Frequently Asked Questions

NVSS is Unique

1. What is NVSS all about?
A past president answered this question in SlowPitch, our newsletter: "Management believes it's a collection of mature senior women and men for whom softball is a means to remain active, play ball at a competitive but not cutthroat level and build some new friendships along the way. Rules are made to ensure that all players and teams are treated fairly and equitably." Our motto is "You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing."

2. How is NVSS unique?

 There are several factors that guide us that we believe makes us unique:

•We form new teams each year, which offers the opportunity to meet and
play with new people and make new friendships.
•We offer three skill levels of play, which gives each of us the
opportunity to compete and contribute at our own level, and to achieve parity
in teams.
•We follow ASA Senior Men's Slow Pitch rules [with some
modifications for NVSS], which ensures all players and teams are treated fairly
and equally.
•We do our own umpiring, which not only keeps costs down, but places
emphasis and importance on fair play.
•We have two important documents, the NVSS Creed and the NVSS Code
of Conduct, which can be found on our website. These are not just words to us
- we really try to live up to them.

3. How do I apply for membership?
Applications and instructions for submitting them can be found on the NVSS
website. Questions can be answered by contacting the membership chairman,
using the "Contacts" tab on the Home page of the website.

4. May women play?

 Yes! Nearly 10% of our members are women. While we are a co-ed membership organization, we do not play co-ed rules. There is one set of rules for all players.

5. May I join NVSS and continue to work?
Yes. Several NVSS members continue to work and play. It does, however,
require a degree of cooperation by your employer, as we do ask that you be
able to maintain the commitment you indicated when joining. Many of our
working members arrange with their employers to play one day a week or play
out of our player pool on days when they can arrange time off from work.

Fees
6. How does NVSS keep the fees low?
NVSS very successfully uses the talents and willing participation by many
members to voluntarily staff the large number of positions that are required to
run the organization efficiently and effectively. One other large expense that
we avoid is that of umpiring. We umpire our own games, using players from
each of the teams. This works successfully because of our players' support, the
training we offer to all members, the positive attitude of players during the
games, and the mentoring of umpires by managers and other umpires.

7. Why do fees differ for Fairfax County residents and non-residents?
NVSS pays fees to Fairfax County for each player registered to play. Fairfax
County charges higher fees for non-county residents and we have to pass that surcharge on to those members.

Assessment & Team Formation

8. What is the assessment process used for?
First, it ensures that each player possesses a very minimal level of softball
fundamentals. Second, it provides an evaluation of the skill level of each
player to make the best placement in one of the three conferences, which are
differentiated by skill.

9. What skills must be demonstrated during the new member assessment

Each new member will be assessed on batting, throwing, fielding both ground
and fly balls, and base running. The minimum requirements are to throw a ball
over 50 feet in the air, to catch a ball thrown from 65 feet away, to hit a pitched
ball 3 out of 5 swings, hit a ball out of the infield on the fly, run to first base in
ten seconds or less, and play at least one defensive position effectively.
Assessment can be physically taxing, and you should come prepared to
warmup and stretch prior to your session.

10. What equipment do I need to have for the assessment?
As a minimum, you should bring a glove. While a bat is desirable, if you
haven't played in several years, it is good to see what is new in bats before
making that investment.

11. How are team rosters developed?
Team assignments are made by a committee of experienced players,
assisted by a computer program that uses prior year statistics and manager
assessments of player ability in the categories of hitting, slugging, fielding,
running speed and skill, and position assignment. Each team normally has
between 14 and 16 players. The goal is to balance each of the teams as
closely as possible in both offense and defense.

12. What if I don’t want to play for a certain manager or with a certain
player?
You should indicate that on your registration form at the beginning of the
year. Such requests will be made available to the team assignment 
committee. While we can’t guarantee satisfaction of every request, every
effort will be made to honor your desire.

13. What if I want to car pool with another player?
Both players should indicate the desire to car pool on their registration forms,
and the information will be made available to the team assignment committee.
Every effort will be made to place both players on the same team,
considering factors such as team balance, position assignment, etc.

