX August 28-29

Women's Aurora, CO August 21-22 Sherwood, AR September 4-5
Women's Cedar Hill August 28-29 Biloxi, MS September 4-5

Church Montgomery, AL August 14-15

2010 World Tournaments

Men's Major World Sept 22-26 Disney
Men's A World Aug 13-15 Disney
Men's B World Sept 17-19 Disney
Men's C World Sept 23-26 Disney
Men's D World Sept 23-26 Disney
Men's E World (North) Sept 23-26 Sterling Heights, MI
Men's E World (East) Sept 16-19 Disney
Men's E World (West) Sept 16-19 Aurora, Co
Women's A World Sept 25-26 Disney
Women's B World Sept 24-26 Disney
Women's C World Sept 23-26 Disney
Women's D World Sept 23-26 Disney
Mixed Major World Oct 22-24 Disney
Mixed C World Oct 22-24 Disney
Mixed D World Oct 22-24 Disney
Mixed E World Oct 22-24 Disney
Mixed C World (West) Oct 22-24 Gilbert, AZ
Mixed D World (West) Oct 22-24 Gilbert, AZ
Mixed E World (West) Oct 22-24 Gilbert, AZ
Military World Aug 20-22 Panama City, FL
Black American World Sept 17-19 Birmingham, AL
Corporate World Sept 11-12 Indianapolis, IN
Church World Aug 20-22 Cary, NC
Hispanic World Sept 10-12 Gilbert, AZ
Masters 35 (North) Oct 1-3 North Branford, CT
Master 40 (North) Oct 1-3 North Branford, CT
Masters 45 (North) Oct 1-3 North Branford, CT
Women's 35 (North) Oct 1-3 North Branford, CT
Masters 35 (South) Oct 8-10 Lexington, SC
Master 40 (South) Oct 8-10 Lexington, SC
Masters 45 (South) Oct 8-10 Lexington, SC
Women's 35 (South) Oct 8-10 Lexington, SC
Masters 35 (West) Oct 1-3 Salem, OR
Master 40 (West) Oct 1-3 Salem, OR
Masters 45 (West) Oct 1-3 Salem, OR
Women's 35 (West) Oct 1-3 Salem, OR
Masters 50/55/60/65 Aug 6-8 Maumee, OH
Boys/Girls (East) July 15-18 Tupelo, MS
Boys/Girls (West) July 29-Aug 1 Lubbock, TX

Playing Rules Passed During the Convention

1.) Rule Book Reference Page 25
Rule 4
Section 8c

"In the Men's E and Mixed E programs, any batter who hits an untouched
fair fly ball over the fence in fair territory will be declared out and it will be
an inning ending out."

NOTE:
This will make the penalty for a homerun in Men's E and Mixed E an out,
an offensive ejection AND an inning-ending out.

WTX - 3rd HR will end the game in all tournaments except NIT's and National

2.) Rule Book Reference Page 31
Rule 5
Section 6

"Allow teams to bat 12 instead of 11, if they chose to do so (two AH's instead
of one)."

NOTE (Does Not Apply to the Mixed Program)
Allows 1 more player to participate instead of sitting the bench. There is no
offensive advantage to a team for using this rule, as it makes it that much
longer to get back to the top of their order.

3.) Rule Book Reference Page 14
Rule 2
Section 3d

"The Classic Plus Ball:
1.) shall have an optic yellow cover; and
2.) shall have "USSSA Classic Plus" in 1/8" lettering and the USSSA logo with a
7/8" diameter; and
3.) shall have lettering and logo in red and the stitching shall be in blue and
lettering and logo shall be applied to be indelible. Manufacturers,
however, may have their name and logo in any color; and
4.) shall have a COR up to .52 or less under the ASTM test used under the USSSA
Softball License Agreement; and
5.) shall have a compression between 225 and 375 in weather between 40 degrees
and 100 degrees under the ASTM test used under the USSSA Softball
License Agreement; and
6.) shall weigh 6.4 ounces +/- .2 ounces

NOTE: The Classic Plus ball will be legal in USSSA play beginning April 10, 2010

By-Laws Passed During the Convention

1.) By-Law Reference Page 64
Article II
Section 9(b)

"Change December 1 to February 1"

