Cape Cod Senior Softball League

Current Section

Home

Welcome

to the online home of the Cape Cod Senior Softball League

Cape Cod Senior Softball

The Latest CCSSL News

*****************************************

All Members:

You have probably heard by now that Terry Moran has decided to “step down” as our Webmaster and member of the Board of Directors effective Friday, May 15, 2021.

His decision was based on several factors including work and family responsibilities and as president of the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a major challenge as the teams prepare for the 2021 season.

For those members who are not familiar with Terry, let me share a few accomplishments he has achieved. Terry served for eight years on the CCSSL Board and was elected as our sixth Commissioner and served two terms (4 years). Prior to his tenure on the on the Board period Terry assumed the role as Webmaster for the League in 2013―a tremendous responsibility which he continued until this season. He also served as Chairman of the By-Laws Committee, Policy Committee, revised the application process and served as an umpire for 11 years, team manager, and PEAC member to name just a few tasks he has undertaken throughout his tenure with CCSSL.

Unquestionably, Terry has certainly given his effort, commitment, and wholehearted dedication to the League and we―all of us― appreciate it very much! I am certain his decision to retire will have a profound impact on the volumes of information he has generated each week, keeping our members fully informed and engaged regarding league activities.

On a personal note―I shall personally miss Terry as a colleague, Board member, confidant and, importantly, a true friend who often assisted me in making decisions. Terry, a warm thank you for your outstanding attention to details as you performed your role as Webmaster during these past many seasons.

Effective May 16, 2021 JIM Gunning, member of Division 1, has agreed to assume the position of Webmaster for the remainder of the 2021 season. We look forward to appointing Jim to a permanent position once he is established and comfortable in this important new assignment. We also thank Jim for “stepping up” and volunteering for this assignment and are most confident that he and Terry will coordinate a smooth transition as we move forward.

In my recent conversations with Terry, he has requested that, as of May 15, 2021, all further correspondence and postings on the website should be forwarded to Jim Gunning for official actions. And, further, any postings on the website should be approved by the Commissioner in order to maintain some semblance of order and priority.

Finally, Jim Gunning will begin his duties on May 16, 2021 and may be contacted at:

Phone: 617-515-9434 OR

Email: jgunningma@yahoo.com

If there are any questions regarding this general announcement, please contact Van at 508-360-3454. Thank you.

Van Khachadoorian, Commissioner

Masters Division

In the last few years, we have begun looking at Masters Division as the final stop for League members before retiring from softball. But that was not the case just 4-5 years ago. Back then, It was not unusual to see anywhere from 20 to 30 players turn out every Tuesday and Thursday morning for an hour of batting practice followed by playing a 5-6 inning game. The players typically came from Divisions 3 & 4, along with a few pool players wanting the practice, and even a couple rehabbing from a recent injury. Still other players just didn’t want to commit to a fixed team schedule during the summer and with Masters they could play anytime they wanted. And yes, there were always those guys who wanted to keep playing the game they loved but were not able to compete at the level of play the other divisions wanted. But none of that mattered once the game began. The distribution of skills was usually balanced between the two teams, and no one really seemed to care what the score was. Everyone was there to just have fun.

Today, our Masters Division again offers to all players:

A place where recreational softball is offered every Tuesday and Thursday mornings to all players without appointment and is free of charge.
A place where players can go to work on improving their skills (hitting and fielding), or where Managers can send players to work on specific areas needing improvement.
A place where pool players can go to keep their playing skills sharp.
A place where an injured player can play as part of their rehabilitation.
A place where any player who wants to play every weekday can go to meet that desire.
A place where those players who are slowing down can go and play safely in a less competitive environment.

Our League has always offered both organized, competitive softball as well as RECREATIONAL softball. Our Masters Division enables our League to continue doing just that. So, begin again looking at Masters as a way to both improve playing skills and for recreational fun!

CCSSL Covid Safety Protocols

Given the wealth of “social media” outlets available today, there are an overabundant “sources” regarding the corona virus. “Masks work”…”Masks don’t”; “Surface contact results in minimum infection”….”Wash your hands numerous times a day”; and, the best one, “The virus is all a government hoax !!”

People have differing opinions as to what is needed and/or appropriate to safe guard ourselves and loved ones from sickness. The Board of the CCSSL has developed these protocols for our league to try and assure the safety of our players as much as possible but there are always unforeseen issues in any physical competition. Therefore players should be diligent to follow these protocols but may also add to them at their own discretion. Until such time until the COVID threat has passed, players will be required to adhere to these protocols while playing in our league. Should the State and/or local guidelines change, the CCSSL will adjust these protocols accordingly.

1. If you have any symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat), do not come to play. Please stay at home.

2. Masks: It has been documented by medical experts that wearing a cloth

mask does not protect the wearer from infection. However, it’s been clearly established that the purpose of the mask is to protect others around us.

Only an N95 quality mask will protect the wearer. So, all players will be required to wear a mask around their neck at all times (*see below*)

Simply put, NO MASK NO PLAY. However, the mask must be only worn over their nose and mouth under the following conditions:

a. For members of the team at bat:

(1.) All members of the batting team must social distance (at least 6 feet apart) or cover their mouth and nose with a mask.

If players on a team do not do this, the first time a warning will be issued, subsequent occurrences by anyone on the team will result in an “out” to the team.

