GeorgiaASA.com

Updated: May 3, 2013 - 11:25 p.m. EDT

16A Association Berth Tournament Postponed
The 16A Association Berth Tournament scheduled for may 3-5 has been postponed due to weather. More details will follow.

Craig Cress Announced as Next National Executive Director of ASA
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and USA Softball Board of Directors announced today the selection of Craig Cress (Edmond, Okla.) as the next Executive Director for the National Governing Body (NGB) of Softball in the United States. Cress, who currently serves as the association’s Director of Membership Services since May 2002, will begin duties as Executive Director effective November 15, 2013 at the ASA/USA Annual Council Meeting in Oklahoma City. Click here for more on the story.

Happy 80th Birthday ASA!
From its humble beginnings, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball has become one of the nation’s leading sports organizations. As the association celebrates its past 80 years in 2013, numerous individuals have helped make ASA/USA Softball the nation’s foremost softball organization. Here, we salute those who played a vital role in the first decade of ASA/USA Softball’s history.

UGA's Geri Ann Glasco Slugs Four Homers; Honored USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week
Geri Ann Glasco (Watkinsville, Ga.) has been named the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week for April 8-14. The University of Georgia freshman led her team from the plate with a .412 average over five games that week and belted four homeruns in the process. Each of her homers were either go-ahead homeruns or game-winners. Glasco helped Georgia to a 4-1 record on the week.

“I am fortunate to be a player on a team with awesome teammates that motivate and build each other daily in practice,” said Glasco. “While being recognized by such a great organization is so exciting and appreciated, victory on the field with my team is the ultimate goal and I am thrilled to have had a part in helping my team pick up some wins.”

This is the first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honor for the freshman and the first Player of the Week honors for Georgia since Brianna Hesson won the award in week seven of the 2011 season. Click here for more on the story.

Message from Georgia ASA Commissioner, Al Dattolo, Concerning King of the Mountain (Jan. 31, 2013):
Please be advised that the CAMSPORTS "King of the Mountain" Tournament is NOT a sanctioned ASA Tournament. While they are requiring teams meet certain ASA criteria, the tournament has NOT been sanctioned by ASA nor has ASA been contacted concerning this tournament.

Clarification on ASA Code Change for 18A Teams
Attention 18A teams that may wish to play 18 Gold... To clarify ASA Code Article 513 B which was passed at the ASA National Meeting in November ... 18A teams may only participate in the 18 Gold National Qualifier in Oklahoma City and then be allowed to come back and play 18A USA/ASA National. 18A teams cannot play in 18 Gold Territory or 18 Gold Regional Qualifiers.

(Update form January 25, 2013): We had a Code Proposal number 70 that passed at the ASA Council Meeting in Dallas.

It read, "Add Note: 18A teams may participate in any Gold National Qualifier in their respective age division and then have the ability to return to the respected "A" division provided the team did not earn a berth at the Gold level."

The word 'any' in above proposal wording gives credence that the author's intent was to include all tournaments that are Gold National Qualifying events - not just Gold National Qualifiers.

So, based on that wording, here is the interpretation: Allows 18U Class A teams to participate in any Gold National Qualifying Events. The 18U teams still have to meet the Roster Guidelines for participating at the Gold Classification which can be found in Article 501 D 02 d (See Below).

Article 501 D. 02. d. Junior Olympic Classification. Once a player participates in an intercollegiate softball program for a university, college, or
junior/community college, she is ineligible to play in the Junior Olympic Gold program.

CLARIFICATION: A redshirted player is considered to be a participant in an intercollegiate softball program.

Please contact Kim Townsend if you have any questions.

RegisterASA.com Open for 2013 Team Registrations
RegisterASA.com is up and open for business. Teams may register for the 2013 ASA season. Please contact Kim Townsend if you have any questions or need assistance with your team registration.

