Voice Your Opinion to the RSA

With approximately 4,200 members currently registered with RSA, someone has got to have something to say! With that many people, how can we make everybody happy? We need to hear from you! Ironically, that is how the RSA started.

Send us an email and we will post it on this page. The RSA Board of Directors will then review the email for content and post it with first name (or initials) only. No email addresses or phone numbers will be posted. This will be confidential!.

The RSA will answer your questions to the best of our ability, or refer it to someone who can give you a good answer. It will be noted which board member responded to your email.

Emails from Rochester Softball Players

Email from - Jason 5/9/08

Dear Sir or Madam,

First off I would just like to thank you for all the hard work and effort you guys put into making the season a success.  I know everyone on my team loves to play in the league and even though we haven’t been very successful, we enjoy ourselves each week.

I do have one question or concern pertaining to the condition of the infields.  During our first two league events this year, we have had two players get injured while trying to run the bases.  It seems as the bases (especially home plate) is substantially sunken into the field.  When we play our games, there is essentially a hole dug out around home plate and as the base runners are heading home, two of our players have turned over their ankles.  We have been playing on fields #1 and #7 for league, but have also noticed similar conditions during the Early Bird tournament this year on other fields.  It seems as though the addition of gravel to the infields has raised the elevation.  Would it be possible to discuss this issue during a park meeting or something?  If time or money is a factor, I would be willing to donate my time to help reset the bases so that it is safer for the players.

I hope this email doesn’t sound as I am complaining, I just thought I would bring to your attention something that I feel may be an improvement.  If I am sending this email to the wrong person, please let me know and I will redirect my inquiry.

Thank you.

RSA Response: Jason, We agree, and are doing everything we can to get the fields where they
should be. We'll stay on P & R to get the conditions improved. Please let us know of any concerns you have. We'll do our best to get the message to the appropriate people.

RSA

Email from - Bill 5/1/08

I for one think RSA does a great job representing it's members.  I have played softball in Rochester since the late 70's. (back when we played at fields all over town).

A lot of the complaints thrown at them are more Park & Rec issues and not that of RSA.  Please keep up the good work in all you do for the softball players of Rochester.   

 

Email from - Brian 4/25/08

I would like to respond to Matt who voiced his opinion on the RSA website.

Thanks, -Brian Baxter

If you look at the “About RSA” section on the RSA website you would have a better understanding of what they do for Rochester Softball.  In that section it states:

 The objective of the RSA include:

• 1.     To obtain funding for developing and improving softball facilities;
• 2.     To assist Rochester’s Department of Park and Recreation identify and prioritize facility funding needs and to provide funding for the same;
• 3.     To maintain an improve communication among members with Rochester's Department of Park an Recreations; and
• 4.     To enhance the image of softball participants.

The Officers and Board of Directors are elected at the annual membership meeting and serve on a voluntary basis. This year elections will be held for the office of Secretary and for Men's, and At-Large Representatives. A President will be elected from the Board of Directors. The RSA welcomes your ideas, suggestions, or comments. If you would like to attend a monthly RSA board meeting or serve as an RSA representative, please contact your representative for meeting time and location.

The Rochester Park and Recreation Department hires and trains the umpires, determines if we use a mat or not (for more info read the “Softball Rules” on the Park and Recreation website), and is in charge of the scheduling for the teams.  This is a City of Rochester Softball League, not an RSA League.  Like I stated above the RSA is here to assist the Rochester Park and Recreation Department, and to represent it’s players. 

RSA members are softball players too, my wife and I were members up until this year. She plays Women’s and Co-Ed softball, and I play Men’s and Co-Ed softball. We volunteered as members of the RSA so that we could represent the players.  The RSA does not “make rules”, they are guided by the ASA (Amateur Softball Association) which is the “National Governing Body of Softball in the United States”, and like them the RSA is a volunteer driven not-for-profit organization.

Anyone is welcome at the RSA meetings to voice your opinions, make suggestions, or just ask questions.

We encourage all to do so.

 

Email from - Matt 4/24/08

Why is it that only Rochester Softball, in the greater Minnesota area, uses a mat.  I see more and more teams leaving Rochester to go and play in towns elsewhere.  Seems pretty silly.  

