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SoftballMagazine Output On: October 28, 2009 4:14 PM Low-Resolution PDF - NOT FOR PRINT

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SoftballMagazine Thoughts from the President 5 Andy Dooley's first B&S letter as the ASA President

7 Enough Said Women's Open competition dominated by Tallahassee team

Minnesota's Long Haul Trucking Dominates Championship 8 Long Haul goes undefeated to take home hardware

9 Hooter's Championship Series See how the National Champions of the HCS captured their titles

12 Lifesaver Hooters MVP winningest moment comes off the field of play

15 You Asked, We Answered ASA experts answer some of your top submitted questions

18 National Team Update What's going on in 2010 for USA Softball?

19 ASA Council Meeting Paves Way for Another Great Year Reno, NV hosted the ASA Council in November in a very productive meeting

20 2009 ASA National Championship Results

21 2010 National Championship Sites

22 2010 Playing Rule Changes with Comments

24 Q&A with See what USA Softball's Finch has been up to since winning three Gold Medals this summer

26 Official Gear Catalog We have all the newest umpire gear for 2010! 3 29 National Office Profiles Get to know ASA's Hiedi Hester and Rich Cress

30 2010 Hall of Fame Nominees Ten members to be inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame

34 News and Notes Executive Director See what's going on around ASA Ron Radigonda 36 Field of Dreams Editor Missouri complex offers elite facility to all ages Holly Krivokapich 37 Second Look See if you can find the six differences in these two photos Contributors 38 Association Profile Julie Bartel Texas ASA Jamie Blanchard Bill Plummer 40 ASA and MLB Partner Up for All-Star Experience ASA partners with Aquafina MLB Pitch, & to launch new girls' softball division nationally Design & Layout 41 Wearing Blue Old Hat Creative The color of confidence in Roseville Girls' Softball www.oldhatcreative.com 42 Griswold Family Has Nothing on ASA's Paul Drake ASA Member provides great Christmas spirit while helping out community

44 Movie Role Has Oscar Winner Trading Heels for Cleats Reese Witherspoon is currently shooting a movie where she is donning red, white and blue

The Official Publication of The Amateur Softball Association / USA Softball Balls and Strikes Softball Magazine is published annually by the Amateur Softball Association 2801 N.E. 50th Street, City, OK 73111, (405) 424-5266. Balls and Strikes Softball® is a federally registered trademark of the Amateur Softball Association of America © Amateur Softball Association 2008 Visit us on the Internet: www.asasoftball.com & www.usasoftball.com Nike Softball Camps NIKE CAMPSFor more information or to Register 1-800-NIKE-CAMP (1-800-645-3226) USSPORTSCAMPS.COM/SOTFTBALL

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The NCAA does not endorse or affiliate with camps/services. The parent/guardian of a Balls & Strikes prospective student-athlete should ensure that programs are in compliance with NCAA Softball bylaws. Nike and the Swoosh design are trademarks of Nike, Inc. and its affiliates and Magazine are used under license from Nike, Inc. NIKE is the title sponsor of the camps and has no control over the operation of the camps or the acts or omissions of US Sports Camps. GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT!

Hope everyone is preparing for the holiday season registrations for youth, adult and umpires. At the end and I wish each of you and your families a VERY MERRY of October the numbers were on the negative side and CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. we need to get the word out in all of territories where Now let’s take care of some business, please we can start having increases again. make sure you have sent in all of your registrations I also hope to see all of the Junior Olympic for the 2009 season. As we begin to prepare for our Commissioners and any other council members at our 2010 season make sure you get all of your dates JO Workshop on February 4-6 2010 in Oklahoma City. posted on the web sites. As an association this is a Also if anyone wishes to be placed on a certain commit- really good practice as the travel teams prepare their tee, I need to know by December 31. schedules early. Please keep up the good work all of you do each day Please be sure all of us are available to assist the to make ASA the best it can be. teams with the individual registration process. If there are some problems with the system, please 5 advise Steve Walker or one of his staff where it can Your President, be corrected. Andy Dooley I would like to challenge each of you to increase your [email protected]

TWO GREAT YEARS Joey Rich handed over the gavel to Andy Dooley at the our volunteers throughout the coun- 2009 Council Meeting after two years of success as the try make it so. I urge all of our ASA ASA President. In his final letter as ASA President, Rich council as well as all the local support remembers his time fondly. staff members to continue to work to •••••••••••••••••••••• make improvements and offer new programs to the teams, In looking back over the two years I served as ASA umpires, parents and sponsors of our great game. President, I have many, many fond memories. I have forged Thanks again to all of you for TWO GREAT YEARS! new friendships across the country and even in foreign lands. Serving as the President provided me unbelievable opportunities to visit softball venues around the world. I truly appreciate all the support that you gave me during those years. A smart man told me at the first of my term not to set too many goals because the position could prove Joey Rich, Missouri ASA State Commissioner overwhelming. I did set quite a few goals, and with the ASA Immediate Past President help of a lot of great ASA people, most all of them came 524 Home Drive, St. James, MO 65559 to fruition. The ASA really IS the best game in town and [email protected]

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SoftballMagazine Women's Open MVP Ruby Nugent ENOUGH SAID

By Jamie M. Blanchard

It was dominance from unbeaten Enough Said at the Women’s Open National Championship in Oklahoma City. Throughout the four games Enough Said played, the team from Tallahassee, Fla., outscored opponents 84-18. Twenty-four of the runs came in the 24-6 Championship Game, which turned out to be Enough Said’s second pounding of the United States Armed Forces on Saturday, Oct. 3. “We appreciate the Armed Forces,” Enough Said Coach Ian Houston said. “They are a good softball team. We appreciate what they do for our country in terms of protecting our walls so no matter what the story is and what the outcome of the game is, we always hold them in our hearts and keep them in our prayers because they’re game scores from the division; Iowa Aces Said) and Amber Barado (Anarchy); out- taking care of us.” defeated Anarchy 12-1 (six innings) and fielders Cara Coughenour (Iowa Aces), Enough Said also beat Armed Forces Anarchy defeated Ft. Hood Ballers 20-6. Ruby Nugent (Enough Said), Karrie Warren 7 13-4 earlier Saturday afternoon to advance Leading Enough Said with seven (Armed Forces) and Smith (Enough Said); to the final. On Friday, Oct. 2, Enough RBI a piece on the day were Misty Smith utilities Erica Crossley (Anarchy), Crissy Said topped Ft. Hood Ballers (Killeen, (Marietta, Ga.) and Sirene Johnson Hixson (Enough Said), Lindsey Smith (Iowa Texas) 28-1 in three innings and Iowa Aces (Tallahassee, Fla.). After hitting an RBI Aces), Dugo (Armed Forces) and Brittany (Urbandale, Iowa) 19-6 in five innings. and a three-run homer against the Sinwell (Iowa Aces); and catcher Tonja Armed Forces was within a few runs of Ft. Hood Ballers, Smith proved that she Russell (Enough Said). the lead in the Championship Game until was just getting started. She led off against Nugent also nabbed the MVP honor the fourth, an inning that saw Enough Said the Iowa Aces with a then added with her impressive 12-for-14 (.857) per- score 17 runs with a three-run home run, a two run blast in the fifth. Johnson had formance at the plate, which included four a two-run home run, an RBI single, a three a three run homer in both games and a doubles. Over Enough Said’s four games, run home run, an error, a two-RBI double, sacrifice fly against the Iowa Aces. she had seven RBI and nine runs scored. an RBI single, a three-run home run and It was a true team performance from “She’s a young lady that I worked so another RBI single. The Armed Forces the Armed Forces as several women racked hard with,” Houston said. “She played fast scored three runs, on a sacrifice fly and a up multiple RBI in both games. Facing the pitch in Tallahassee, Fla., at FAMU (Florida two-RBI single, but it was not enough to top Quiet Storm, Jaymi Strum contributed Agricultural and Mechanical University). Enough Said. five RBI: an RBI double in the first, two There was a transition period for her from After the first day of action in the RBI singles in the second and a two RBI fast pitch to slow pitch because it is a dif- Women’s Open National Championship, double in the third. She was supported by ferent game. Ruby and I just worked so two teams emerged as favorites from the teammates Sabra Gamel, Leticia Pacheco hard together the past two years to make field of seven: United States Armed Forces and Laurie Doughty, who also had three her the dominant player that she is today. and Enough Said. Armed Forces went un- RBI. Candace Dugo had four RBI in the She has really bloomed from the cocoon to defeated, outscoring two opponents 45-1. third inning against Sabotage—a three RBI a beautiful butterfly.” Enough Said also went undefeated, outscor- and an RBI single up the middle. Home Run Champions are Sirene ing opponents 47-7. The Armed Forces were unable Johnson and Misty Smith, who each hit The Armed Forces trumped Quiet to re p l i c ate t h e s u cce s s i n t h e .800 (12-for-15) in the tournament. Three Storm 27-1 (three innings) and shutout Championship Game. players tied for the honor of Women’s Open Sabotage 18-0 (four innings). Enough Said The 2009 ASA All-Americans are: Champions: Christan Dowling beat Ft. Hood Ballers 28-1 (three innings) Infielders Gamel (Armed Forces), Christan (Enough Said), Gamel (Armed Forces) and and Iowa Aces 19-6 (five innings). Other Dowling (Enough Said), Johnson (Enough Cara Coughenour (Iowa Aces). Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine minnestota's Long Haul Trucking DOMINATES CHAMPIONSHIP For Long Haul it was the team’s 24th National Title and sponsor John Daniels, complimented Gary Jost, his head coach. “Over the years, Jost amazes me more and more as he is the best judge of talent in all of softball,” said Daniels. “He was able to bring two players out of the eight that are on the restricted player list. Any of them would have been a good pick but tournament MVP Geno Buck, a 2009 ASA Men’s A National Champion Long Haul Trucking long-time ASA player, and J.D. Genter, who was hitting .917 going into the By Bill Plummer III championship game, turned out to be the correct choice again for the coach. His f someone wanted to know what it and the championship game ended past 1 picks were current A and B players and his son takes to win the ASA Men’s Slow a.m. on Sunday morning. Because of a threat Bryan who has played only a handful of games Pitch National title, ask the Long of rain on Sunday, it was decided by the at this level (Class A) but each and every player Haul Trucking team of Lakewood, tourney officials to reschedule nine games played awesome defense and kept the ball in IMinn., which won the title in a field of 11 for Saturday instead of Sunday. the yard. I don’t remember us hitting one solo teams over the October 2-3 weekend at the Fence Brokers, which was among the team homer all weekend. It’s a very athletic team, ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City. expected to contend for top honors, gave it a there are several players who most people do 8 Long Haul dominated the competition going valiant effort but Long Haul stuck early and not know but coach Jost’s eye for talent is the 4-0 while outscoring opponent 124-44 with scored 24 runs in the first three innings to biggest reason Long Haul has earned its 24th three run-rule victories. only 11 for the Brokers. Another eight runs slow pitch title. It was a great run event in a There were numerous keys to the suc- in the third and 15 more in the fourth ended first class facility. Playing ASA is such a treat cess of Long Haul including scoring runs in the game in a run rule. for the players and sponsors alike.” bunches and making efficient use of the home A key component of the victory was the Five Long Haul Players earned All- run limit with eight. They were also solid blend of both veteran and newcomers. Many American honors with two in a four way on defense, making only five errors in four of them, who played Class B or C a year ago, tie for Batting Champion with a .800 av- games to go undefeated. In four games, Long all contributed and played solid defense to go erage. The 2009 ASA Men’s Class A All- Haul allowed only 45 runs while it scored along with the consistent pitching and hitting Americans are: Infielders Andy Schiltz (TCP/ 124 runs or an average of 31 runs per game. of Geno Buck, who earned the tournament’s Pipac/Easton), JD Genter (Long Haul), It had a team batting average of .691 while Most Valuable Player award. Kevin Bazat (Long Haul), Brett McCollum their opponents batted only .475. Long Haul (Long Haul); Outfielders Brian Wegman smacked 33 homers with J.D. Genter and (TCP), Raul Cardenas (Fence Brokers Inc./ Brett McCollum sharing the team lead with Gametimesupply.com/Worth), Reggie Schulte six each. In the final analysis, Long Haul was (Fence Brokers Inc./Gametimesupply.com/ consistent in all phases of the game including Worth), John Bailey (Chaney’s); Utility play- scoring 10 or more runs in a single inning on ers Ralph Hogdon (Armed Forces), Jeremy Men's A Isenhower (Long Haul Trucking), Chris Larson five occasions, allowing it to pull away from MVP Geno Buck the opposition. When that happens, the op- (Long Haul), Joey Tautge (Fence Brokers Inc./ position has to respond to the challenge and Gametimesupply.com/Worth), Tim Bowser keep pace to give it a chance to win. The teams (Fence Brokers Inc./Gametimesupply.com/ that faced Long Haul were unable to combat Worth); Catcher Brett Helmer (TCP/Pipac/ the scoring barrage of the Long Haul bats. Easton) and Chaun Demars (Fence Another factor that helped Long Haul Brokers Inc./Gametimesupply.com/Worth). was it was rested for the championship Demars was the Home Run Champion game. Its Championship game opponent, with 10 home runs. In a four way tie for Men’s Fence Brokers of Bryant, Ark., meanwhile, Class A Batting Champion with an .800 aver- were fighting its way through the loser’s age (12-for-15) were Kevin Bazat (Long Haul), bracket playing almost five games in a row. Brett McCollum (Long Haul), Ralph Hogdon By the time the Brokers advanced to the (Armed Forces) and Andy Schiltz (TCP/Pipac/ championship game, it was past midnight Easton).

