USA Softball Names Athletes To 2012 Women’s National Team

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Twelve athletes have been named to the 2012 USA Softball Women’s National Team, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today. An additional five athletes will be named to the squad, which will compete at the International Softball Federation (ISF) Women’s World Championship, following a 2012 USA Softball Women’s National Team and USA Softball Women’s Elite National Team Selection Camp in June. … Continue Reading

May-Johnson Leads USA Softball Athlete Of The Year Awards

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Stacy May-Johnson has been named the 2011 USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year while Greg Connell was selected as the Male Athlete of the Year, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today. Cheyenne Cordes has also been selected as the Athlete of the Year from the Junior Women’s National team program.

Rookie infielder May-Johnson (Reno, Nev./Iowa assistant coach), who saw time at shortstop and third base, came out of retirement in 2011 to make her first USA Softball Women’s National Team at 27-years-old. … Continue Reading

Assistant Coaches Named For The 2011 USA Softball Women’s National Team program

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today the full coaching staffs for the USA Softball Women’s National Team and USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team for competitions in 2011. With Ken Eriksen (Tampa, Fla./Head Coach at USF) and Karen Johns (Whippany, N.J.) … Continue Reading

ASA/USA Softball Announces 2010 Athletes Of The Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today that shortstop Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.) and outfielder Johnny McCraw (Lake Wylie, S.C.) have been selected as the USA Softball 2010 Female and Male Athlete of the Year. Third baseman Lauren Chamberlain (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) has also been selected as the Athlete of the Year from the Junior Women’s National Team program. … Continue Reading

Jennie Finch Announces Retirement From USA

OKLAHOMA CITY – Arguably the most recognized softball player in the World, Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) will hang up her Red, White and Blue uniform as she announced her retirement from USA Softball effective after the 2010 KFC World Cup of Softball presented by Six Flags, announced today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America. During her 10 year career with USA Softball, Finch has emerged as an icon bringing recognition to the sport on levels transcending the diamond. … Continue Reading

Junior WNT Campers Chosen

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today the 42 athletes who have accepted an invitation to attend the 2010 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team selection camp, June 10-13, at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The athletes, who are age 18 and under, represent 13 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah. … Continue Reading

USA Softball Announces 2009 USA Softball Athletes Of The Year

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and USA Softball are pleased to announce that Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) and Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa) were named the USA Softball Female and Male Athlete of the year, respectively, for their accomplishments during the 2009 season.

Finch saw time as both a pitcher and at first base on defense and made an impact at the plate on offense. Finch’s hits in the Championship Game of both the Japan Cup and Canada Cup secured the USA victory. She was voted the Japan Cup MVP after she not only threw a one-hitter to defending Olympic Gold Medalist Japan but also drove in the only two runs scored, with a double, to help lead the team to a 2-0 victory. In the Championship game of the Canada Cup with two outs left in the seventh, Finch hit a walk-off single that would push a run across the plate and give the United States a 3-2 victory.

Offensively, Finch was in the Top five in all three events in batting average with a summer average of .447. Her best event was at the World Cup of Softball where Finch hit .500 with a home run and three runs scored. During the summer of 2009, she made an appearance in all 18 games with 17 starts with three home runs and 17 hits. As a pitcher, she was 5-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Finch allowed only two earned runs in 26.0 innings pitched. … Continue Reading

ASA Announces World Cup Tickets On Sale

OKLAHOMA CITY — International softball returns to the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City when the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team takes on Canada, Japan and the USA Futures Team at the 5th World Cup of Softball, July 22-26.

“There is nothing like the World Cup,” said two-time Olympian Jennie Finch. “It is the best environment and my favorite event each year. I look forward to competing at the greatest softball complex in the World and in front of the World’s Greatest Fans. I get chills just thinking about it again and am really looking forward to returning to Oklahoma City.” … Continue Reading

Top 50 Watch List for 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its initial “Watch List” for the 9th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott, Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher and 2009 winner Washington pitcher/hitter Danielle Lawrie.