Play

14. What does a normal "play-date" look like?
Before you leave the house, be sure you have all your "equipment": glove, bat,
softball shoes, sunscreen, between game snack, 2 quarts of non-alcoholic
beverage, and extra clothing if it is cold or windy outside. Plan to arrive at least
45 minutes before the official start time to allow time to walk to the field, don
your shoes, place your bat and glove in the dugout, do some warmup exercises
(extremely important), then do some softball tosses before batting practice,
which starts around 30 minutes prior to game time. Drink plenty of fluids,
especially if it is hot or humid. Between games we take about a 10- minute
break to have a snack, rehydrate, explore the "facilities", and rest. The second
game then starts, and is usually over between 12:30 and 1 pm.

15. Why is NVSS organized into three conferences?
The conferences are set up to provide a similar range of skill level and physical
capabilities of the players in each conference, and to achieve parity amongst
teams. Generally, the physical capabilities and skills are greater in the National
Conference, then the American, and lowest in the Continental. While they do
tend to reflect an age difference also, NVSS does not have an age requirement
to play in any of the conferences. Because players in each conference reflect
similar skills and capabilities, a spirit of friendly competition flourishes in
each. With three conferences differentiated by skill level, NVSS offers a place
for everyone where you will feel comfortable playing. The only age
requirement is that women must be 40 and men must be 50 by the end of the
calendar year in which they sign up.

16. What do I need to bring on game days?
A glove, a USA-Softball approved bat, and shoes [metal cleats or spikes,
removable molded or plastic cleats, or hard leather cleats are NOT permitted,
either in practice or during game play]. A hat [an NVSS hat is given to new
members, and offered every three years thereafter] and a team shirt [one is
given each year] are provided by NVSS. Sunglasses [to prevent cataracts and to
improve vision on sunny days]. Sunscreen [to prevent sunburn and skin
cancer]. A snack for between games to renew your energy levels. Two quarts
of a non-alcoholic drink to prevent dehydration.

If you wear prescription glasses, they should have polycarbonate frames and
unbreakable lenses to prevent eye injury, and you may want to discuss single
vision lenses with your optometrist.

You should bring a sealed list of current medical conditions and prescription medications you take; in the event you require medical attention on the field [see website for a suggested form].

17. What if I am able to play only 1 day per week?
Players are allowed to play 1 day per week. We ask that you indicate that fact
on your enrollment form, so team assignments can be made accordingly to
ensure a balance of less than full time players across the teams.

18. I would like to play; however, I am subject to being unavailable on
short notice.
We still have a place for you. Each of the conferences has a group of "pool"
players, which consists of individuals who, for a variety of reasons, are unable
to commit to a team on a regular basis. When teams fall short of players on a
particular day due to injuries or absences, they draw on this pool for additional
players to fill out their roster for that day. This allows us to accommodate
players that have an unpredictable schedule, and we welcome you.

19. Are there accommodations in the rules for the physical limitations of
seniors?
Yes, we follow USA-Softball senior men's slow pitch softball rules (with some
NVSS modifications) to increase the safety of players. Examples are:
•We use 11 players on defense, with four outfielders and a short fielder
playing behind second base.
•We use a scoring plate 8' to the right of home plate in line with the first
base line, used by the runner to decrease the chance for runner/catcher contact.
•We use a runner's bag at first base to decrease the chance of collision.
•Substitute runners are allowed after a batter reaches 1st base.

20. What happens when a player is late to a game?
The player is added to the end of the batting order, and allowed to enter
play when he/she is properly warmed up. However, it must be remembered that
team managers put a lot of effort in planning for a game, and knowing which
players will be there is important to that planning. Lineups are made
considering position rotations, batting sequence, substitute runner
requirements, etc. When a player is late, these plans must be changed at the
last minute, causing disruption to the game plan, and inconvenience to the
entire team. When unforeseen circumstances arise, it is important to notify the
manager as soon as you know you will be late or not be present for the game.

