The Inside Pitch 2017 Official Newsletter of USA Softball

january The Inside Pitch 2017 Official Newsletter of USA Softball

IN THIS ISSUE drumm appointed to wbsc regional softball

2 Letter from President Warren umpire coordinator committee Jones Christina Drumm of USA Softball of Southern California has been ap- Men’s National Team 5 pointed as one of the newest members of the World Baseball Softball Con- Coaching Pool Announced federation (WBSC) Regional Softball Umpire Coordinator Committee. The 6 Jennie Finch named MLB new composition of the nine-member, gender-balanced committee covers Youth Softball Ambassador the five Olympic continents -- Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Oceania. 9 Legends of the Game The global umpire committee members oversee umpire activities and programs in their respective territories, working with the Director of Umpires 14 Local Association News on training and certification courses, including the web-based Ump School. The committee also reviews rule changes and provides rule interpretations, while bringing recommendations to the WBSC Softball Executive Board. This reinforced global umpiring committee -- whose members have been The Inside Pitch part of a combined 59 softball world championships and have extensive Official newsletter Olympic softball experience -- also addresses strategies to bolster growth of USA Softball and training among officials, as the popularity of softball among players and school programmes continues to expand. 2801 Northeast 50th Street “As our sport continues to grow throughout the world and particularly Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 in emerging territories that are launching new national championships, it is Phone (405) 424-5266 important that our officiating programmes also expand in order to ensure Fax (405) 425-3855 the integrity and healthy growth of our sport,” said WBSC Softball Director Web site www.usasoftball.com of Umpires, Bob Stanton. “I am confident that this highly experienced and dedicated expert group will help shape and implement our overall strategy to meet the growing worldwide demands of our sport.” Editor Katie Willis E-mail [email protected] ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Assistant Editor Codi Warren

January 2017 Page 1 A note from the President of USA Softball Warren Jones

Hello and welcome to the January 2017 edition of the Inside Pitch, the official newsletter of USA Softball. As we begin the year and head into our 84th year of softball, prepara- tions are in place throughout the country for a successful USA Softball season. From the Na- tional Office, the 2017 USA Softball Code and Procedural Manual are now available to view online and our 2017 Rulebooks and Umpire Manuals have been shipped out and should be arriving to each Local Association soon if they haven’t already. This year, we will have five of our six National Teams participating in events from now through August. Thanks to the work of our National Team Selection Committees, the Wom- en’s National Team and Junior Women’s National Training Team have been chosen for the 2017 season. The Selection Camp, which was held in Clearwater, Fla. at the beginning of this month featured some of the best talent in the country and we are excited to see all of the athletes compete on the international stage this summer. With that said, the World Cup of Softball XII will once again be held at historic ASA Hall of Fame Complex along with Have a question for President Border Battle IX, where fans will have the opportunity to watch the Women, Junior Wom- Jones? en and Men’s National Slow Pitch team compete. The Junior Women and Men’s National Send it to teams will have their World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) – sanctioned World [email protected] Championship this summer as well. Despite the Men’s National Team Selection Camp getting cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, a team will be chosen and will travel to Whitehorse and compete in what is sure to be a fantastic event. The Junior Women will look to go back-to-back in Clearwater, Fla. after claiming the Gold Medal at the 2015 WBSC World Championship in Oklahoma City, Okla. For all umpires and everybody else who support our Umpire Program, the 2017 National Biennial UIC Clinic, held February 2-4 at the Sheraton Hotel in Midwest City, Okla., had a great turnout. The theme for this clinic was – USA Blue, the Best getting Better! Our umpire program is the best in the world and the Clinic is an asset that im- proves it tremendously. Congratulations to USA Softball Director of Umpires Kevin Ryan and his staff, especially Jim Craig, National UIC Clinic Committee Chair, for the success of the clinic. Wishing you and your Local Association all the best as you continue to strive for greatness in 2017 and beyond!

USA Softball President

Page 2 January 2017 CONTINUED: DRUMM APPOINTED TO WBSC REGIONAL SOFTBALL UMPIRE COORDINATOR COMMITTEE

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Christina Drumm received her WBSC certification in 2003 and has umpired in six softball orldW Championships and the World Cup of Softball. She has also served as an Assistant UIC for WBSC Junior Women’s and Women’s Softball World Championships. Drumm was named to the USA Softball National Umpiring Staff in 2015. “I am honored to have this opportunity to work with amazing people all over the world to assist umpires in their quest for greatness,” said Drumm. “I’ve been fortunate to be trained as an umpire and UIC at the highest levels by USA Softball and I am excited to contribute at a global level.”

