1. January 2010
The Inside Pitch Official newsletter of the Amateur softball Association of America
A note from Amateur Softball Association
President Andy Dooley
Happy New Year!
I hope each of
our Junior Olympic
(JO) Commissioners
have scheduled their
trip for the workshop
on February 4-6
in Oklahoma City,
Okla. It shoud be a
great learning experience for everyone.
The schedule and agenda should be
forwarded to you in the next few weeks.
For those of you that have gone live on
Olympic Silver Medalist Caitlin Lowe, shown above making a catch at the 2009 KFC World Cup of Softball presented by Six Flags, is among the 15 veteran registerasa.com, I want to thank each of
athletes who received an offer to play for USA Softball’s 2010 Women’s National Team. The team will be finalized in March 2010.
you for your patience and working with us
MAKInG the teAM
through the transition. If you haven’t been
scheduled to go live, please contact the
National Office as soon as you can. Teams
are ready to get this completed.
seventeen athletes, including two rookies, were offered The final numbers for registrations
are out. Congratulations to all of the
a contract to play for the 2010 Women’s national team associations who exceeded their previous
numbers. I hope each of you will set your
the Amateur softball Association Calif.); Cat Osterman (houston,texas); goals to have increases at all levels of play
(AsA) of America announced on natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.); and for 2010.
Jan. 11 the 17 athletes who were tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.). I would like to thank all of the local
offered a usA softball Athlete Fifteen of the athletes played associations that I have visited with your
Agreement for the 2010 season. the on the 2009 Wnt while Canney and meetings as of this month. If you would
final roster for the 2010 usA softball Williams would be making their first like me to attend your local meetings
Women’s national team (Wnt) will apperance on the team if they accept please send me a note where I can see if it
be announced in March with the their contract. can be scheduled. If not this year we will
team competing in the International schedule your association for 2011.
the following 13 athletes selected
softball Federation’s (IsF) Women’s If you would like to be placed on a
from the selection camp will be
World Championships, June 23-July certain committee for the next council
alternates on the 2010 usA softball
2, 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela as well meeting, please let me know soon at
Women’s national team: Valerie
as other events to be scheduled at a piedmontasa@verizon.net. I’ve already
Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif.); Brandice
later date. made a first draft.
Balschmiter (newark, n.Y.); Courtney
the athletes who were offered a Bures (haymarket, Va.); Molly Johnson
Please keep up the good work. Thanks
usA softball athlete agreement for (Lexington, Ken.); Megan Langenfeld
again for all you do to help make Amateur
2010 are: Monica Abbott (salinas, (Bakersfield, Calif.); Brittany Lastrapes
Softball Association of America (ASA) the
Calif.); Chelsea Bramlett (Cordova, (Laguna niguel, Calif.); Jenae Leles
best it can be.
tenn.); eileen Canney (Paradise, (Fair Oaks, Calif.); stacey nelson
Calif.); Ashley Charters (Beaverton, (Los Alamitos, Calif.); Amber Patton
Ore.); Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, (Forsyth, Ill.); Brittany Rogers (Dacula, In thIs Issue
Calif.); Andrea Duran (selma, Calif.); Ga.); Melissa Roth (Long Beach, Calif.);
Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.); Vicky taylor schlopy (West hills, Calif.); and
Galindo (union City, Calif.); Alissa • Page 6 | Indiana ASA’s Wayne Myers
Angela tincher (eagle Rock, Va.).
haber (newark, Calif.); Ashley hansen passes away after battle with cancer
Continue to check out www.
(Chandler, Ariz.); Ashley holcombe
(Fayetteville, Ga.); Lauren Lappin
usasoftball.com for the most-up- • Page 9 | 2010 Men’s Slow Pitch
to date info including roster and Restricted Player list released
(Anaheim, Calif.); Caitlin Lowe (tustin,
schedule.
Calif.); Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo,
• Page 12 | Massachusetts softball
united as one association
2. Maryland-D.C. purchases customized equipment trailer A note from The Inside Pitch editor
Jamie Blanchard
Thank you for all of the feedback on the
December 2009 issue of The Inside Pitch.
It was great to hear from so many different
associations. In the new year, I hope to
incorporate all of your ideas so the newsletter
can better serve the entire association
Remember, if you would like to have a
news item or photo included in The Inside
Pitch, send it to me electronically during
the first week of the month at jblanchard@
The Maryland-D.C. Amateur Softball Association (ASA) recently purchased a softball.org. Any items, including photos,
customized trailer to take equipment to and from fields. The trailer is complete with not submitted by the deadline may not be
three logos and a picture of a youth player. included. Please plan ahead to allow yourself
enough time to submit items about your
association.