(b) Teams not reclassified by the By-Laws that want to appeal their classification
may do so between December 1 and March 1 and/or June 1 and July 1. Teams
reclassied by appeal between December 1 and March 1 may be reclassified by the
State Director after the team plays four (4) USSSA sanctioned tournaments or June
1, whichever occurs first. Teams appealing between June 1 and July 1 must have
played in four (4) USSSA sanctioned tournaments. Appeals must be filled out on an
official USSSA appeal form and submitted to the Division Vice President. The appeal
will be reviewed by the Division Vice President, Executive Vice President and Assistant
Executive Director

NOTE: West Texas USSSA will ONLY be accepting reclassification requests from teams
beginning June 1st. A decision will be reached on all teams' reclassification requests
by July 1st and NOT BEFORE. Obviously, we will give more "weight" to a team that
participates in the program to a great extent more so than the team who just plays the
"minimum" number of events. Two of the four events must be NIT's

2.) By-Law Reference Page 64
Article II
Section 9©

© Exception: Teams reclassified by the By-Laws, with extenuating circurmstances, may
appeal their new classification between December 1 and March 1. The appeal will be
reviewed by the respective State Director, National Program Director, respective Vice
President and Executive Vice President and Assistant Executive Director.

3.) By-Law Reference Page 65
Article III
Section 5(b)

"Changes Release Deadline from August 20 to 72 hours prior to the first National
Tournament; also allows teams advancing to World Tournaments ability to release
players."

(b) A team manager may release up to four (4) players from his team's qualified frozen
roster. A team manager may replace a released player with an add-on. No player will be
allowed to be released from a qualified team's roster anytime after a team's first National
Tournament. NOTE: teams advancing to World Tournament play may release players
after their National Tournament in order to make room on their roster for player additions
as specified in Sec. 5(a). Players released after National Tournament play may not be
added to another team's roster.

4.) By-Law Reference Page 69
Article V
Section 4©

"Removes "Mixed Major" and allows all mixed and women's NIT's to reduce the costs
associated with conducting tournaments with a limited number of teams.

© In all Mixed and Women's NIT tournaments with less than six (6) teams, the Tournament
Director has the option to run the event without trophies, with one Umpire, and/or without
scorekeepers. Teams must be notified by the Tournament Director in advance of these
changes and given the option to play or withdraw.

5.) By-Law Reference Page 70-71
Article V
Section 8

"Remove letters a, c, d and e."

6.) By-Law Reference Page 71
Article V
Section 13©

"Would require the top ten (10) percent of finishing teams in Mixed "D" and "E" World
to move up instead of the top six (currentl by-law)."

The top ten (10) percent of the finishing teams in the Mixed "D" and "E" World must
compete the following year in a higher classification. NOTE: This includes teams that are
tied with teams finishing in the top 10 percent in order of their finish. All percentages
are rounded up.

7.) By-Law Reference Page 65
Article III
Section 5(e)

Change to read "(e) Any exceptions to Article III, Section 5 above must be approved by
the respective State Director and Vice President."

8.) By-Law Reference Page 65
Article III
Section 5(a) and 5(b)

Change the fifth and sixth sentences of Section 5(a) to read as follows:
The team manager shall be allowed to add only six (6) players to the qualified team's
roster. One of the six (6) players must be added prior to May 1st; one must be added
prior to June 1st, and one must be added prior to July 1st."

Change the first sentence of Section 5(b) to read as follows:
(b) A team manager may release up to six (6) players from his team's qualified frozen
roster.

9.) By-Law Reference Page 63
Article II
Section 9(a)

Change: NOTE: Any team reclassified by the By-Laws with four (4) or more players
(Mixed teams are allowed a maximum of 2 males and 2 females) from the previous year's
roster must partcicipate in their new classification for a period of one (1) year; however,
teams reclassified by the By-Laws may make an appeal to be reinstated to its former
classification only after the team has played a minimum of four (4) tournaments for the
Men's, Women's and Specialty Programs and two (2) tournaments for the Mixed Program.