The 2010 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 35 schools and 14different NCAA Division I Conferences. The list includes 27 seniors, 17 juniors and six sophomores. … Continue Reading

ASA 18U Gold Tournament Moves to Marietta, Georgia in 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today that Marietta, Ga. will be the new site for the 2010 ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD National Championships August 1-7. With an ASA Code decision recently passed by the ASA Council, the 18-U GOLD will move to the Lost Mountain Softball Complex in Marietta in 2010, a to be determined west coast site in 2011 and return to the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City in 2012.

“With the changes that occurred in Reno at the ASA Annual Meeting, we decided that moving the GOLD to the east would be a great first step towards the new rotation,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “Marietta has proven to be a successful host for ASA National Championships especially as the 2004 hosts of the GOLD National. We are excited to move this tournament next year to the west and then every third year return to our home in Oklahoma City. We feel this is the best solution to meet the needs of the teams and everyone else involved in the success of the GOLD.” … Continue Reading

2010 ASA Rule And Code Changes

RENO, Nev. — The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America concluded the 78th Annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nev. On Thursday afternoon with decisions being voted on that affect the ASA Official Rules of Softball and the ASA Code.

Added Nov. 18: A list of 2010 ASA code and rule changes is now avaliable on the ASA Web site. For code changes with comments, please click here or to view the playing rule changes with comments … Continue Reading

ASA President Dooley Begins Term

RENO, Nev. — Piedmont Virginia Amateur Softball Association commissioner Andy Dooley (Bedford, Va.) began his two-year term as President of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America earlier this week. Dooley previously served as President Elect since 2007 and now has started his term as President which will run through November of 2011.

“This is one of the greatest moments of my career and one of the most challenging,” said Dooley. “As thrilled and honored as I am by the confidence you have shown by electing me, I am also profoundly aware of the great responsibility the council entrusts in me in the coming years. I am confident that, with the help of everyone on the council, we will raise the ASA to new heights.” … Continue Reading

ASA Inducts 2009 HOF Class

RENO, Nevada – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) inducted eight members on Wednesday evening to its National Softball Hall of Fame as ASA celebrated its 29th Annual Hall of Fame Induction celebration. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the 2010 class was announced with 10 members nominated for induction next year.

The four players inducted this evening included Leah O’Brien Amico, Corona, Calif. (Fast Pitch Player); Al Yeager, Seymour, Conn. (Fast Pitch Player); Allyson Rioux, (Deceased)-Stamford, Conn. (Fast Pitch Player); Jeff Seip, Boyertown, Pa. (Fast Pitch Player).

The non-players inducted were Benny Bunch (Deceased) of Enid, Okla., (meritorious service), R.B. Thomas of Manassas, Va. (manager) and umpires Newton Buckner of Brooklyn, N.Y and Tony Walsh of Memphis, Tenn. … Continue Reading

2011 ASA Championships Announced

RENO, Nevada – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced today the host sites for the 2011 National Championship season as part of the annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nevada. Along with over 90 tournament sites awarded, voting was held for the 2011 ASA Council Meeting site as well as positions for the Board of Directors.

Six cities showed up to bid on the 2011 ASA National Council Meeting site; San Diego, Calif., Buffalo, N.Y., Tucson, Ariz., Orlando, Fla., Louisville, Ken., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. After the cities presented to the council, the field was voted down to two cities with Myrtle Beach and San Diego remaining. With 120 votes (55.4%), the 2011 ASA National Council Meeting site was awarded to Myrtle Beach. … Continue Reading

ASA Readies For Reno

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) continues its preparation for the 78th Annual Council Meeting as it is just days from kicking off the meeting in Reno, Nev. Hosted at the Peppermill Resort, Nov. 6-14, the Annual Council Meeting brings together administrators, players and tournament hosts from around the country to evaluate the needs of the association along with proposed rule and code changes for all divisions of softball.

The majority of the council meeting will consist of breakout sessions for the different committees and regions. However, several special events will be held throughout the week including the Wilson Sporting Goods Awards Luncheon on Monday, the “Fun Walk” sponsored by Central Screen Printing on Tuesday morning (click here for a flyer) and the National Softball Hall of Fame banquet and reception on Wednesday evening. … Continue Reading

Sorcerer Phil Wins 18U GOLD

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Behind the pitching and batting of left-hander Keilani Ricketts (San Jose, Calif.), Sorcerer Gold-Phil of Vallejo, Calif. completed an unbeaten sweep through the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) 18-under Girls’ GOLD National Championship Sunday afternoon at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla.

