2008 Season

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2008 STATE TOURNAMENTS

ALABAMA

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - HARTSELLE

ANGELS - UNDERWOOD

PONYTAILS - NO REPORT

BELLES - NO REPORT

DEBS - MUSCLE SHOALS

RUNNERS-UP:

DARLINGS - GROVE HILL

ANGELS - NO REPORT

PONYTAILS - NO REPORT

BELLES - NO REPORT

DEBS - NO REPORT

SPORTSMANSHIP:

NO REPORT

ARKANSAS

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - MENA

ANGELS - LAFAYETTE COUNTY

PONYTAILS - MENA

BELLES - LAFAYETTE COUNTY

DEBS - HORATIO

RUNNERS-UP:

DARLINGS - LAFAYETTE COUNTY

ANGLES - MENA

PONYTAILS - LAFAYETTE COUNTY

BELLES - MENA

FLORIDA

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - WAHNETA

ANGELS - BELLEVIEW

PONYTAILS - WAHNETA

BELLES - SPRING HILL

DEBS - HERNANDO

GEORGIA

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - JASPER COUNTY

ANGELS - PERRY JR. LEAGUE

PONYTAILS - COLUMBIA COUNTY

BELLES - COLUMBIA COUNTY

RUNNERS-UP:

DARLINGS - PERRY JR. LEAGUE

ANGELS - JASPER COUNTY

PONYTAILS - PERRY JR. LEAGUE

BELLES - PERRY JR. LEAGUE

SPORTSMANSHIP:

DARLINGS - PERRY JR. LEAGUE

ANGELS - TAYLOR COUNTY

PONYTAILS - JASPER COUNTY

BELLES - TAYLOR COUNTY

LOUISIANA

UNDERWAY

MISSISSIPPI

UNDERWAY

NORTH CAROLINA

UNDERWAY

SOUTH CAROLINA

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - DISTRICT FIVE

ANGELS - HARTSVILLE

PONYTAILS - LANCASTER

BELLES - SUMTER

DEBS - GEORGETOWN COUNTY

TENNESSEE

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - SUMMERTOWN

PONYTAILS - DYERSBURG/DYER COUNTY

RUNNERS-UP:

DARLINGS - LEXINGTON

PONYTAILS - DECATUR COUNTY

SPORTSMANSHIP:

DARLINGS - LEXINGTON

PONYTAILS - EAST HICKMAN

TEXAS

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - HOPKINS COUNTY AMERICAN

ANGELS - CROSBY

PONYTAILS - HOPKINS COUNTY AMERICAN

BELLES - LIBERTY

DEBS - DENISON

RUNNERS-UP:

DARLINGS - LIBERTY

ANGELS - HOPKINS COUNTY AMERICAN

PONYTAILS - WHITEWRIGHT

BELLES - BONHAM

DEBS - HOPKINS COUNTY AMERICAN

VIRGINIA

CHAMPIONS:

DARLINGS - NO REPORT

ANGELS - SOUTH HILL

PONYTAILS - DINWIDDIE

BELLES - NO REPORT

DEBS - NO REPORT

RUNNERS-UP:

DARLINGS - NO REPORT

ANGELS - ALTAVISTA

PONYTAILS - BLACKSBURG

BELLES - NO REPORT

DEBS - NO REPORT

SPORTSMANSHIP:

DARLINGS - NO REPORT

ANGELS - GRAYSON COUNTY

PONYTAILS - FLOYD/FLOYD COUNTY

BELLES - NO REPORT

DEBS - NO REPORT

SPECIAL RULING June 23, 2008

In accordance with Dixie Softball, Inc. policy, a commissioner may make a ruling governing a rule that does not appear in the current Dixie Softball Rule Guide and that decision will stand as the rule until addressed by the next annual meeting of the Dixie Softball, Inc. National Board of Directors. The National Board may either agree with the commissioner's decision and the ruling becomes a permanent rule or the National Board may decide against the ruling. Either way the commissioner's ruling is the rule of Dixie Softball, Inc. until the National Board makes a ruling. On July 23, 2008, DSI commissioner Clarence Jordan made the following ruling:

(Tournament play only) Any manager/coach paticipating with a team/tournament from another softball organization or independent team/organization shall NOT be allowed to join or rejoin their DSI tournament team for the remainder of the current DSI season if they missed any game due to participating for or with activities of the team/tournament from another softball organization or independent team/organization. PENALTY: Removal of coach from further DSI tournament play for current season. NOTE: If the manager/coach is allowed to continue in a manager/coach position the team shall be removed from further DSI tournament play for the current season.