2013 Georgia ASA Qualifier DEADLINES
All teams that plan to participate in ASA qualifiers in 2013 must register their team/players through RegisterASA.com. Teams must be registered TWO weeks prior to the first qualifier the team is registered to participate in. Additional players added to the ASA redlined rosters must be registered and added FIVE days prior to team’s first game in the qualifier. The deadline dates for each of the qualifiers is is listed on the J.O. Page.

New Certification Mark for Slow Pitch Bats Manufactured in 2013 and Beyond
A new Certification Mark will be used on all future bat models manufactured FOR THE GAME OF SLOW PITCH for 2013 and beyond. The new certification mark will look like the image to the right (ASA Shield). The current 2000 and 2004 Certification Marks will continue to be valid Marks for the existing Slow Pitch bats, while any new models produced by the manufacturers will display the new Certification Mark. All bats currently listed on the approved bat lists will remain legal for ASA/USA Softball play. ASA/USA Softball will continue to perform random testing of all approved models to verify conformance of the approved bat performance standard and any model found out of compliance could be added to the non-approved list. All models currently listed on the non-approved list will not be allowed in ASA/USA Softball play.

Please note, there will NOT be any changes for Certification Mark and Test Standard for all bats used in the game of ASA/USA Fast Pitch Softball for the 2013 season. The current 2000 and 2004 Certification Marks will continue to be the appropriate Marks for Fast Pitch, and any new models produced by the manufacturers will continue to display the 2004 Certification Mark.

Clarification: If the new ASA stamp is on the bat, it CANNOT be used in the game in fast pitch, but it CAN be used in the game of slow pitch

For more information on Certified Equipment, click here. | ASA YouTube Explanations: Certification Marks | Fast Pitch Bats | Slow Pitch Bats

2013 Umpire Letter From  Region 4/Georgia ASA UIC Jimmy Derrick:
Georgia ASA Umpires: Download the 2013 Umpire Welcome Letter from Region 4/Georgia ASA Umpire In Chief Jimmy Derrick. In the letter, Jimmy will update umpires on his new duties with the ASA National Staff, umpire achievements in 2012 and the change of venue for the 2013 umpire state clinic. All Georgia ASA umpires should download and read this letter.

2013 Georgia ASA Umpire Development School Accepting Registrations - Schools Held in North and South of State
Umpires: the 2013 ASA season will be here before you know it ... The off-season is the perfect time to improve and sharpen your skills so you will be ready to go from the very first pitch. A perfect opportunity is one of the Georgia ASA Umpire schools. REGISTER HERE for the Georgia ASA NORTH Umpire School to be held Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Central Park in Cumming, GA. Or RESISTER HERE for the Georgia ASA SOUTH Umpire School to be held Saturday, February 23 in Tifton, GA. Both schools are open to both fast pitch and slow pitch umpires any ANY skill level. So whether you're new to being in blue, a 10+ year seasoned veteran, or something in between ... these schools have a lot to offer you. The registration fee is $30 (which includes a school shirt and lunch at at the school). If you have any questions, please contact Georgia ASA UMPIRE Training Coordinator Jim Hiett via E-MAIL or PHONE.

ASA Rule and Code changes for 2013 - Includes 14U Pitching Distance and Cleats
ASA voted in changes to the 14U FP rules at its Annual National Meeting in Dallas in November. Beginning in 2013, 14U Class A & B will extend the pitching distance to 43 feet and allow 14U A & B players to wear metal cleats. As always, these and all ASA rules are intended for ASA Championship play. Local and not ASA-qualifying tournaments may or may not adhere to these rules. See a full LIST OF 2013 RULE CHANGES WITH COMMENTS HERE. Also check out the 2013 ASA CODE CHANGES WITH COMMENTS for changes to the ASA code which include (but are not limited to) JO staff proof of background check, procedure when rule 3 (equipment) is violated and 18A team eligibility to participate in 18-Gold qualifiers.

