WANNA PLAY SOME BALL COSSA Newsletter 50’s – 60’s – 65's - 70’s Senior Softball Fall 2007 Final Season Standings 50’s League                   60’s League                 70’s League                                  Upper Division (tie) Action Special Tees                 Schoedinger Team                     Planks Team (tie) Rustic Saloon/4SClub                Delaware Team                        Dominion Homes Gray Sox                                  Knightsbridge Team                   Prime Timers Pounders                                   Applebees Team                       Friendship Village Celts                                       Coaches                               Tim Hortons                                             Lower division                         Worthington                                             Gatsbys                                Slammers                                             Grove City                                             Westerville                                             Hooters                                             Worthington                                             Medigold   *The results of the 50’s league “post season” tournament:                               1st Place        Rustic Saloon                               Runner-up       Gray Sox   *The results of the 70’s league “post season” tournament:                               1st Place        Prime Timers                               Runner-Up      Planks   oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo   The COSSA Sponsored “Columbus Classic” Senior Softball Tournament The 2007 “Columbus Classic” was a successful Senior Softball tournament.  The three (3) day event was enjoyable and well received by the teams and players.  As in the past, first and second place plaque awards were presented to the winners and runners-up from all of the divisions, but attractive medals were also given to all of the players on the winning teams.  The medals were very well received and appreciated by those receiving them.     For the first time COSSA joined with the SPA (Senior Softball Assn.) to sanction and present a national qualifying tournament to senior teams from as far as Texas, Florida, Canada, the East Coast and points between. Fifty three (53) teams were entered in the tournament; in the women’s divisions from 50+ thru 65+, and the men’s divisions from 50+ thru 75+.  One (1) men’s team in the 80+ division was present but they competed in the 75+ division.  Two (2) competitive men’s teams from Canada were present. Fifteen (15) women’s teams competed in the tournament.  The women’s portion of the tournament is growing, and there is interest from California teams to attend.  One has already promised to enter the 2008 tournament.  Two (2) very good women’s teams from Canada enjoyed their stay in Columbus and the competition on the diamonds.  They will be back next July and intend to bring more of their countrywomen with them.  The women’s teams comprise 30% of the registered teams in the tournament.  That is an unusually high percentage and COSSA is very proud to have attracted so much attention from the Senior Lady ball players. COSSA sponsored a training class for SPA umpires in late May.  Fourteen (14) local umpires were registered and certified to officiate in SPA sanctioned games.  Some of these umpires worked the Columbus Classic games and three (3) of them traveled to Dalton, GA to officiate the SPA Grand National tournament played there in early/mid September. COSSA always works closely with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Dept. to coordinate and administer the annual tournament.  The cooperation received from CRPD is valuable and appreciated.  Without it our tournament could not have the success that it has enjoyed for the three (3) years.  Our relationship with CRPD is ongoing and our use of the Lou Berliner Sports Complex on Greenlawn Ave. is very important, not only to the “Columbus Classic”, but to the Central Ohio Senior Softball program. Berliner Park is recognized as the largest softball complex in the United States and its thirty one (31) diamonds allow all of the ball games to be played in the same place at the same time.  That is unprecedented for large tournaments and is a major advantage when attempting to attract teams to Columbus for a Senior Softball tournament. oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo The People Who Run COSSA We are always available to you and we would like your comments and suggestions.  There is a need for more people to become involved in COSSA.  If you are interested in taking a place in the planning and leadership of Senior Softball in Central Ohio there is a place for you in COSSA.  Contact anyone on this list to have your thoughts and opinions heard.  You are welcome to attend our meetings.  Contact Charlie Collins for the dates and times. Charlie Collins, C.E.O. – Chairman (614)888-1109 Judy Andrews, Dir. Women’s Operations (614)466-5474 work Bob Clinger, Secretary        (614)889-1761 Dave Cowgill, Dir. 50’s Operations       (614)792-8450 John McFarland, Dir. 70’s Operations       (614)864-4740 Larry Milliron, Dir. 60’s Operations       (614)864-7640 John Weekley, Dir. Recruiting Operations       (614)846-4302 Al Yannon, Counsel and Treasurer       (614)774-2084 COSSA stands for “Central Ohio Senior Softball Association, Inc.” It is a non-profit corporation registered in the state of Ohio. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo COSSA’s Accomplishments in 2007 In 2007, COSSA advanced farther towards its goal of becoming the organizing agent and spokesman for senior softball in Central Ohio.  The “Columbus Classic” tournament has become a national fixture. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Dept. now expects our group to progress and with their assistance, become one of the finest senior tournaments in the country.  COSSA received great praise from the participants for its management of the tournament and expects it to grow each year with teams from all parts of the U.S. and Canada. COSSA moved into national prominence in 2007, (see COSSA Honors), and will continue its climb now that the Softball Players Assn. (SPA) sanctions our efforts. In 2007, COSSA’s scope reached approximately 425 players in Central Ohio.  As this number grows, many players, families, sponsors and spectators will look to COSSA to direct senior softball to a premier senior recreational and entertainment activity. COSSA wants you to know us and to join with us for the success of SENIOR SOFTBALL. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo    Women’s Senior Softball The popularity of young women’s fast-pitch softball is quite obvious.  You can watch it on national television.  Most of the high schools and colleges in the USA have girls fast pitch teams, not to mention the great number of teenage tournament teams that compete many weekends during the season.  