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SoftballMagazine No. 2 Double Deez (Preston, Iowa) fell to No. 3 CSC/Gutterworks (Cookeville, Tenn.). Before the elimination, Softball Times/ Worth of Lexington, Ky., dominated the com- petition in the opening day of the Hooters Hooters Championship Series, outscoring opponents 43- championship Series 17 in three games, two of which were run-rule victories. Softball Times beat CSC/Gutterworks It’s the light at the end of the tunnel and the pot of gold at the end of the 16-1 (four innings); Double Deez 16-8 (six); and West Coast Dynasty/Pytch Blakk 8-4 to earn rainbow. It’s what makes the time missed with family, the sweat and pain the top seed in the four-team division before all worth it. It’s the Hooters Championship Series; where teams from across being eliminated the Nation battle it out to become National Champions. Five teams were West Coast Dynasty opened up their first crowned over the weekend of Oct. 3-5, 2009, with action at its greatest at game on Saturday with a 16 to 4 thumping of CSC in five innings. Steven Lopez (Wilmington, the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. Calif.) led the contest with five RBI going 3-for-3 with two home runs. Chris Boggs (San Diego, Calif.) recorded two triples with two RBI. Five other West Coast players each contributed two said Demars (Becker, Minn.), who went 7-for-9 hits a piece while CSC was stumped with just from the plate with 12 RBI over the three games. nine hits. Brian Fogle (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) led “Those don’t happen very often.” CSC going 2-for-2. But the greatest contributions to Tharaldson The Championship game was back and forth Enterprises may have been from someone on the with a 7-6 CSC-lead after two innings, but a 13- bench — team sponsor Gary Tharaldson, who run fourth inning for the West Coast Dynasty flew to Oklahoma City to support the team. “We would eventually seal the championship title did this for Gary,” Riggs said. with a 21-9 West Coast win. From the pitching “I’ve been coaching Gary Tharaldson’s team rubber, Masami Countryman (Oceanside, Calif.) for 10 years now. I’m not just saying this because earned the victory while six West Coast players Tharaldson he’s our sponsor but he’s the best sponsor in earned multiple hits. Enterprises sweeps the nation,” Riggs said. “At this level, we get Lopez was named the Men’s Class C Most through Men’s Class Valuable Player earning a .833 (15-for-18) bat- unlimited support from Gary. He’s a softball 9 B with 3-0 Record fanatic. He loves ASA Softball.” ting average with a team leading 13 RBI and Tharaldson Enterprises took the Hooters three home runs. The Dynasty completed the Championship Series Men’s Class B National tournament with a 4-1 overall record outscoring Championship trophy back to Fargo, N.D., after Game Results opponents 64 to 29. shutting out Checking/Worth 13-0. It marked Game 1: Checking/Worth 8 the first time in the history of the tournament Tharaldson Enterprises 18 (6) that the Western Champions have claimed the Game 2: Checking/Worth 7 Game Results top spot in the nation. Tharaldson Enterprises 8 Pool Play 1: West Coast Dynasty 12 On Friday, Tharaldson defeated Checking/ Game 3: Checking/Worth 0 Double Deez 2 Worth 18-8 in six innings then topped them Tharaldson Enterprises 13 (5) Pool Play 2: Softball Times/Worth 16 again 8-7 for the advantage in the best of five CSC/Gutterworks 1 series. The fourth and fifth games were not nec- Pool Play 3: Softball Times/Worth 19 essary for Tharaldson to take the championship, Double Deez 8 (6) thanks to the extraordinary efforts of tourna- Pool Play 4: West Coast Dynasty 11 ment MVP Chaun Demars. In the first game, he CSC/Gutterworks 6 hit a two-RBI single to left field in the second Pool Play 5: CSC/Gutterworks 23 and a two-RBI double to left center in the sixth. Double Deez 5 Demars hit a two-run homer in the first inning Pool Play 6: Softball Times/Worth 8 of Game 2 then hit two more two-run blasts, West Coast Dynasty 4 batting 6-for-8, with 10 RBI on the first day Bracket Game 1: CSC/Gutterworks 12 of competition. Double Deez 10 Demars started Saturday by hitting his West Coast Dynasty Bracket Game 2: West Coast Dynasty 16 sixth home run of the tournament — a two Wins Men’s C with CSC/Gutterworks 4 (5) run blast in the bottom of the first. After 4-1 Record Bracket Game 3: CSC/Gutterworks 14 Demars was intentionally walked in the third There was no lack of excitement in the Double Deez 13 and fourth innings, he still made an impact for Men’s Class C Division as the second day of Bracket Game 4: West Coast Dynasty 21 Tharaldson, scoring on a Jim Schlieman (Fargo, action saw the No. 1 seed into bracket play CSC/Gutterworks 9 N.D.) sacrifice fly to centerfield and a Schlieman Softball Times (Lexington, Ky.) disqualified (Championship Game) three RBI double. First baseman Schlieman led from the tournament for the use of an illegal Tharaldson on the day with three RBI. player. With the changes, eventual champion “It’s always nice to win but it’s a little extra West Coast Dynasty (Colton, Calif.) entered the special when you can lock down an MVP trophy,” bracket at No. 1 with a bye in the first round as CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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SoftballMagazine Virginia Select 11 Game Results Bracket Game 5: LA Strokers 11 Game 1: Low Bob's 22 Springfield Crush 6 (5) Victory Custom Athletics 7 Game 2: Low Bob's 16 Springfield Crush 13 Bracket Game 6: Virginia Select 10 Game 3: Low Bob's 11 Springfield Crush 12 LA Strokers 9 (Championship Game) Game 4: Low Bob's 19 Springfield Crush 9

Three Seed Virginia Select Rallies for Men’s D Championship Title Virginia Select (Crozet, Va.), which entered elimination play as the No. 3 seed, won the Men’s D Division in the Hooters Championship Low Bob’s Wins PDX Goes Undefeated Series with a 10-9 victory over the LA Strokers. Women’s C National in Women’s D to Take It was the third victory of the day for the Select, Title with 19-9 Home Title which beat the Strokers 11-0 in the morning Victory PDX Softball (Newberg, Ore.) captured and topped Victory Custom Athletics 11-9 in Despite dropping the Saturday morning the Women’s D Division in the Hooters the evening, to advance to the championship. game 12-11, Low Bob’s prevailed to win the Championship Series with a 12-7 win over With the Championship Game tied at five Hooters Championship Series Women’s Class BW3/K&G (Champion, Ohio) to become the in the top of the sixth, Andy Shreve hit an RBI C National Championship over the Springfield first National Champion crowned in the 2009 double to left center that scored Select pitcher Crush of Missouri. Low Bob’s won the Sunday Hooters Championship Series tournament. PDX JR Estes, who led off the inning with a double nightcap 19-9 in five innings to secure the title had an outstanding tournament, hitting .529 as of his own, and the game broke open for the three games to one after winning a pair of games a team with outfielder Erika Meier (Portland, Select. Another two runs went on the board the previous day. Ore.) earning MVP for her efforts. with a Brian Whetzel blast . Patricia Wimsatt — who is called “Hammer” BW3/K&G proved it was here to play and 10 The Strokers trailed 10-7 heading into the by her teammates because of her offensive at- would not go home without a fight as they took bottom of the seventh. Codey Boutte, running tack — received the tournament MVP honors. an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. BW3/K&G for Bryan Roberts, scored on a Bourque sacrifice In the Championship Game, she went 3-for-4 held the lead through four innings increasing it fly to right field. Eloy Cornejo hit an RBI double from the plate with four RBI. Wimsatt went to seven to PDX’s three runs. Highlighting the to right center that plated Blake Brown but it 11-for-13 overall at the plate with five RBI for BW3 scoring drive were two doubles to lead off was not enough for the Duson, La., team to pull the tournament. the first and third inning by Andrea Gibson and out the win. “I was shocked to be named the tournament Carrie Playforth. After an impressive 4-for-4 performance MVP. I am totally shocked because we have so After scoring only three runs through the with three RBI in the Championship Game, many good players who deserved to win this first four innings, PDX mounted their comeback Estes of Stuart Draft, Va., was named the Men’s honor,” she said. “It’s my first time playing in in the fifth scoring nine runs off 10 hits to take D Division MVP. He had 18 RBI on 15-for-21, the Hooters Championship Series so I’m really a 12-7 lead. The team used seven singles and hitting .714 over six games. surprised. I’m very honored.” two doubles to pluck away at the lead which Springfield pushed the best of five series BW3/K&G was not able to come back against. Game Results into four games with a 12-11 victory in the In its first game, PDX had to rally to win, Pool Play 1: Victory Custom Athletics 19 (5) morning. Down 11-9 in the bottom of the sev- 12-11, against BW3/K&G scoring three times Next Generation Softball/Just1More 9 enth, Ashley Arbon singled through the left side in the bottom of the seventh and in game two, Pool Play 2: Virginia Select 7 LA Strokers 8 to bring in Christal Beckner, who was walked, to outfielder Kacee Crumpacker (Vancouver, Pool Play 3: Virginia Select 18 lessen the deficit to two runs. Cristal Hoovens Wash.) led the PDX win in handing BW3/K&G Next Generation Softball/Just1More 8 followed with a single to left field that plated it second loss, 11-6, with Crumpacker getting Pool Play 4: Victory Custom Athletics 10 Rhonda Thornton, who was also walked. An RBI three hits in three at-bats with a three-run triple LA Strokers 6 single from Patty Trump secured the game. in the second, a sac fly RBI in the fourth and a Pool Play 5: LA Strokers 15 However this performance could not be rep- two-run double in the sixth inning. Next Generation Softball/Just1More 9 licated in Game 4, Springfield came out domi- Pool Play 6: Virginia Select 2 nant in the 6 p.m. game with a 9-5 lead heading Game Results Victory Custom Athletics 8 into the bottom of the fourth inning. But a walk Game 1: BW3/K&G 11 PDX Softball 12 Bracket Game 1: Victory Custom Athletics 12 plated a run for the team from Frankfort, Ky., Game 2: BW3/K&G 6 PDX Softball 11 Next Generation Softball/Just1More 8 and it was all downhill for Springfield from there Game 3: BW3/K&G 7 vs. PDX Softball 12 Bracket Game 2: LA Strokers 0 Virginia Select 11 as Low Bob’s went on to score another nine runs Bracket Game 3: LA Strokers 14 in the inning. Low Bob’s also scored four in the Next Generation Softball/Just1More 4 fifth to win in a run rule. Bracket Game 4: Victory Custom Athletics 9

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SoftballMagazine 11

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SoftballMagazine LifeSaver

Telling an athlete they can’t play a sport is like tearing a piece of their heart out. However, when Erika Meier of (Portland, Ore.) heard that news, it wasn’t just a piece of her heart she was losing, it was her kidney. The 2009 ASA Hooters Women’s Class D Slow Pitch MVP came back to lead PDX to a National Championship less than a year after donating her kidney to her father.

By Holly Krivokapich

It was 14 years ago that Rich Meier was diagnosed with kid- ney disease, but through a prescribed strict diet, Rich would be 12 okay. It wasn’t until the summer of 2008 when Rich had an emer- gency hernia surgery that his kidneys began to shut down. On October 1, 2008, Rich’s kidneys were at 14 percent when the doc- tors told him it was critical he get on the organ donation list im- mediately. He was cleared for the donation and the next task was finding a donor. With relatives as the best match, Erika and her sister Trya Dressel, went through tests a week before Thanksgiving and received a call the week after Thanksgiving that they were both matches. Erika was the best match and with Dressel having two kids at home, Erika was the one. There was really no decision as Erika knew what she had to do, but the competitor knew her athletic world would never be the same. The doctor suggested that she no longer play indoor soccer and that she must be careful for the rest of her life as she would only have one kidney. Rich and Erika pose before the surgery which allowed Rich to regain “The testing was lengthy and hard. It was tests at the hospital his active lifestyle. and at home for weeks on end. Being in an unfortunate situation, we were as lucky as you could be. I was a family member meeting four of six criteria, the kidney was from a living donor and my dad she was the first to walk out of her room and visit her father. The had no previous history of dialysis. All three of which are great two would walk the halls together forming a lifetime bond. factors for a transplant. One of the last test’s I went through, the After a successful donation, the recovery proved to be the most day before surgery, was a mental evaluation where I had the op- trying. A complication left Erika in the hospital for six days rather portunity to turn back. The doctor said many do because of fear than the three originally scheduled days. A mishap at home left but I knew there was no way I was turning back.” her with a broken nose and a reaction to her pain medicine left her On January 27, 2009, Erika would give life back to the man with only ibuprofen to ease the pain. The busy body was stuck at who gave her life. The surgery went perfect with Anita Meier home, in pain and not living her normal life. But she knew it was running back and forth between her husband and her daughter all temporary and her father’s health would improve for life. taking photos of them while in recovery to show the other. The Erika, who the doctor said had one of the healthiest kidneys next morning the competitive Erika declared another victory when he had seen in over 2300 surgeries, recovered more quickly than

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine It was such an obvious choice to help my father and I don’t feel like I did anything others wouldn’t do."