Advertising packets $7 All 2010 registration Other duties that I am taking over from
Bill Plummer, who is now enjoying his
The Amateur Softball Association of
America (ASA) advertising packets that materials mailed retirement, include two at the Council
Julie Bartel, ASA Director of Marketing Meeting: the awards luncheon and the
and Communications, spoke about at the All registration materials trade show. I am also working with the local
Council Meeting in Reno, Nev., are still on (forms, rulebooks, scorebooks, associations Hall of Fame.
sale for $7 each, including the DVD and
shipping. Commissioners can place orders umpire tests, etc.) have been Holly Krivokapich has taken over the
for their association by e-mailing Jamie mailed to all local associations. National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum
Blanchard, Coordinator of Marketing and If you have problems, or as well as the Hall of Fame inductions. She’s
Communications, at jblanchard@softball.
org. If you’re ordering the packages to
need additional registration already overseen a lot of remodeling efforts
distribute at a specific event, please make materials, please contact in the Hall of Fame – those of you joining us
sure to order at least two weeks before Debbie Ford (dford@softball. at the Junior Olympic (JO) are in for a treat.
you need to receive them, if possible. If you have any ideas on how I can make
org) at the National Office.
things better, please let me know anytime at
jblanchard@softball.org. Holly would love
Corrections to hear from you too at hollyk@softball.org.
Two errors were made in the December 2009 issue of The Inside Pitch. On We appreciate the feedback and help.
page 8 in the “National Hall of Fame now eight members larger” story, Al Happy 2010 everyone. Hope to see all of
Yaeger’s name was misspelled. In the “Maine ASA awards $5k scholarship” on you again - or meet you for the first time -
page 9, the amount of the scholarship was incorrectly referred to as $5,000. sometime in the New Year.
Maria Labbe received $500. We apologize for the errors.
the Inside Pitch
Official newsletter of the Amateur softball Association
2801 Northeast 50th Street • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111
Phone (405) 424-5266 • Fax (405) 425-3855
Web site www.asasoftball.com
editor Jamie Blanchard • e-mail jblanchard@softball.org
Assistant editors Julie Bartel and Holly Krivokapich
Page 2 the InsIDe PItCh January 2010
3. news & notes from the national Office
Cat Osterman receives decade honors
Andrew Lawrence of Sports year, exact dates are being finalized.
Illustrated’s sI.com named USA
Softball’s left-handed pitcher ASA/USA Softball’s Facebook
Cat Osterman as one of the 20
female athletes of the decade.
following nears 10K
The ASA/USA Softball Facebook
She placed No. 17 on the list,
page (www.facebook.com/
which was topped by No. 1 Serena
asausasoftball) has over 9,500 fans,
Williams (tennis) and No. 2 Annika
with a goal of hitting 10,000 in the next
Sorenstam (golf ). Here is what
few weeks. Facebook has proven as a
Lawrence wrote:
“Few were as dominant on the
very successful way to communicate
softball mound as the 26-year-old with fans across the United States and
southpaw. During her four-year the world, with hundreds of people
career at Texas, she set the Division commenting and asking questions on
I record for strikeouts (2,265) the page every week. On Twitter (www.
-- some of which she sprinkled CAt OsteRMAn twitter.com/asausasoftball), more than
across 20 no-hitters and 10 perfect 4,000 are following ASA/USA Softball.
teams that had qualified for the ISF event Several ASA associations have taken
games. (Her success is partially explained
from having the opportunity to play to social media - including Georgia,
by her massive hands, which enable her
against the other 13 nations at the ASA Mass, Nor Cal and Oregon. Links are
to grip an entire softball with her fingers
Hall of Fame Stadium.
rather than just cradle it in her palm.) posted on the national Facebook and
Team USA qualified to the event at
She brought even more magic to the Twitter.
the 2009 Pan American Cup Qualifier, also
international stage, leading the U.S. to a
Gold and Silver at the Athens and Beijing
held in Venezuela. Balls and Strikes online mag
Games, respectively.” Great Britain wins airfare to hit the net on Dec. 17
Osterman has made several other lists The last 2009 issue of Balls and
for her decade of work. Sports Illustrated 2010 Women’s Worlds Strikes online magazine was e-mailed
named her performance against Team The Great Britain Women’s National
out on Dec. 17. For those who missed
USA in 2000, when she was 17, as the No. Team won airfare to the Women’s World
it, it is available for download at www.