21. How are new rules changes established and implemented?
NVSS plays recreational softball in accordance with USA-Softball Official
Rules of Softball (Senior Men’s Slow Pitch) except as revised in the NVSS les
and Regulations book to fit NVSS purposes. Generally, the rules committee
and the Board of Directors review proposed rule changes during the
winter months. Any approved changes are then incorporated into the NVSS
Rules and Regulations books distributed at the beginning of the spring season,
and posted on the NVSS website. Team managers are also provided a new
USA-Softball Participant Manual of Rules of Softball.

22. What is the policy and procedure for canceling games due to wet
fields?
Games are cancelled in accordance with our Rainout Policy, which states that
we will cancel all games if more than 50% of the scheduled and available
fields are unplayable. We have limited flexibility to transfer one or two game
sites. 1) In the event FCPA closes 50% or more of NVSS fields on the FCPA
website the evening prior, NVSS will automatically cancel the next day’s
scheduled games; 2) Weather permitting, the decision to cancel games will be
made by the 1st VP by about 7 PM the night before. However, most of the
time, the decision cannot be made until early in the morning. On game day
mornings, the First Vice-President makes the decision in conjunction with on-
site assessments of field conditions. Several NVSS volunteer members make
on-site assessments at their assigned fields and relay their information to the
1st VP by about 6 am. In either case, if the decision is to cancel, the 1st VP
initiates a phone tree with the managers in all three conferences, and then has a
notice posted on the NVSS website and the NVSS Facebook page.

23. How are members informed of game cancellations?UPDATE THIS ANSWEr

You can subscribe to the service by going online here:
https://tinyurl.com/nvssalert.

24. What qualities are considered important for selecting team managers?
NVSS places a great deal of responsibility on the team managers so a
variety of considerations are taken into account: knowledge of the game and
of the players in the prospective manager’s conference; demonstrated
organizational skills; and, a commitment to uphold the NVSS Creed and
enforce the NVSS Code of Conduct. This requires an ability to resolve
disputes in the spirit of fair play, and willingness to discipline players—in
consultation with the 1st VP--on those rare occasions when behavior is in
conflict with the code of conduct. All those expressing a willingness to manage
are vetted with the NVSS Board, which approves the selections in an “all things
considered” decision.

25. Does NVSS use the 11" softball when pitching to women players?
Co-Ed leagues do not normally separate players according to skill level,
and they compensate by using the smaller 11" softball when women players
come to bat. NVSS on the other hand, goes to great lengths to ensure that
our conferences and teams are matched according to skill level, with the
goal of maintaining parity among teams in a conference. Both men and
women players meet the same criteria in this process, and conferences and
teams within a conference are as evenly matched in skill level as possible.
Within a team there will be various levels of ability, but generally the men
and women are evenly matched within a team and conference.

Equipment

26. Do I need to wear single vision glasses/contacts?
Many of our members report that bifocal/trifocal/progressive lenses or contacts
cause problems catching thrown and batted balls, especially when the ball
enters the area where the lenses change from distant to close-in vision.

However, your medical condition may vary from their experience, and you
should contact your vision specialist for a review of your situation. In any case,
your lenses should not be glass, for safety reasons.

27. What equipment will I need to buy to play?
Players are required to provide their own bat, glove, and shoes [no metal cleats
or spikes, removable molded or plastic cleats, or hard leather cleats are
permitted, either in practice or during game play]. If you do not already own
equipment, we recommend you talk with some experienced players before
making the investment. You may also want to consult your optometrist about
using single vision polychromate lens glasses.

28. Are there bats that are not allowed?
NVSS follows standards set by USA-Softball (formerly known as the Amateur
Softball Association (ASA). USA-Softball has testing capabilities that measure
the bats to ensure they meet the standards established. More information about
bats is contained in the "Bats Information" section of the Members page of our
website. Since bats can involve a significant investment, we recommend that
you not make that purchase until you have had an opportunity to talk with
members and try out various bats.