Enjoy this month’s Inside Pitch?

If your local association has news to Stay up-to-date by share and would like to be featured in next month’s newsletter, email Katie at kwillis@ reading this month’s usasoftball.com by the 15th of the month. Plays and Clarifications >>

January 2017 Page 3

usa softball selects men’s national team coaching pool

USA Softball announced the 19 coaches who have been selected to the 2017-2020 USA Softball Men’s Nation- al Team Coaching Pool. Head coaches and assistant coaches for the Men’s National Team (MNT) and Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT) will be selected from this list for all 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 competitions. Selected to the coaching pool by the Men’s National Team Selection Committee (MNTSC), coaches may be required to participate in international events, player evaluations, selection camps and other specified events as part of the evaluation process. Coaches selected from this pool will have the opportunity to coach in some of the highest level softball competitions in the world over the course of the next four years. The schedule for the USA Softball MNT and JMNT has yet to be finalized for the 2017-20 cycle, but those international calendars will be highlighted by the 2017 orldW Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men’s World Championship, to be held in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, the 2018 WBSC Junior Men’s World Championship to be held in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Canada, the 2019 Pan American Games to be held in Lima, Peru, the 2019 WBSC Men’s World Championship to be held in Prague, Czech Republic and the 2020 WBSC Junior Men’s World Championship. Already included in the MNT Coaching Pool is 2017 USA Softball MNT Head Coach Denny Bruckert (Gillespie, Ill.), who will lead the Red, White and Blue in all 2017 competitions. Assistants for the 2017 USA Softball MNT and the complete coaching staff for the 2018 USA Softball JMNT will come from the coaching pool. For updates on the USA Softball National Team Program and events throughout the 2017 season visit www.USASoftball.com.

Anthony Aresco (Stoneham, Mass.) Gregg Leather (Staten Island, N.Y.) Michael Armitage (Normal, Ill.) Tim Lyon (South Jordan, Utah) Denny Bruckert (Gillespie, Ill.) Nick McCurry (Ashland, Ohio) Mike Gasaway (Mogadore, Ohio) Tyron McKinney (Ashland, Ohio) Ron Guzman (Salinas, Calif.) Chris Norris (Spanish Fork, Utah) Greg Hicks (Bakersfield, Calif.) Robert Piddock (Castro Valley, Calif.) Joshua Horton (Albany, N.Y.) Ken Schwartz (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) Wallace King (Hudsonville, Mich.) Kerry Shaw (Bates City, Mo.) Bill Kunkel (Eaton Rapids, Mich.) Jack Starling (Midland, Mich.) Ernie Yarbrough (Atlanta, Ga.) Jerry Zimmerman (Ephrata, Pa.)

January 2017 Page 5 jennie finch named mlb youth softball ambassador

Two-time Olympian and NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) Champion Jennie Finch has been named Youth Softball Ambassador for Major League Baseball (MLB). Finch will support MLB’s Youth Programs with initiatives and strategies that are designed to grow softball at the amateur and youth levels. In addition to her duties as an ambassador of softball, she will also support an effort to promote girls baseball. A tenta- tive list of softball- and baseball-focused events at which she is scheduled to represent MLB include the “Trail Blazer” Girls Baseball Tournament, Softball Breakthrough Series, Church Softball Tournament, PLAY BALL Park as part of All-Star Week, Softball Elite Development Invitational, and the softball portion of RBI World Series. “It is an honor to serve in this new role with Major League Baseball to grow the sport that has given so much to me and millions of girls and women throughout the country,” said Finch. “Together, we will promote youth participation at the grassroots level while also helping develop the skills of players ready for the next level. This is a really special time for softball and I am thrilled to play a small part in this effort to increase opportunities to play the greatest game ever created.” Finch, the current host of USA Softball’s Softball 360 TV show, led the USA Softball Women’s National Team to the Gold and Silver at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, respectively. Finch graduated from the University of Arizona in 2002 after a record-breaking softball career, including a perfect junior season on the mound (32-0) and an NCAA WCWS Championship in 2001. Finch also pitched for the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league from 2005 to 2010. She continues to host instructional softball camps throughout the country. “Jennie Finch is one of the most accomplished female athletes in history and we are thrilled she will be assisting us to grow the game of softball,” said MLB Senior Vice President of Youth Programs, Tony Reagins. “Increasing youth and amateur participation is a central goal for our department. We know that Jennie’s passion, insight and talent will be invaluable to our efforts during this special moment for our sport.” ...CONTINUED on PAGE 7