8 high school moment of 2000-09. ESPN Championships in Venezuela through
a British Airways contest called “Great
asasoftball.com/communications/
RISE also named her the Player of the
Britons,” which asked people to vote ballsandstrikes.asp. The next issue
Decade.
online for groups who were trying to win comes out in March.
Venezuela replaces OKC as airfare to special events. Members of the 2009 ASA scorebooks still
host of 2010 Women’s Worlds ASA received a “thank you” from members
of Team Great Britain after helping them available to associations
The International Softball
publicize it via our Web sites and both The remaining copies of last year’s
Federation’s (ISF) XII Women’s World
Facebook and Twitter. scorebooks are being given away -
Championship will be held June 23-
thousands have already been donated
July 2, 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela. The Softball Canada hosting to Special Olympics. If your association
world championship had originally been
awarded to Oklahoma City, however a Women’s Worlds in 2012 would like scorebooks for contests,
decision was made to relocate the event Whitehorse, Yukon, will host the ISF giveaways, etc., please contact Jamie
due to a date conflict with the Central XIII Women’s World Championship in Blanchard (jblanchard@softball.org)
American & Caribbean Games in Puerto 2012. The 2010 event in Whitehorse in as soon as possible. Scorebooks are in
Rico that would have prevented three is expected to take place in July of that boxes of 50.
January 2010 the InsIDe PItCh Page 3
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5. Spokane ASA selects new UIC to replace In Memoriam
Robert J. Adams
retired Stewart Robert J. Adams, the father of Illinois Ju-
nior Olympic (JO) Commissioner Bob Adams,
Randy Harnasch, an umpire for 25 years passed away Nov. 29 at Heartland Healthcare
and a Deputy Umpire in Chief for 11, has Center in Peoria, Ill. He was 87.
been named the new Umpire-in-Chief of Bob was born Sept. 7, 1922, in Peoria to
the Spokane Amateur Softball Association Charles and Anna Theresa (Norbits) Adams. He
(ASA). married Betty L. Buchanan on Dec. 10, 1942.
Spokane Commissioner Clarence “Fuzzy” He was preceded in death by his parents; four
Buckenberger made the announcement, sisters, Mary Sharp, Irene Vevig, Mae Whit-
RAnDY hARnAsCh
more and Theresa “Babe” Blackburn; and four
selecting Harnasch to replace Chuck
brothers, Bill, Lee, Chuck and Howard Adams.
Stewart, who retired after 16 years in the position. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Betty L.
Harnasch, of Rockford, Wash., in southern Spokane Adams; two sons, Robert J. (Brenda) Adams
County, has served as an umpire in chief at one ASA National Jr. of Pekin and Stephen C. (Shelley) Adams
Tournament, umpired in 11 National Championships, and of Peoria; one sister, Anna Lechnowicz of
served as an assistant UIC and/or umpire coordinator in a half- Chicago; six grandchildren; and six great-
dozen others. He has also assisted in putting on three National grandchildren.
Umpire Schools. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s
Association Central Illinois Chapter at 606 W.
Harnasch is a former president of the Spokane Softball Glen Ave., Peoria, IL 61614. Online tributes
Umpires Association, is a member of the ASA National Indicator may be made at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.
Fraternity, a member of the Medals Program at the Gold level Sympathy card can be sent to: Bob Adams,
and received the ASA Region 15 Award of Excellence in 2007. PO Box 4168, Peoria, IL 61554.
December 2009 the InsIDe PItCh Page 5
6. Indiana AsA’s Myers passes away at 84
Longtime Indiana ASA Commissioner Fame, which he was instrumental in
Wayne Myers passed away Jan. 10 at founding in 1976, the same year he
84-years-old, following a nearly year- became a commissioner.
long battle with liver cancer. A visitation While president of the ASA, he
is scheduled for Thursday from 2-8 p.m. threw out the first pitch of the first
and Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at DeBaun Olympic softball game in Atlanta in
Funeral Home in Terre Haute, Ind., while a 1996, one of the greatest thrills of his
Masonic service is at 7 p.m. Thursday. His career. He was also the manager of the
funeral is at 1 p.m. Terre Haute Americans in 1961 when
In lieu of flowers, donations can be that baseball team reached the Little
made to the American Cancer Society or League World Series. He was named
the Shriners Children’s Hospital. a Sagamore of the Wabash Valley by The late Wayne Myers with wife of 24 years Phyllis at an
Myers was a member of the ASA Hall of then-governor Evan Bayh. Indiana ASA function.