To go 7-0 for their first ASA GOLD national title, Sorcerer Gold defeated the defending 2008 GOLD National Champions, the Gold Coast Hurricanes (Plantation, Fla.) 3-1, in the championship game. … Continue Reading

USA Softball to Compete at Japan Cup and Pan American qualifier

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – With two tournament championship titles on its resume, the USA Softball Women’s National team program will now send two teams out to compete with one heading to Sendai City, Japan for the Japan Cup and the other to Maracay, Venezuela, for the Pan American qualifier. The Pan American qualifierwill consist of 22 teams and will qualify the USA for the ISFWomen’s Fast PitchWorld Championships next year in Oklahoma City as well as the Pan American Games in 2011 held in Guadalajara, Mexico. … Continue Reading

ASA 18U Gold Nationals Start August 2nd.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The 64-team field is complete for the 2009 ASA 18-Under GOLD National Championship scheduled to take place August 2-9 at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla. Pool play draws were completed on Monday by tournament officials as 16 pools of four teams each kick off the tournament action before the 64-team championship bracket is drawn on the evening of Monday, August 3.

Be sure to follow all the tournament action at http://gold.asasoftball.com/ where LIVE STATS and LIVE STREAMING of the stadium field will take place. … Continue Reading

41 Headed To 2009 USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) announced today the final list of attendees to the 2009 USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp, June 8-12, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. These 41 athletes will compete to earn a spot on one of two teams set to compete this summer at four events including the KFC World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City.

On June 15, two rosters will be announced that include the USA Softball Women’s National Team and the USA Softball Women’s Elite Team. The USA Softball Women’s National team will represent the U.S. at the Canada Cup (July 4-12) and the World Cup (July 16-20). The rosters for the Japan Cup (July 31- Aug. 2) and the Pan American Qualifier (July 31- Aug. 9) will be a combination of athletes from the Women’s National team and the Elite team. … Continue Reading

Lawrie named 2009 USA Softball Player Of The Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today the selection of Washington’s Danielle Lawrie (Langley, British Columbia) as the recipient of the 8th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The Pac-10 leader in wins, ERA, strikeouts and shutouts, Washington’s Lawrie is also among the nation’s top three in all four categories.

“First of all I have to say congratulations to both Kaitlin (Cochran) and Stacey (Nelson) on a great season. It very well could have been either of them standing up here instead of me. I have to say thanks to my dad who has been such a great supporter of my career and also to my teammates, as I could not be here without them. They allow me to stand up here and receive this award so I am very grateful to them. Also a thanks to Coach Tarr who has helped me throughout my career to be the player I am.” … Continue Reading

Top Three Finalists for Player Of The Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), is pleased to release its Top Three Finalists for the 2009 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, which will be announced on Tues., May 26 at the NCAA Women’s College World Series Party at the Park at ASA Hall of Fame Complex. The hunt for the Player of the Year started with a Top 50 Watch list and has been narrowed down to three; Arizona State’s Kaitlin Cochran, Washington’s Danielle Lawrie and Florida’s Stacey Nelson. … Continue Reading

Field Narrowed to 10 for the Finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its 10 Finalists for the 8th Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott and Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher. … Continue Reading

WCWS Heading to ASA HOF

The University of Florida was named the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division I Softball Championship today when the NCAA Division I Softball Committee announced the 64-team field. The Gators, champions of the Southeastern Conference, are 55-3 and will play Florida A&M University, an automatic qualifier from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, May 15, in front of a home crowd in Gainesville.

Thirty conferences were awarded automatic qualification, and the remaining 34 slots were filled with at-large selections to complete the bracket. The top 16 teams were seeded nationally and will play at campus sites this weekend. … Continue Reading

Kentucky’s Johnson Named USA Softball Player of the Week

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Amateur Softball Association is pleased to announce that Kentucky’s Molly Johnson (Tucson, Az.) has been named the USA Softball Player of the Week for the week of April 20-26. Johnson helped lead her team to a sweep over SEC-opponent Mississippi State for the first time since the 1998-99 season.