Also, the 8 run innings have got to go.  Try to hire softball umpires that know the game and are not umping just to become instigators.   I have been playing softball for 25 years and the RSA league is by far the biggest joke I have seen.  It would appear that even the Mayo Clinic has its' paws in this league.  The leagues are unfair, the mat is silly, and the umpires are typically trying to get into altercations.  

Just thought you would like to know as our team is already out of Rochester.  Although we all live in Rochester.  Why not ask the players and not RSA Board members who know nothing about the game.  You are wrecking the sport in this town.  And whether you chose to believe me or not, RSA is the joke of every after game beer teams have.  We talk about you and your silly rules.  We stay only because of gas prices and the convenience.

RSA Response: Good Morning Matt,   My name is Tyler Glynn and I am the acting secretary of the RSA and would like to take this opportunity to respond to your email.  I, as well as many of the other volunteer board members, have been serving on this particular board for many years, some of our members are from the original board which started in 1992.  We all take great pride in this organization and the countless hours that we dedicate each and every year.  I know that I speak for the entire board when I inform you that we take offense to your comments that the RSA and it's members are the joke of every team during their after game beer and that we are wrecking the sport in this town.  

I would like to address each of your complaints individually.  

The use of the mat in Rochester softball was not a decision made by the RSA, but by Park and Rec.  The membership of the RSA did address this when it was brought to our attention, but Park and Rec controls the umpires and they felt this was a viable option to have the umpires stay consistent.  

Next, the 8 run inning.  I agree with you, that is a rule that needs to go away and we would be happy to discuss this again with Park and Rec and their umpire group.  As with any amateur sport, the most difficult thing to find and maintain is umpires and referees.  Being an umpire in the Rochester softball league is not these individuals life's work, they are doing this for the same reason you and I play the game, because they love it.  These men and women do the best they can and deserve our respect and we as players deserve the same from them in return.  I would inform you to take your complaints about the umpires and some of these rules up with Steve Browning who is the head of Rochester Park and Rec.  

I have been playing softball in this community for now starting my 21st year and have played all over the country at every level nationally the game has to offer and I view our organization and it's members as some of the best in the country.  We also have a member of our board that serves in a director role and the national level of the ASA.  If you would like to challenge myself or any other board member on knowing the game, I would ask you to attend a meeting and direct your questions to us as a board or to one of us individually.  Any member can be reached via email, or you are welcome to attend one of our publicly held meetings.   

Mayo Clinic does not have their "paws" in to this league.  Mayo offers reimbursement to it's employees as part of it's commitment to employee health.  Mayo will reimburse 25% of any league fees if your team or club is comprised of 80% Mayo participants.  Mayo provides this reimbursement for any organized recreational activity.  

I am sorry to hear that after 25 years, your team has decided to leave Rochester softball.  I am proud of the fact that our membership and participation has continued to grow over the years.  Rochester softball has the highest number of teams and participants to ever start a season and we as a board take a great deal of pride in that.  Please Matt, take the time to attend a meeting and voice your opinions to us as a group, or as I mentioned, seek one of us out individually as any member would be happy to discuss any and all of your issues with you personally.  Each one of us volunteers our time and resources to this organization because we love the game of softball and this community.

 

Email from - Kari 4/16/08

I understand that adult softball is busting at the seams and that is great. BUT what I have an issue with is that teams on Thursday eve are having to rotate to other fields away from McQuillan. Some of us have been playing on this night for YEARS and our league has been scheduled on this night for YEARS. So why is it that the leagues that have been moved to Thursday eve over the past couple years are not the leagues moving to outlying fields (ie. some additional men's leagues)  Are church leagues still using the fields when we could be? I have numerous couples who specifically play on Thursday evenings (men's and women's) on the same night so that the family can come out and PLUS they live out of town so they are sharing rides. NOW, I am not so sure what we/they are going to do with our women's team now having to rotate to SF west every other week.... I know, thank you for not making us go there every week...but this is really inconvenient for people and I am sure that I am NOT the only team that will be affected by this. I do understand that there is nothing to do about it this year and that we all will have to suck it up but let us please find another alternative...because honestly, this really is aggravating. I would hope that if this rotation were to have to continue that all leagues take their turn in the rotation away from McQ.