Fame, the Indianapolis ASA Hall of Fame, Survivors include his wife of 24 years, three granddaughters; and several nieces
the Wabash Valley Hall of Fame and the Phyllis Myers; his son, Terry Wayne Myers; and nephews.
national ASA Hall of Fame. He is also a a daughter, Elaine Roetter; brothers Bill More information is available at www.
member of the Terre Haute Softball Hall of Myers of Prairieton and Fred Myers of Riley; indiana-asa.org.
softball night at the Dome raises over $5k
Forty softball teams from $50,000 for the Special Olympics. A special thanks to the Farmer’s
Minnesota, Wisconsin and South The games, which were Union Insurance from Ivanhoe
Dakota participated in the 20th sandwiched between the Tigers- who was the highest fundraising
Anniversary of the Softball Night at Twins series went on throughout team. Farmer’s Union Insurance
the Dome event at the Metrodome the entire night Friday and enjoyed a Twins game from a suite
in Minneapolis, Sept. 18-20. Saturday. Divisions of play as their reward for their generous
A fundraiser for Minnesota included Girls Fastpitch, Men’s contributions.
Special Olympics and the Amateur Slow Pitch, Women’s Slow Pitch, The event was made possible
Softball Association (ASA) of Co-Rec Slow Pitch, Men’s Masters, with the efforts of the ASA of
Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame, and the featured game Saturday Minnesota, Special Olympics
the event raised $5,612 for the evening between Elk River Special Minnesota, Minnesota Twins, Mark
Special Olympics in 2009. Over the Olympics and Osseo-Maple Grove Herman, George Fadell and the
years, the event has raised over Special Olympics. volunteer ASA umpires.
Elk River Special Olympics and Osseo-Maple Grove Special Olympics, pictured above, were two teams that competed in the Special Olympics softball game
at the Metrodome following the Twins-Tigers game.
Page 6 the InsIDe PItCh January 2010
8. ASA’s Official Team Insurance Plan for the 47th year!
Bollinger provides Team Insurance Plans for ASA’s JO and Adult Teams. These coverages
stand ready to defend and protect you in the event of injuries or lawsuits arising out of your
softball activities.
ASA Team Accident Insurance Plan provides a $250,000 Excess Medical Expense
benefit for injuries to your players.
Various deductible options offer you additional savings.
The ASA Team Liability Insurance Plan provides your team with $5,000,000 in
protection for bodily injury or property damage claims arising out of your team’s games,
practices or fundraising activities.
Note: Many ASA Associations are requiring Individual Registration for their Junior Olympic
teams. One benefit of Individual Registration is that Liability and Accident Insurance are
automatically provided as part of the ASA membership fee. If your local ASA Commissioner is
using Individual Registration, you do not need to purchase the ASA Team Insurance Plan.
Contact your ASA Commissioner or Bollinger for more information.
Leading the way with ASA Individual Registration:
Best Practices for Teams and Leagues
Why Individual Registration? As the National Governing Body for Softball, ASA/USA Softball
is committed to the goal of providing accident and liability insurance to all participants in the Junior
Olympic (youth) program. This is especially important as more and more American families do not
have their own medical insurance. To ensure that our JO players receive the insurance protection
they need, ASA/USA Softball has been converting to Individual Registration (as opposed to team
registration) for the JO Program. Individual Registration is also available to Adult leagues in certain
areas.
How is the insurance plan for Individual Registration different from Team
Insurance? There is no difference in the limits of coverage under the Individual Registration or
Team Insurance plans. The program is still administered by Bollinger and underwritten by Markel
Insurance Company.
How to get started? Contact your local ASA Commissioner or JO Commissioner for details on
how to Individually Register. To find the contact information for your Commissioner, go to the
ASA/USA Softball web site at www.ASASoftball.com.
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Individual Registration, please visit
Bollinger’s ASA web site, www.BollingerASA.com and click on “Individual Registration.”
Important Note: In order to participate in ASA Junior Olympic/Youth Championship Play,
all teams must be ASA Individually Registered or purchase through Bollinger the ASA
Team Insurance Package Plan.