Page 6 January 2017 jennie finch named mlb youth softball ambassador

...CONTINUED from PAGE 6

Finch’s appointment is the latest in a string of efforts by MLB to increase softball participation. In June 2016, USA Softball began their partnership with MLB, particularly focusing on “PLAY BALL,” an initiative to encourage widespread participation in all forms of baseball and softball activities. USA Softball and MLB also created the inaugural Softball Breakthrough Series (BTS) in 2016. Similar to Baseball BTS events, the Softball Breakthrough Series is designed to promote softball as a viable collegiate option for youth from underrepresented and underserved commu- nities. The event is completely cost-free for participants, who are selected by invitation only. The 2017 Softball Break- through Series will be held June 11-15 in Oklahoma City.

“We are excited and honored that MLB has named Jennie as the Youth Softball Ambassador,” said USA Softball Executive Director, Craig Cress. “Her accomplishments, both on and off the field, and her ability to inspire athletes will greatly enhance and support the initiative by MLB, USA Baseball, and USA Softball to grow our sports at all levels.”

For the past 28 years, the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program has provided young men and women with opportunities to play baseball and softball. RBI currently reaches more than 230,000 boys and girls throughout the U.S. and in Canada, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Curaçao. Since 2006, young people have had the opportunity to receive free, year-round baseball and softball instruction, as well as other educational and baseball vocational services, through the MLB Youth Academy network. There are six operational MLB Youth Academies in the U.S. in Cincinnati (Ohio), Compton (California), Dallas (Texas), Houston (Texas), New Orleans (Louisiana), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and Washington, D.C. There are three additional facilities under development in the Bronx (New York), Kansas City (Missouri) and San Francisco (California).

January 2017 Page 7 legends of the game: bertha ragan tickey

A true test of greatness is consistency over a period of time, even under the most averse conditions. Pitcher Bertha Tickey certainly met that criteria during a legendary career covering almost three decades. The only female in a family of seven children, Bertha played her first softball game in 1939 in Dinuba,Calif. as a shortstop before turning to pitching at 16. Bertha played her last game in 1968 for the Raybestos Brakettes of Stratford, Conn., despite having actually retired in 1967. The Brakettes had three pitchers - Joan Joyce, Donna Lopiano and Donna Hebert - when Bertha walked off the field following the National Championship that year...but little did she know that she would be back for 1968. Tickey would come out of retirement after Lopiano went to graduate school and Hebert underwent shoulder surgery. So, at age 38, Tickey came back to bolster a staff headed by Joyce. In typical Tickey style, Bertha came through (25-1) as the Brakettes repeated as National Champions. “Everyone respected Bertha for her skills,” said former Brakette Brenda Reily. “She was kind of like a Lou Gehrig, a lot of class but not flashy.” From 1956-1968, Bertha pitched for the Brakettes and won 285 games and lost only 26. Bertha’s lifetime record of 757 wins and 88 losses includes 162 no-hitters.She was a member of 11 National Championship teams including four with the Orange, Calif. Lionettes (1950-51, 1952 1955) and seven with the Brakettes. Bertha passed away on April 9, 2014.

Page 8 January 2017 January 2017 Page 9 2017 usa softball slow pitch national championship berths

The following teams in the following divisions have earned unpaid berths to the following 2017 USA Softball Men’s Slow Pitch National Championships. *Teams if you are interested in accepting this berth for 2017 or have any questions please contact your Local USA Softball Commissioner.

