Winter Haven Senior Softball

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We have a lot of new players, so it is time to remind everyone of some of our longstanding rules. 

Batting practice is limited to six swings after 8:30 AM. If you want to have more swings, get here earlier and grab some guys and get more swings. If you participate in batting practice, you have to participate in shagging the balls either in the infield or outfield. DO NOT SIT ON THE BENCH, TAKE SIX SWINGS AND THEN GO BACK AND SIT ON THE BENCH AGAIN. That is not fair to all the guys who are out on the field shagging balls.  

The American League guys get here at 7:00 AM and get plenty of swings. If you want to hit with the American League guys, you have to get here early, shag balls in the outfield before you can bat. This does not mean show up at 8:20 AM and spend five minutes shagging balls and then expect to hit 25 or 30 balls. 

Base coaches are required once the games begin. Base coaches are umpires if there is not a field umpire. The home plate umpire cannot see everything that is going on in the field. Also, if you know you are out, walk off the field and say "I'm out". This makes the umpires job easier and there is less arguing. 

If you really "NEED" a runner, that is okay. Part of the reason we play senior softball is to get exercise. If you can run to first base and then ask for a runner, it would make life easier for some of your friends/teammates.

Senior softball is played a little different than young men's softball. We have a safety base at first base to prevent collisions, slide or peel off at second and third base to prevent collisions, a safety line at home plate so there is no collision with the catcher and a screen to protect the pitcher. There is a rule book specifically for Senior Softball. The reason for this rule book is to prevent injuries to seniors. We don't heal as fast as we use to. We can't run as fast as we use to. We can't stop as fast as we use to. We can't turn as fast as we use to. Some of the ways we played ball when we were young cannot be used in senior softball. We need to play senior softball with these facts in mind. 

Thanks.

Don Witmer, Commissioner

Winter Haven Senior Softball