101 JFK Parkway, PO Box 390, Short Hills, NJ 07078
1-800-526-1379 www.BollingerASA.com
9. AsA announces new slow pitch RPL
The Amateur Softball Association
of America (ASA), the National Men’s Class A Restricted Player List
Governing Body of Softball in the
Bryson Baker, California Brian Justice, Tennessee
United States, announced today the Rick Baker, Indiana Jason Kendrick, Florida
2010 Men’s Slow Pitch Restricted Dal Beggs, Florida Matt King, Ohio
Player list (RPL). Players on the ASA Vince Bisbee, Michigan Scott Kirby, Florida
RPL may only play Class A and any Robert Blackburn, North Carolina Howie Krause, Ohio
Randell Boone, Georgia *Alex Lavorico, California
team that participates in ASA may Scott Brown, Minnesota *Sam Lopez, Colorado
not have more than five (5) players Geno Buck, Minnesota Todd Martin, North Carolina
from the ASA RPL. Rusty Bumgardner, North Carolina *Brett McCollum, California
Per the ASA Code, the players Tim Cocco, Kentucky Johnny McCraw, North Carolina
on the Men’s Class A Restricted Greg Connell, Georgia Sean McDonald, Michigan
Dennis Crine, Nevada Scott Nastally, Michigan
Player List were determined by the Don DeDonatis III, Florida *Donovan Pokraka, Georgia
ASA Slow Pitch Restricted Player *Chaun Demars, Minnesota Andy Purcell, Florida
Committee. Any appeals regarding *John Dutch, Alabama Brian Rainwater, Florida
this list can should be made to the *Kevin Filby, Ohio *Mike Raines, Tennessee
B.J. Fulk, North Carolina *Ryan Robbins, Nevada
players local commissioner who will Hank Garris, Florida Dale Roe, Michigan
forward it to the ASA National Office J.D. Genter, Georgia Dennis Rulli, Michigan
for further review by the ASA Slow Jamie Gordon, Michigan *Richard Sedlacek, Missouri
Pitch Restricted Player Committee. *Rich Goulash, Florida *Dennis Shrum, Kentucky
Please do this in writing and be sure Jeff Hall, North Carolina Scott Striebel, Florida
Greg Hartwick, Arkansas *Ryan Thiede, Indiana
to include statistics, teams played Shane Hatfield, Ohio Rusty Thorp, Minnesota
against, and a reason why you feel Brett Helmer, New York Jeff Wallace, Florida
you should be removed from the RPL Brian Higginbotham, Washington Brian Wegman, Ohio
in any appeal. R.J. Howerton, Texas *New to the RPL
Bobby Hughes, Arkansas
A complete list of these players *Jeremy Isenhower, California
can be found at www.asasoftball. Todd Joerling, Missouri
com/adult/restrictedplayers.asp.
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January 2010 the InsIDe PItCh Page 9
10.
11. Metro Detroit ASA Hosts National Umpire School
APRIL 10-11, 2010
OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
1420 East Lakeville Road
Oxford Township, Michigan 48371
Metro Detroit
REGISTRATION $80
(Make check payable to MDASA)
Name____________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________ City ________________________
State ____________Zip _______________ Phone ________________________________
Email _____________________________________________ Shirt Size _____________
Circle Area of Interest: Fast Pitch Slow Pitch Both
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Best Western Palace Inn, 2755 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360, (248) 391-2755
$79/night if you mention you are with the Metro Detroit ASA Umpire School
Room reservations must be made by March 9, 2010 to receive this rate
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Friday, April 9, 2010 – Best Western Palace Inn
6:00 – 10:00 pm Check In/Hospitality
Saturday, April 10, 2010 – Oxford Middle School
8:00 – 9:00 am Check In and School Photo
9:00 – Noon Instructional Sessions
Noon -1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 - 4:00 pm Instructional Sessions
Best Western Palace Inn
6:00 – 7:00 pm Optional Buffet Dinner
8:00 – 11:00 pm Hospitality
Sunday, April 11, 2010 – Oxford Middle School,
8:00 am – Noon Instructional Sessions
Noon -1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 pm Instructional Sessions
3:00 – 3:30 pm Closing Ceremony
2010 - 2011 National Tournaments scheduled in Michigan:
Northern Territory Girls 18-Under A Novi, MI August 2010
Northern Territory Girls 14-Under B Novi, MI August 2011
Northern Territory Girls 16-Under A Mt. Pleasant, MI August 2011
National tournament umpires must attend a National Umpire School.