Men’s D Men’s Class C Men’s Class B Aftershock (Muskegon, MI) Ace Kolles Plumbing (St. Michael, MN) Comatose/THEMshirts (Beloit, WI) Bad Company (Everett, WA) Berg Plumbing/Play Makers (Parkers Illmatic (Ardmore, OK) Cellar Peanut Pub (Iowa) Prairie, MN) Mr Bs (Iowa) Comachos (Utica, NY) Cedar Rapids Mulisha (Cedar Rapids, Ponytail Express (Cypress, CA) Dewey’s (Minnesota) IA) Sloopys (LaCrosse, WI) Evolution/Martino Roofing (Sewell, NJ) CP/Sewer Septic Pros (Palm Springs, TNT Softball (Avenel, NJ) Great Lakes Water Laser CA) (Marshall, MI) DBO (Enid, OK) Hombres/CDZ Apparel DCL (Glen Allen, VA) (Bellflower, CA) Demars Softball (East Haven, CT) Impact (Nappanee, IN) GS Sports/DeMarini (Irvine, CA) JJ Sports (Iowa) Jethros/Iconic Apparel (Ankeny, IA) Katzer’s Trucking (South Dakota) Legion (Fruitport, MI) Land Enhancements/USI Midwest Assault (St. Joseph, MO) (Water Works, NJ) MOJO (Stephens City, VA) Maulers (Burke, VA) Moose Merchants (Austin, MN) Mugshotz (Syracuse, NY) OTW/Elite (San Dimas, CA) Murphy’s Mafia (Iowa) Paint Doctor (Hockessin, DE) Omaha’s Finest (Omaha, NE) Rookies Sports Pub (Junction City, WI) T.O.I (Roanoke, VA) Triad/Fatman/Claddagh Pub (Haverhill, Talamo Foods (San Francisco, CA) MA) Versatile Roofing/Fanatics (Kearney, NE) Zibos (Virginia)

Page 10 January 2017 2017 college corner - pre-season rankings

With the 2016 NCAA Division pre-season I Softball National Championship with 2016 record fresh on the minds of voters, defending National Champion Oklahoma has secured the top 1. Oklahoma (57-8) 21. Baylor (45-14) spot in the pre-season ESPN.com/ 2. Auburn (58-12) 22. Notre Dame (43-13) USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 3. Florida (56-7) 23. Florida Atlantic (51-9) Poll. The Sooners, who enter the 4. Florida State (55-10) T24. California (33-24-1) 2017 season with seven returning 5. LSU (52-18) T24. South Florida (45- starters from their 2016 National 6. Michigan (52-7) 16) Championship roster, received 7. Alabama (51-14) all 20 first-place votes to land 8. UCLA (40-16-1) RV: Ole Miss, Texas, unanimously at the top spot in the 9. Oregon (48-10) pre-season poll. Oklahoma State, Winners of the last five Big 12 10. Georgia (46-20) Nebraska, FIU, Conference titles, the defending 11. Louisiana (46-9) Arizona State, Fresno National Champions Oklahoma 12. Arizona (40-21) State, Ohio State, Sooners posted a 57-8 record last 13. Washington (39-15) North Dakota State, season and became just the third 14. Minnesota (43-14) Cal State Fullerton, program in NCAA history to win 15. Tennessee (43-16) Louisville, at least three National Champi- 16. James Madison (50-6) North Carolina, UCF, onships. Oklahoma will begin its 17. Utah (36-21) Oregon State, Tulsa, and season on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the 18. Texas A&M (39-20) Virginia Tech Triple Crown Tournament in Puerto 19. Missouri (42-16) Vallarta, Mexico. 20. Kentucky (46-14) ...CONTINUED on PAGE 12