On June 23, 2008, Commissioner Jordan was asked to revisit his decision of the above ruling. He revisited his ruling and strengthened the ruling by ruling that any player/manager/coach missing any portion of a DSI tournament, i.e., opening ceremonies, games, etc., due to participation with another softball organization or independent team/organization shall be removed from further DSI tournament play for the current season. Note: This ruling supercedes his previous ruling.

Note: A posting on June 30, 2008, was ambiguous in its wording and was really a moot point. No incedence has occurred other than the original situation that prompted the ruling in the first place. The ruling stands for the 2008 DSI tournament season as originally stated and any and all decisions made concerning the ruling shall stand.

GEORGE D. MATTHEWS, Sr.

August 19, 1932 - June 13, 2008

Dixie Softball, Inc., is saddened to announce the death of George Matthews. George was serving as the South Carolina state director. He died Friday, June 13, 2008. He had fought a battle against liver cancer. All of Dixie Softball extends its condolences to George’s wife, Louise, and the rest of his family.

George became South Carolina’s state director in late 1999 replacing Charles Mathis who, for health reasons, could no longer serve as state director. “George served in that capacity for 10 years. Before becoming state director he had served a number of years as a district director.

Perhaps no one in Dixie Softball history made the impact that George did for his home state and the national program. Under George’s leadership, South Carolina added 76 Dixie Softball leagues being an average of gaining almost 8 leagues each year that he was state director. There is an award “The Carol Warner Dixie Softball Award” given each year to the state that promotes Dixie Softball the best for a current year combined with actual growth in leagues. The state of South Carolina won that award 4 times (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2007) while George was state director. An achievement that is unequaled in Dixie Softball history. In 2005, George was inducted into the Dixie Softball Hall of Fame. This was the quickest any Dixie Softball national officer had been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Dixie Softball, Inc. National Board of Directors had voted this year (2008) to name one of its annually awarded scholarships in George’s honor. The first George Matthews Dixie Softball Scholarship Award was presented to Caitlin Elizabeth Lane of Riegelwood, North Carolina. George was made aware of this award before his death. The South Carolina Dixie Softball Board of Directors had voted in 2008 that beginning with the 2008 State Tournaments the championship award for all age groups (Darlings, Angels, Ponytails, Belles and Debs) would be named the George Matthews South Carolina State Championship Award. Sadly, George did not know about this award for it was going to be a surprise for him at the opening ceremonies of the South Carolina state tournaments to begin on July 11 in Sumter. Other awards George was going to receive in 2008 that he knew nothing about were: the Gordon L. Hobbs Dixie Softball Spirit Award given annually by Dixie Softball, Inc. to the person or persons exhibiting the true meaning of Dixie Softball (George truly did this by maintaining his state director’s duties though seriously ill and practically up to his untimely death) and the Yvonne L. Bright Leadership Award given annually to the person or persons who make exemplary decisions with only the concerns of applying the rules and policies of Dixie Softball in a fair and equal manner to all parties involved. You could always be sure that George Matthews did just that. George had previously won this award in 2003 and 2006.

When people were notified of George’s death usually the first comments made was: he was a good man. Yes, George was a good man and a fair man. A man who loved children and always made sure the children came first before he made any decision in Dixie Softball rulings. We all must one day reach the end of our lives and when that times comes if what people say about us is “they were a good person” we have reached one of life’s greatest goals. George achieved that goal and surpassed it.

On a personal note if I may: Before Keri and I married we were attending the 2000 Dixie Belles World Series being played in Lawrenceville, Virginia and hosted by the Brunswick County league. People were encouraging me to marry Keri but I was jokingly telling them that Keri needed to come up with a $10,000 dowry before we could be married. Keri and others put together a bucket that was called “Keri Kan” and went into the crowd to collect money for her dowry. George Matthews was the first person to put something in the can. That something was a $100 bill. Now all along it was intended that the money raised would be donated to the Dixie Softball Scholarship fund and when I found out that George had put in such a generous amount I went to him and told him that the money raised was not for Keri and I but would be going to the scholarship fund he said to leave the money there. Keri still has that can and the can was right. The can said Keri Kan and she could. We got married in 2001.

