News Flash and Notice Board

He Aitua - Joseph "Seph" Porteous and Gordon Saunders

May 8 2013

Hi All,

I received the below notice from SNZ this morning of the sad passing on Saturday 4^th May of Mark’s father Seph,  “a legend in softball” as you can read.
 
I sadly advise also on Saturday my father Gordon passed away on the day of his 93^rd birthday.
 
I have spoken with Mark and passed on our condolences. Please feel free to advised you membership as you see.

Regards
Wayne Saunders
SNZ Umpire-in-Chief
Our people are the foundation of our success
FEET (Four Essential Element Theory) worlds best practice

Softball New Zealand is sad to announce the passing of another Softball legend. Joseph (Seph) Porteous died peacefully in his home in Huntly on May 4^th 2013. He was 87.
 
Seph was a long time player and administrator and a huge fan of the game for many years. When the Eden club was formed he was there, eager to learn the game he knew through his deep interest in baseball. Eden’s success mirrored his and in 1948 he was named in the North Island team a feat he repeated in the 1958 season when he was playing for Waikato.
 
He played for Auckland in many successful teams and had a National Title with Eden but in the interest of spreading the competition in Auckland he, together with Don Brewer, moved to form the Bear’s Club even though that initially meant playing in the Major B competition. Seph and Don became the first Major B players to represent Auckland.
 
As well as playing an excellent game at first base, Seph was also an expert pitcher, studying the batters and using his variation of speed and height to confuse them. He was also a prodigious home run hitter with many stories of balls hit beyond park boundaries in the days when home run fences were not used.
 
When he became the AA agent in Huntly, Seph worked tirelessly developing the Huntly Club and also worked with the Waikato Association. He represented Waikato in the days when it was a strong force in National Competitions and played over 250 Rep games for the province.
 
His influence in Waikato was immense and he is recognised as not only a Life Member of the Waikato Association but also a Legend of Auckland Softball and holds a Distinguished Service Award for New Zealand.
 
After his playing career was over (at a very late age) he continued in an administrative capacity for Huntly, Waikato and was also a New Zealand Softball Councillor for many years using his knowledge as an Accountant and businessman. He was also a successful coach and had the luxury of coaching one of the strongest Waikato teams upon the arrival of Kevin Herlihy in the mid 1970’s.
 
He also coached and guided both of his sons Andrew and Mark who became Rep Players as well for both Waikato and North Harbour. Mark continues his legacy in the game and is now an International Qualified Softball umpire.
Seph will be sadly missed by many in the softball fraternity but joins his old team mates on the diamond in the sky.
 
He is survived by his wife Irene and four children.

Plan To Go Further Into Umpiring?  Read below.........and click on the latest ISF Magazine for January 2012.  A nice article from the ISF Director of Umpires - Bob Stanton 

You made a New Year’s resolution and aren’t keeping it. You want to set a new goal for 2012 instead. Whether you’re an ISF-certified umpire or not, resolve to go further into officiating softball games by utilizing ISF UmpSchool. The online resource recently passed the two-year anniversary of its launch and men and women in countries around the world have been benefitting from all it has to offer. For a nominal registration fee, the user gets access to practice tests, the case book, the umpire manual, and many other resources that are exclusive to ISF UmpSchool. To sign up for this convenient service go now to www.ruleboxsoftware.com/isf.aspx.

Check out the latest ISF Magazine for January 2012 by clicking here.  Read about being "Behind the Plate" by Bob Stanton
 

Key messages from the 2011 Congress - Summary provided by Bob Stanton - ISF Director of Umpires and Wayne Saunders - ISF OUC Oceania

26 November 2011

Towards the latter half of this item there are some key summary points provided by ISF Director of Umpires Bob Stanton.  In addition you will find copies of minutes and presentations from the 2011 Congress.
 
For SNZ umpires the following items will take effect immediately
 
Equipment Standards Commission
Items 2, 3 and 4.
 
Umpires Commission
Item 4. Please also note items 1 and 2.
 
Playing Rules Commission
Item 3. (links to video on UTube previously sent).
 
Regards
Wayne Saunders
ISF RUC - Oceania
New Zealand

 

Key Summary Points from the ISF Director of Umpiring, Bob Stanton

2011 ISF Congress ISF Pitching Video_Points of Emphasis
Copy Congress 2011 Presentation ISF Umpire crews
Playing rules Commission Report
Congress 2011 ISF 3_4 Umpire System Reissued October 2011
ISF XXV Congress - Umpires Commission 2011

Equipment Standards Commission

1. Bat testing at Championships approved - New mechanical device to measure bat compression demonstrated.  It gives an actual read out as opposed to a pass or fail as is the case with the Easton bat Tester.  Cost is about $800 USD.  Will get more information on ordering for you if your Region or Federation is interested.  Does not require electricity.
2. Grip enhancing cloths were approved.  A Gorilla Gold cloth and wrist band were reviewed at the meeting
3. Finger grips for bats was approved provided the grip still allows the bat to meet the specification set out in Rule 3 Section 1 m – “safety knob with a minimum of 0.6 cm (1/4”) protruding at a 90-degree angle from the handle….   Note” A “flare” or “cone” grip attached to the bat will result in the bat being considered an altered bat.  The website for the bat grips can be accessed via www.gripnripsoftball.com
4. Bats taken off ISF List because manufacturer leaves program or withdraws are still legal for 5 years after withdrawal by manufacturer provided the bat still meets the bat standards set out in Rule 3.
5. Metal cleats for U19 approved beginning 2012

Umpires Commission

1. Re-certification approved, 30 question re-certification test every rule change period – must file current (last 5 years) on field evaluation for consideration for ISF Sanction event – Begins in 2014 but will push for re-certification for umpires going to Worlds in 2012 and 2013.
2. Pre-qualification testing for Certification Seminar approved
3. Approval to work with slow pitch task force specifically rules and mechanics
4. 3&4 Umpire system revisions presented  - see attached.
5. Will become more involved in Special Olympic program (slow pitch).  They are looking for help with rules and ISF Certified Special Olympic Umpires.
6. Federations advised of efforts to update umpire list and asked for assistance.
7. Federations advised of project to obtain pictures of all World and Olympic crews.  Assistance requested

Playing Rules Commission(minutes and presentations attached)

1. Discussion on simplification of rules – no recommendations other than to consider such a project
2. One comment on pitching rule – Bahamas – should not change rules to favour elite – Bahamas was reminded that rules were written for World Championship play (elite players) and can be modified for local play.
3. Pitching video played – no concerns raised