The conclusion to be reached is also quite obvious; if there are so many girls and young women playing now, there will be many senior women players in the future.  Preparations must be made for these ladies when they reach a more mature age and can’t play fast-pitch anymore. To that end COSSA is making plans, and working, to form Senior Women’s teams and hopefully a Senior Women’s league for the future.  Senior Co-ed teams are on our priority list and will be forthcoming. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo League Plans For 2008 It is difficult to make accurate projections for the next season when it is still October; however, one thing is certain, three (3) diamonds have been reserved at Berliner Park for the senior leagues.  The diamonds that we have chosen (yes, we chose them) are reserved Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings for the 2008 season.  Starting at 6:00 P.M. the 50’s leagues, the 60’s league, the 65’s league and a co-ed league, if we can get one up and running in time will use these diamonds.  Two of the fields will have temporary outfield fences erected and the third field is nearer Greenlawn Ave. with permanent outfield fencing in place.  All games, Monday and Wednesday, for the 50’s, and 60’s leagues will be played at Berliner Park during the 2008 season.  The 65's league will play evenings at Berliner from late spring thru early summer, and will play a late summer/fall schedule at McCord park in Worthington on Friday mornings. Stay tuned for the starting dates and the league schedules.  Those will be determined but not before late winter.  We will get the news to you and it will be posted on this web-site: http://www.ohioseniorsoftball.com. The 50’s league will expand by adding one (1) new team next season.  “Shones” team is a nationally ranked and respected tournament team from Central Ohio, managed by our very own Larry Milliron.  It will enter Dave Cowgill’s 50’s league.  We are talking very good softball here folks.  Watching the 50’s league play will be a treat.  Rule changes are always a concern that has to be kept up with to attend the needs of senior players.  It has been rumored that the national “Summit” of softball associations (10 in all) will approve a first baseman’s glove for the third baseman to use in place of the regular infielders glove.  How the baseman will get the ball out of the glove to make a play is anybodies guess.  Remember, it’s only a rumor.  The “Summit” will be held in late January or February, 2008.  We do not know of any other changes being discussed or intended at this time. “Player Drafts” are a serious topic among senior players.  The 65’s league has initiated a “draft” and it seems to be working very well during their “Fall Ball” season.  The 70’s league has a committee appointed, made up of one member from each of its seven (7) teams, to assign new players for the purpose of parity prior to the 2008 season.  The 60’s league has elected to return to the three (3) division format of four (4) teams each (red, white and blue) with the blue division never playing the red division.  They have had a request to allow a complete team to enter the 60’s league.  If the team does enter the league the team will only be accepted into the “red” division.  If it is determined that it can’t compete on that level it will be allowed to move into the “white” or even the “blue” division after a proper evaluation period. The 50’s league has many of their players enter as a member of an existing team.  Any players entering without a team affiliation will be assigned according to the needs of the existing teams.  A player draft in the 50’s league is not advisable at this time. oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo COSSA Plans For 2008 Planning for the future of Central Ohio Senior Softball is better stated for a five (5) or ten (10) year period, however, there are things that we are doing and attempting to do now.  First of all, we are already planning the 2008 “Columbus Classic”.  The tournament will be played July 11-12-13, 2008 and the venue will once again be Berliner Park. We will be working closely with Alan McKnight, the Director of Columbus Parks and Recreation, and with Jack Castle, Rec. Admin. Mgr.  Both of these gentlemen are interested in our programs and want to help us locate a permanent home for our leagues. Representative Deborah Pryce, Congresswoman from the 15th district, has assigned Dennis Bartow of her staff to assist us with various projects, such as fundraising, facilities, public relations, etc.  We appreciate the help we are getting from the Congresswoman. The City of Worthington has appointed Lynda Chambers as the new Director of Worthington Parks and Recreation to replace the retired Bill Poling.  We have been advised by Lynda that there will be no changes to our ongoing relationship with the City of Worthington and our summer use of McCord Park and the gymnasiums in the Community Center for our winter practice.  McCord Park will be available for our use next season, as in the past. oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Starting this Wednesday, September 26th, at 10:00 A.M. the South gymnasium (the one with the wooden floor and better lighting) will be available for us to practice indoor throwing and fielding.  This has become a popular program and once again there will be no charge.  We will practice outside as long as the weather is nice and as long as “Fall Ball lasts.  When Roy Bayes says "Fall Ball" is over come inside on Wednesdays. As always – we need help with our programs. Give John Weekley a call and volunteer to help him with his recruiting drive.  He will be working hard on bringing women into the program this 2007/2008 winter.  Larry Milliron will be the Tournament Director for the 2008 “Columbus Classic” senior softball tournament.  He will need all the help he can get.  Give him a call. Want to help run COSSA?  Give Charlie Collins a call. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo COSSA Honors Do you think the senior softball world doesn’t know about us and our programs?  Well – for your information – because of the energy, patience, enthusiasm and work that some of your team mates have put into it, COSSA has: ·        A Directors seat on the Board of SPA ·        A Member on the National Senior Hall of Fame “Pioneers” Committee ·        A Member on the National Tournament Directors Committee  oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo In Conclusion COSSA wishes all Senior Softball Players to have their best season ever in 2008.  We hope your arms will be stronger, your feet quicker, your hands and eyes more dependable and your times at bat more crowd pleasing.  Short of that, please stay in shape so you can make it to the ball park aaaaaand LET’S PLAY SOME BALL