The junior shortstop led the team with a .692 batting average as UK won all four games, including earning a sweep of Mississippi State for the first time since 1998-99. UK’s three SEC wins also helped clinch just the third appearance in the SEC tournament in school history. … Continue Reading

ASA Announces USA Softball Women’s National team coaching assignments for 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced today the USA Softball Women’s National team coaching assignments for the 2009 season. The following coaches were selected by the Women’s National Team Selection Committee from the 14 coaches named to the Women’s National team selection pool. Leading the way will be Jay Miller (Starkville, Miss.) who was named the USA Softball Women’s National team head coach on February 16. … Continue Reading

2009 ASA Rules Approves Gorilla Gold for Softball Pitchers

(Approved by ASA at 2009 Council Meeting in Oklahoma City)

Resin-based grip enhancer can be kept in pocket

The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) 2009 Rule Book has included Gorilla Gold, the world’s leading producer and marketer of resin-tackified grip towels, as the only approved drying agent allowed in a pitcher’s pocket.

The new ruling aligns the ASA with NCAA Softball, which has allowed pitchers to use Gorilla Gold for the past four years. … Continue Reading

Arizona’s Stacie Chambers named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association announced today that Arizona’s Stacie Chambers (Glendale, Ariz.) was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week for her offensive efforts at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.

“It really is an honor and a great feeling,” said Chambers. “But it only raises the bar for myself and makes me want to work harder. Our team is going to come out and work hard as we head into Pac-10 play next week, and we are all driven to make it back to Oklahoma City.”

The junior catcher tallied 15 RBI and seven runs scored in 14 at-bats. In total, three players tallied seven RBI in the tournament, which was the second-highest output, but Chambers had 15. She nabbed six hits over the tournament – all home runs – bringing her season total to 19 and her RBI total to 66, leading the Pac-10 conference. … Continue Reading

USA Softball Announces 2009-2012 Women’s National Team Coaching Pool

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and USA Softball announced today the 14 coaches selected to the 2009 Women’s National team coaching pool. The coaches have been selected for the 2009-2012 quadrennium and are responsible for the training and preparation for the Women’s National team program. The head coach selection will be announced at a later date.

Listed below are the coaches selected: … Continue Reading

ASA Announces Top 50 Watch List for the 2009 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its initial “Watch List” for the 8th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott and Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher. … Continue Reading

The 2009 ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 pre-season Poll

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Amateur Softball Association announced today the Florida Gators at No. 1 in the 2009 ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 pre-season Poll. A 2008 Women’s College World Series contender, the Gators return all but one starter from the 2008 squad and received 18 first-place votes this week. Led by the pitching efforts of senior Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.), the Gators will look to their five returning All-Americans as they fight for a return trip to Oklahoma City.

Close behind Florida is SEC conference foe the University of Alabama at No. 2. The Crimson Tide also reached the WCWS in Oklahoma City, but fell short to the 2008 NCAA defending champion Arizona State who comes into the poll at No. 3 while also earning one first place vote. … Continue Reading

How To Win, Even If The Team Loses

Why do 35 million U.S. children participate in organized youth sports each year? To start, sports give boys and girls an array of exciting “firsts”—the first game, the first big score and the first team victory. For every first win, however, there is also a child’s first big loss and the question that follows: How can I guide my child through the disappointment of defeat?

While such comforts as juice boxes and granola bars provide a good start, only an adult mentor can show a young athlete how even a 1 and 10 season can be full of fun memories and positive learning experiences. … Continue Reading

Today In History – Amateur Softball Association Moves to Oklahoma

The ASA moved to Oklahoma City January 1, 1966 after having its offices in Newark, NJ. The decision to establish a Hall of Fame Building in OKC was made in January of 1965.

The National Softball Hall of Fame was officially dedicated May 26, 1973 in Oklahoma City. The building was opened to the public July 1, 1973.

The first of two additions to the ASA Hall of Fame/ASA Headquarters was started July 5, 1976 and completed July 13, 1977 for an additional 4,350 square feet of space. Dedication ceremonies for the expansion were held July 23, 1977. Counting the Hall of Fame/ASA Headquarters and the ASA Hall of Fame, there is 28,406 square feet of space. … Continue Reading