George also told Keri that the secret to a good marriage is “pear preserves and hot biscuits”. He would send us some pear preserves from a pear tree he had but sadly the tree died. Keri, to this day, keeps pear preserves in the icebox. This morning, the day after George’s death, Keri, Dixie Softball's Vice President, Preston Leonard (who happened to be a guest at our home while he and I went over some Dixie Softball business), and I ate some good ole hot biscuits and pear preserves. God bless you George. We love you and are going to miss you.

HENSON NAME INTERIM STATE DIRECTOR

Upon the untimely death of George Matthews, Ralph Henson, currently serving as South Carolina's national director has been chosen to serve as interim-state director for South Carolina for the remainder of the 2008 season.

At a proper time, Mr. Henson, will select a state director. Whomever is selected will serve as state director for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons and will stand for election in 2011.

2009 RULE SUGGESTIONS

1. PAGE 29, THE PLAYING FIELD, GENERAL, Section 1:00, Article 1:01

SUGGESTION: Change the batter’s box from six feet (6’) long and three feet (3’) wide to: seven feet (7’) long and three feet (3’) wide. submitted by Stuart Carroll, Lake Waccamaw, NC

REASON: To enhance bunting and slap-hitting.

2. PAGE 30, EQUIPMENT, Section 2:00, Article 2:01, 1^st NOTE

SUGGESTION: Require the SWEETEES division only to play with the RIF style level-one softball for all play. submitted by Shane Foushee, South Boston, VA

REASON: For safety and better overall mechanics.

3. PAGE 51, Section 8:00, Article 8:08 (N) & Page 53, Section 9:00, Article 9:01 (Q)

SUGGESTION: Article 8:08 (N) needs to state that intentionally assisting a baserunner is an immediate “dead ball” with the assisted baserunner being declared “out” and all baserunners must return to the last base they legally occupied or 9:01 (Q) needs to state that the ball is dead after a put out attempt is completed. submitted by Mark Lucy, Lawrenceville, VA

REASON: Present wording could let a coach intentionally assist a baserunner NOT being played on just to cause a dead ball and prevent a baserunner that is being played on to be put out.

4. PAGE 51, Section 8:00, Article (T)

SUGGESTION: The baseruner shall slide if there is a play being made on her. submitted by Anders Thompson, LaSalle, LA

REASON: Safety.

5. PAGE 52, Section 11:00, Article 11:02

SUGGESTION: Replace existing 2^nd sentence with the following: Requesting a second (2^nd) time-out during a batter’s turn at bat shall be refused by the umpire. The coach will receive a warning on the 1^st refusal and will be restricted to the dugout for the second refusal of a time-out. submitted by Mike Broad, Huntsville, AL

REASON: Not to penalize the batter for a coaching mistake.

6. PAGE 62, Section VI, Article (F), 1^st NOTE

SUGGESTION: Change to read: Once the player-pitcher has possession of the ball inside the eight-foot (8’) RADIUS circle and she immediately makes a play, play shall continue otherwise the ball becomes a “dead” ball and no play can be made on any baserunner. submitted by Mike Broad, Huntsville, AL

REASON: Let the player-pitcher react to the play.

7. PAGE 63, Section I, Article (A)

SUGGESTION: Change DIXIE DARLINGS base distance from 50’ to: 60’. submitted by Jeremy Caldwell, Dyersburg/Dyer County, TN

REASON: No difference in Dixie SweeTees and Dixie Darlings and it is 60’ in travel ball.

8. PAGE 68, DIXIE ANGELS, Section I, Article (A)

SUGGESTION: Change pitching distance from thirty-five feet (35’) to: thirty-two feet (32’). submitted by Constance Kirschbaum-Noble, White House, TN

REASON: Present distance too far for ANGELS age group.

