GeorgiaASA.com

Updated: January 24, 2011 - 4:15 p.m. EST

 2012 ASA Rule and Code Changes
The ASA National Office has published the 2012 ASA Rule Changes went into effect January 1, 2012. The rule changes include (but are not limited to) extending the base distance in men's slow pitch to 70 feet, the legal use of senior bats in the senior slow game,  pitch, clarification on grip tape used on bats and the outlawing of heating/warming devices for bats. As always, ASA rules are written for ASA Championship Play. Teams should always check with their league directors and tournament directors to understand what rules will be in play in a specific game. ASA also has updated the 2012 changes to the ASA Code.

2012 Junior Olympic National Berth Tournaments Finalized
The 2012 JO National Berth Tournament Schedule has been finalized. The list is broken down by age group and includes Association, Region and National Berths (played in the region). In addition, the list includes qualifiers to the Hall of Fame Classic. For 2012, Georgia ASA will award five berths per age division to ASA/USA National Championships as an association. The South Atlantic Region will award two additional berths per age division. Each age division will also host a National Qualifier somewhere in the region with one additional berth to be awarded. The region will host two berths per age division to the Hall of Fame Classic in Oklahoma City, OK. The Hall of Fame will award eight berths per age division to the ASA/USA National Championships. Also check out the list of All Tournaments by Date which includes qualifiers and non-qualifiers.

Time to Register for 2012 Season ... New Registration Deadlines
Softball season is here. Time to get your players and teams registered for the 2012 season. Do so by going to RegisterASA.COM Web site. This Web is not run by Georgia ASA, but all Georgia teams are expected to register their teams through RegisterASA.com. If you'd step-by-step instructions on how to register a TEAM, GO HERE. If you need further instructions on how to register a LEAGUE, GO HERE. NEW FOR 2012!!!...Teams MUST be registered TWO WEEKS prior to the first qualifier the team is registered to participate ... this INCLUDES having ACE/Background Checks completed. Additional players added to the ASA redlined rosters MUST be registered and added FIVE (5) DAYS prior to a team's first game in a qualifier. The last day to add a player to the ASA Roster is Friday, June 29, 2012. The 2012 deadline dates for each qualifier is as follows:

PLAY BALL!!! ... 2012 Season is Underway for Umpires
Even though the weather is wet and cold outside, football is still on TV and some of us still have yet to put away those holiday decorations, for umpires, the 2012 season begins now. Umpires: Start off with reading the 2012 season welcome letter from State Umpire-In-Chief, Jimmy Derrick. Check your with your local association for when its meetings are scheduled to start (most are soon). Make plans to attend your Zone UIC clinic (see schedule on the umpire training page) and possibly participate in an ASA National Umpire School. On February 25, Georgia ASA will be hosting an ASA Development School of its own in Cumming, GA ... a great place to get out on the field and sharpen those the skills whether you're new to the game or a seasoned veteran. We hope to see all Georgia umpires at Emory University on January 28th for the Georgia ASA State Umpire Clinic. ASA's National director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, will be the keynote speaker.  The 2012 ASA Rule Changes will be explained, awards will be presented for 2011 and career achievements and a few surprises are in store for this special event. As you can see, there are LOTS of opportunities for Georgia ASA umpires to be informed, practiced and trained so they can hit the ground running from the first pitch of the season. We hope to see early and often at training events over the next couple of months.

Georgia ASA Umpires Shine at 2011 ASA Nationals
Georgia ASA is proud to have 58 umpires who were selected to umpire in numerous ASA National Tournaments around the country in 2011. Selection to a national is very competitive. It is a combination of training, performance and recommendations from local associations, Umpire-In-Chiefs, Commissioners and Members of the ASA National office. See a list of all 2011 Georgia ASA National Tournament Umpires HERE. Congratulations!

