Presenting the 2007 Nebraska Senior Softball Player’s Survey

Written by:
John Lucash
Bill Riggle
Bill Smuck
Ed Tworek
Duke Burgess

Technical Consultant Will Meinen

Produced By The Commissioner, Associate Commissioner and Board of Directors of Nebraska Senior Softball

Survey Format
  • 26 questions used to gather information and opinions
  • Questions 1 & 2 designed to prevent multiple entries by the same person (Last name and birth date)
  • Used online product (Zoomerang) to gather responses. 2 versions used, but were identical (100 respondent limit)
  • 94 surveys completed by players (70% completion rate). Only 4 players completed paper copy
  • Responses analyzed and suggestions submitted by the Survey Committee to Board of Directors
  • Ability to analyze results in different ways

    #3 Which sanctioning body’s rules should NSS use?
  • ASA - 54%
  • SPA - 17%
  • No Preference - 11%
  • USSSA - 9%
  • SSUSA - 9%

    #5 What color ball should we use?
  • Optic Yellow - 76%
  • White - 11%
  • No Preference - 10%
  • Optic Orange - 3%

    #6 What type ball should we use? (Higher numbers mean livelier ball)
  • Core 44, 375 Comp - 26.6%
  • Core 47, 375 Comp - 8.5%
  • Core 44, 400 Comp - 23.4%
  • Core 44, 525 Comp - 28.7%
  • Core 47, 525 Comp - 5.3%
  • No Preference - 7.4%

    #7 Who’s list of approved bats should we use?
  • No Other Organization Bats - 9.6%
  • ASA Approved Bats - 47.9%
  • USSSA Approved Bats - 22.3%
  • SSUSA Approved Bats, Includes Miken - 6.4%
  • SPA Approved Bats, Includes Miken - 13.8%

    #8 Should the league allow use of a pitching screen?
    All Players
  • No Pitching Screen - 35.1%
  • Allow Pitcher To Choose - 51.1%
  • Use Screen All The Time - 11.7%

    Players < 60
  • No Pitching Screen - 42.2%
  • Allow Pitcher To Choose - 46.7%
  • Use Screen All The Time - 8.9%

    Players >= 60
  • No Pitching Screen - 28.6%
  • Allow Pitcher To Choose - 55.1%
  • Use Screen All The Time - 14.3%

    Use of Pitching Screen Based on Previous Pitching Experience
    Non-Pitchers
  • No Pitching Screen - 40%
  • Allow Pitcher To Choose - 48.6%
  • Use Screen All The Time - 10%

    Pitchers
  • No Pitching Screen - 20.8%
  • Allow Pitcher To Choose - 58.3%
  • Use Screen All The Time - 16.7%

    #9 What nights of the week should we play?
  • Monday - 71.3%
  • Tuesday 28.7%
  • Wednesday 50%
  • Thruday - 46.8%
  • Saturday - 1.1%

    #10 Should the league use an 11th defensive fielder?
  • No - 88%
  • Yes - 12%

    #11 How many official umpires for each game?
  • One - 84%
  • Two - 12%
  • No Preference - 4%

    #12 Rank order the following playing locations.
  • Seymour-Smith - 53.2%
  • Petersen Fields - 24.5%
  • Harrah's Sports Complex - 9.6%
  • N.P. Dodge Park - 7.4%

    #14 What type uniform should the league provide?
  • Major League Replica Shirt & Cap - 83%
  • Set of 2 T-Shirts & Cap - 15%
  • None - 2%

    #15 Should Board members be elected to their positions?
  • All Board Members Be Elected - 44.7%
  • Elect Commissioner - Accept Volunteers for Others - 30.9%
  • Continue Accepting Volunteers - 23.4%

    #16 If elected, how long should Board members serve?
  • Four Year Term - 5.3%
  • Three Year Term - 35.1%
  • Two Year Term - 50.0%
  • Indefinitely - 2.1%

    #17 Should board members serve as team managers?
  • Yes - 44.7%
  • No - 40.4%
  • No Preference - 14.9%

    #18 How many members should make up the Board?
  • Five - Commish and Four Menbers - 12.8%
  • Seven - Commish, Asst Commish and Five Members - 34%
  • Eight - Commish, Asst Commish, Secretary, and Five Members - 20.2%
  • Ten - Commish, Asst Commish and Eight Members - 7.4%
  • As Determined By The Board - 23.4%

    #19 Should awards be standardized?
  • Establish Standard Award System - 55%
  • Do Not Standardize But Announce Before Season - 31%
  • No. Let Board Decide Each Year - 14%

    #20 Should we promote the use of sponsors?
  • Actively Solicit Sponsers - 76%
  • Accept Sponsers If They Approach Us - 17%
  • Dont Waste Time With Sponsers - 7%

    #21 Should the league have special rules for older players?
  • Yes - 31.9%
  • No - 57.4%
  • No Preference - 10.6%

    Special Rules Adjusted for Age
    >= 60
  • Yes - 22.4%
  • No - 65.3%
  • No Preference - 12.2%

    < 60
  • Yes - 42.2%
  • No - 48.9%
  • No Preference - 8.9%

    #22 Should we look at purchasing a defibrillator?
  • Yes - 67%
  • No - 16%
  • No Preference - 17%

    #23 Should the league have a membership meeting separate from the banquet?
  • Yes - 61%
  • No - 22%
  • No Preference - 17%

    #24 Should the league be divided into two divisions?
  • No - 64.9%
  • Divide Based On Age - 6.4%
  • Divide Based On Ability - 7.4%
  • Players Choose For Themselves - 16.0%

    Division Based on Age Group
    >= 60
  • No - 63.3%
  • Divide Based On Age - 10.2%
  • Divide Based On Ability - 8.2%
  • Players Choose For Themselves - 8.2%

    < 60
  • No - 66.7%
  • Divide Based On Age - 2.2%
  • Divide Based On Ability - 6.7%
  • Players Choose For Themselves - 24.4%

    #25 How would you like to see the draft accomplished?
  • Select Managers, Let Them Pick - 27.7%
  • Select Top Players, Let Them Pick - 43.6%
  • Select Managers, For Committee, Let Them Assign - 22.3%
  • No Preference - 6.4%

    The End