9. PAGE 70, BASERUNNING, Section V, Article (A)

SUGGESTION: Allow DIXIE ANGELS to steal bases. A baserunner may leave her base when the ball crosses home plate. submitted by Jeremy Caldwell, Dyersburg/Dyer County, TN

REASON: To compete with travel ball.

10. PAGE 70, Section V, Article (A)

SUGGESTION: In the DIXIE ANGELS the baserunner shall steal a base, but not more than one (1) base per pitch and under no circumstance can the baserunner steal home. submitted by Todd Hutton, West Monroe, LA

REASON: So that the Angels players can prepare for the next level of play.

11. PAGE 70, Section V, Article (B)

SUGGESTION: In the DIXIE ANGELS the baserunner shall advance one (1) base on a wild pitch or a passed ball. submitted by Todd Hutton, West Monroe, LA

REASON: So that the Angels players can prepare for the next level of play.

12. PAGE 70, Section V, Article (C)

SUGGESTION: Delete entirely. submitted by Todd Hutton, West Monroe, LA

REASON: So that the Angels Players can prepare for the next level of play.

13. PAGE 71, Article VII, Section (C)

SUGGESTION: Delete wording (LOCAL LEAGUE OPTION). submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: This would speed up game in local and tournament play. By removing this wording it would make this a rule for both season and tournament play.

14. PAGE 84, Article V, Section (B), (1)

SUGGESTION: Make this rule a (LOCAL LEAGUE OPTION). submitted by Frank Perkins, Virginia State Director

REASON: To allow the leagues an option on applying this rule.

15.PAGE 107, Section XV, Article (E), 2^ND and 3^rd paragraph

SUGGESTON: All home plate umpires are required to wear a face mask, chest protector and shinguards. Male home plate umpires are required to wear a protective cup. Umpires have the option to not wear any of the aforementioned equipment while umpiring coach-pitch and machine pitch games. submitted by Mike Broad, Huntsville, AL

REASON: Safety.

2009 POLICY SUGGESTIONS

1. PAGE 2, GENERAL INFORMATION, 2^nd paragraph

SUGGESTION: Beginning with the 2010 elections each state must be in compliance with the one (1) national director policy. Note: To acquire this, the Alabama National Director Election in 2009 will be for a one (1) year term only and whomever is elected will stand for re-election in 2010 against whomever else is contending for the position. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: To make all states equal in representation of national directors when they become eligible for a national director or already have only one (1) national director.

2. PAGE 2, GENERAL INFORMATION, 2^nd paragraph

SUGGESTION: Change state director and one (1) National Director from beginning at two hundred (200) to: beginning at three hundred (300). submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: This allows a state to be in a position to financially afford a national director.

3. PAGE 9, JUNE

SUGGESTION: Hall of Fame nomination deadline date be change from June 1 to: May 1. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: There are times when the DSI Board of Directors meets earlier than the normal September date and this would give the Chairman more time to assimilate the nominations and mail out and receive the ballots.

4. PAGE 11

SUGGESTION: Make May 1 as the postmark deadline for player releases to be sent to the state director. submitted by Mickey Snell, National Belles Commissioner

REASON: When a league sends in its season team rosters the releases should accompany them.

5. PAGE 12

SUGGESTION: Change 1^st May 31 date to: August 15. submitted by Mike Broad, Huntsville, AL

REASON: To many situations arise during tournament play that needs to be addressed before the next season.

6. PAGE 12

SUGGESTION: Change 2^nd May 31 date to: April 30. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: To expedite the election process

7. PAGE 12

SUGGESTION: change dates of 2^nd & 3^rd June 15 dates to: May 15. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: To expedite the election process

8. PAGE 83, Section IV, Article (A), (Age Limits), 5^th paragraph

SUGGESTION: Change sixteenth (16^th) to: fifteenth (15^th). submitted by Obie Evans,

National President

REASON: I feel this would help the Debs divisions and not hurt the Belles division. submitted by Obie Evans, President

9. PAGE 83, Section IV, Article (A), Paragraph 6

SUGGESTON: Change the birthday eligibility cutoff date to January 1. submitted by Todd Hutton, West Monroe, LA

REASON: Would keep more of the same age girls together and would keep the younger players from moving up too soon.

