Frequently Asked Questions
How are the ECSA Open Division Executive Officers Chosen?
Board Positions are held for 2 year terms. When a board position becomes available - interested parties put their names up for nomination and a general election is held. Majority vote wins.
Executive Offices Include:
- Commissioner (Any Division)
- A/B Assistant Commissioner (Normally a player or coach from an A or B Division team)
- C/D Assistant Commissioner (Normally a player or coach from a C or D Division team)
- Tournament Director (Any Division)
- Secretary (Any Division)
- Membership Director (Any Division)
If I give my email to ECSA will they sell it?
No they do/will not. The ECSA sends out a weekly newsflash to update the league on softball and softball/league related issues.
How is the schedule done?
The number of times teams within a division play one another varies each year depending on the length of the season and the number of teams in each division. Once the number of teams and the length of the season are determined, a coded schedule (D1 vs. D2) is done by using both computerized software and editing by the Executive board. Once the schedule is complete - the team codes are replaced with individual team names (done by a blind draw).
Interdivision Play: Since we have a rating system - why do we have it?
There are several reasons for this - however, some of the more notable answers include:
- It builds community and allows a team to play teams that they have not played all season long. (or perhaps year after year)
- It gives those individuals who might be on the "verge" of moving up a division a chance to see the higher division and how they play, thus taking away some of the fear of making the move.
- It allows ratings review committees and the commissioner to see how upper division teams/individuals handle stronger play. (I.E. can the rise to the challenge? Is our rating system still in check.)
Why don't all the D teams play the C teams or all the C teams play the B teams?
Since the C teams are in the middle of that scenario - it would meant that the C teams would have to play several MORE games than teams in other divisions. That number of games would most likely serve as burnout for C teams and very likely take too many Sundays to complete.
Also, teams at the bottom of a division could potentially be playing teams almost 2 divisions away. (I.E. a C team that is very close to the border of being a D team playing the top B team which is very close to being an A team) That would cause such a lopsided game that it wouldn't necessarily be fun for anyone involved.
Why does interdivision play count towards my team's final record?
Because we live in a climate where rainouts are a very clear possibility - the primary goal is to make sure that teams get the opportunity (and fun) of playing other teams in their own division first - which puts interdivision play at the end of the season. If divisional standings are already determined by the time interdivision play is completed, the games are often times forfeited because "they don't mean anything" and players make other plans. By making them count towards a teams final record - every game becomes a test. More teams are assured that they are not wasting time going to the ball fields to find out they are playing a "pick up team" or not playing at all.
It also gives individual players the motivation to ‘give it their all' during the games.
Why do we have a tournament for the 2nd divisional berth for the GSWS?
There are several reasons for this - however, some of the more notable answers include:
- Teams hit their peak at different parts of the season.
- Some teams are better in tournament situations.
- For teams that strive to go to the GSWS this gives them the motivation to continue to practice and play their hardest and keep their teams together throughout the season. (This helps avoid teams losing motivation if they were statistically eliminated early in the season.)
- The first berth goes automatically to the team that has won the regular ECSA season.