2010 Bumps

Men's D to C
The following teams will be bumped for ALL tournament play through the World tournament.
The following criteria was used to determine the following teams to be bumped: 1.) a USSSA
Power Rating of 1100 or greater or 2.) an "in class" winning percentage of .600 or greater; or
3.) a top finish in the top 25% of a state tournament in 2009.
The teams bumped should have played in a minumum of 10 or more games in USSSA events.

T Express Outlaws
Animals Phillies
Prodigy Softball Bravos R
West Texas Fury Team Force
West Texas Fury/Indians
F.T.P. Double E Trucking
Hitmen Empire Huckleberries
Hitmen Softball Freaks
Fair Warning Mestizo
Latinos EP Rookies
H & H Softball Ghostman on Second
Scorpions Gomez II Bail Bonds/Los Jefes
Jimmy Finchers/Vintage Shockers
Vintage Dyess Softball Club
Tequila Hydro
Shirt Factory Invasion
Astros O Affliction Softball
XZIBIT Bravos M
Mudcats La Famiila - Canutillo

Men's Super D
The following teams will be bumped for ALL tournament play in West Texas and New Mexico through
State tournaments. These teams must play in Men's C tournaments and be considered as a Men's C
team when playing in West Texas and New Mexico events.

Pongase Ready Midget Mafia
Just Us Big House Softball
TNT Bourbon & Blues
West Texas Bash Havoc
Rams WARRIORS
Blaze Pyramid Softball
Back 2 Basics Pipelaying Donkey Punchers
Coldbillies Softball Big Dogs Softball
Turn 2 Abilene Gametime

Men's E to D
The following teams will be bumped for ALL tournament play through the World tournament.
The following criteria was used to determine the following teams to be bumped: 1.) a USSSA
Power Rating of 1100 or greater and 2.) an "in class" winning percentage of .600 or greater; or
3.) a finish in the top 25% at the 2009 Men's E State Tournament

EP Horns Thumb Wrestlers
Silver Bullets DV Softball
EXTREME BALLERS WEST TEXAS CARNALES
Untouchables EPT Scorpions
Da Mix EP Rail
Astlan/Mestizo RIP Softball
Aftershock Braves Softball
Big Spring Sharks Extreme Softball
LOS AMIGOS O.A.M./LA Softball
N-Dangered Abilene Express
Lubbock Texans SEMINOLES
Hit It West Texas Venom
Las Tortas FSU
Horns Canes Softball
LOS LOCOS Odessa Diablos
Lubbock Gunz Silent Explosion
Los Primos Razorbacks
Abilene Playaz Boozehounds Softball
Team Mayhem Mayhem
Major Impact Ta Dawgs
Cool Arrows Mo Thunder
GYS Odessa Stunners

Men's Super E
The following teams will be bumped for ALL tournament play in West Texas and New Mexico through
State tournaments. These teams must play in Men's D tournaments and be considered as a Men's D
team when playing in West Texas and New Mexico events.

Phillies Vanco
Weekend Warriors Los Amigos Softball
JNJ Most Wanted FSS
Pitbull Sports Team Punishers
Veneno Texas Big XII
Caviness Packing Co./Bad Intentions Cobra Kai
Team Shake N Bake Desert Dogs

Women's D to Women's C
The following teams will be bumped for ALL tournament play through the World tournament.
The following criteria was used to determine the following teams to be bumped: 1.) a USSSA
Power Rating of 1100 or greater and 2.) an "in class" winning percentage of .600 or greater; or
3.) a finish in the top 4 or 25% at the 2009 Women's State Tournament

Jump-n-Jive/Majestic Elite J. Lee Milligan
SLIX Bargain Bail Bonds/Young and Useless
GVPS, Inc Massizo
Sucias EP-Athletics
West Texas Fury Outlaws

Women's E to Women's D
The following teams will be bumped for ALL tournament play through the World tournament.
The following criteria was used to determine the following teams to be bumped: 1.) a USSSA
Power Rating of 1100 or greater and 2.) an "in class" winning percentage of .600 or greater; or
3.) a finish in the top 4 or 25% at the 2009 Women's State Tournament

LTX Women Undecided 1
Total Kaos

[Bobby Drum]