Rich and Erika recovering after the surgery of which the doctor said was one of the healthiest kidneys he has transplanted in over 2,300 surgeries.

the average donor. This in part could be due to the fact that Erika was motivated to get back onto the softball field. “I played a little in April but in August was invited by PDX Erika with the MVP trophy Coach Chris Gross to play with them. I wasn’t that aggressive after PDX swept BW3/K&G in three games at the Hooters at first and was really careful. On Labor Day weekend, when we Championship Series. qualified for Hooters, we played all night. One game I went out for a ball and fell over the fence. It didn’t hurt and that’s when I kind of freed myself to play.” Erika went on to earn MVP honors at the Hooters Championship Series although the honor was not something she felt deserving. When ASA announced her name as MVP she wasn’t even aware it was her own, looking down the to see who would step forward 13 to claim the trophy. It wasn’t until her teammates said “Idiot it’s you” that she realized it. On the Sunday after winning the Championship, Erika began receiving text from aunts, uncles and other family mem- bers. Erika wasn’t sure how they knew until she found out her dad had been on asasoftball.com where he saw that. “He was so proud of me for being named MVP and our team winning. He wasn’t sure if I would ever play again so when I did and was named MVP he was so proud. He was very emotional about it all. My dad was not a big fan of my sister and I going through the tests to be the donor. He didn’t want us to have to do that but we knew we were his best chance and he’s my dad. I think it was just really good for him to see me healthy and successful after the donation.” Although it was a long painful and emotional process, it was a decision that Erika stands by. Having to be more cautious than before and giving up some pastimes is a small price to pay for a loved one’s health. “My dad is now strong and has more energy than he has had in so long. We go on walks as a family and he is able to play with his grandkids where before he didn’t even want to go out of the house. I have always been really close with my family but after this we are much closer. It’s such a unique experience. It was such an obvious choice to help my father and I don’t feel like I did anything others wouldn’t do." To help celebrate when both were feeling better, they went and did something Rich had not been able to do for 14 years. Go out for a nice steak dinner.

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine ASA AD:ASA AD 12/10/09 4:59 PM Page 1 You asked and we answered! See below some of ASK THE our top questions submitted to our ASA experts through our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Stay plugged into all things USA and ASA softball EXPERTS related by becoming our friend.

Asked by lefbench via Twitter: Since United receive one. Many cities do not submit bids for Code changes for the council to consider. The 1-1 States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) events. In other cases, cities do not submit strong count was finally adopted for the 2009 playing bought the National Pro Faspitch (NPF) bids that lead to their selection, meaning they season by the ASA Council. It takes a 60 percent Florida Pride, is there any chance Amateur may have something that needs to be improved, majority to enact changes so this proposal did Softball Association (ASA) will buy an NPF like the number of hotel rooms available in the receive over 60 percent for the change. There are team and base it out of Oklahoma City? area or the distance between tournament sites. always several reasons for change as there was At this time, the ASA is committed to providing in this case so trying to cite one main reason for the nation’s best female fast pitch players with Asked by various: Why is the National the change is impossible. the opportunity to play International softball as Softball Hall of Fame and Museum closed? a member of the 2010 Women’s National Team When will it reopen? Asked Spencer Schulz via Facebook: I think or play in our ASA Women’s Fast Pitch National The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum in a fair question to be asked is why did ASA Championships every year. Oklahoma City is currently closed for remodeling. lower their height limit in slow pitch from When it opens in early 2010, it will have a new 12 feet to 10 feet? Asked by various: With softball being look as well as some enhanced exhibits. More Every year the ASA Council Members, over 280 eliminated from the , does information will be posted at www.asasoftball. strong, present Playing Rule and Procedural USA Softball plan to still have a Women’s com/hall_of_fame/ when it becomes available. Code changes for the council to consider. The National Team? Will there be other National height limit change from 12 to 10 feet was Teams? Ask by various: How do people get inducted adopted for the 2009 playing season by the Yes, USA Softball will still support a Women’s into the National Softball Hall of Fame? Do ASA Council. It takes a 60 percent majority to National Team in 2010, with plans to continue they have to be softball players? Can current enact changes so this proposal did receive over the program for many years to come. The tryouts players be nominated? 60 percent for the change. There are always for the women’s team are scheduled for January Nominees can be elected in the player and non- several reasons for change as there was in this at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, player categories. However, players nominated case so trying to cite one main reason for the 15 Calif. Click here for a complete list of attendees. must be retired at least three years from active change is impossible. USA Softball is also planning on having other play at the National Championship level and have National teams (Men, Jr. Men, Jr. Women) in been named to at least three ASA All-American Asked by Keith Bockmier via Facebook: The addition to the women’s when there are events teams, including two first-team selections. www.asasoftball.com Web site still shows no the other teams can compete in. Check www. Read www.asasoftball.com/hall_of_fame/ location for the 2010 USA/ASA Girls' Class usasoftball.com for frequent press releases and qualifications.asp for more information on the A 16-Under Fast Pitch. It was in College updates on schedules. current procedures. Station, Texas, but since has been moved. Where will it be held? Asked by hskrgirl via Twitter: Will the Asked by Tanya via Facebook: Why are The site is still College Station, Texas – we change in date and location of the ISF parents not given a copy of their daughter’s apologize for the technical glitch which caused Women’s World Championships affect those ASA registration cards? Are the cards this information to disappear for a time off of in the NPF Championship the end of August? transferable from one team to another? the ASA website. Because ASA/USA Softball is no longer hosting It is not a National policy to keep the cards from the ISF Women’s World Championship in parents and players. In most cases, the player’s Asked by various: Any enlightenment on Oklahoma City, we are not involved with the information is submitted to RegisterASA by the why college players can no longer play GOLD planning for the event. It is the International team manager/coach or a person designated by but can still play USA/ASA Girls' Class A Softball Federation’s (ISF) responsibility to the local association, and RegisterASA sends the 18-Under Fast Pitch? determine the host city and country for this card to the person that submits the information. When proposals are presented by Council event and at press time a location has not been The cards may be given to the parents or players Members for consideration; there are, at times, announced. It is our hope that the timing of but some managers/coaches and associations opposition to the presented changes and the Worlds allows USA Softball and the NPF to choose to keep them based on their individual authors in an attempt to get a proposal passed produce the best teams possible. Continue to or local policies. Yes, player cards are transferable make amendments and this seems to be what check www.usasoftball.com as information is from team to team in the current year if allowed occurred in this case. There is a high probability available it will be posted there. by the Local Association. Players are not allowed that there will be a code proposal submitted next to transfer teams if they have competed in year that will change this in the Class A as well. Asked by various: How does the ASA decide Championship Play as ASA rules do not allow where National Championships are going players to play on more than one team in FOLLOW US ONLINE! www.twitter.com/asausasoftball to be held every season? There are never Championship Play in a Division of play. National Championships in my team’s area. www.facebook.com/asausasoftball The ASA Council votes for the host of each Asked by John Wrightson via Facebook: Why championship based on the bids submitted by is the slow pitch count 1-1? various cities, ensuring that only associations Every year the ASA Council Members, over 280 and locations that want to host a championship strong, present Playing Rule and Procedural Balls & Strikes

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Balls & Strikes

© 2009 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company SoftballMagazine The USA Softball Women’s National Team program The 2009 USA Softball Men’s National Team program finished fourth at the captured four Gold Medals during the summer of 2009. ISF Men’s World Championships, falling one game short of a medal. USA Softball National Teams Update The schedule of events for the 2010 USA Brittany Rogers – Dacula, Ga. 2010-2012 Men’s National Team Softball season will be announced at a later Melissa Roth - Long Beach, Calif. Selection Committee: date at www.usasoftball.com. Taylor Schlopy – West Hills, Calif. Warren Jones -- ASA Member Angela Tincher – Eagle Rock, Va. Dan Highland -- ASA Member WOMEN – Irvine, Calif. Doug Lindeman -- ASA Member In December, ASA and USA Softball Tammy Williams – Roscoe, Mo. Kyle Magnusson -- Athlete Representative announced the list of 31 athletes who Peter Turner – Men’s National Team accepted invitations to the 2010 USA In December, the ASA announced Head Coach 18 Softball Women’s National Team Selection the members of the Women’s National Camp in Chula Vista, Calif., Jan. 4-8, 2009. Selection Committee for the 2010-2012 The 2010 schedule for the Men’s The 17-member team plus alternates seasons. This committee will select the National Team is to be determined and will selected from this camp will represent USA athletes that will represent USA Softball in be announced at a later date. Softball during the 2010 season. The team International competition during the will be announced on Monday, January 11. noted years. At the International Softball Federation (ISF) Congress in October, it was announced Attendees include: Recently the ISF also made a decision that the ISF XIII Men’s World Championship – Salinas, Calif. that the Women’s Fast Pitch World in 2013 was awarded to North Shore City, Valerie Arioto – Pleasanton, Calif. Championships will be held every two years New Zealand. Dates for the tournament will Brandice Balschmiter – Newark, N.Y. beginning in 2012. The championship was be announced at a later time. Chelsea Bramlett – Cordova, Tenn. previously held every four years. The site Courtney Bures – Haymarket, Va. for the 2010 & 2012 championships are to JUNIOR WOMEN – San Luis Obispo, Calif. be determined. The next ISF IX Jr. Women's World Eileen Canney – Paradise, Calif. Championship (19-and-under) will take Ashley Charters – Beaverton, Ore. 2010-2012 Women’s National place in Cape Town, South Africa December – Yorba Linda, Calif. Team Selection Committee: 6-17, 2011. Information about Junior Andrea Duran– Selma, Calif. Women’s National team tryouts is to be Jennie Finch– La Mirada, Calif. Sam Ducato -- ASA Member determined at this time. Vicky Galindo – Union City, Calif. Amy Hillenbrand -- Athlete Representative Alissa Haber – Newark, Calif. Jay Miller – Women’s National Team JUNIOR MEN Ashley Hansen – Chandler, Ariz. Head Coach At the International Softball Ashley Holcombe - Fayetteville, Ga. Glenn Morrison -- ASA Member Federation (ISF) Congress in October, it Molly Johnson – Lexington, Ken. Ralph Weekly -- Allied Member was announced that the ISF IX Junior – Bakersfield, Calif. Men’s World Championship in 2012 was – Anaheim, Calif. MEN awarded to Parana, Argentina. Dates for Brittany Lastrapes – Laguna Niguel, Calif. In December, the ASA announced the the tournament will be announced at a Jenae Leles – Fair Oaks, Calif. members of the Men’s National Selection later time. The event three years from now Caitlin Lowe – Tustin, Calif. Committee for the 2010-2012 seasons. will mark the first ISF world championship Jessica Mendoza – Camarillo, Calif. This committee will select the athletes that to be held in South America. Information Stacey Nelson – Los Alamitos, Calif. will represent USA Softball in International about Junior Men’s National team tryouts Cat Osterman – Houston, Texas competition during the noted years. is to be determined at this time. Amber Patton – Forsyth, Ill. Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine Members of the 2009 ASA Hall of Fame Class ASA Council Meeting Paves Way for Another Great Year

A softball fan attending the recent 78th annual ASA National Council meeting in Reno, Nev., would be hard pressed to select what meetings to attend and what do be- cause of the variety and scope of the Council meeting. The meeting brought together 19 people from throughout the United States, representing the 77 local ASA associations, to see the latest from softball vendors, award tournaments to over 100 cities and make decisions that ensure the safety and growth of the sport. LEFT: Incoming ASA President E.T. Colvin with the Play Tennessee organization at the Trade Show. The annual Trade Show, which had 78 RIGHT: ASA Council Members awaiting Opening Session exhibitors, kicked off the annual meeting on Saturday, November 7 inside Reno’s The 2010 annual Council meeting will be evening, incoming president Andy Dooley Peppermill Hotel. From there, the pace of held in Shreveport, La. of Piedmont, Va., presented outgoing the meeting quickened as more than 40 On Monday, November 9, the an- president Joey Rich of Springfield, Mo., committee meetings were held throughout nual ASA Awards Luncheon, sponsored by the Jonathan Sinclair Memorial Gavel in the week ranging from the Hall of Fame Wilson Sporting Goods, recognized people recognition of his two years of serving as Selection to Equipment Standards. In ad- for their years of service to ASA, cities ASA president. dition to the various meetings, the ASA for achieving high marks in hosting ASA “This is one of the greatest moments of Council, comprised of more than 240 vot- National Championships and local associa- my career and one of the most challenging,” ing members, debated the pros and cons of tions for registering teams and umpires. said Dooley. “As thrilled and honored as I pieces of legislation pertaining to the ASA The Texas ASA, the Southern California am by the confidence you have shown by Code as well as rule changes for 2010. When ASA and the ASA of Pennsylvania walked electing me, I am also profoundly aware of it was all over, 30 new rules were passed away with the top three awards for most the great responsibility the council entrusts out of 73 and 65 ASA Code changes were total registrations, most Junior Olympic in me in the coming years. I am confident adopted out of 130. For a complete list of teams registered and most umpires regis- that, with the help of everyone on the coun- rule and code changes, please click here. tered, respectively. For a complete list of cil, we will raise the ASA to new heights.” In addition to the Committee meetings, recipients, please click here. On Thursday, outgoing ASA President the ASA National Council met three times On Wednesday, November 11, eight Rich gave his closing comments with a com- in general session and on November 10 people were enshrined into the ASA missioner workshop on Thursday evening awarded 122 National Championships plus National Softball Hall of Fame with 430 and Friday morning, which concluded the selected Myrtle Beach, S.C. as the host city people attending the impressive 29th an- busy week that set the wheels in motion for the 2011 annual ASA Council meeting. nual induction ceremonies. During the for another year of ASA Softball.