January 2017 Page 11 continued: 2017 college corner - pre-season rankings

...CONTINUED from PAGE 11

The Sooners will start their 2017 campaign exactly where they finished last season against No. 2Auburn, who finished as runner-up at the 2016 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS). Fresh off the greatest season in program history, No. 2 Auburn will also open the season at the Triple Crown Tournament in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In addition to their game against the No. 1 Sooners, Auburn will also face No. 13 Washington, Nebraska and BYU. Coming in at No. 3 in the pre-season poll is Florida, who will take the field for the first time in 2017 on Friday, Feb. 10 in Tampa at the USF – Wilson DeMarini Classic against Illinois State. In Tampa, the Gators will also face pre-season No. 6 Michigan. Florida State enters the season at No. 4 after finishing the 2016 season as NCAA WCWS semifinalists. The Seminoles will open the season at home as hosts of the Unconquered Invitational from February 10-12, against Lip- scomb, Furman and Marshall. Coming off back-to-back appearances in the NCAA WCWS for the first time in program history, LSU will begin the 2017 season at No. 5. Beginning the season at home as hosts of the Tiger Classic, LSU will welcome Oklahoma State, Penn State and McNeese State for their season-opener in Baton Rouge, La. Rounding out the Top 10 are No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 UCLA, No. 9 Oregon and No. 10 Georgia. Of the teams ranked in the preseason poll, eight squads have athletes on the 2017 USA Softball Women’s National Team. Florida is represented by Kelly Barnhill (Marietta, Ga.) and Delanie Gourley (Lakeside, Calif.), while Paige Halstead (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) and Delaney Spaulding (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) will represent UCLA. Auburn’s Kasey Cooper (Dothan, Ala.), Oregon’s Jenna Lilley (North Canton, Ohio), Arizona’s Danielle O’Toole (Upland, Calif.), Washington’s Ali Aguilar (Orangevale, Calif.), Utah’s Hannah Flippen (Bonita, Calif.) and California’s Jazmyn Jackson (San Jose, Calif.) will also suit up for the Red, White and Blue this summer. Ten athletes who were selected for the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team will experience their first year of collegiate play with their respective Top 25-ranked teams. Nicole Bates (Washington), Elissa Brown (Alabama), Alissa Dalton (Oklahoma), Amanda Doyle (LSU), Jessica Harper and Dejah Mulipola (Arizona), Giselle Juarez (Arizona State), Bethaney Keen (USF), Madilyn Nickles (UCLA), and Alyssa Rivera (Auburn) will all compete for Team USA this summer.

Page 12 January 2017 hawaii holds slow pitch bat wars of Hawaii sponsored by stan mahelona

On the weekend of Jan. 14, USA Softball of Hawaii Player Rep Stan Mahelona (SPORTSTAN) sponsored a tournament: Bat Wars involving Worth Bats. A total of 32 teams participated and there would have been much more had it not been cut off due to park provisions. There was a home run derby in which some of Hawaii’s local players, two left-handers from Oahu and two right- handers from the Island of Kauai, went head-to-head. At the end of first round, Oahu was up 15 homeruns. Going into the second round, Kauai went into a zone to come back and tie it, but lost in the one pitch opportunity to Oahu. Fans in attendance say, “You could not have written a better movie script.” All four players turned heads. SPORTSTAN along with Team Worth/Miken sponsored trips for Ryan “The Big Kahuna” Harvey and Greg “Triple Crown” Connell to come to Hawaii and perform a hitting exhibition. “With talent so admirable, what was most impressive was their professionalism and down to earth attitude,” said Stanley Finch. “If anyone has represented USA Softball in a positive manner, it was them the past weekend.” SPORTSTAN brought in Brett Helmer and Brian Wegman about six or seven years ago. “This event was second to none,” said Finch. “I was proud to be a part of it.” SPORTSTAN is an ambassador of the game and puts on eight to 10 tournaments a year with 30 to 40 teams. “There is none better in my opinion and I have seen the best in the SP venue,” Finch said. “His tournaments enhance the umpire program and gives me an opportunity to train our umpires to shine. We may be across the water but everything we do, we want to represent USA Softball in the most positive and professional manner . That’s what we strive for.”

January 2017 Page 13 usa softball of michigan holds hall of fame banquet of Michigan

Pictured above (L-R): Hall of Fame Grand Slam Pledge sponsors, Dan Wallace and Harold Over 60 USA Softball of Michigan members were in attendance for the Hall of Fame banquet. Krueger.

Pictured above (L-R): The 2017 USA Softball of Michigan Hall of Fame class, Greg Wright, Duaine Vogel, Mark Myers, Kevin Billiau, Gordon Hetrick, Steve Horning, and Tom Paul.

Page 14 January 2017 continued: usa softball of michigan of Michigan holds hall of fame banquet

Longtime USA Softball of Michigan Board member, Dick Benkert, received the Award of Excellence. Dick has been a member of USA Softball for 37 years. He has served as a Commissioner, President (two terms), Hall of Fame Committee Chair for 10 years, historian, and board member. Dick retired from the board in January.