Sorry, didn't see that one coming, but I do see your point. Steve is going to have to address this one. That is not the RSA's decision. However, we will try to find an answer with you and for you.

I asked Steve what are we going to do with the growing number of teams? I asked can we expand at McQuillan? They are trying, but they can't get the land now.

We thought we would lose the total number of softball teams because of the demographics of todays softball players. We thought McQuillan would be wide open for double-headers and BAM we increased in size. This would be a great way to get more people involved in the RSA to sit down and talk to Park & Rec and devise a workable solution.

Daren

 

Email from - Benson - 4/11/08

My teamates and I are looking for batting cages in Rochester. We know of
only the one at Recreation Lanes. Are there others that are possibly
higher quality? Seems like with how many people play softball in this city
they'd be everywhere.

Well, the Rec lanes haven't opened and they won't until they have a daily average temp of 55. The Rochester area Athletic Club (RAC) has excellent batting cages, but you have to be a member.

I challenge any bar/restaurant here in town to build a cage for our teams. There my be some money in it.

Daren

 

Email from - Chad on 4/18/2007

I think you guys should update and add to your page much more frequently. It's getting boring and there is information out there to keep people interested.

Chad,

Things get pretty hectic, and remember we are all volunteers. But I will keep this site up to date more. Thanks for push

Daren

 

Email from - Dan on 3/26/2007

What bat is the hot bat this year.

Dan,

Go to this page and check on bats that are approved and non-approved.
http://www.softball.org/about/certified_equipment.asp

Mizuno, MIken and Easton Synergy are the bats most used. Demarini has the F2, and is really good. There is no clear cut favorite everybody likes a different swing. Champps in the MOA has a batting cage that you can try different bats.

Last year we found the Louisville lime green bat was excellent inthe cold weather, Miken Freak 98 is very solid. Used one that is broken in is better than new.

Everybody's faave is Miken Maniac, batting practice hit it about 300 times it should be smoking.

Daren

Email from - Tom on 8/16/2006

Upper Men's League Teams ,

My name is Tom, I recently moved here from the St. Louis area and I'm looking for a team that may need a player. I'm 27 years old and like to play in competitive leauges. I'm 6'5, 245 lbs and play first base and the outfield. I can be contacted at 251-8581

Thanks Tom

 

Email from - Mike on 8/28/2005

RSA Board Members,

Talking to Steve at Park and Rec he has told me that we no longer are receiving trophy's for anything. I know last year we received T-shirts and 3 of them did not fit our players. Steve as also said that it is more expensive for the shirts than a trophy. Here's the big issue for this. Our sponsor has never sponsor a team before and we would like to give them something back for winning the tournament and for sponsoring us. But there is nothing to give. I understand that it takes money to run the program. So, if the trophy's are less money than lets go back to handing them out.

Mike,
The money earmarked for trophies is given to RSA to offset the t-shirt money. The reason t-shirts were given was Comments given during appreciation week a couple of years ago. Your question is very well founded and should be given due consideration. Please attend the next RSA meeting on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 6P, at the Ramada Hotel and Conference center. (formerly Best Western Apache) Tom Keller RSA Board Member Umpire Representative

 

Email from - Bernie on 8/22/2005

Thanks RSA, for putting on the All-star game Saturday. I enjoyed the opportunity to play with some of our competitors. I hope you will continue the event and promote it a little more next year. McQuillan is a great facility, we should use it more for weekend tournaments, all-star games, etc. Before coming to Rochester, I played in lots of parks that were no where near the shape of McQuillan. Some didn't have outfield fences or they had snow fencing. One you had to run uphill in right field and sometimes the ball would roll out on to a busy street. Lots of chances for injuries. We played in lots of school yards, so no beer was allowed, so we all went to a bar afterwards. No big deal. Some people who've complained just don't know how good they have it. Great job, RSA!!