2012 Hall of Fame Classic Dates Set; 10U Age Division Added
ASA announced the dates of its 2012 Hall of Fame Classic Tournaments being held at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex and Stadium in Oklahoma City, adjacent to the ASA National Office. Starting in 2012, the 10-Under age division will be added to the existing 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age divisions. Each age division will feature 26 teams from around the nation (one from each region and one additional team from regions 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15 plus the winner of 2011's East and West qualifiers) competing for the Hall of Fame Classic title and eight berths to the that age division's USA/ASA National Championship. Georgia teams, as part of Region 4, will have a chance to earn one of the region's two berths in each age division at Hall of Fame qualifiers on dates to be determined in the next few weeks. The dates of The Hall of Fame Classic for each age division are as follows:

• 10 and Under – May 18-20, 2012 (Friday – Sunday)
• 12 and Under – June 8-10, 2012 (Friday – Sunday)
• 14 and Under – June 15-17, 2012 (Friday – Sunday)
• 16 and Under – June 21-23, 2012 (Thursday – Saturday)
• 18 and Under – June 23-25, 2012 (Saturday – Monday)

ASA Director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, to be Keynote at Jan. 28, 2012 Georgia ASA Umpire Clinic
Georgia ASA Umpires ... mark your calendars for the 2012 state umpire clinic on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 9 a.m. at Emory University's Math & Science Building in Atlanta. ASA's National director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, will be the keynote speaker. $10 clinic fee will be collected at the door. Dress is casual. The 2012 ASA Rule Changes will be explained, awards will be presented for 2011 and career achievements and a few surprises are in store for this special event. Please do what you can to be at Emory on the 28th. See you there!

2012 Zone Umpire Clinic Dates Set
The 2012 season is almost here. Umpires, make plans to attend one of the Zone Umpire Clinics closest to you. State umpire staff will be going over rule changes, clerical changes and be on hand to answer any questions. Attendance is a must and a great way to get ready for the upcoming season. For a list of all zone clinics, see the list on the Georgia ASA Umpire Training Page.

The Next Level/Emory University Offering Hitting Clinics
Hitting clinics are being offered by The Next Level/Emory University on December 10, January 21 and January 28. All clinics are form 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Next Level Academy in Suwanee, GA. The clinic is open to beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Each clinic costs $45 and is limited to 50 players per clinic. For more details and contact information, download a information/registration form.

Georgia ASA Featured in December 2011 Ball and Strikes Magazine
Check out the December 2011 edition of Ball and Strikes Magazine. Georgia ASA is the featured association on page 40 of the magazine (pg 42 of the linked pdf file). In addition, the magazine reviews the 2011 ASA season and recaps the ASA National Convention with highlights of 2012 Playing Rule Changes and gives an insiders look at USA Softball.

Georgia ASA Awarded Two National Tournaments for 2013
Georgia ASA has been awarded two 2013 National Championships at the 80th Annual ASA National Council Meeting in Myrtle Beach, SC in mid-November, 2011. Georgia ASA will be hosting the following 2013 National Championships:

• ASA Men’s Slow Pitch Southern Class "D" - Cumming, GA
• Girls’ 12-Under Class "A" Southern  - Columbus, GA

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
• USA/ASA Girls’ 12-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Chattanooga, TN
• USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Normal, IL
• USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Sunnyvale, CA
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Sterling, VA
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD Fast Pitch – Clearwater, FL

Click HERE for a full list of 2013 National Championships.

Georgia ASA is preparing for two National Championships in 2012. This coming season's National Tournaments in Georgia are as follows:

• Girls' 14-Under Class "A" Fast Pitch Southern - Columbus, GA
• Girls' 16-Under Class "B" Fast Pitch Southern - Lagrange, GA

 The J.O. Fast Pitch USA/ASA Class "A" National Championship Locations for 2012 are as follows:

• USA/ASA Girls’ 10-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Bloomington, IN
• USA/ASA Girls’ 12-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Moline, IL
• USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Sioux Falls, SD
• USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Montgomery, AL
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Johnson City, TN
• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD Fast Pitch – Oklahoma City, OK

Click HERE for a full list of 2012 Championships.