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine 2009 championship TEAMS

FIRST PLACE TEAM...... HOMETOWN CHAMPIONSHIP WINS LOSSES FIRST PLACE TEAM...... HOMETOWN CHAMPIONSHIP WINS LOSSES

Farm Tavern...... Madison, WI Men's Major Fast Pitch 10 1 South Texas Kaos...... Mission, TX Girls' B 18-Under Fast Pitch Southern 4 0

Keating's Fitness Center...... Wilkes-Barre, PA Men's Class B Fast Pitch 9 1 Hart 10U Gold...... Valencia, CA Girls' B 10-Under Fast Pitch Western 6 0

Checking/Worth...... New Haven, CT Hooters Men's Class B Slow Pitch East 5 0 Iowa Alliance...... Urbandale, IA Women's Masters 35-Over Slow Pitch 4 0

Tharaldson Enterprises...... Fargo, ND Hooters Men's Class B Slow Pitch West 5 0 Holy Family Church...... Lawton, OK Men's Church Slow Pitch 4 0

Bonita Valley...... Chula Vista, CA Girls' B 12-Under Fast Pitch Western 11 1 Mifflin Co. High Intensity...... McVeytown, PA Girls' B 16-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 6 0

Burlington Classics 65's...... Burlington, NC Men's Senior 65 AA Slow Pitch East 2 0 Chester County Stars...... Downingtown, PA Girls' A 10-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 6 2

Central PA Krunch Blue...... Harrisburg, PA Girls' A 18-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 4 0 Ohio Classics...... Baltimore, OH Girls' A 12-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 7 0

Kentucky Steel Erectors...... London, KY Men's Industrial Slow Pitch 5 0 Central PA Explosion...... West Chester, PA Girls' A 14-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 6 1

Lady Sandites...... Sand Springs, OK Girls' B 10-Under Fast Pitch Southern 4 0 OC Impact 18U...... Buena Park, CA Women's Class B Fast Pitch 3 0

Northwest Blaze...... Beaverton, OR USA/ Girls' Class A 16-Under Fast Pitch 14 1 OC Impact...... La Palma, CA Women's Class A Fast Pitch 2 0

Juniata Jaguars...... Port Royal, PA Girls' B 18-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 3 0 Oviedo Blaze...... Oviedo, FL Girls' A 18-Under Fast Pitch Southern 7 2

Tampa Mustangs-Walt...... Tampa, FL USA/ Girls' Class A 18-Under Fast Pitch 8 0 Georgia Diamond Dollz...... LaGrange, GA Girls' B 12-Under Fast Pitch Southern 4 0

Lady Ice ...... Horseheads, NY Girls' B 12-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 6 0 Sterling Steam...... Sterling, IL Girls' A 10-Under Fast Pitch Northern 4 0

Oshkosh Raiders...... Oshkosh, WI Girls' B 10-Under Fast Pitch Northern 5 0 Louisville Lady Sluggers...... Louisville, KY Girls' A 12-Under Fast Pitch Northern 6 1

Sorcerer Gold-Phil...... Concord, CA Girls' GOLD 18-Under Fast Pitch 7 0 Akron Sapphires...... Independence, OH Girls' A 16-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 8 1

Eagle Tile/Who's on First...... Stevensville, MD Men's Senior 50 AAA Slow Pitch East 4 0 Bestway Softball...... Fayetteville, GA Coed Class C Slow Pitch 5 0

Tidewater 60's...... Portsmouth, VA Men's Senior 60-Over Major Slow Pitch East 3 1 Fence Brokers/Team Kitty/Club Z/Romeos Sports...Birmingham, AL Men's Masters 40-Over Slow Pitch 6 0

Express ...... Carrollton, GA Men's Senior 60 AAA Slow Pitch East 4 1 Miller Lite...... Springfield, MO Men's Masters 40-Over Fast Pitch 4 0

Great Lakes Financial...... Midland, MI Men's Senior 60 AA Slow Pitch East 2 0 Outlawz ...... Yuba City, CA Men's E/Rec. Western Slow Pitch 6 0

Springfield Crush...... Springfield, MO Hooters Women's Class C Slow Pitch West 4 0 Lightning...... Marshall, MI Men's Class A Fast Pitch 4 0

Southern California Hurricanes...... Irvine, CA Women's 23-Under Fast Pitch 5 1 Team Exfuze...... West Jordan, UT Men's West Class C Fast Pitch 6 0

Marysville Firecrackers...... Marysville, PA Girls' 10-Under Slow Pitch 3 0 BW3/K&G...... Warren, OH Hooters Women's Class D Slow Pitch East 5 0

20 West Cobb GA...... Dallas, GA Girls' 16-Under Slow Pitch 4 0 Chumley's...... Lafayette, IN Men's E/Rec. Eastern Slow Pitch 6 1

Middletown Blue Blaze...... Palmyra, PA Girls' B 10-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 5 0 PDX Softball...... Newberg, OR Hooters Women's Class D Slow Pitch West 5 0

Southern Force...... Auburn, AL Girls' B 16-Under Fast Pitch Southern 5 1 West Coast Dynasty...... Colton, CA Hooters Men's Class C Slow Pitch Western 6 0

BNGSA Angels 14...... Bloomington, IL Girls' A 14-Under Fast Pitch Northern 6 0 Virginia Select...... Crozet, VA Hooters Men's Class D Slow Pitch Eastern 13 1

South Texas Synergy...... San Antonio, TX Girls' B 14-Under Fast Pitch Southern 5 0 Victory Custom Athletics...... Saugas, CA Hooters Men's Class D Slow Pitch Western 4 0

Orland Park A's...... Orland Park, IL Girls' A 18-Under Fast Pitch Northern 8 1 LA Strokers...... Duson, LA Hooters Men's Class D Slow Pitch Southern 6 0

Seymour Flames Red...... Eau Claire, WI Girls' B 16-Under Fast Pitch Northern 6 0 Blue Lake Builders...... Adamstown, PA Men's East Class C Fast Pitch 6 0

Blue Heat...... Holton, KS Girls' B 18-Under Fast Pitch Northern 5 0 Low Bob's...... Harrodsburg, KY Hooters Women's Class C Slow Pitch East 4 0

MV Sooners...... Kimberly, ID Girls' B 16-Under Fast Pitch Western 5 0 Almost Famous...... Liberty, TX Men's E/Rec. Southern Slow Pitch 5 1

Club Elite...... Jefferson City, MO Girls' B 14-Under Fast Pitch Northern 6 0 CSC/Gutterworks...... Cookeville, TN Hooters Men's Class C Slow Pitch Southern 4 0

Triple Crown Sports...... Ft. Collins, CO Girls' A 18-Under Fast Pitch Western 5 0 Softball Times/Worth...... Lexington, KY Hooters Men's Class C Slow Pitch Eastern 7 0

Tampa Mustangs Bell...... Tampa, FL Girls' A 16-Under Fast Pitch Southern 8 1 Next Generation Softball/Just 1 More...... Owatonna, MN Hooters Men's Class D Slow Pitch Northern 7 0

Los Alamitos...... Los Alamitos, CA Girls' B 14-Under Fast Pitch Western 6 1 Alexander's Stallions...... Port Huron, MI Men's (10) Modified Pitch 6 1

Mississippi Elite...... Byram, MS Girls' A 12-Under Fast Pitch Southern 4 0 46 Bar/Mudens...... Muskegon, MI Men's E/Rec. Northern Slow Pitch 9 1

AZ Hotshots-Creed...... Phoenix, AZ Girls' A 16-Under Fast Pitch Western 7 0 Flashback...... Broadville, IL Men's 16 Inch Major Slow Pitch 8 1

Power Surge 96...... San Diego, CA USA/ Girls' Class A 12-Under Fast Pitch 7 0 Carpenter's Legends...... Youngsville, NC Men's Senior 50-Over Major Slow Pitch East 3 0

14U Victory USA-Campbell...... Cypress, CA USA/ Girls' Class A 14-Under Fast Pitch 8 1 Helwigs ...... Milford, CT Men's Senior 50 AA Slow Pitch East 4 0

Texas Kaos...... Missouri City, TX Girls' A 14-Under Fast Pitch Southern 5 0 Sportsman Shop/Elite/Spicers...... Richmond, VA Men's Senior 55-Over Major Slow Pitch East 3 1

California Desperados...... San Clemente, CA Girls' A 10-Under Fast Pitch Western 5 0 High Street Bucs...... Baltimore, MD Men's Senior 55 AAA Slow Pitch East 6 1

Mystic '96...... San Diego, CA Girls' A 12-Under Fast Pitch Western 6 1 Spring Ford...... Birdsboro, PA Men's Senior 55 AA Slow Pitch East 2 0

Hartford Explosion...... Hartford, SD Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch 4 0 Blaze ...... Burlington, NC Men's Senior 65 AAA Slow Pitch East 3 0

Page Brake Juniors...... Herriman, UT Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch 3 0 Burlington Classics II...... Burlington, NC Men's Senior 70-Over AAA Slow Pitch East 2 1

Northwest Implement...... Stanberry, MO Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch 3 0 Double Deez...... Preston, IA Hooters Men's Class C Slow Pitch Northern 7 0

Northwest Royals...... Winston, MO Boys' 10-Under Fast Pitch 3 0 Traffic ...... , IL Men's 16 Inch Class A Slow Pitch 7 1

Wisconsin Bandits...... Horicon, WI Girls' B 14-Under Fast Pitch Eastern 6 0 Team Kohn/Supreme...... Naples, FL Men's Masters 35-Over Slow Pitch 4 0

St. Louis Chaos...... St. Louis, MO Girls' B 12-Under Fast Pitch Northern 6 0 Airtronics...... Galt, CA Men's Masters 45-Over Fast Pitch 4 1

St. Louis Lasers...... St. Louis, MO Girls' A 16-Under Fast Pitch Northern 6 0 Team Steel-UGS...... San Antonio, TX Coed Open Slow Pitch 4 0

Victory USA...... Cypress, CA USA/ Girls' Class A 10-Under Fast Pitch 6 0 Airtronics...... Galt, CA Men's Senior 50-Over Fast Pitch 4 0

Team Smith...... Grand Terrace, CA Girls' A 14-Under Fast Pitch Western 7 0 Long Haul Trucking...... Lakeland, MN Men's Class A Slow Pitch 4 0

98 Pearland Panthers...... Pearland, TX Girls' A 10-Under Fast Pitch Southern 7 1 Enough Said...... Tallahassee, FL Women's Open Slow Pitch 4 0

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine 2010 ASA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