Email from - Bill on 8/18/2005

I first want to thank those who have given their time to be on the board of the RSA.  This is my first time to this site as I usually get my information from the Park & Rec site.  Reading the e-mails brought to my attention several concerns which quite frankly our team was unaware of, probably because we play at #2.  It would benefit RSA if a letter went to each team captain regarding the outstanding issues.  Our dues and sponsors have help defray some of the cost for the improvements at the fields.  This has been a benefit not only for the players but to Park & Rec and the city.   Who as we all know has seen their budget decreased over the years, with probably less monies being spent on softball.  The changes being discussed, amongst a few I might add, need to be communicated to the softball community.  I for one would be disappointed if coolers were banned, it would break up our team after 16 years.  As for raising fees not my first choice but would understand if you did.  I for one could afford the increase but it could turn away some of the younger players that are necessary to continue the growth of softball in Rochester.  It seems the off season will be interesting.  If you really want more comments then communicate the concrens by letter to each team.

 

Email from - Mark on 8/10/2005

When I started playing softball in Rochester, my team was new, and had to play at Bear Creek Park. There were so many teams, that McQuillan could not support the league alone. Now, the fields aren't all being utilized. This decline started about 5-7 years ago as I recall. I think there as many teams in our area, but there are several that have moved to leagues in Kasson and Stewartville.   People don't play softball, just because they want to be competitive once a week. While there are people that can't let go of their glory days, and spend a ridiculous amount of time playing and praying for tournament success at 40 years old, they don't represent the norm at the fields through the summer. Most people are playing softball for some minor competition, and major social interaction and stress relief. Quite frankly, people come as much to have a beer with their friends as they do to play - if not more.   The thought of raising revenues by eliminating coolers was not well thought out from a business perspective. Nobody is going to pay for their beer from concessions, at a higher rate, especially if they have to walk from fields 1, 2, 6 or 7. In addition to the resistance you'll see to purchase from the concession stand, you'll see less people to try to sell to. This rule will drive people away. (It's only a 10 minute drive to Stewartville.) You should be looking for a way to increasing the number of people on the fields, not decreasing them. The way to save a business that's floundering is to stop spending on operations, and concentrate on marketing (Business 101). You don't do that by raising your price, and lowering your number of customers. You should actually think about lowering your price, and finding a way to reach out to those prospective customers you don't currently have. Rather than thinking about irrigating the non-playing areas of the park, you should be trying to think of a way to lower the increasingly prohibitive fees, and/or promoting the league itself. I've never heard one PSA on the radio or seen one on TV for any Rochester Park & Rec activity.I played against a group of 18-19 year olds this year. There is an interest in the younger generations of Rochester to play (and they won't bring coolers). It would be great to see more of these young teams out there, you just have to bring them in. 

The Park & Rec will be expanding to Homested on Mondays next year, because of increase in Co-Ed teams. The number of teams has gone up in Rochester constantly the last 3 or more years. This is a fact and we have the numbers.

Softball is fun. Softball is very competitive and will always be that way. I believe that the National Tournament that is coming to town is being construed as a boost for handful of RSA Board Members. No one on the board is playing in this tournament next year. And sadly enough, Rochester will have only one team representing us in that tournament. The RSA has brought this tournament to town for Rochester businesses, community and Amatuer Sports Commission, it will bring in well over $600,000.00 dollars to the businesses of Rochester. No one from the RSA board will profit from this tournament.

I once thought RSA was not doing a very good job myself, after having a few beers from the team cooler and discussing softball with the guys. I joined and started to find out what the RSA was all about. I found that everything I heard was all rumors. This organization is run professionally, every issue is voted on by players reps from women's, co-ed, and men's. Our president plays Men's D-League ball. I myself am turning 39 this Friday, but I have only played in 5 softball games this year. And there is nothing wrong with anyone pursuing great things in sports at any age. God gave us all gifts, and it is a sin not to use them.

We tried to work out a High School League to promote students to play ball, it was not accepted by the school district. Yes, we advertised hung up flyers posted on the site emailed flyers. The coaches and Phy Ed. teachers loved it. It is a simple fact the demographics in softball players is very week with young adults. Kids in High School are golfing or goofing off. We played back yard ball when I was a kid, we didn't have an Xboxes. Kids today are going different places.