USA Softball of Michigan confirmed new Commissioners at-large to their board. Pictured L-R: Jim Wallace, Aaron Davis, Justin Miller, John Ryan, and Karen Davis. Not pictured: Amanda Klomparens.

January 2017 Page 15 continued: usa softball of michigan holds hall of fame banquet of Michigan

Pictured to the left: Steve Hofer (District 12 Commissioner) received his 5-year service pin, and Art Serafinski (District 6 Commissioner) received his 25-year service pin. Jim Con- nors (District 4 Com- missioner) received his 10-service pin.

Above: USA Softball of Michigan President Troy Stowell and Commissioner Jerry Hanson present Jim Firrakis (District 15 UIC) with the President’s Award for going above and beyond his duties. Enjoy this month’s Inside Pitch?

If your local association has news to share and would Above: Terry Ruff (District 14 Commissioner) and like to be featured in next month’s newsletter, email Katie at Mike Dey (District 14 UIC) receive the USA Softball Jim Farrell Award of Excellence for the 2016 Men’s [email protected] by the 15th of the month. Modified National Championship that Port Huron hosted from Commissioner Jerry Hanson.

Page 16 January 2017 recap: the inaugural usa softball men’s slow pitch nit - winter classic 2017

The USA Softball Men’s Slow Pitch National Invitational Tournament (NIT), also known as the Winter Classic, crowned two divisional Champions on the fields of Myrtle Beach’s Grand Park Athletic Complex. After advancing through to Sunday’s Champi- onship games, it was Deluxe Bakery and the Warriors who took home the titles in Division III and IV, respectively. After taking a 2-0 win over Gameonmobile.com on Saturday, No. 2 seed Blend Bar/Speedy Petey dropped a 14-4 decision to Deluxe Bakery but battled back to force a rematch against the New Jersey team. Deluxe Bakery, who went 2-0 and outscored their opponents 37-11 in pool play, entered as the No. 1 seed and won two straight en route to Sunday’s Championship game. With several top hitters contributing to the team’s offensive success combined with a solid defense, Deluxe Bakery took home the title of 2017 Winter Classic Division III Champions with a 19-5 win over Blend Bar/Speedy Petey. The Division IV Championship game saw No. 5 seed Showtime/Army Dawgs and No. 4 seed Warriors go head-to-head for the second time this weekend. Despite dropping a 12-11 decision to the Warriors early on, Showtime/Army Dawgs fought to earn a spot in the title game and won 11-9 over the Warriors to force an if-necessary game. The Warriors were able to hold off Show- time/Army Dawgs, 6-1, and claim the Championship title. The 2017 Winter Classic featured a total of 12 teams who were given a five-game guarantee with no player classifications and an opportunity to win prize packages, including sponsor awards and Championship rings at this first-of-its-kind event. Di- vision III included Blend Bar/Speedy Petey, Colt 45s, Deluxe Bakery, Demolition, GameOnMobile, and Second Family, while Division IV included Hitting Gas Softball, MDL, RAS, Roughneck Kennels, Showtime/Army Dawgs, and the Warriors. The Winter Classic, which was created following discussions from the 2016 Slow Pitch Task Force Committee meeting, was formed to provide an avenue for Slow Pitch teams from around the country to play in a destination city during the winter season, while allowing for rule modifications that would otherwise not be eligible for Championship Play. Featuring a group of large multipurpose fields and two youth fields, the Grand Park Athletic Complex staff offered options for teams to practice and use the batting cages located on site throughout the entirety of the weekend.

Pictured above L-R: The group of umpires who umpired the Winter Classic games along with USA Softball of Connecticut Commissioner Hank Kortikowski, Division IV winners the Warriors, and the Division III champions Deluxe Bakery.