ADULT FAST PITCH JUNIOR OLYMPIC FAST PITCH

TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION Men’s Major 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 South Bend, IN USA/ASA Girls’ GOLD 18-Under 8/1/2010 8/7/2010 Marietta, GA Men’s Class A 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 Salem, OR USA/ASA Girls’ Class A 10-Under 8/1/2010 8/8/2010 Chattanooga, TN Men’s Class B 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 Salem, OR Men’s East Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Owensboro, KY USA/ASA Girls’ Class A 12-Under 8/1/2010 8/8/2010 Bloomington, IN Men’s West Class C 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 Salem, OR USA/ASA Girls’ Class A 14-Under 8/1/2010 8/8/2010 Moline, IL Men’s 23-Under 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 Rolla, MO USA/ASA Girls’ Class A 16-Under 8/1/2010 8/8/2010 College Station, TX Men’s Masters 40-Over 9/8/2010 9/12/2010 Prescott, AZ USA/ASA Girls’ Class A 18-Under 8/1/2010 8/8/2010 Hemet-Menifee, CA Men’s Masters 45-Over 9/8/2010 9/12/2010 Fresno, CA Men’s Senior 50-Over 9/24/2010 9/26/2010 Prescott, AZ Territory Tournaments Girls’ A 10-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 York, PA Women’s Major 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Stratford, CT Girls’ A 12-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 York, PA Women’s Class A 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Salem, OR Girls’ A 14-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Salisbury, MD Women’s Class B 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Salem, OR Girls’ A 16-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 York, PA Women’s 23-Under 7/15/2010 7/18/2010 Spokane, WA Girls’ A 18-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Sterling, VA Girls’ Gold 18-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com ADULT MEN SLOW PITCH Girls’ A 10-Under Southern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Cumming, GA TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION Girls’ A 12-Under Southern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Fort Worth, TX Men’s Class A 9/30/2010 10/3/2010 Oklahoma City, OK Girls’ A 14-Under Southern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Ridgeland, MS Men’s Masters 35-Over 9/10/2010 9/12/2010 Decatur, AL Girls’ A 16-Under Southern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Fort Myers, FL Men’s Masters 40-Over 8/27/2010 8/29/2010 Ridgeland, MS Girls’ A 18-Under Southern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Raleigh, NC Men’s Masters 45-Over 9/10/2010 9/12/2010 Tupelo, MS Girls’ Gold 18-Under Southern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Raleigh, NC Men’s Church 8/13/2010 8/15/2010 Auburn, AL Men’s Industrial 8/27/2010 8/29/2010 Ridgeland, MS Girls’ A 10-Under Northern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Topeka, KS Men’s 16 Inch Major 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Cedar Rapids, IA Girls’ A 12-Under Northern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Kimberly, WI Men’s 16 Inch Class A West 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Yuma, AZ Girls’ A 14-Under Northern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 North Mankato, MN Men’s 16 Inch Class A East 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 www.asasoftball.com Girls’ A 16-Under Northern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Bowling Green, KY Girls’ A 18-Under Northern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Novi, MI Hooters ASA Men’s East Class B 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Tallahassee, FL Girls’ Gold 18-Under Northern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com Hooters ASA Men’s West Class B 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Dallas, TX Girls’ A 10-Under Western 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Medford, OR Territory Tournaments Girls’ A 12-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Spokane, WA Hooters ASA Men’s Eastern Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Salem, VA Girls’ A 14-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Aurora, CO Hooters ASA Men’s Eastern Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Columbus, OH Girls’ A 16-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Fresno, CA ASA Men’s Eastern Class E/Rec 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Salem, VA Girls’ A 18-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Hayward, CA Girls’ Gold 18-Under Western 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com Hooters ASA Men’s Northern Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Rochester, MN Hooters ASA Men’s Northern Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Liberty, MO Girls’ B 10-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Sterling, VA ASA Men’s Northern Class E/Rec 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Bismarck, ND Girls’ B 12-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Sterling, VA Girls’ B 14-Under Eastern 7/29/2010 8/1/2010 York, PA Hooters ASA Men’s Southern Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Tupelo, MS Girls’ B 16-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Dayton, OH 21 Hooters ASA Men’s Southern Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Dallas, TX Girls’ B 18-Under Eastern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Dayton, OH ASA Men’s Southern Class E/Rec 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Johnson City, TN Girls’ B 10-Under Southern 7/13/2010 7/18/2010 Gadsden, AL Hooters ASA Men’s Western Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Prescott, AZ Girls’ B 12-Under Southern 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 Oklahoma City, OK Hooters ASA Men’s Western Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Fresno, Girls’ B 14-Under Southern 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 Killeen, TX CAASA Men’s ASA Men’s Western Class E/Rec 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Boise, ID Girls’ B 16-Under Southern 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 Broken Arrow, OK Girls’ B 18-Under Southern 7/21/2010 7/25/2010 Gadsden, AL Championship Finals Hooters Championship Series Men’s Class B 9/30/2010 10/3/2010 Oklahoma City, OK Girls’ B 10-Under Northern 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 Topeka, KS Hooters Championship Series Men’s Class C 9/30/2010 10/3/2010 Oklahoma City, OK Girls’ B 12-Under Northern 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Kimberly, WI Hooters Championships Series Men’s Class D 9/30/2010 10/3/2010 Oklahoma City, OK Girls’ B 14-Under Northern 7/26/2010 8/1/2010 Terre Haute, IN Girls’ B 16-Under Northern 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 North Mankato, MN ADULT WOMEN SLOW PITCH Girls’ B 18-Under Northern 7/28/2010 8/1/2010 St. Joseph, MO

TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION Girls’ B 10-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Tucson, AZ Women’s Open 9/30/2010 10/3/2010 Oklahoma City, OK Girls’ B 12-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Las Cruces, NM Women’s Masters 35-Over 8/13/2010 8/15/2010 Tupelo, MS Girls’ B 14-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Roseville, CA Girls’ B 16-Under Western 8/2/2010 8/8/2010 Hillsboro, OR Territory Tournaments Girls’ B 18-Under Western 8/5/2010 8/8/2010 Yakima, WA ASA Women’s Eastern Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Eastern Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 www.asasoftball.com Boys’ 10-Under 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Northern Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Minot, ND Boys’ 12-Under 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Northern Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Minot, ND Boys’ 14-Under 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Southern Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Dothan, AL Boys’ 16-Under 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Southern Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 Lawton, OK Boys’ 18-Under 8/4/2010 8/8/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Western Class C 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 www.asasoftball.com ASA Women’s Western Class D 9/2/2010 9/6/2010 www.asasoftball.com JUNIOR OLYMPIC SLOW PITCH ADULT COED SLOW PITCH TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION Girls’ 10-Under 7/29/2010 8/1/2010 LaGrange, GA TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION Girls’ 12-Under 7/29/2010 8/1/2010 LaGrange, GA Coed Open 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 Columbus, GA Girls’ 14-Under 7/29/2010 8/1/2010 LaGrange, GA Girls’ 16-Under 7/29/2010 8/1/2010 LaGrange, GA Territory Tournaments Girls’ 18-Under 7/29/2010 8/1/2010 LaGrange, GA Coed Class C Eastern 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 www.asasoftball.com Coed Class D Eastern 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 www.asasoftball.com MODIFIED PITCH Coed Class C Northern 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 North Mankato, MN Coed Class D Northern 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 North Mankato, MN TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATION Coed Class C Southern 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 Columbus, GA Men’s (10) 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Cumming, GA Coed Class D Southern 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 Columbus, GA Men’s (9) Class A 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Cumming, GA Coed Class C Western 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 www.asasoftball.com Men’s (9) Major 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Cumming, GA Coed Class D Western 8/26/2010 8/29/2010 www.asasoftball.com National Invitational Tournaments SENIOR SLOW PITCH Girls’ 8-Under Coach Pitch 6/27/2010 6/27/2010 Athens, TN Girls’ 8-Under Coach Pitch 7/23/2010 7/25/2010 Ft. Smith, AR TOURNAMENT NAME START DATE STOP DATE LOCATIONS Senior 50,55,60,65,70,75 East 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Burlington, NC (Major Plus, Major, AAA, AA) For Fact Sheets Click Here. Senior 50,55,60,65,70,75 West 9/3/2010 9/6/2010 Topeka, KS (Major Plus, Major, AAA, AA) Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine RULES OF THE2010 ASA Playing GAME Rule Changes with Comments

published by the ASA or 3) must in the tape. Resin, pine tar or spray substances Rule 2, Section 1: sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, are permissible on the safety grip only. Any have been manufactured prior to 2000 and tape applied to the safety grip must be a if tested, would comply with the ASA Bat continuous spiral. A bat having a flare or The pitching distance for Junior Olympic Performance Standard. cone shaped grip attached is legal. Girls Fast Pitch 18U B and 16U A/B •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• classifications will be 43 feet. Comments: Gives a better description of Comments: Eliminates the extra tape •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• the approved ASA bat design. issue and allows cone and flare grips. Comments: This adapts the ASA pitching distance with the ability of the Junior Rule 3, Section 1B Rule 3, Section Olympic athletes. Safety Knob: 1E Taper:

Rule 2, Section 1H: The knob shall have a diameter of at least The transition area between the handle and 1.6 inches with no sharp edges. The knob the barrel. The taper shall have a generally The Double Base… Half of the base is white will be permanently attached to the bat and conical shape. It starts where the barrel (over fair territory) and half of the base may be taped with safety tape decreases in size and ends where the handle 22 (over foul territory) is a contrasting color. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• diameter becomes constant. The taper shall •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Comments: Describes the minimum knob be free of burs, dents, cracks, sharp edges, Comments: This allows the host of a used in ASA and allows a less restricted and audible rattles and show no signs of National Championship more options with knob design. excessive wear. the foul territory portion of the base. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Rule 3, Section 1C Comments: Adds a definition of a Rule 3, Section 1A: Handle: taper to the rule book and helps the bat manufacturers with their designs.

The official bat for ASA Championship The region of the bat from the knob, not Rule 3, Section Play must meet all the ASA specifications including the knob, to the start of the taper 1F Barrel: and the requirements of Rule 3, Section 1, where the diameter increases. The handle and 1) The official bat shall be free of burs, will include a safety grip. dents, cracks, sharp edges, and audible •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The region of the bat from the end of the rattles and show no signs of excessive wear. Comments: Adds a definition of a handle taper to the end cap, not including the end The official bat shall be marked OFFICIAL to the rule book. cap. The barrel region shall be round within SOFTBALL by the manufacturer, be no 0.050 inches. more than 34 inches long nor exceed 38 Rule 3, Section 1D •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ounces in weight. The official bat shall not Safety Grip: Comments: Better defines the barrel be more than 2.250 inches in diameter at of the bat. its largest part, including any tolerance expansion. The official bat shall be smooth Covers the handle region of the bat. The Rule 3, Section and round to 0.050 inches in diameter and safety grip shall not be less than 10 inches 1G End Cap: bear either the ASA 2000 certification and not more than 15 inches. There shall be mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark no exposed metal in the 10 – 15 inch area. as shown below (in the 2010 ASA Rule The safety grip may be a molded finger The cap placed at the barrel end of the bat. Book) and must not be listed on the ASA formed grip as long as it is permanently The end cap shall be permanently affixed Non Approved Bat List. And 2) must be attached to the bat, or attached with safety to the bat to prevent alterations to the included on a list of approved bat models

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine RULES OF THE2010 ASA Playing GAME Rule Changes with Comments

interior of the bat. It shall be affixed so that it cannot be removed by anyone other Rule 3, Section 7: Rule 6, Section 3H: than the manufacturer without damaging or destroying the end cap or barrel. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Characteristics of approved equipment The ball must be delivered with a perceptible Comments: Adds a better definition of cannot be changed. Examples include icing arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from an end cap. or cooling of any equipment. In addition, the ground while not exceeding a height of approved bats shall not be rolled, shaved 10 feet from the ground. Rule 3, Section 1H or modified to change their characteristics •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Altered Bat: from that produced by the manufacturer. Comments: The Slow Pitch players wanted Warming sleeves on bats are now approved. this change implemented into the Slow •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pitch game. The official bat shall not be an altered bat. Comments: Changes the rules to allow The distribution of weight and length of warming sleeves used on bats and includes Rule 6, Section 3K [1]: the bat shall remain fixed at the time of rolling or shaving of bats to be an illegal act. manufacturing and may not be altered in any way thereafter, except otherwise Rule 4, Section 6C [3]: The 9 Man A Modified Pitching Rule now specifically provided in Rule 3, Section 1 or becomes the same as the 9 Man Major 23 as specifically approved by the ASA. Modified Pitching Rule. Replaces the words when reaches base •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Inserting material inside the bat, or painting safely with “when they complete their turn Comments: This allows for a single a bat other than the top for identification and are discovered” pitching rule in 9 Man Modified. purposes are examples of altering a bat. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Laser marking for ID purposes is not Comments: Clarifies the rule that Rule 6, Section 6A: considered an altered bat. Engraving ID previously stated when the batter reached marking on the barrel end of a metal bat is first base safely. considered an altered bat. Approved bats The pitcher may use an approved shall not be rolled, shaved or modified to Rule 4, Section 7C [5]: manufactured drying agent in change their characteristics from that Modified Pitch. produced by the manufacturer and shall be •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• considered an altered bat. No electronic equipment to include cell Comments: Is now consistent with •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• phones, pagers, etc. is allowed to be worn Fast Pitch. Comments: Clarification of an altered bat. or carried on the playing field. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Rule 8, Section 10: Rule 3, Section 6G: Comments: This would change the rule from communication to electronic and eliminate the use of video equipment from Allow a courtesy runner in the game Junior Olympic Fast Pitch Boys and Girls the dugout. of Modified. 18U A/B, Gold and 16U A/B classifications •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• of play may wear metal cleats. Comments: Is now consistent with •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Fast Pitch. Comments: This allows the upper classifications of Junior Olympic Boys and Girls Fast Pitch players to wear metal cleats.