I have never seen the city advertise on TV or Radio to play Park & Rec games. It is a great idea, but the city doesn't have any money to update the fields let alone advertise. The RSA and Park & Rec are not businesses. If they were, they would not be failing. We are trying to improve and pick up where the city can't.

This quote has been on the rsasoftball web site every year it has been in existance. "If you want to make changes in what you see in Rochester Softball, join the board. I did." We have a beautiful park and it needs to be updated and things need to be voted on. Please join us Tuesday August 16th. -RSA Member-At-Large, Daren Walk

 

EMail from -Todd 7/26/05

I heard a rumor that the RSA fee per person is going to be increasing to $30 per person as opposed to the current $90 per team. Is there any truth to this? And if so why? Also, what is up with the new fences by the dugouts? I can understand the desire to keep people inside the field, but the new fences are quite annoying when returning to your dugout after batting and retreiving foul balls. Additionally it makes it much more difficult to gain access to the field in general. Why can there not be gates on the dugouts and just require them to remain closed during play? This "improvement" seems to me to be and unimprovement, and most people I have talked to feel the same way. Softball is supposed to be fun, but recently it seems the fun is being taken out.

Answer - RSA Board

Todd, thank you for your questions.  The RSA is exploring avenues to increase revenue for the membership because there are many improvements that are needed at McQuillan, and most all of them are big safety issues.  The outfield fences on fields 1 & 6 need replacing immediately.  Right now, they are bowed and bent, and outfielders risk injury on fences that are not flush to the ground.  The joxx boxes need replacing on all the fields, and the bases need to be lifted to ground level.  Infields need to be dug up on a regular basis as well as the outfields being rolled.  All of this takes money.  Did you know that there are approximately 125 games played at McQuillan each week?  That's a lot of wear and tear.     

The dugouts were enclosed by the Park & Rec.  The RSA had nothing to do with this. If fact, it was a surprise (just as the volleyball courts were). We were told that the umpires had no control over the game and people were drinking during the game.  In addition, players warming up outside the playing area posed a danger to spectators.   So now, if we want to put gates on the far end of the dugouts this will cost money too.  Please contact  Steve Browning at the Park & Rec with your concerns, 281-6160.

With that said, the RSA will continue to work closely with the Park & Rec, but do know that the softball program AND the fields still belong to Park & Rec, not the RSA.  The RSA is an organization designed with the players best interest in mind and is run by Rochester softball players.  We assist the Park & Rec to provide the best possible playing conditions for all players. 

 

Email From - Michael D 8/2/05

Our team talked about this at our last game. The 13 of us said that we would all leave to play somewhere else. It is summer and most of us this is the only time that we get out and have fun and drink something cold. If this goes you see a lot of teams doing the same. LEAVING.

As far as the trash issue. Get more trash cans. Or get a "Can only" container that way you can get the money from recycling the cans.

As we have mentioned in previous email question responses Michael, the cooler issue is just something we are considering, it is not a closed issue.  The RSA is looking in to many options to increase revenue at McQuillin, so we are able to generate the income necessary to continue with capital improvements to the facility.  As we consider the options available, we will present them to the members, this is not a decision that will be made without significant input from the people that it could affect.    As an FYI, our complex is one of a small majority of muti-field complexes in the country that allow coolers inside the complex, which is one of the main reasons we have began to explore this as an option.   If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to forward them to the RSA and one of the board members will respond.  Please remember the RSA is designed to assist the players and to provide a safe and enjoyable softball experience.    Thank you for your question.  RSA Member Tyler Glynn

I hear you Brother, nothing better than sitting around with your best friends. Playing ball, having a brew and those TWINS!!! We need to here you guys(ladies). We need to hear what you want. We are trying to keep the field up to snuff, next year we need to put in new joxx boxxes again($$$). The city is not able to pay for it all, budget cuts are killing them and we are helping. So we gotta pull this from somewhere. We have a ancient shed with old bathrooms. We have an idea what can be done with it. We could use your 2 cents worth on that as well.