Jimmy Derrick Named ASA Region 4 Umpire-In-Chief
Georgia ASA Umpire-In-Chief, Jimmy Derrick, has been named the ASA South Atlantic (Region 4) Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) by the commissioners of Region 4 meeting in Dallas this week for the ASA Annual Meeting. Derrick will be filling the role previously held by Dick Gayler, who is stepping down due to new demands by his professional career outside of softball. 

Georgia Commissioner, Al Dattolo, announced Derrick will continue in his appointment as Georgia ASA UIC in addition to his new responsibilities with the region. Gayler, a resident of Georgia, will remain active in ASA at the region, state and local levels and has been appointed to the Georgia ASA State Umpire Administrative Board. Gayler served 11 years as the Region 4 UIC after serving five years as the Metro Atlanta UIC. His leadership and training played a tremendous impact in the advancement of Georgia and the region in ASA over the past two decades. 

Derrick brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Region 4 UIC. A 32-year veteran ASA umpire, he is starting his 12^th year as a Metro/State UIC. In 2002 he was named the Metro Atlanta UIC and was appointed the Georgia State UIC when Georgia and Metro Atlanta merged in 2006. He has umpired in 18 ASA National Championships and been the UIC or Assistant UIC for eight additional ASA Nationals. His ASA Championships as an umpire include the 18-Gold FP, Men’s Super SP, Hooter’s Championship Series, Men’s Armed Forces SP and the “Battle of the Border.” Derrick is a charter member of the ASA Elite Umpire Program, a member of the National Indicator Fraternity and has achieved all levels of the ASA Medals Program. He is Qualified and Certified is an ISF in slow pitch umpire. He received the Region 4 “Award of Excellence” in 2007. Derrick has instructed and/or coordinated numerous ASA and NFHS umpire schools at the local/metro/state and national levels, including coordinating two national umpire schools and three advanced camps in Georgia.

Derrick received his MBA in 2008. He lives in Douglasville, GA, with his wife and two daughters.

Georgia ASA Crowns 2012 State Champions
Teams from all around Georgia competed for the Class "A" and Class "C" Titles over the past few weeks. The 16s and 18s played in Woodstock while the 10s, 12s and 14s battled in Cobb County. The Class "C" teams competed in Forsyth and produced four State Champions. Great job by all participating teams. A special Congratulations to our State Champions! The 2012 Georgia ASA State Champions are as follows (photos to be added shortly):

• 18U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION: '94 Duluth Wildcats
• 16U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION: Atlanta Vipers (Prance)
• 14U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION: Georgia Force '97| COMPLETED BRACKET
• 12U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Worth Cobras (Cocker) | COMPLETED BRACKET
• 10U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Easton Elite Heat '01 | COMPLETED BRACKET
• 13O-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Dacula  
• 12U-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Norcross Blue Devils  
• 10U-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Twin Creeks Tewisters (Worley)
• 8U-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  SAA Angels All Stars

Georgia ASA Awarded Three National Championships for 2014
Georgia ASA has been awarded two 2014 National Championships at the 81st Annual ASA National Council Meeting in Dallas, TX in mid-November, 2012. Georgia ASA will be hosting the following 2014 National Championships:

• ASA Fast Pitch Girls' 18-under GOLD Southern – Cumming, GA (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• ASA Fast Pitch Girls' 14-under Southern - Columbus, GA (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• ASA Fast Pitch Girls' "B" 18-under Southern - Columbus, GA (July 29 - Aug. 3, 2014)

Many J.O. Fast Pitch Class "A" teams from around Georgia will be working toward a National Title in 2014. The USA/ASA Class "A" National Locations for 2013 are as follows:

• USA/ASA Girls’ 10-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Johnson City, TN (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 12-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Bloomington, IN (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under “A” Fast Pitch – San Diego, CA (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Salem, VA (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Montgomery, AL (July 27 - Aug 3, 2014)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD Fast Pitch – Oklahoma City, OK (July 20 - 26, 2014)