10. PAGES 91 & 92, Section I (Tournament Play), Article C

SUGGESTION: #1. Delete 2^nd and 3^rd sentences entirely. #2. Delete 2^nd paragraph entirely. #3. Delete 1^st NOTE entirely. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: It is not fair for a team to participate in a Dixie Softball tournament and

defeat a team that may otherwise advance to the next level of tournament play. Only teams wanting to play in all of Dixie Softball tournaments they are eligible for should be allowed to participate in Dixie Softball tournaments.

11. PAGE 85, Article VI, Section (D)

SUGGESTION: add as a disclaimer: Released players should be released to the nearest Dixie Softball league. For a player to bypass a league she must have the approval of the district and state directors. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: To cut down on recruiting.

12. PAGE 86, Section VIII, Article (A)

SUGGESTION: add to present wording: Leagues should first try and schedule games with DSI leagues before they schedule games with other softball associations. Leagues shall not be allowed to count games against other softball associations as official games if they bypass an existing DSI league that is willing to interlock.

13. PAGE 91, Section I, Article (B), 1^st NOTE

SUGGESTION: Allow the winner and runner-up of sub-district tournaments advance to the district tournament. submitted by Billy Adkins, Newton, AL

REASON: To put more teams in the district tournament.

14. PAGE 106, Section XV, Article (D), 2^nd NOTE

SUGGESTION: Increase umpire fees to $26.00. submitted by Mike Broad, Huntsville, AL

REASON: The extra $6.00 would be earmarked to the Dixie Softball World Series umpire fund. The host would receive $1.00 of the increase and the remaining increase would go to the Dixie Softball Scholarship fund.

15. PAGE 106, Section XV, Article (D), 2^nd NOTE

SUGGESTION: Increase umpire fee to $25.00. submitted by Preston Leonard, National Vice President

REASON: The present charge of $20.00 has been in place for a number of years. Printing, postage and other costs have increased so the extra $5.00 will help cover the increase of expenses incurred by Dixie Softball.

16. SUGGESTION: No one shall serve on the Dixie Softball, Inc. Board of Directors who is an official with a baseball program that operates in more than one state. submitted by Obie Evans, National President

REASON: DSI already has the policy that no one shall serve of the Board of Directors who is an official with a softball program. This suggestion just makes the policy consistent.

2009 DIXIE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

Dixie Darlings – Sumter, South Carolina
Dixie Angels - Sumter, South Carolina
Dixie Ponytails - Sumter, South Carolina
Dixie Belles - Sumter, South Carolina
Dixie Debs - Sumter, South Carolina

2010 DIXIE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

note: All bids for 2010 are pending the decision
of the National Board of Directors.
Dixie Darlings – Denison, Texas
Dixie Angels – Vancleave, Mississippi
Dixie Ponytails – Columbia County, Georgia
Dixie Belles – Columbia County, Georgia
Dixie Debs – Vancleave, Mississippi

ERRORS IN 2008 DIXIE SOFTBALL
RULE BOOK

Please make note of the following errors and corrections in the 2008 Dixie Softball Rule Book:
1. Page 92, section I, article (D), 1^st sentence:

The rule presently reads: Leagues forfeiting games in tournament competition (any division) shall not be granted tournament privileges the following year for its entire league.
NOTE: The rule should read: Leagues forfeiting games in tournament competition shall not be granted tournament privileges the following year in the age division that the forfeit occurred.

2. Page 98, section VII, 4th NOTE, 2^nd sentence:

The rule presently reads: Penalty for assisting a batter/baserunner or baserunner (umpire’s judgment) shall be a one (1) strike call on the next batter.
NOTE: The rule should read: PENALTY: A warning will be issued to the coach-pitcher and there shall be a (1) strike call on the next batter. Any subsequent violation shall result in the violating coach-pitcher being removed from the game and not being allowed to return to that game as a coach-pitcher.

3. Page 98, Section VII, Article (D):

The rule presently reads: A DIXIE ANGELS pitcher shall not pitch in consecutive games played by her team in the same tournament if she has pitched in two (2) or more innings of the previous game.

NOTE: The rule should read: A DIXIE ANGELS pitcher shall not pitch in consecutive games played by her team in the same tournament if she has pitched in three (3) or more innings of the previous game.
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