We should be clear. Both the Cougars and Hawks have been approved to add three 53 and over players to their rosters. And they can pitch.
And I believe those players must stay with those teams until they will turn 55 during the calendar year, at which time they would become free-agents after their season ends until Feb. 1 under the current rules.
This is a 1-time deal to help those teams be more competitive.
thanks Jim, to be even more clear.....any player turning 53 by Dec 31st 2013 can ask to join the Grey Cougars or Hawks. (So you could be 52). They cannot join any other team until they are age eligible to do so at 55 ( or turning 55 by calendar year) . Thus 53 years old can play two years under this rule , 54's one year. They can declare their free agency when they have completed seasons after either one or two years as per their age entering , can quit, or can join the other team under this rule. the division has granted this age waiver this season and it may not be available again for under age players next year. so 53 old players entering this year would be grandfathered in and be able to play regardless of renewing the rule next season while 54 yr old players would be "55" free agents after the completion of the 2013 season if they so choose. jreel
That is a brilliant idea and should make the league more competitive right away provided a 52-54 can't manage. Who came up with it they have my thanks.
Wayne, The 55 manager's voted on this at the league meeting. They player's may play for the team's mentioned. But they cannot fill in for any other team. The age is 53-54. This was done to try to be more interesting games.
Pitching is probably the number one position on the field. We know this. However, almost as important is having a catcher that can do a decent job behind the plate . If a catcher cannot make a throw to second or third, then anybody who gets to first will get to second and third if they want to run. Pretty much every time. And the other fielders need to limit the number of errors and mental mistakes. I like the idea of allowing several slightly younger players on the Hawks and Grey Cougars and I hope it is helpful.