ASA Director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, to be Keynote at Jan. 28, 2012 Georgia ASA Umpire Clinic
Georgia ASA Umpires ... mark your calendars for the 2012 state umpire clinic on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 9 a.m. at Emory University's Math & Science Building in Atlanta. ASA's National director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, will be the keynote speaker. $10 clinic fee will be collected at the door. Dress is casual. The 2012 ASA Rule Changes will be explained, awards will be presented for 2011 and career achievements and a few surprises are in store for this special event. Please do what you can to be at Emory on the 28th. See you there!

National Umpires Schools Set for 2011-12
The key to being a great umpire is knowledge and training. One of the best resources and a opportunity to really excel at the higher levels is to attend an ASA National Umpire School. Region 4's National School is January 27-29 in Burlington, NC. You may also want to download the Information Sheet/Registration Form for the Burlington school. There are also other National Schools in neighboring states on different dates. See a full list of ASA National Umpire Schools and for details on how to register HERE.

Georgia ASA Shines at 2011 Nationals Championships
Georgia ASA had an outstanding year at ASA/USA Nationals in 2011. Seven Georgia teams (of the 56 which went to "A" level USA/ASA National Championships) finished in the Top 10 of its respective age division Georgia was particularly strong at the 16A in Chattanooga, TN where where Georgia took 2nd (Georgia Impact-Strother), 3rd (Southern Force-Archibald) and 4th place (Atlanta Vipers-Giles) in a field of 172 teams from around the country. In another large tournament (103 teams) for the 14A in Midland, TX, Georgia had 10 teams participate which was lead by the Georgia Impact '97-Bass who finished 3rd overall and Georgia Impact-Silver who placed 7th. The 18A was lead by GAC who placed 5th our of 104 teams. The 12A featured the Worth Cobras who finished. Click on Georgia ASA's 2011 National Tournament Section for a full list of results of Georgia teams at Nationals.

Georgia ASA Crowns 2011 State Champions
Teams from all around Georgia competed for the Class "A" and Class "C" Titles over the past two weeks. The 16s and 18s played in Cobb County while the 10s, 12s and 14s will battlied in Forsyth. The Class "C" teams competed over the Independence Day weekend to produce four State Champions (click here for the Class "C" Official Order of Finish). Great job by all participating teams. The 2011 Georgia ASA State Champions are as follows:

• 18U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION: Georgia Raiders
• 16U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION: Georgia Impact (Anderson)
• 14U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION: Georgia Impact (Bass) |  COMPLETED BRACKET
• 12U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Atlanta Vipers (Miller) | COMPLETED BRACKET
• 10U-A GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Atlanta Vipers  | COMPLETED BRACKET
• 13O-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Walton Shock  | ORDER OF FINISH
• 12U-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Dacula Falcons | ORDER OF FINISH
• 10U-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Walton County | ORDER OF FINISH
• 8U-C GEORGIA ASA STATE CHAMPION:  Twin Creek | ORDER OF FINISH

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.

Umpires Honored For 2010 Achievements; Three Inducted To Hall of Fame
The Georgia ASA Umpire Program honored its best of 2010 at the 2011 Umpire Clinic at Emory University on January 29. Numerous association zone and district Umpires-of-the-Year were announced and awarded plaques for their 2010 achievements. Highlighting the clinic were three umpires being inducted into the Georgia ASA Hall of Fame, Edward "Chico" Lilly, Jr. became the 63rd umpire to enter The Hall in the umpire category. Umpires Glenn Stewart and Richard Meeks became the 17th and 18th members inducted for meritorious service ... the first in this category in 10 years. Tim Smith and Caudell Clark were honored as the sixth and seventh umpires to receive the Graybill Daniell Memorial Award for their outstanding service to Georgia ASA. Clyde Hobgood was selected at Georgia ASA's 2010 Umpire-of-the-Year. Two Umpires, Jason Self and Lee Gray, received their Elite Status in Slow Pitch and Steve Marcus was honored for becoming the 23rd Georgia umpire selected as an umpire in the International Softball Federation (ISF). ASA Region 4 Umpire-In-Chief, Dick Gayler also went over the 2011 ASA Rule Changes.

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.