Now that everyone has had the chance to play under the ASA rule changes for this year, what do you all think?
If you are unaware, the playing rules aren't major rule changes. They got rid of the requirement for batting helmets to have chin straps. They also now allow on-deck batters to use either on-deck circle, depending on which side they bat from.
As far as code changes, there is some release clarification.
Article Number ChangeArticle 106 P 03
Player Release is for a player that has participated on a team in championship play. Theymay be released from a team after participating in Championship Play, but it shall be prior tothe State / Metro Association roster change deadline and shall have written approval fromthe Coach and Player / Parent Guardian ( if under age 18 ). For Junior Olympic Players, ifthe Manager / Coach and Parent / Guardian are one and the same, there needs to be anadditional Manager / Coach signature. For Adult Players if the Manager / Coach and thePlayer are one and the same, there needs to be an additional Manager / Coach signature.This Player Release Form must be approved via signature by the State / Metro Association Commissioner or his / her designee. A player may only be released one time. If arequest to be released is denied by the coach the player may appeal tothe Executive Director.
The rule changes also state that the top 10% finishers of the ASA/USA National Tournament get a returning berth. There are other items that were changed, but I don't imagine they effect the vast majority of teams.
I will say, I never understood why batters couldn't use either on-deck circle. I always felt if there were an advantage to be gained by this, it would be to the right handed batter. But that being said, I don't believe there really is an advantage, since players know how to time a pitcher from just about anywhere in foul territory.
Also, with the chin straps, I can't say I've ever seen a chin strap keep a helmet on a player. If they hit hard enough to knock the helmet off the head, then those chin straps were wholly ineffective. This is just my opinion.
What are your opinions? Have you been effected this year by any of these rule changes? Are there other changes that you would like to see?
If you are unaware, the playing rules aren't major rule changes. They got rid of the requirement for batting helmets to have chin straps. They also now allow on-deck batters to use either on-deck circle, depending on which side they bat from.
As far as code changes, there is some release clarification.
Article Number ChangeArticle 106 P 03
Player Release is for a player that has participated on a team in championship play. Theymay be released from a team after participating in Championship Play, but it shall be prior tothe State / Metro Association roster change deadline and shall have written approval fromthe Coach and Player / Parent Guardian ( if under age 18 ). For Junior Olympic Players, ifthe Manager / Coach and Parent / Guardian are one and the same, there needs to be anadditional Manager / Coach signature. For Adult Players if the Manager / Coach and thePlayer are one and the same, there needs to be an additional Manager / Coach signature.This Player Release Form must be approved via signature by the State / Metro Association Commissioner or his / her designee. A player may only be released one time. If arequest to be released is denied by the coach the player may appeal tothe Executive Director.
The rule changes also state that the top 10% finishers of the ASA/USA National Tournament get a returning berth. There are other items that were changed, but I don't imagine they effect the vast majority of teams.
I will say, I never understood why batters couldn't use either on-deck circle. I always felt if there were an advantage to be gained by this, it would be to the right handed batter. But that being said, I don't believe there really is an advantage, since players know how to time a pitcher from just about anywhere in foul territory.
Also, with the chin straps, I can't say I've ever seen a chin strap keep a helmet on a player. If they hit hard enough to knock the helmet off the head, then those chin straps were wholly ineffective. This is just my opinion.
What are your opinions? Have you been effected this year by any of these rule changes? Are there other changes that you would like to see?