As far as going to another town, that is going to hurt the league you play in. The guys you play against are going to miss you. Also, how many less beers are you gonna drink? Now, that you have farther to drive, that gives you less time out with your buds.

There will be coolers next year and there will be your team. If anyone is not going to play next year it will be me.

Regards-RSA Member At Large Daren Walk

 

Email from - Michael 7/20/2005

You need to keep coolers. If you take that away teams are going to go somewhere else. Not everyone drinks Bud products.

Thanks for the email Michael.   We'll make every effort to keep your concerns in mind, but this issue has nothing to do with the type of product you choose to consume.  Did you know that Budweiser has contributed over 15K to the RSA to provide scoreboards to our facilities?  Coke has contributed over 15K too, and that's some serious money.  Every facility from high school football, baseball and softball fields as well as the gymnasiums at our local highschools are benefited from the generousity of corporate sponsors such as Coke and Budweiser.  We are not running a bar, we are operating a softball complex, therefore we will distibute the products of the corporate sponsors. RSA Board

 

EMail from - Mark 7/18/2005

Our team is 100% against banning coolers at McQullian Field.
 
Any talk of banning coolers is viewed as a selfish money grab by RSA. In our opinion, RSA  will not realize a significant revenue gain, Teams will not purchase beer at the concession stand. Slightly warm 3.2 beer is not considered very enjoyable. Game over, head home or to the bar....
 
If more revenue is required, raise the fee or have a fund raiser, such as raffles. Don't mess up our 1 night out, with over restrictive rules.

  Any Fee increase should be justified. Some of the recent improvements seem a bit over board for park and rec softball. Sure coverings for the fences and new dugouts are nice but they are not necessary for Park and Rec Softball. In our view, these improvements mainly benefit RSA and there desire to host national tournaments. We, the average softball player, don't want or require this elaborate of a facility. So please consider the average player not just the tourney guys before raising your fees.
 
As for the garbage, coolers with beer are not the problem. Every night of the week there are 3 or 4 people walking around picking up all the Aluminum they can find. A can hardly hit the trash bin before it is picked up.
 
Also, doesn't Rochester City Ordinance (Not the RSA) control what can be brought into the park?

 

Answer: RSA Board
Mark,
Thanks for your concerns.  There are many opinions about the coolers and we respect everyone's concerns and requests.  We've even had some sponsors who are bar owners suggest we ban the coolers so the teams they sponsor get to their establishment instead of sitting at the fields drinking beer. We do understand when they desire a return out of their sponsorship.   We'll ask the concession manager to check on the temperature of the beer cooler.  Ick to warm beer!

The RSA feels that McQuillan Softball complex is far from an elaborate facility, and we as a board have made decisions to improve aspects of the park for everyone.  Most notably, the RSA has alone or with sponsors (totaling more than $250,000):

1. Built and paid for a new concession and bathroom facility
2. Paved the parking lot (Do you remember the old dusty washboard lot?)
3. Built, roofed and paved new dugouts where there were none.
4. Put new scoreboards on all the fields
5. Put in security lights for the safety of our membership and to hinder theft and vandalism
6. Installed Joxx Boxes for safety
7. Installed the safety nets
8. Installed bleacher pads to prevent increase in maintenance fees for weed control and refuse pick up.
9.  Built housing for toilets between fields 6 & 7 to stop vandalism.
10.  Installed wind screens to slow wind and for esthetic purposes.
All of these improvements would need be done eventually, but now that we have the honor hosting a national tournament, we will move forward more quickly.  Long after the national tournament is over, the benefits will be there permanently.  The Rochester and Vistors Convention Bureau is projecting revenue to the City of Rochester to be over $600,000 for the national tournament.  Mark, imagine how the sponsors and business people of Rochester will benefit from this!  I'm not sure who your sponsor is, but it is very likely they will benefit from this tournament as well.  The RSA may never host another national tournament again, but we have made a commitment and we will follow through with nothing but the best effort.  Having a facility that not only the players can be proud of and be safe at, it is also a reflection on the city itself.  I realize that majority of players in this community are playing league softball for strictly recreation purposes, but they still need a respectable facility to participate.  I am sure that not too many winter basketball teams complained when told there league games were being moved to the new UCR Center on the RCTC campus. 

