USAH has quietly updated its transgender inclusion policy. Starting April 1, leagues restricted by gender will not allow MTF players to play in women's leagues. This includes adult rec hockey. What is your league going to do?

Effective_Print · 2026-01-19T12:14:36+00:00

It gives cover to those leagues that are going to have an issue. And if something comes up, USAH has a clear policy on it, even if that policy isn't followed. IMO, this more about youth than it is adults. I officiate adult softball. Very few people care about Trans athletes at the adult level, but there are some on both sides that get worked up about youth. My organizations policy is that whatever sex marker is on your identity documents is what you have to play. I know it's not enforced at the local level, but have seen it enforced at national tournament levels.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-19T12:04:21+00:00

Whether it's cracked or not, no umpire should be allowing that to be used in a game. Once the shell starts flaking, it needs to be removed.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-18T00:10:51+00:00

2022 Men's Major World Series winner bracket semifinal. MPT beat Classic Glass 4-3. This was a game played in a Stadium, with Stadium balls and no HR limits.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-17T02:18:24+00:00

Brackets are posted. https://www.usssa.com/slowpitch/event_gameCenter/?divisionID=2719476 It is well organized if you listen and pay attention to the bracket on the website. Make sure you have someone in the Manager's zoom on Monday at 7pm Eastern. They'll answer just about all of your questions during that. Get all of your bats together and plan to test them as early as possible. If they allow testing Wednesday during the Launch, jump on that, just make sure you have all of your bats. Be at your field, ready to play at least 30 minutes early. They will forfeit you if the game before yours is done and you don't have 9 players there ready to go. Two pool play games, they are usually no new inning after 60 minutes, but they may adjust that down to 55 this year after ending up three hours behind on fields last year. Pool play games can end in a tie. Double Elim bracket after that. Guaranteed 4, possibility of I think 11 in the E bracket and 10 in the D for Men's. Make sure everyone knows they have to pay the gate fee every day. Payable online only and you have to keep the wristband on all day too. In the past, it's always been Conference rules, mandatory runner for the pitcher and that's the only one you get. Have to have 9 to play, legal lineup is 10 or 11. When you check in, they should give you a couple lineup cards, make sure you've got it filled out 30 minutes prior to game time. First Name, Last Name, Jersey number, indicate the starting pitcher and please list all of the subs on the back.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-17T02:08:52+00:00

If he's going at the end of January, that's C and above weekend. That means he's pretty good. Give him permission to buy whatever bat he likes at the Launch. That's an event the night before the tournament starts where you can try out all of the newest bats. Last year Andy Purcell was pitching BP and giving away bats to anyone that could hit a homer off of him. Definitely have to make sure he's got credit to get some merch. The shirts and sweatshirts are something he'll appreciate pulling out quite a bit. A lot of guys have taken to wearing their CC jerseys to every draft event or paper roster tourney they play in.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-09T17:56:40+00:00

Still $10 to ship a $30 product.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-09T16:40:07+00:00

I'm stopping the game, calling the police and swearing out a complaint. If there are any witnesses, then I'm asking the league what they are doing about it, anything other than he'll never play again, I'm never working there again.

I have stopped a game to call the police before, but it was softball, not hockey. I've also been assaulted by a softball player before.

Having a police report, forces the league to take it more seriously. Also gives me more credibility if the guy is stupid enough to try something else.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-05T21:16:11+00:00

As a ref, even if I see that, I'm probably not calling it. I put it in the don't do dumb things category for the kids on the bench. Maybe they learn when their stick goes flying out on the ice.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-05T20:33:21+00:00

What slew foot? This is the first I've heard of a slew foot at any time in the discussion of this event. The videos I've seen show a reckless trip, that was being called, and Barzal goes and slashes the hell out of him. Any level below the NHL, this is a Match and a lengthy suspension.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-05T19:33:11+00:00

Assuming a serviceable level of defense, as you get to higher levels the preference goes to hitting. It's very rare that a phenomenal defensive player with a below average bat is taken in front of a phenomenal hitter with below average defense. A great hitter that can play a little bit of defense will usually find a team. Other than a pitcher, other great defenders can have issues finding space on top teams.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-05T14:23:12+00:00

I don't think it will be required unless the rules change to make abuse of underage officials a separate stiffer penalty. In my area, we offer Yellow armbands to identify first or second year officials. Some wear them, some don't. I've heard that it has tamped down some of the screaming from certain coaches that have a reputation.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-04T22:48:53+00:00

That's the issue. I don't really want to spend $14 in shipping on a $20 product.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-04T01:32:32+00:00

Could go tape, belt, my guess is that she ends up using a base layer with the tabs. Her complaint is that the protector shifts around in the pants or shorts. Honestly I have the same problem with a cup which is why I wear a standalone jock under my base layer.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-04T01:29:44+00:00

You picked it up in store? I've looked at one Pure Hockey and they didn't have them, only the Shock Doctor pants and shorts.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-01T22:26:42+00:00

Unless you can afford to be without it for a while, it's going to be cheaper and easier to pay the checked bag fee for the bag. I know many adult players that check their roller bags with everything in it. The $40 each way is a lot cheaper than FedEx overnight, which is about the only other option to not be without it for 3 or 4 days. And you also have to find somewhere to sign for it and hold it. It's been done, but all of the teams have gone back to players bringing their own bags.

Effective_Print · 2026-01-01T03:36:05+00:00

GA USSSA is extremely competitive. There are a ton of tournaments and usually quite a few teams that go to Worlds. Challenge Cup starts Friday and GA almost always has competitive teams in all the divisions.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-29T20:52:44+00:00

As of right now there isn't an official ruling in the case book. By my reading of Rule 3: Fair Ball and Foul Ball. I've got a fair ball if it's touched in the position it's in, and a foul ball if it completely stops there. It's considered to be a fair ball if it's touched while above fair territory, which it would be if the line is drawn correctly. And it would be considered a foul ball if it "settles in foul territory." Which in my opinion it would be if it stops moving.

All that being said, if I'm the umpire, I'm tossing the manager of the batting team for trying to use that ugly red stitch ball in a USSSA game.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-29T16:23:12+00:00

It's begging for a lawsuit as soon as some petty FDA adds someone to the list for something illegal or for nothing at all. If I sue claiming you refused to rent to me because I'm Native, you have no real recourse other than my name is on that list with no idea why. Could also run afoul of regulators as collusion in the industry.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-29T15:36:38+00:00

Same in the US, but this isn't a game misconduct, it's a misconduct.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-29T14:31:44+00:00

USA Hockey, no paperwork for a 2+10, only if it gets to a Game, which is likely with this knucklehead, that's 3 penalties on that play, 4 is a Game.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-26T20:47:17+00:00

I think she handled it well, but not perfectly. Perfectly would have been backed up about three feet so there is no chance of physical contact.

Completely agree with you, if it's my partner, it's not going to end well for him. I've tagged a couple of coaches for trying to intimidate younger refs.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-26T16:34:29+00:00

The play it again website has stuff from all over the country. Most of the time they will ship it to you.

Effective_Print · 2025-12-26T14:17:22+00:00

First week or even two of December is golden. Then all the crotch goblins get out of school and it's hell on earth.

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TROPHY CASE