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine Jennie Finch participates in various clinics and events through- out the country. In January, she will announce the dates of the Q&A WITH 2010 Jennie Finch Softball Clinics on her official Web site at www.jenniefinch.net. “I think we have around eight cities sched- uled for next year so hopefully there is one close to everyone,” Finch said. Want more information on Jennie Finch? Become her JENNIE FINCH friend on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jenniefinchdaigle) and follow her on Twitter (www.twitter.com/jfinch27).

It seems like you were just trying out for the 2009 Women’s game. My favorite thing is the experience of wearing that uniform and National Team but it’s already time for 2010. Are you looking for- just being with my teammates. They’re like sisters to me. Walking into the ward to the tryouts? And having tried out for the team so many stadium with young girls watching, dreaming of being on the other side times before, do you still get nervous? It’s always great to get back of the fence with us is just incredible. I remember being in their shoes, on the field. I have so many great memories at Chula Vista, being there looking at Lisa Fernandez and some of the other players and just wanting amongst friends and teammates so many times. You’re there with the to be them someday. It’s just a great experience. I feel so blessed to have best softball players in the world so it is exciting to be there. It’s exciting had the opportunity to play USA Softball with such amazing teammates to have the opportunity to try out for the best team in the world. It’s an and fans. honor. It’s something that I look forward to doing and am so blessed to What is your favorite memory with the National Team? Standing have the chance to do. I do get nervous but it’s more like on the podium at the 2004 Olympic Games, accepting a butterflies, the same kind of feeling that I have when I’m Gold Medal was the ultimate experience. Not only was I going out on the field to compete for the USA. It keeps me sharing that with my teammates but most of them were my on my toes. I am so familiar with the tryouts now, since role models growing up, which was just amazing. Sharing I have been playing for so long, that it’s the good kind of that moment I dreamt of my whole life with people I ad- nerves. I love the feeling of being there with friends and mired so much and people I had so much respect for was just teammates. the icing on the cake. I can’t even describe how incredible Already having accomplished everything that it was to stand up there hearing the National Anthem. It you have, why do you want to keep playing at this was such a special moment for all of us. level? I still love to compete. The main reason is my .For young girls who want to play softball in college competitive fire is still there. I love the tradition of USA or with the National Team, what is the best advice Softball. I love stepping out there on the field, carrying that you can offer them? You get out of it what you put that tradition on. I just still love being out there. I think into it. Really, I think it depends on how bad you want it. that’s the main reason I’m still playing. I think second, it’s If you want something bad enough, the sky is the limit no for the fans. The International Olympic Committee voted matter your circumstances. Everyone on our team has been softball out of the Olympics in August and that’s on the faced with some kind of adversity. It’s what you do when forefront of my mind. I want to show the fans that that you’re faced with it. You have to keep dreaming, believing. 24 decision is not the end of softball. I want to prove with It’s a lot of hard work to get to the college level or make my teammates that the IOC can’t take away the dreams the National Team. You have to give everything you have. of playing with USA written across your chest just because If you do, you will never be able to look back with regrets. we don’t have the Olympics. The love of the game is still I think that doesn’t only apply to softball. Give all you can there. It’s going to continue. I think by playing it shows to being the best sister, or daughter or friend. Give all you fans, and the little girls sitting in the stadium, that softball can in the classroom. I think in life and in softball, it takes is still strong. There is still plenty to dream about. that little extra that no one else gives. How difficult is it for you to balance softball with motherhood? [Finch and her husband Casey Daigle, Putting Jennie Finch on a baseball pitcher, welcomed son Ace on January the Spot 15, 2005.] It’s difficult. It is not easy at all. It’s definitely .Where would you like to go on a $15,000 shopping a huge sacrifice as a family but I think it is worth it. We spree? Gosh, either Sam’s Club or Costco so I could stock have to have balance between the two worlds. I think it’s up on tons of stuff. I could get clothes, electronics, food, important for us as a family to maintain that balance – or deodorant or whatever it may be. at least striving for that balance because I’m not sure if you .Who would you like to switch places with for a day? can ever truly achieve it. Casey and I are truly blessed with Don Porter of the International Softball Federation. I think an incredible family that is so supportive of our careers. It it would be very interesting to see what goes on at the ISF would be one thing if it were just me or if it were just Casey and what he does. I would try to make as many phone calls traveling but it’s both of us. And we have to completely in that 24 hours as I could. I would call everyone to tell different schedules. Within that too, I have two hectic them about softball. I would do everything I could to keep schedules, playing with NPF () continuing this sport. and USA Softball. It’s crazy. It gets pretty tricky and it’s .What is your signature dish to cook? I am more of a challenging. But our hearts are in it. I think if our hearts baker but Casey loves my sausage and potatoes. My second weren’t in the right place, we couldn’t make it work like best dish is lasagna but it’s a family recipe. we have been since Ace was born. We sacrifice during our What. are the three most played songs on your iPod? seasons but we really look forward to the breaks and the Oh man, I don’t know. I would say they are probably country off season because we know we’ll be together. We take or contemporary Christian songs. that time we have together and we make the most of it. .What is your ringtone? I’m boring. It’s just a standard We never waste a moment. I think that’s really important. ringtone. What is your favorite part about playing USA .What is your least favorite household chore? Dusting. Softball? There is no greater feeling than having USA I definitely don’t like dusting. written across your chest. When you’re putting on that .What is a luxury item that you cannot live without? uniform, it’s humbling. There is a lot of honor and tradition My MAC computer. It connects me with my family and the behind it. It’s just an amazing feeling. It’s scary to think world when I’m traveling, which is a lot of the time. about there not being a stage to wear it on. That’s why I .If you could see any musical performer in concert, think it’s so important for me and my teammates to keep who would you choose? I would love to see Faith Hill and playing even without the Olympics and keep growing this Tim McGraw.

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine 25

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine Output On: November 24, 2009 12:51 PM High-Resolution PDF - PRINT READY

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SoftballMagazine ASA’s Hiedi Hester and Rich Cress came in as temporary personnel but through their hard work and dedication have turned into valued NATIONAL OFFICE full-time employees. Get to know Hiedi, who makes sure the gift store is stocked with the latest softball apparel, and Rich who works PROFILE to make sure ASA tournaments are run at the highest level.

HIEDIHIEDI RICHRICH HESTER CRESS Receptionist Assistant Events Coordinator Became full-time in August Became full-time in May 2009 2007 after working as a after working in various temporary employee internships and part-time since March 2007 positions since 2003

What do you do on a daily basis? What do you do on a daily basis? I used to work in umpire sales but recently took over the op- My main duties are working on events that are held at the erations of the gift shop at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex. I ASA Hall of Fame Stadium Complex here in Oklahoma greet visitors and guests at the National Softball Hall of Fame City and assisting with our bat testing program. I do a lot and Museum, as well as direct phone calls to the appropriate of different things every day from talking to coaches to places. I am also in charge of merchandise sales from the gift scheduling tournaments for the stadium. 29 shop. The store is usually the first impression people have when they enter the facility. I also work with the IT depart- What is your favorite part of your job? ment to make sure the Softball Outlet Web site, My favorite part of the job is playing – or rather testing – www.softballoutlet.com, is updated with the latest inventory. with the bats that the different manufacturers submit to Without the help from Gayle McClung and the input of the the ASA National Office for bat testing. It's fun to try out other ASA employees, I wouldn't have known where to start. the different bats.

What is your favorite part of your job? What is your favorite memory or experience? My favorite part of the job is the feeling that I will make a One of my most memorable experiences with the ASA is positive difference in someone's life at least once. definitely pulling tarps from the fields. From 2003-05, I was a member of the grounds crew, which is where I got What is your favorite experience at the ASA? my start. I was the sports turf intern from 2005-08 and an Experience equals knowledge. Knowing my peers and sharing event management intern in 2008. special moments with them is my favorite part of the job. Did you have any softball experience before joining Did you have any softball experience before joining the National Office staff? the National Office staff? I play in a couple slow pitch leagues. I think they should I never played softball nor did I know anything about have let me play on the Border Battle team but maybe next softball. I drifted upon ASA on a temporary cloud but later year. become a permanent employee. I was in umpire sales for two years before moving to my new position earlier this fall. What do you like to do when you’re not working? Now I feel I know more about umpires than some of the I love reading Balls & Strikes and the Inside Pitch. I am actual umpires—just kidding. actually engaged to be married next summer so my fiancée Courtney and our wedding planning takes up a lot of my What do you do when you're not working? time. I also love Oklahoma State athletics. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter and a friend. Enough said.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the readers of Balls & Strikes? Life can be precious and life can be painful but life always works itself out.

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SoftballMagazine

2010 National Softball Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

Suzy Brazney E.T. Colvin Guy DeMaio Jody Hennigar Ronnie Isham Brazney leads the class of Colvin, who is the 40th DeMaio, who some consider A southpaw, Hennigar is a Isham, ASA’s Director 2010 with a record 20 All- ASA commissioner the backbone of the ASA native of Nova Scotia and of National Teams, has America selections during selected, has had quite of Pennsylvania, has been now resides in Hudson, Fla. just about touched all her 25-year career. She a year. In a span of 21 a member of the ASA He was a standout double the bases in his lengthy could play just about any days he was elected as National Council since threat throughout his softball career, ranging 30 position on the field but the International Softball 1982 and was the first at- career, earning eight ASA from player to manager more often than not was Federation (ISF) North large player representative All-American selections to commissioner. As a found behind the plate as a American vice president, elected as the Central between 1985 and 2005. He manager, he compiled a catcher. She was a member ASA president-elect and to Atlantic regional Director. compiled a 199-9 pitching record of 1,016 wins and of three ASA National the Hall of Fame. He has A graduate of Geneva record in seven ASA 310 losses for a winning Championship teams, three done an outstanding job as College, he has chaired or Nationals and batted .351, percentage of 76 percent USA Softball Pan American Mississippi commissioner been vice chair of various smashing 14 homers, which in winning seven regional teams and played in seven and has served on ASA committees and is a is the second best in ASA fast pitch titles. His teams U.S. Olympic Festivals. numerous ASA committees member of the ASA of PA history. He twice led the appeared in seven ASA in addition to serving Hall of Fame (1984). ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championships. “It is an honor to be able as ASA president from National Championship in He also has served as a to add my name to the list 2004-2005. batting and won the Dudley district commissioner, of great ball players that Award as the outstanding Texas ASA Vice President have preceded me into “The honor of being in pitcher in the 2002 and Texas at-large player the Hall of Fame. They the Hall of Fame is the National Championship. representative. In 1992, are the ones that played peak of anyone’s career,” he was named to the USA because they loved the said Colvin. “To me it Softball Women’s National game. I always tried to means a connection with Team Selection Committee keep them in mind while friends and others that had and has served as the team I played. This induction is the same passion for the administrator through shared with all the great game as I did, long after the 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 teammates and coaches we have all gone. By being (Sydney), 2004 (Athens) I had over the years. in the Hall of Fame, I hope and 2008 (Beijing) Obviously, I couldn’t have my love of the ASA and the Olympic Games. done this without them.” game of softball will be remembered.”

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SoftballMagazine Ten people will enter the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame during the 30th Annual Induction Ceremonies on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in Shreveport, La. Although they are in different categories, there is one common bond they will share for life. They all went above and beyond in their dedication to contribute and support amateur softball, whether on or off the field. The ten people include five players and five non-players. The players include four from fast pitch and one from slow pitch. The fast pitch players are Jody Hennigar, Suzy Brazney, Norbert “Cyclone” Warken (old timer, deceased), and Carl Solarek while Mike Shenk is the slow pitch selection. The non-players are E.T. Colvin (commissioner), umpires Cheryl Simmons and Richard Ribby and Guy DeMaio and Ronnie Isham in the meritorious service category.

Richard Ribby Mike Shenk Cheryl Carl Solarek Norbert Ribby, who is nicknamed The first slow pitch player Simmons A native of Freeland, Penn., “Cyclone” the “Ice Man” because from Pennsylvania elected Simmons is the second the 63-year-old Solarek gave Warken of his cool demeanor in to the Hall of Fame, Shenk female umpire and 40th fast pitch a try after playing Warken, who is deceased, pressure-packed games, made the most of his overall elected to the Hall professional baseball in the got his nickname worked some of the top 11-year career, earning of Fame during a career Detroit Tigers organization “Cyclone” from a Chicago 31 events in softball during a All-America honors nine that spans more than for five years. Starting his sports writer after he 35-year career, including times and being a member 30 years. She served as softball career in 1972, blew through the 1939 five Men’s Major Fast Pitch of six ASA National the Santa Clara, Calif. Solarek earned first-team ASA Fast Pitch National National Championships. Championship teams. He Umpire-In-Chief for 16 All-American honors four Championship in Chicago. Ribby got his ISF played in two ASA Major years, is a member of times and was a member In six games, Warken certification in fast pitch in Nationals and seven Super the National Indicator of three ASA National hurled six shutouts, hurling 1983 and is also a member Nationals. He batted .700 Fraternity (1986) and is Championship teams, one 51 innings, allowing 12 hits of the National Indicator or higher five times and ISF certified in fast pitch. runner-up and one third- and striking out 99 batters. Fraternity. He is the 39th clouted 1,098 homers place finisher. He joins Warken compiled a record ASA umpire elected to the before retiring after the former teammates Jim of 12-4 in ASA National Hall of Fame. 2002 season. Brackin, Jeff Seip and Ty Championship play with Stofflet in the Hall of Fame. 11 shutouts and four He is the seventh male no-hitters. catcher elected to the Hall of Fame.