As for the garbage, we agree with you, as does Park & Rec., its not the cans, but the paper.   We need to make ever effort to pick up after ourselves.

 

EMail from -Tyler 7/18/2005

Coolers are a tradition in softball - i have never witnessed nor played in a league that the team did not bring their own beer for after the game.

You would gain no more revenue by stopping it because first you would lose teams, and second people will just go to the bar afterwards.

Answer: RSA Board

Tyler,  As mentioned above, no decision has been made regarding coolers.  We appreciate your comments. 

 

EMail from -Jason 6/8/05

Aren't the umpires supposed to remain unbiased and official throughout the game and afterwards also? I attended one of my friends games and it was pretty close game. They did yell at the umpire about getting out into the field inorder to make better calls as they had a really close call out at second and the umpire never left his spot behind home plate. After the game the umpire followed them during the usual after game good game ceromony and kept calling them "the biggest bunch of whiners he's ever seen" and "I play more softball in one week then you play in a year." Now these may be true comments although I highly doubt it. I am sure the ump has had plenty of people argue calls with him before and playing a lot of softball doesn't make you a great umpire. I feel that not only was this unecessary but only provokes players to not trust the umpires. I am at the feilds almost every day there is a game and have been for the last 5 years and I have never witnessed this type of unprofessional behavior before. Fan at field 4, 6/7/05 8:15 game

Wow, I played in that game and probably shouldn't answer this question, so I will pass this on to the RSA Board. Thank You for your email Jason, RSA Board Member Daren Walk

 

EMail from -John 5/9/05

Who is monitoring bats for league games? I remember 2 years ago when each bat was checked and RSA tape was put on the handles of legal bats. That didn't happen last year or this year. Do the umpires have a list of bats that are OK for use in Park & Rec games? If there is a question on whether a bat is legal or not during a game, who settles it? Can a team ask an umpire to check the legality of a bat that their opponent is using? Thanks for your reply in advance John

Answer: Ted Dow - Umpire in Chief

Great question, John! With the changes in the bat standards (http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp) adopted January 2004, the list of non-approved bats (http://www.asasoftball.com/about/pdf/05_Non_ASA_Approved_Bats_w_pics.pdf) has been very stable. Once a bat is put on the non-approved list, it will not be re-certified. Every umpire that Rochester employees was provided with a list , including a picture, of each of the "banned" bats. Should there ever be a question of the legality of a bat, please bring it to the attention of the umpire and he/she will make a ruling. It wouldn't hurt if you had a copy of the banned bats yourself.

 

Email from - Mike 4/29/05

Answer: Ted Dow - Umpire in Chief

"How do I become an Umpire? The umpires that we have miss tons of calls, I know more than they do"

Thanks Mike! Hopefully, 1 night of "missed calls" isn't what you should expect for the entire season. Officiating any sport is a thankless job. When we call a good game, it's expected; however, when there is a close play or a controversial call, we "missed it" or worse yet, "we don't know the rules". And to make it more difficult, unlike almost all the other sports, softball is played on a large field where everyone can see the play develop.   Rochester has 30 regular and part-time umpires averaging 6 years of experience. I have been umpiring for 18 years. I got started right out of college by contacting Park and Rec. They referred me to Minnesota Sports Federation. Try the following URL for information about umpiring: http://www.msf1.org/softball_umpire.htm. There are still 3 more clinics this season (May 31st - Bloomington, June 2nd - Austin and June 9th - Mankato) to get your certification. Once you have your certification, contact Steve Browning about being a sub for this year.