January 2017 Page 17 WHAT’S NEW ONLINE AND IN STORE!

check out the usa softball store for apparel, training videos + more >>

Page 18 January 2017 did you know? usa softball has all you need for promoting your local association

Photos courtesy of Mary Mahoney and Jack Hutcherson To learn how you can order USA Softball promotional material, contact Nick Dorety at [email protected] >> For more info: see page 25

January 2017 Page 19 wounded warrior amputee softball team finishes spring training

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) kicked-off their 2017 season with Spring Training at TigerTown, home of the Detroit Tigers Spring Training and the Lakeland Flying Tigers Minor League Baseball Team in Lakeland, Fla. on Jan- uary 26-29. “The Detroit Tigers organization is extremely honored to host the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team’s Spring Train- ing at TigerTown and hope this is the beginning of many more Springs together to come in Lakeland,” said Detroit Tigers Director of Florida Operations, Ron Myers. This year, 20 of 30 rostered-players attended Spring Training along with eight non-rostered players who were invited to tryout with the team. The WWAST thanked USA Softball of Florida Commissioner Carlton Benton for helping to arrange this event. While there, the WWAST also got to meet Detroit Tiger greats, Al Kaline and Lou Whitaker. As part of Spring Training, the WWAST participated in an exhibition game on Jan. 28 versus the ISSA All-Stars (Senior Players) at the Plant City Stadium in Plant City, Fla. The game was a seesaw affair that ended in a come from behind victory for the ISSA All-Stars, 28-27. The WWAST not only look forward to a great 2017 season, but the opportunity to return to TigerTown for Spring Training in 2018! The WWAST would like to thank everyone who made this such an incredible event. The next WWAST event in 2017 will be in Mission Viejo, Calif. March 24-26. Games will be played on March 25 at Saddleback College. >> Keep an eye on the WWAST website (www.thewwast.org) for additional details!

Page 20 January 2017 recognizing 2016 umpires of the month: nominate and honor your umpire today!

Steve Fuller Jim Reneau Samantha Small Geri Magwire Bob James

Lynne Nemeth Don Newsted Sam Kelley Brett Williamson Ethan Vazquez

The USA Softball Umpire of the Month award recognizes USA Softball Umpires for their outstanding accomplishments on the field as well as how they have given back to the game off the field. Being the USA Softball National Umpire of the Month does not always relate to the number of National Championships an umpire has worked. This award encompasses an umpire’s accomplishments, both on and off the field, in their Local Association and Region in addition to their contributions at the National level. The recipients of the USA Softball Umpire of the Month embody what being a member of the USA Softball umpire family is all about and the award recognizes the ways these individuals perform selfless acts of service. Click on a photo above to read more about the umpire!

January 2017 Page 21 usa softball all-american games to be held aug. 18-20, 2017 at asa hof complex

Held at the “Softball Capital of the World”® in Oklahoma City, Okla., the USA Softball All-American Games provide national exposure to elite athletes in the 12-under Junior Olympic (JO) fast pitch division and will highlight the top competitors from across the country. “The USA Softball JO Commissioners are very excited to host an event that show- cases 360 of the best 12-under players from around the country,” said USA Softball of Southern California JO Commissioner Kristi Allen. “We are excited to give these athletes the opportunity to play at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex representing USA Softball.” With teams selected from the 10 USA Softball Regions, a total of 24 teams from across the U.S. will compete in the USA Softball All-American games. Each region can select up to two teams to represent their region at the USA Softball All-American Games and each team will consist of 15 athletes and two coaches. Athletes must be on a USA Softball registered team for the 2017 season and must be age eligible for the 12-under JO division. Each region is responsible for the selection process for their teams, and players must commit and be registered no later than July 1. Teams competing in the USA Softball All-American Games will be invited to participate in an exposure camp to highlight their skills. The USA Softball All-American Games will also have an Opening Ceremony, free live streaming and live stats through USASoftball.com and a tournament “swag” bag, which will include their USA Softball All-American jerseys and other official USA Softball and sponsor merchandise. For more information, visit USASoftballAllAmericanGames.com >>

Page 22 January 2017 watch and connect online! #USASoftball #playball #teamusa

watch softball all year long!

visit the usa softball video library!

Follow along on social to see the latest news and updates + share photos and connect with others around the country!

January 2017 Page 23 promoting usa softball locally

Vinyl Banners Item #C1286 - 8’x3’ USA Softball Primary & USA Softball Secondary Stacked, blue background: $65 Item #C1286 - 8’x3’ USA Softball Primary & USA Softball Secondary Stacked, white background : $65 Item #C1288 - 6’x3’ USA Softball Primary & USA Softball Secondary Stacked, white background :

Feather Flags

Page 24 January 2017