The class of 2010 increases the membership in the ASA Hall of Fame to 363 since it was established in 1957 to honor the former players and non-players for their contributions to softball. The formal Hall of Fame ceremonies were started in 1981 and since 2001 the ceremonies have been held in conjunction with the ASA Annual Council Meeting. The class of 2010 is the second largest group of inductees since the Hall of Fame was established in 1957.

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SoftballMagazine NEWS360 is carried into 70 million &homes NOTES throughout the year, highlighting all of the hot topics in the softball world from coast to coast. The Hooters segment fea- tures interviews with Hooters players and coaches as well as footage from sev- eral games. From Oct. 2-4, Hooters slow pitch action was played simultaneously on all four fields at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla. Watch it online at www.softball360.com. Also included on the Softball 360 video link are ASA stories about the Hall of Fame, Umpires, and the ASA GOLD.

E.T. Colvin Named North American Vice President of ISF 34 E.T. Colvin of Columbus, Miss., was named the North American vice president of the International The auction included the game- Softball Federation (ISF) at the XXIV Pink Out Game International Softball Federation Raises $12,500 for worn jersey from each player on the Congress last week in Margarita Island, Susan G. Komen team as well as a jersey signed by the ASA/USA Softball presented the entire USA Softball team that competed Venezuela. Central Oklahoma affiliate of the at the Canada Cup and the World Cup. “It was a surprise to be elected to Susan G. Komen Foundation a check for A jersey worn and signed by Finch drew the ISF Board of Directors,” Colvin $12,500 on Oct. 10, 2009 at the closing the largest bid at $1,625.00. said. “ASA President-Elect Andy Dooley, ceremonies of the Race for the Cure in ASA staff members Julie Bartel Warren Jones, the commissioner of Oklahoma City. The money was raised and Holly Krivokapich participated in Ohio ASA and myself went to Venezuela through an eBay auction that included the Race for the Cure then presented to try to improve relations between the uniforms and equipment donated from the check to Executive Director Lorna ASA and the ISF. I feel we had a very the USA Softball Women’s National Palmer at the closing ceremonies. successful week.” Team after the pink out game at the “We would like to thank ASA and Colvin has been a member of the KFC . USA Softball for their continued sup- Amateur Softball Association (ASA), the For the second straight year, the port. Their generosity will benefit the National Governing Body for the sport Women’s National Team wore pink in effort to fight breast cancer which af- of softball in the United States, for over a televised game to help raise aware- fects us all,” said Palmer. 20 years. From 2003-05, Colvin served ness for breast cancer. The World Cup, as the ASA president. He currently which was held July 16-20 in Oklahoma Hooters serves on the board of directors, is the City, featured a pink out game between Championships commissioner of the Mississippi ASA Canada and the USA. In 2008 the team Series ONLINE and was recently voted the incoming donated their jerseys and equipment A segment about ASA’s Hooters ASA President. for a $25,000 donation bringing the Championship Series is currently fea- two-year total donated to $37,500. tured on the show Softball 360. Softball

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SoftballMagazine NEWS & NOTESState Umpire in Chief for two years and State UIC for seven years. He was also appointed the Mid-West Region (10) UIC. He has been an active ASA umpire for thirty years and umpired in seven ASA National Championships, includ- ing Men’s Major Fast Pitch and Women’s Major Fast Pitch. He is a member of the ASA Medals Program in the Gold and Silver category. Riswold has been an ASA umpire for 21 years. Prior to his appointment, Riswold served as the South Dakota Umpire in Chief. Steve has umpired in seven ASA National Championships and has served as a UIC or assistant UIC at an additional seven National Championships. Riswold is a member of the National Indicator Fraternity, the Medals Program, and the Elite Umpire 35 ASA Hall of Fame 3. Restrooms at field level beside Program. Steve continues to work both Complex and Hall dugouts on stadium field giving the Slow and Fast Pitch games in South of Fame Getting athletes access to restrooms from the Dakota. They replace Bernie Profato a New Look dugout. and Walt Stacks, respectively. The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum as well as stadium complex is ASA Gold Heads to From 83 to 76 headed for a new look as renovations Marietta, Georgia The ASA local association structure have been going on for the past several The ASA announced that Marietta, will take new shape in 2010 when it months. The National Softball Hall of Ga. will be the new site for the 2010 comes to total local associations as the Fame features information on all Hall ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD National number has changed from 83 to 76. In of Famers as well as display cases. The Championships August 1-7. With an the 2009 year, the Board of Directors new look features new plates, displays ASA Code decision recently passed by made the following decisions that and other historical items. The ASA the ASA Council, the 18-U GOLD will changed the local association structure: Hall of Fame Complex is also undergo- move to the Lost Mountain Softball ing renovations with the goal of making Complex in Marietta in 2010, a to be Central Florida, Florida First Coast, the premiere softball facility even bet- determined west coast site in 2011 and North Florida, South Florida, West ter. Some of the changes are as follows: return to the ASA Hall of Fame Complex Central Florida are NOW Florida ASA in Oklahoma City in 2012. 1. Meeting space with restrooms be- Boston & Massachusetts are NOW yond the stadium field outfield. This Two new additions Massachusetts ASA will give ASA the ability to have one to National Umpire large meeting room to four small meet- Staff Cleveland is NOW merged into Ohio ing rooms with all having their own Paul Tomazzoli (Region 10) and ASA (effective Jan. 1, 2010) restroom access. Steve Riswold (Region 11) were ap- 2. Restrooms with access from the pointed to the National Umpire Staff in St. Paul is NOW merged into outfield beyond the stadium field November. Prior to his appointment, Minnesota ASA. outfield fence. Tomazzoli served as Illinois ASA Deputy

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SoftballMagazine Missouri Complex Offers Elite Facility to All Ages Jamie M. Blanchard

When athletes stepped on to the field Killian Stadium provides a professional atmosphere for the 2009 ASA Men's Masters 40-Over beginning with the opening ceremonies, through Fast Pitch and Hooters ASA Women's Class tournament games to the championship game, and 36 C Slow Pitch West National Championships, they were stepping into one of the premier finally onto the tournament awards presentation.” softball facilities in the country: Killian Sports Complex in Springfield, Mo., a newly renovated six-field facility that was “The fields are maintained by a full- Men’s ‘A’ Industrial Slow Pitch National dedicated in March 2009. The highlight of time maintenance and grounds staff, Championship as well as the 1998 Coed the improvements in the Killian Softball making for peak playing conditions year- Class ‘A’ Slow Pitch, the 2000 and 2002 Stadium include 1,080 infield seats, 523 of round,” he said. “With such conditions, Girls 10-Under ‘B’ West Fast Pitch and which are chair-back, and has several ame- the facility has been able to attract 13 several others. A dozen of the ASA National nities, including home and visitor’s locker ASA National Championships, and is Championships held at the complex rooms, sunken dugouts, bullpens, press box known as the leading facility in southwest were awarded the James Farrell Award with wireless internet, scoreboard, back- Missouri. Killian is a part of the network of Excellence. stop netting and state-of-the-art lighting. of premier facilities which helped to award “To me, history speaks for itself with “The facility was designed to qualify for the Springfield-Greene County area with the Springfield-Greene County Park LEED certification incorporating energy ef- top honors from Sports Illustrated and Board’s involvements with national soft- ficient mechanical, electrical systems, use National Recreation and Park Association, ball tournaments since 1967 and involve- of local material and water efficient plumb- being named a Sports Town USA in 2003.” ment with ASA since 1934,” Nelson said. ing fixtures,” said Springfield Community The stadium hosts at least one ASA “The Park Board, along with the City of Recreation Supervisor Mark Nelson. Many National Championship a year on aver- Springfield, have always supported tour- of the wood components also came from age. In 2010, the facility will also host naments and assisted in making the stay sources practicing sustainable harvesting the Missouri State High School Activities for players, umpires and spectator’s one and recycling of construction waste. Association (MSHSAA) State Softball to be remembered. Also, with the addition “The defining differences setting Killian Championships as well as various NCAA of the new stadium, it makes the experi- Sports Complex apart from others in the and NAIA Women’s collegiate softball ence for the players and spectators just country is its year-round use by recreational, games and tournaments for three local that much more exciting. Killian Stadium college and tournament play, along with its colleges and universities (Drury University, provides a professional atmosphere begin- new stadium construction and approach to Evangel University and Missouri State ning with the opening ceremonies, through excellence in maintenance,” said Nelson. He University), continuing on the tradition tournament games to the championship is also a member of the Missouri Amateur of years prior. Prior to the renovations, game, and finally onto the tournament Softball Association of America (ASA). the stadium also played host to the 1988 awards presentation.”

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SoftballMagazine Second Look SEE IF YOU CAN FIND THE SIX DIFFERENCES IN THESE TWO PICTURES!

Pitcher Monica Abbott greets fans before the Pink Out game at the KFC World Cup of Softball. 6 CHANGES Keep Score!

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4. Seam on left of blue paneling. 5. Lightpole in background. 6. Color of girls' hats. girls' of Color 6. background. in Lightpole 5. paneling. blue of left on Seam 4. ANSWERS: 1. ASA logo in white banner. 2. Number on Monica's jersey. 3. Wristband on Monica's arm. arm. Monica's on Wristband 3. jersey. Monica's on Number 2. banner. white in logo ASA 1. ANSWERS: Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine Association Profile: Texas ASA

Glenn Morrison has been involved with ASA as a player, general council member, commis- B&S: “What are some best practices of sioner and umpire. He has been with Texas ASA for 22 years with 2010 marking his 10th Texas ASA?” year as commissioner. Before taking on a leadership role, he began playing boys fast pitch GM: “We have several that help to keep our at the age of 16, competing in two National Tournaments before he turned 18 and five program successful. National Championships during his 20-year career. On the other side of the game, he began • Umpire training is one of our greatest umpiring at 18 seeing time in four National Championships. Morrison sat down with Balls assets. Not only do our Districts offer and Strikes Online to discuss what keeps the Texas ASA as one of the top associations. umpire training, but we have a State Umpire Training program that reaches out to 6-8 different areas of the State each and every year. B&S: “Talk a little about Texas ASA and goes back to that passion I was speaking of • A solid State Championship program is what makes it tick.” earlier, if any local association is going to be also an asset. Cities from across the State GM: “There are several driving forces that successful, they have to provide their teams actively pursue our championships to host make things happen within Texas ASA. and umpires the opportunity to compete and in their communities. Number one has to be the people. It is work at the highest of levels.” • Our two annual meetings are also essential not only the 100+ administrators within to our program. Our dates are set in stone Texas ASA, but the players, umpires and the B&S: “What is your biggest strength and so people can plan around those times, leagues/cities who so eagerly promote and weakness as an association?” which help us to optimize participation. play the game of softball. GM: “Again, our people and their commitment We meet the third weekend in January and 38 Number two is passion. Plain and simple to the game of softball is the single greatest the second weekend in October each and there is a passion to provide the best service asset we have. I don’t like the term weakness; I every year.” possible to our teams, umpires and other had much rather view that as an “opportunity.” members and to make the game of softball So as to our greatest “opportunity”, I would B&S: “ What sets Texas ASA apart from the best it can be in Texas. have to say communication. Having such a the other metro associations in Texas?” The final is the sense of large organization with so much territory to GM: “Each Association is unique and has the empowerment for the field. In this instance cover, consistent communication is always best interest of their people in mind. What the field is defined as our Districts. We ask something to improve upon.” makes something tick in one Association our districts to reach out and be the face may not ring true in another. They key is to of Texas ASA in their area. Our teams and B&S: “With a state as large as Texas, I work cooperatively to make sure that every umpires need to have people in the field would assume that volunteers are key in Association in the State has success. We who are actively engaged in the program and your success. What is it about ASA that actually share in many of our efforts, such listening to the needs in that immediate area. makes people want to volunteer and do as the Regional Umpire clinics, Adult State We want our District representatives making you have any rewards in place for their Championships, Classification, etc.” decisions that betters the program for their time and effort?” area, while keeping the goals of Texas ASA and GM: “We meet twice a year as an association B&S: “With the economy the way it is the ASA as a whole in mind.” in order to discuss the business of Texas ASA and people making cuts in their finances, and also take the time to recognize our people are you doing anything different to make B&S: “Texas ASA has hosted a variety for their efforts throughout the year. We sure people are signing up with ASA to of National Championships. What recognize our members for years of service, both play and umpire?” tournament do you feel is the best fit registrations, and other accomplishments GM: “Absolutely. This will be our first year for Texas ASA?” such as induction into our Texas ASA HOF to offer a North, South and West State GM: “We take great pride in hosting National and our Umpire Hall of Honor. Again, we Championship program in Texas in our Adult Championships on behalf of the ASA. With focus on the people first and foremost, by Championships. We understand that times such a wide variety of players and teams doing that, they remain active and engaged are difficult, so we are trying to take our in Texas, any championship is a GREAT fit in our Association. Again, our Districts have program out to the people more than ever. As for Texas ASA. But to be perfectly honest, the latitude to make decisions in the areas and for a Region, we looked very closely as to how our State Championships are the true “flag create the types of opportunities they need to we were offering our Regional play and spent ships” for our organization. Being named be successful. Opportunities would include a significant amount of time at our Region a State Champion is an honor for any team umpire training, staff development, member 7 meeting in Reno making changes we felt in Texas, which I am sure, is the case for the forums and District to State Championships. optimized participation by all.” other States and Metros within ASA. This

Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine 39

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SoftballMagazine ASA partners with Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit and Run to launch new Girls’ Softball Division Nationally

The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) are excited to announce a new Girls’ National Softball Division for the Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) starting in 2010! “ASA is thrilled to be partnering again this year with Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit and Run, especially at the National level,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “We have previously had two really strong trial years in the Girls’ division and are excited MLB has activated the girls’ side to the National level. I strongly encourage all ASA teams, leagues and local associations to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase our sport at the National level, participate and host a local competition. PHR is very important to continue the growth and promotion of our sport.” Hosting a free PHR competition earn an all-expense paid trip to the MLB All- provides boys and girls, ages 7-14, the Star Game in Anaheim, Calif. to compete in 40 opportunity to showcase their baseball the National Finals competition and softball skills. It also provides a great PHR is a 1-day event that is easy to community event in just two to three administrate and can often be completed hours; minimum of 30 participants per in only a few hours. The competition can local competition. be hosted on a baseball/softball diamond or The official skills competition of any open field. Registered hosts will receive Major League Baseball, PHR is intended an administrative kit with a handbook, to encourage youth participation and promotional posters, registration forms, emphasize the fun element of baseball strike zone banner, award ribbons, and softball. All participants must begin and participation baseball cards for all by competing in a local competition, participants and more information required which can be hosted by any organization, to host the event. league, civic group or set of volunteers Please take advantage of this great in the community. PHR is free of charge opportunity by signing up now to host a to both the participants and the local free Local Competition for the boys and hosting organization. girls in your community this spring (March 1 – early May). The Four levels of Please visit www.mlb.com/phr for competition more information and to register online Local: Hosted one day in March, April or for your free Local Administrator Kit, early May which contains materials and information Sectional: All Local winners advance to a required to host. Sectional in their area Space is limited this year, so please Team Championship: The top scorers register today. are eligible to compete in a Major League Stadium in June National Finals: The top scores nationwide, from the Team Championships, Please visit www.mlb.com/phr today! For general information, send your name, address, organization and questions to: [email protected]. Balls & Strikes

SoftballMagazine Wearing Blue The color of confidence in Roseville Girls’ Softball

by Holly Krivokapich

Click here for a presentation that Dykhouse Softball is the one thing that every presented at the ASA UIC Clinic in Oklahoma City. person reading this article has in common. It’s a sport we love to play, watch and coach. It teaches the youth of today teamwork, dedication and discipline. For the young now with the success of the program. With aren’t athletes. Some are athletes but its girls in Roseville, California, they have a 84 umpires, the Youth umpire program is swimming or something else. They are just rare opportunity to take part in another able to take care of all of Roseville’s umpire looking for a way to become involved. This avenue of softball; umpiring the game. The needs. There are only three males in the program will teach them so many things of Roseville Girls’ Softball Program trains and program, of which all came into it through which mostly is confidence; responsibility, employs young girls to umpire in its league a sibling and/or mother. Ages range as accountability, dealing with confrontation, which gives girls another way to excel young as fifth grade all the way to college problem solving, trusting and backing in softball. age and many continue umpiring outside up their partner, and standing by your The program was created about 18 of Roseville. decision. They come in as quiet as a mouse years ago when Roseville had 700 athletes Umpires often face intense scrutiny. with no confidence. Sometimes they are sign up to play and not enough umpires. At However, Roseville has a history with youth so nervous they can barely walk to their the time Roseville Girls’ Bobby Sox decided umpires and the people surrounding the position. By the end of the first year you 41 to look inside their supply of athletes and program respect what it is trying to do; can see a remarkable difference and it just turn them into umpires. Elaine Dykhouse empower women. grows and grows.” took over as Umpire-In-Chief 15 years ago, “Roseville has been doing youth softball The success of this program has been after taking a couple of years off, and helped so a lot of people are familiar with young tremendous and a great way to instill values bring the program back to life. kids out there umpiring. As a league we in young women through a sport we love. “When I came back they had run the have several rules that help facilitate that program in to the ground and we had to along with instilling positive role models start from scratch after they transitioned for females. One of the rules is that the from Bobby Sox to ASA. We had no one and manager of the team is the boss and the even recruited fifth graders. We maybe had manager must be female. They are the only eight in the high school age. We contacted person that is able to talk to umpires. In our Rules for ASA and had their adult umpires come out league we want to show that women can Roseville Girls’ and work the plate while our younger girls have authoritative and positive roles.” Softball Program worked the base paths. If it weren’t for the Dykhouse also holds the umpires • Cannot umpire a siblings game help of ASA, we never would have been able responsible throughout the year, observing • Cannot umpire in division they to rebuild our youth program. They helped them in action as well as training them for us get through the hard time.” the next season. Example: If they will work play in; Always umpire a divi- Hard times? You would never know it the plate more in the next season, give them sion down more plate time in the previous season to • Never umpire a first game prepare. Dykhouse is also looking forward alone. Will always be set up to taking some of her umpires to the with a senior umpire National School in Moor Park, California, • Attends four to five Saturday to help the older umpires advance in their careers to one day a National Tournament. training days approximately 15- Click here for a complete listing of schools. 20 hours with Dykhouse before “As an athlete you constantly receive being ASA certified by UIC Bill praise. It’s how coaches help you excel. A Gabe lot of the kids that come into my program

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SoftballMagazine Griswold Family has Nothing on ASA’S PAUL DRAKE

By Jamie M. Blanchard

W hen it comes to C hr istmas his Christmas light display, something that Drake tries to do something different every decorations, no one does it better than has grown from 12,000 lights when he first year, although he admits it has been hard to Ohio Amateur Softball Association (ASA) did it 13 years ago. think of new things to do. “We’re at a point Umpire-in-Chief Paul Drake. To achieve “I do everything myself except for the now where I’ve started asking people for the look that has had his home featured roof and the arches,” he said. “A guy that their ideas when they ask what I’m doing on Good Morning America and the Martha I work with helps me on the roof every this year. One thing we try to do every year Stewart Show, Drake spends about 100 year. It takes about three hours for us to though is change the colors up. This year, hours decorating his home in Oregon, Ohio do that. The arches are a two person job the roof and the brick of our house is blue just outside Toledo, with an estimated that a buddy of mine helps me out with. and we’ve never done that,” he said. 120,000 lights, mostly LED. Everything else is me.” Drake does not charge visitors but “I concentrate on lights because we live His lights are on from the beginning a neighbor put up a hand painted sign in a subdivision where the houses and yards of December through the New Year. On asking $5 to drive by or $10 to stop and are not real big,” said Drake, who has a goal weeknights, he keeps the lights on until 10 gawk. “People do put in donations. We’ve of having his home shown on CNN. “The p.m., but keeps them on for an extra hour gotten $60 one year to $350 another year,” big blow up characters that a lot of people on the weekends. he said. “Whatever the amount, we donate have would take up most of the room so “Sometimes people get out of their cars to a good cause.” 42 I just go with the lights. We have a Santa with pictures from the last couple years to One year, the Drakes gave the money and Mickey and Minnie on the roof but see if they can figure out what is different,” to Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic 99-percent of our display is lights.” Drake said. “Some people have grown up organization that helps seniors, and Drake starts the decorating process with these lights – kids that were 2 when another year, the family helped a kid who around Halloween. In November, he usually we started are 15 now. Kids that were 15 needed a liver transplant. His family also takes off two weeks from work for the ASA then are coming back at 28 now with their purchased dozens of pizzas that fed the National Council meeting and to work on own kids.” homeless at a local shelter, something they will likely do again this year. In January, depending on the weather, Drake will need about 60 hours to put his lights back into the garage, with each color light in its own marked bin. “It takes a little more time to be neat but the neatness helps when you have to drag it back out the next year,” Drake said. When will Drake put away the lights for good? “I’ll be honest, I’m getting older and I’m not getting any skinner, so it’s harder to decorate,” he said. “But I figure as long as I’m able to do it, I’ll do it. When I was a kid, I liked going by houses with a lot of lights. I thought it was neat. I still think it’s neat so I’ll keep doing it until I have to stop.” Drake also decorates the City of Oregon.

Click here to be blown away by Drake’s creation.

Click here to see Drake give an interview to a local station with his home in the background.

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This document contains only summary information and is simply an invitation to inquire further. Call for complete details regarding plan benefits, restrictions, exclusions, limitations and state availability. Rates subject to change on a class basis. Reese Witherspoon, with two-time Olympian Jessica Mendoza Movie Role Has Oscar Winner Trading HEELS FOR CLEATS By Jamie M. Blanchard FAST FACTS Oscar Award winning actress Reese • Stars Reese Witherspoon as a USA Softball player Witherspoon recently traded the glamour • Set for theatrical release in December 2010 of her Hollywood lifestyle for the softball • Includes appearances from 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympians field. For a currently untitled James L. OBrooks film that is scheduled to be released in December 2010 by Columbia Pictures also visited Witherspoon as she prepared Manny (Owen Wilson), a relief pitcher Industries, Witherspoon plays a fictional for the role. for Major League Baseball’s Washington USA Softball Women’s National Team “It was a lot of fun not just training Nationals. His is a bit of a womanizer who member named Lisa. her but seeing her work as an actress at the likes to have fun but with Lisa, he thinks that “At a time like now, when softball is same time,” said Duran, who worked with he might actually be falling in love for the having trouble because of being booted Witherspoon around 10 times. “We would first time. A love triangle ensues when Lisa from the Olympics, it is positive for softball do the same drills with her that we would meets George (Paul Rudd), who is the chief to have our sport on the big screen,” said do with young players at one of our clinics financial officer of his father’s company, Olympic silver medalist Andrea Duran, but she takes so much more in than they who is in trouble with the Securities and 44 a current National Team member who is do. Because of her job, she is so detailed. Exchange Commission. At the lowest also the Director of Operations for UCLA She would say ‘Dre, I saw you were standing point in his life, he finds the perfect Softball. “I think it will hopefully persuade like this when you did this’ and ask us a girl: Lisa. people to take it more seriously. Hopefully lot of questions. Reese was so receptive to As the love triangle plays out, all three it will show people how difficult softball everything. It was a good experience to see characters must dig deep to discover what really is.” her grow as a player.” love truly is. Lisa’s love for the game of To help prepare for the role, Witherspoon had never been a softball softball is also tested as she is cut from the Witherspoon, donned in official USA player before but quickly took to the game. Women’s National Team, something she Softball gear from www.softballoutlet.com, “I think she did the best she could,” Duran worked her entire life to be a part of. received private instruction in Los Angeles said. “They are going to use all of the movie “I think they did some things because from former USA Softball coach Sue magic that they do to make her look like it is a movie but they did a good job Enquist, who coached the 11-time NCAA an actual member of the National Team making it accurate, even having almost the National Champion UCLA Bruins. Among but she really did the absolute best she or same Nike uniforms that we wear,” Duran the athletes who helped Witherspoon anyone could do in these circumstances. We said. “It went through the whole process grasp the game were Olympic medalists were all proud of her and what she could of going through what we go through, Duran, Tairia Flowers and Amanda Freed, do. I hope she was proud of herself too. including the National Team tryouts and along with members of the UCLA Bruins She was great.” possibly not making the team, which is softball program. In the film, which was formerly titled what happens to Reese’s character. It Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza How Do You Know?, Lisa is casually dating goes through the rigors of being a softball player.” Among the athletes who could appear in the movie, which is currently in post DURAN ON WITHERSPOON production, are Crystal Bustos, Duran, Freed and Lovie Jung, all who filmed cameos. “She is the most down to earth person. Of course I was like ‘This “It was just awesome to see how movies is Reese Witherspoon,’ but I spent so much time with her that are made – how many shots it takes to get after awhile it was more like ‘This is my friend Reese.’ She was just one thing,” Duran said. “I won’t think a lot of fun to work with. She may be an actress but there were of movies the same way now. When I’m no diva moments. She was hard working and very receptive watching anything, I am going to wonder to what we were showing her. It was cool to see how down to how many times they did that same thing

earthBalls & Strikes she was.” to get that part.”

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SoftballMagazine 46

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