 

Email from - Kristen 4/22/05

"I would like to voice my opinion on the field comments that have been received. I would also like to see the teams in the lower bracket leagues have a chance at the better or nicer fields. I am always reading and am told that Park and Rec and the RSA would like this to be a family event. So that people and friends and family of ALL ages can come out and enjoy the sport.  As a player whom always gets put on the outer fields, I am UNABLE to bring my family to watch and enjoy as there is NOTHING for them  to do on the outer fields. If they want something to eat or drink, or if they want to play, and on field 2 when they need a bathroom, we have to walk a rather long distance and when playing a game there is not time allowing for these things to happen. And as far as the bathroom on field 2 its hard to get 2-4 year old to the port-a -potty before an accident occurs. I feel that you make in a evening impossible to bring your younger children out to enjoy the night and have that family environment when the lower leagues are 95% of the time put on the lower quality and far out fields."

Answer - Daren Walk, RSA - Member At Large

Thank you for your question.  This is what the RSA Board needs to hear from their members. We are always trying to update our complex to better the Rochester Softball Experience. The RSA has requested (and paid) for an additional porta-potty to be put in closer proximity to the dugouts on field #2. This is not the first time we've heard these concerns.  We wish we could provide multiple play areas for the younger fans, but there just isn't enough money or space (because of safety). As always, we're open to ideas, and if there is ANYTHING you can recommend that is a cost-effective avenue, we love to hear them.  Thanks again for your input!

 

Email from -Dean 4/22/05

"I know they changed the rule that you can now play on 2 men's team in Rochester, not on the same night. My question is: can I sub on a team that is in a lower category? My men's team is C and the other team is D. I don't think I can but I'm asking around." Thanks

Answer - RSA BOARD

Dean, you're a stud. Everybody wants you on their team. The answer is yes. One team per night. Classification doesn't matter.

 

Email from Kari 4/22/05

"In addition to Brian's question, I would like to respond with: Why is it that the upper league women's teams (A/B and B) specifically on Thursday evenings are ALWAYS assigned fields #'d 3, 4, and/or 5? I know that last year, our league was split between fields 3 and 6 and that we all need to rotate. But it is frustrating to myself and other teammates who know that the upper league teams will not have to rotate. Historically the 2 lower C leagues (Women's Hiawatha and Men's Northwest) rotate between 2, 6, and 7. This is unfair that not all 5 leagues on Thursday evenings are rotating between the six fields being used. We all are paying the same fees to play the same sport and just because some of us are not at a higher level of play we get the shaft of playing in mosquito heaven and on a field with the porta potty in the outfield where it cannot be used during game time. I have read your response to Brian's question and am familiar with it when reviewing the letter that was sent out at registration but do not feel you have addressed the question the was asked. Can we ever expect in the future that there will be a fair rotation of field assignment?" Thank you for you time.

Answer - RSA BOARD

We are chewing on this one Kari, thanks for your question and we will do our best to get you an answer- even though it may be difficult because of the policy set forth by Park & Rec regarding league structure. The RSA is doing all we can to make quality improvements on each field, including irrigation, dugout upgrades, and infield preparation.

 

Email from - Brian 4/22/05

"Why do the upper leagues get preferred treatment? They get the best fields, the better umpires."

Answer - Steve Browning, Softball Program Director, Rochester Park & Rec

Brian, the intent of the Park and Rec is to classify teams in a division in which they are competitive. Not all teams can win championships, and some teams will disregard all principles of fair play by intentionally competing at a level below their ability in an attempt to win a championship. The team has not only cheated themselves but also the entire program. Therefore, the classification rules will apply to all divisions of play within the Park & Recreation Softball Program. Rewarding teams that move up with fields located centrally to the concession facility, and providing them with umpires that are more experienced is the standard policy.

 

Email from - Brad 3/22/05

"Why did you change to giving out t-shirts instead of trophies? Can we go back to trophies? My team has enough softball t-shirts. Our sponsors like getting something in return to put on a shelf!"

Answer - Becky Macken, RSA Officer

Brad, the RSA recommended the change to t-shirts after a majority of the RSA membership voiced their opinions during a 2003 survey that was handed out during RSA Appreciation Week. This is only the second request we've had to reinstate the trophy policy. The good new is, if you really want a trophy for your sponsor, Park & Rec will comply and give you one instead of the t-shirts. Just express your request to Steve Browning for the 2005 season if you are successful in winning a league championship.