A note of clarification...While many states have local bumps, we directors in West Texas have tried to come to a compromise with a classificaion and call these local bumps Super D/E. Our choices as directors are any one of 3 different solutions. Those being: 1) Leave the team in a classificaiton where they have done better than the majority of the teams in that division over the past year, 2) reclassify the team to a completely new division ( for example an E team to D) and require them play in their new division for a period of time no matter where they play...including North Texas, South Texas, West Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, or New Mexico, or 3) compromise and require the teams to play in the upper division only in West Texas and New Mexico, where teams of the lower class are always able to compete with the teams of the the higher class. These Super teams ( called local bumps in North Texas, South Texas, Colorado, Rec plus in New Mexico) would be able to play their regular class when playing in any other state.....Option 3 seemed like the best option for teams with any question to the committee and they could compete where ever they entered tournaments.

Obviously, there seems to be some misunderstanding on these local bumps/Super teams. This misunderstanding is a compromise that allows the local bumps/Super teams to compete depending on where they are playing. I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding on the issue. If not, feel free to email me your concerns.

Bobby Drum

[alphie]

I have been looking at the other areas: North Texas, South Texas, LA, OK, and was wondering how come West Texas USSSA uses a different standard for bumping teams. I know that LA, and OK have their own USSSA, but Texas USSSA should be standard across the board. Can you explain that to us or do you just not want anyone up in West Texas USSSA to compete when they go down south or up north, where they use a different standard for bumping teams.

[Bobby Drum]

Alphie,

Thanks for the quesiton. I understand your frustration when competing with NTX and STX teams. Howeve, each of the 3 state directors used the same crieteia for classifying teams this year. All 3 of us met while at the national convention along with Oklahoma and Louisiana and came away with an understanding that we were all going to go by the same criteria for reclassification. Hopefully this will start to even things out for all of our teams. I know that our teams from West Texas have typically not fared as well as a whole when playing against those teams. We have had a few exceptions, but for the most part West Texas has struggled against them We are in a unique situation in West Texas, we set between NTX and NM. When we go to NTX we generally get whipped when playing the same classificaiton. When we play in NM, we generally do well when playing the same classification. When this happens in NM, it brings a whole set of problems for our West Texas teams because they start screaming that we are not classifying our teams correctly. West Texas is in a tough spot, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't. Hopefully, this years classification will help our situation out. If not, when June 1 comes, there will be a lot of teams applying for reclassification. Time will tell. Until then swing as much as you can and give your team a chance to compete. Talk to you at the ball park and thanks for giving me a chance to discuss with you.

[Ben21]

Just have one question Mr. Drum,

How are you gonna reclassify teams that were not registered west texas for 2009?

[Bobby Drum]

Each roster will be looked at by the area director and he/she will classify accordingly. If there are more than 3 players on there from a team that played in a higher class in 2009 and/or a team that was reclassified for 2010, then that team will play the higher classification. If after playing and the directors involved believe the teams should be looked at for further consideration. I hope that answers your question.

[Ben21]

That doesnt exactly answer the question. There are teams on your reclassification list that werent registered West Texas last year and you are requiring them to move up in classification. Wouldnt that reclassification fall on the state director of the state in which they are registered in?

[alphie]

Hey Ben i feel your pain. He really did not answer my ? either. All he could tell me was that they justify his bumps by what the other states around here do. It should be what goes on in our state. Ben you will learn that West Texas USSSA will never compete on the national level, because of the directors we have in this area. That should be the other way around, they should want us to go to other areas and represent well, but Bobby really does not care. He has a couple of his local teams he favors, but other than that he don't care how his areas represents out of their area.

[Bobby Drum]

Ben your question was answered, but if your question now is who does the reclassifying, then that would be the area director and state director where that team is from. Not necessarily where they register. NTX, STX, and WTX all have teams that try and get around the system by trying to register in another state, but they are classified by the state they are from. We have the same problem with WTX and NM. Bert and I talk about each one and work accorddingly with them.

Alphie, you have your opinion and that is fine. I believe if you actually talked to teams that DO travel outside WTX to play they will tell you that WTX directors do everything they can for our teams to compete. However, competing and winning are two different things. We do everything we can for teams from all over the state, not just local teams. I think teams from Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Abilene, Amarillo, and Lubbock will all tell you that directors have done what they can to make things work for them. We also as directors can only help your teams get there, we can't control what you do when you are there.