The following guidelines apply:
a. Bats with ASA (USA-Softball) certification marks MUST be
listed by manufacturer and model number on the USA-Softball (formerly
known as American Softball Association-ASA) Approved Bats list. The
nickname of the bat is NOT sufficient.
b. Any bat with a BPF greater than 1.20, marked “Senior Bat”, or both
are ILLEGAL for use in NVSS.
c. All bats must have a legible USA-softball (ASA) certification mark
and model number.
d. Bats may not be dented, cracked, rattle or have illegible markings.
e. Wood bats are legal.
f. Bats manufactured prior to 2000 may be legal (see the Chief Umpire).

30. May I use another player’s bat?
We strongly encourage all players to obtain their own bat within their first
month of joining; because of the expense involved, we encourage you to try out
other player’s bats a few times to identify what feels good to you. In trying them
out, there is an etiquette to follow: “...a player should request permission to use
another player’s bat, and not use it without permission. If a player does not
want his bat used by someone else, he should ask fellow players not to use it,
and should keep it separate from other bats in the dugout (e.g. near the owner’s

ball bag). Denial of permission should not be the basis for the requester
to criticize the owner and cause ill feelings on the team.”

30. How are uniforms and equipment selected and purchased?
The Board of Directors approves all uniform and equipment item purchases.
The Logistics Officer then makes the purchases, maintains the inventories and
distributes the items to the team managers. The list of items ordered and
maintained for the NVSS membership includes, but is not limited to hats, team
shirts, balls, score books, instant ice packs, season and tournament
championship shirts, All-Star patches, longevity patches, and Hall of Honor
hats. Members may also purchase from uniform and other items on the
NVSS Apparel Store Website once a year via the store link on the NVSS
website.

31. How does NVSS determine which bats are allowed for use?
NVSS follows standards set by USA-Softball. USA-Softball has testing
capabilities that measure the bats to ensure they meet the standards
established. The list of approved bats can be found on the USA-Softball
website and a link to that site can be found on the NVSS website. Bats are
checked at least annually, and members are responsible for ensuring their
equipment meets NVSS standards.

Scheduling

32. What are the playing days and hours?
Regular season games are played on Tuesday and Thursday mornings starting
at 9:30 AM and ending around 1 PM. We do schedule several rain makeup
dates on Mondays, and the end-of-season tournaments start on Mondays and
finish two or three days later. The annual All-Star game and picnic are held on
a Wednesday in July. In exceptionally hot weather, games start at 9 AM.

33. What are the start/stop dates of the seasons?

Our spring/summer season begins in mid-April and ends with a tournament in

late July. The fall season begins the first week after Labor Day in September, and ends with a tournament at the end of October.

34. How is the number of games per season decided?
It is set by the Board of Directors based on the starting and ending dates of
the season, and has to take into account several factors such as: when Fairfax
County makes the fields available, the All Star game will occur, on what day
holidays will occur, when the end of season tournaments will occur, and any
other considerations that may arise.

35. Why do we play two 7-inning games per day rather than one 9-inning
game?
In the mid-90s, the NVSS membership voted to schedule two 7-inning
games per play date. An official softball game is seven innings long, and our
allotted playing time of three hours is ample for two games. Moreover, it is not
unusual for a team to build a large lead in the early innings of a game that
would be difficult to overcome. Playing a second game gives a fresh start, and
another chance to compete. A large percentage of our play dates end in splits.

36. Why do we start games at 9:30 AM rather than 10:00 AM when traffic
is less?
Several years ago, in response to numerous requests to start at 10 AM, we
began all fall season games at 10 AM to determine whether there would
be advantages. At the conclusion of the season, the consensus among the
players was that traffic was not much different at the later start time, and that
it was a disadvantage for those with other commitments in the afternoons.
The Board was also concerned that a later start time in the summer would
result in a larger portion of the games being played in the heat of the day.
Accordingly, we decided to stay with the 9:30 start time.