Click HERE for a full list of 2014 National Championships

Georgia ASA is preparing to host two ASA National Championship this year (2013):

• ASA Men’s Slow Pitch Southern Class "D" - Cumming, GA (Aug 31 - Sept 2, 2013)
• Girls’ 12-Under Class "A" Southern  - Columbus, GA (July 24-28, 2013)

Many J.O. Fast Pitch Class "A" teams from around Georgia will be working toward a National Title in 2013. The USA/ASA Class "A" National Locations for 2013 are as follows:

• USA/ASA Girls’ 10-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Bowing Green, KY (July 28 - Aug. 4, 2013)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 12-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Chattanooga, TN (July 28 - Aug. 4, 2013)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Normal, IL (July 28 - Aug. 4, 2013)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Sunnyvale, CA (July 28 - Aug. 4, 2013)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Salem, VA (July 28 - Aug. 4, 2013)
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD Fast Pitch – Clearwater, FL (July 22 - 27, 2013)

Click HERE for a full list of 2013 National Championships.

2013 Georgia ASA Qualifying Procedures for Georgia Association Berth Tournaments
Download the 2013 Georgia ASA Qualifying Procedures for Georgia Association Berth Tournaments document. This will tell you everything you need to know before the Georgia Association Berth Tournament and what to do after your teams earns its berth. Please note, these are for Georgia ASA Association Berth Tournaments ONLY.

2013 Rules to Qualify for 2013 State Tournament
1. Teams must participate in at least two ASA sanctioned tournaments in order to enter the 2013 ASA State Tournament.
2. Teams that wish to participate in one of the ASA Territory National Championships must participate in at least two qualifiers and the ASA state tournament.

Is Dirt a Foreign Substance In Regards to Fast Pitch Pitching Rule?
There has been a lot of discussion locally and nationally about this rule recently ... particularly if the pitcher in the ASA fast pitch game chooses to place dirt on his/her hand, must they first wipe (or appear to wipe) the dirt off before touching the ball to avoid an illegal pitch. The short answer is NO. Dirt is NOT be considered a foreign substance. The pitcher touching dirt and going directly to the ball would NOT constitute and illegal pitch due to placing a foreign substance on the ball (in other words ... this IS legal). For more detailed information about this rule, please open this link to ASA's National Director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, who addressed this issue in 2010. Any further questions, please contact Georgia ASA Umpire-In-Chief, Jimmy Derrick.

Georgia ASA Creates Facebook and Twitter Pages for Georgia ASA UMPIRES
Umpires: Now you have a Facebook page dedicated to Georgia ASA umpires ... as well as a Georgia ASA Umpires Twitter Page. After a successful first year with the Georgia ASA Association Facebook and Association Twitter pages in 2010, which generated over 850 followers, Georgia ASA decided to extended the new form of communication to umpires. The original Association Facebook and Twitter pages will still be heavily active with status updates/tweets on tournaments, rules, national berths, web site updates, meetings, photos, video and more. Umpire information will still be posted on the existing association sites, but the new umpire sites will allow for more in-depth umpire-centric content. The new umpire sites will, of course, be tailored for Georgia ASA Umpires, but anyone is welcome (and encouraged) to "Like It" on Facebook or become a "Follower" on Twitter. We look forward to seeing you as on our new Social Media sites!

Georgia ASA Launches J.O. Coaches' Accountability Program
Georgia ASA has instituted the Georgia ASA Coaches’ Accountability Program for unsporting behavior which results in the coach being ejected. This is effective beginning April 1, 2010 for all Georgia ASA Events, including Association Berth Tournaments, National Qualifiers, Region Tournaments, Territory Tournaments, Friendly, and any other event that utilizes ASA certified and sanctioned umpires. Download the details of the Georgia ASA Coaches’ Accountability Program here. Any questions, please contact Georgia ASA Commissioner, Al Dattolo.