(2.) When a player is on base, if a defensive player is within 6 feet and wearing a mask, the runner must cover his/her nose and mouth with the mask. The first time a warning ill be issued, subsequent occurrences by the player will result in the runner being called “out.

b. For members of the team in the field:

(1.) The catcher must cover his/her nose and mouth OR be at least 6 feet (minimum social dist) behind the batter

(2.) If a runner reaches base, the baseman must cover his/her nose and mouth OR stand at least 6 feet away from the runner. If field players do not do this, the runner will be awarded the next base.

Summary: “If a player is within your social distance (6 ft minimum), you must put your mask over your mouth and nose.”

Example of masks that are easy to wear and pull up, if necessary, but any “nose and mouth” covering will work. The picture will follow this notice. The only requirement is that it must be worn throughout the game and pulled over the nose and mouth when necessary.

3. Bats: All players should have, and use. Their own bat.

a. Players should keep their bat in, or near, their bat bag. Each player should use only his/her bat. NO BATS IN THE BAT RACK.

b. If a player doesn’t have a bat, the manager may designate a “team bat” for use by that player. This bat will be placed at the backstop on the team’s side of the field. Should multiple players have need to use the ONE team bat, it is each player’s responsibility to wipe that bat with disinfectant prior to using it. A player knowing that he/she will need to use the team bat should provide their own disinfectant wipes.

c. If the player at bat gets a hit, the batter who is to bat after the batter on deck should pick up the bat by the barrel with a batting glove and return it to the fence for the owner to retrieve.

d. At the end of the inning, all bats should be returned to their proper place by their owners. “Team bat” laid down by the backstop.

4. Game Balls: Each team is to provide a new game ball for use when the team is in the field. The pitcher will be responsible for taking the ball on and off the field. The pitcher may sanitize the ball every inning or as he/she sees fit. The league will provide 1 package of sanitizing wipes to the pitcher expressly for this purpose.

Should a ball go out of play (foul etc). the team on the field should have a backup ball ready to go until the game ball is returned.

Note: Since pitchers and catchers handle to ball the most during a game, it is strongly recommended that these players wear a glove on their throwing hand for extra protection.

5. Pre-Game batting: Each team may take pre-game batting under the following conditions:

a. Teams will use tournament batting practice. – Batters hit from 1st or 3rd into their own team half of the outfield.

b. Teams should provide their own practice balls. NO SHARING

c.. Batting practice is limited to 5 hits per player.

6. End of the game congratulations: - NO SHAKING OF HANDS, BUMPING ELBOWS, HIGH FIVES OR ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT. It is recommended that players simply wish each other “Good Game”.

7. Hand-sanitizer: It is suggested that every player bring their own bottle and use it frequently during games. Also, it is very important to refrain from touching your face at anytime during play. If the virus happens to be on a surface you touch, then touching your face exponentially increases the chance of you contracting it.

All of the current rules and regulations for play in the CCSSL are still in place. For the 2020 season a “Veer Rule” will be in affect at BOTH 2nd and 3rd base. If the base is occupied, or about to be occupied, by an infielder, the runner MUST veer.

“2020 Veer Rule” – In the judgement of the umpire if a player crosses the plane of the base that he/she is going to prior to the fielder at that base having control of the ball, the runner will be declared safe.”

Frankly, none of us want to play softball under these conditions. We would all like softball and our lives to be back the “way they were”. The Board sincerely appreciates your cooperation in following these protocols.

COVID Safety Protocols

Joseph Cassidy Spirit of Softball Award Winner Wayne Draeger

The 2019 Joseph Cassidy Spirit of Softball Award winner is Wayne Draeger who has made the CCSSL Classic the envy of softball tournaments. Thank you, Wayne for all of your hard work!

70's Travel Team

The CCSSL’s 70’s Travel Team began the 2019 Tournament Season accepting an invitation to play in the Fifth Annual East Coast Senior Softball Tournament in Pompano Beach, Florida March 7th, 8th and 9th.

Playing together for the first time as the Cape Cod Dugout Dawgs, the team was seeded fourth out of 14 teams competing in the 70s age group.

The highlight of the tournament was on day two when the Dugout Dawgs beat last year’s Tournament Champion and this year’s number one seed Cc Medical Services 18-8. Cc Medical is rated by SSUSA as a Major Team.

The ECSS Tournament allows only 65 minutes per game and batters began each at-bat with a one and one count. The Dugout Dawgs batted all 14 players each game producing 118 hits with the team batting average of .608.

Additional tournament activity is planned this year including the Cape classic in September and the SSUSA Winter Nationals in Fort Myers, Florida in November.

Welcome to Our Player Profile Form!

We are looking to collect information on our players so that we can develop a profile that tells about the varied backgrounds of players. None of this information will be used to talk about individual players. It will allow us build a composite profile of the players in our league for public relations and fundraising purposes only.

CCSSL Player Profile
Register

Just Think, if You Apply This Year at the Age of 50, You Could be Playing for the Next 47 Years!

Senior Softball Team Features a 97 Year Old Catcher and a 90 Year Old Pitcher!

Watch the Report Here

Joe Cassidy Memorial

As you enter the path that leads to Memorial Field, be sure to take a look to your left and see the new memorial to Joe Cassidy, the founder of our league! Joe is the player who made this possible for all of us by starting Senior Softball here on Cape Cod back in 1987.