37. Why don't we play more rain makeup dates?
NVSS over the years has used a variety of formats to try to play every
scheduled game. Some years, the rain simply wins. We have learned that it
is very important that our makeup dates be scheduled: working members have
to arrange their work schedule, and other members need to plan travel around
games days as much as possible. Wednesdays don't work for many of our
members— they have complained about the wear on their bodies of having to
play 6 games in 3 consecutive days. Mondays and Fridays see many of our
workers and our tournament players unable to attend, resulting in team forfeits.

Our current policy is to schedule several Mondays a season as a rain makeup
date and allow our members to adjust their personal and work schedules as
much as possible around those pre-planned dates.

Preparation

38. I haven't played for several years; will I be able to participate?
Yes!! You will find that the old skills will return very quickly with regular play
(although nothing is done quite as fast or as easy as we remember doing it
years ago). It is important, however, to concentrate on conditioning,
particularly stretching and strength building for softball activity. First year
players are very prone to minor injuries, such as pulled muscles and sprains. To
assist your preparations, NVSS offers: a winter conditioning program (see
website for details); a pre-season conditioning training to all registered
members, beginning in February each year; and several conditioning exercise
programs to do on your own (see our website). NVSS also offers a "Skills
Refresher" program, providing instruction on batting, fielding and pitching
techniques focusing on new members.

39. Are there off-season training/conditioning programs available?
Yes. NVSS sponsors an indoor winter workout program at the Fairfax
Sportsplex in Springfield from November to the end of March, which includes
exercising, throwing, batting, and fielding practice. There is a charge for this
program and participants must be registered NVSS members. Sessions are held
Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30am and Tuesday and Thursday from
11:30am to 1:30pm. The Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 session also has a
Pitching Development program.

Additionally, beginning in early February and continuing to just prior to the
start of the season in April, there is a two day per week exercise program (days
vary each year) at the James Lee Rec Center that is free to registered NVSS
members that emphasizes stretching, muscle strengthening, and running. As
the spring weather improves, outdoor batting practice is available after each
exercise session, as well. Additional information is under the Physical
Conditioning tab on the NVSS website.

40. What can I do to prepare for playing softball in NVSS?
First, the instant you decide to join, immediately start an exercise program that
focuses on flexibility, core body strengthening, and softball specific muscles.
You should also add hamstring and quad stretching and strengthening exercises, as those are the muscles most often injured by first-year players. Running, walking, swimming, tennis and other personal programs will NOT prepare your body for softball movements!

Second, attend the Skills Refresher programs and batting practices offered for members. You can find the dates on the NVSS calendar posted on the NVSS website.

Third, if you have time, participate in the James Lee exercise program, or the
Winter Conditioning program at the Fairfax Sportsplex in Springfield.

Fourth, recondition your glove, buy a new pair of softball shoes [with soft
rubber cleats] and follow all the tips above to prepare for a great experience!

Awards
41. What is the NVSS Hall of Honor?
The Hall of Honor was established in 2003 to recognize and reward NVSS
members for noteworthy effort on the organization's behalf. The individuals
inducted into the Hall of Honor have given uncountable volunteer hours and
accepted many responsible tasks to meet the enormous administrative,
management, and support demands required to make NVSS the outstanding
success that it is.

42. What is the Outstanding Senior Adult Award?
Each year Fairfax County and their Senior Citizens Council asks seniors'
organizations to nominate members for this award in celebration of Older
Americans Month. NVSS selects up to two members, based on the length and
significance of their volunteer contributions to the successful day to day
operations of NVSS. Those selected are announced at the NVSS Annual
Breakfast, have their contributions posted in the SlowPitch, attend the
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Annual Senior Recognition ceremony
for free, and receive a certificate from the Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors.

43. What is the NVSS Service Recognition Award?
The NVSS Board of Directors recognizes the accomplishments and/or
contributions of an NVSS member, associate member, or non-member that led
to the betterment or success of NVSS. Up to three awards may be presented
annually, based on sustained contributions or a single contribution of special
significance. NVSS Service Recognition Awards are normally announced at
the NVSS Annual Breakfast, printed in the SlowPitch, and posted on the
NVSS website. Recipients also receive a small plaque.

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