UMPIRE UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE SOLD AT THE SCHOOL
Mail this Application and a check to: For information contact:
MDASA NUS Bob Lawson, MDASA UIC
30740 Lincoln Court 248.437.4356
New Hudson, MI 48165 mdasabob@aol.com
12. Massachusetts softball united as one
By Rich Fahey, special to The Inside Pitch both Ladley
and Alfonse,
Massachusetts softball players, teams, and decided
coaches and umpires -- the entire softball that Alfonse’s
family -- are now all on the same page. emphasis
The Amateur Softball Association on using
(ASA), the national governing body of technology to
softball in the United States, announced reach out to
recently that Joseph Alfonse of Lexington, current and
Mass., has been named the Massachusetts prospective
ASA commissioner. He began his new clients made
duties Oct. 8 after serving as Boston ASA it easier for
commissioner since 2008. him to take New Massachusetts ASA Commissioner Joe Alfonse, pictured above
In September, by the recommendation Massachusetts to with umpires, welcomed the Amateur Softball Association of America’s
of the Massachusetts ASA and Boston a higher level. (ASA) Director of Membership Craig Cress, and Norm Davis among oth-
ASA commissioners and the action of the “That’s the
ASA Board of Directors, the Boston and
ers, to the Metro Boston Umpires Association banquet on Nov. 21. The
way the national
Massachusetts local associations were ASA is going,” banquet was held after meetings with the now combined associations
combined into one association that will said Cress. of the former Metro Boston ASA and the former Massachusetts ASA.
serve all of Massachusetts. “We’re trying Alfonse and his staff have been working hard to build relationships
Alfonse said the idea to combine to be better at between the two associations in efforts to unify Massachusetts as one
the two districts came from both he and communications
former Massachusetts ASA Commissioner and customer ASA, as well as provide better services to leagues and umpires alike.
Ed Ladley. There had been problems service and
where one community was served by one the committee
district and an adjoining community by thought Alfonse He helped create an up-to-date Boston
the other district, sometimes creating a would do a better job in supplying that ASA Web site that provided leagues,
“dead zone” when teams from different customer service to players, teams and teams and umpires with information
districts played. umpires.” on upcoming events. Already for the
“We thought in the best interest of the Alfonse now oversees a district with Massachusetts ASA, Alfonse has created
ASA that there be a continuity of service more than 5,000 registered teams, 70,000 a Face book profile (www.facebook.
and no real walls between cities because players and 1,000 umpires. Including com/AsAMass) and Twitter account
of two associations,” said Alfonse. “We adults, the new association will service (www.twitter.com/MassAsA) to help
decided the best thing would be to merge about 150,000 people. the organization better connect with
the two associations into one.” Alfonse said his biggest priority members.
Alfonse and Ladley presented their as commissioner will be promoting “I think Joe will do a great job and I’m
plan to the ASA board in Oklahoma City in membership in the ASA throughout very happy for him,” said Norm Davis of
September. the state and hopefully expanding to Lewiston, Maine, umpire-in-chief for ASA’s
“We’re always looking for ways to 6,000 teams within a year. “In the last Region I, which is New England.
make to make our associations stronger,” six weeks, we’ve gone about 5,000 miles Alfonse first joined the ASA in 1980
said Craig Cress, the ASA’s director throughout the state all the way down as a player and became an umpire with
of membership services. “Our board to Cape Cod, all the way out to Western the Boston ASA in 1988. He served as the
challenged both associations to bring Mass., to Northern Essex County to meet Boston deputy commissioner and Junior
us a plan on what would be the best for with all the commissioners, Junior Olympic Olympic umpire-in-chief before taking
softball in the state of Massachusetts. We representatives and umpiring chiefs to his first commissioner role. In addition
needed to make a change from what it present what our new plan will be,” he said. to ASA, Alfonse is also a member of the
was because of the structure of the county As the commissioner of the Boston Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic
system here in Massachusetts.” ASA, Alfonse helped the organization Association and the NCAA’s East Coast
Cress said it was very surprising when increase the individual Junior Olympic Umpire Association.
both Alfonse and Ladley came to the board registrations by 23 percent in the last A graduate of Fitchburg State College
of directors and said it should go to one of year and he helped recruit 300 teams to in Fitchburg, Mass., with a Bachelor of
the associations, because that meant one ASA in the last 18 months. Alfonse was Science in geography and earth science
of them would be out of business. also involved in recruiting over 100 new and a Master of Education in earth science,
“That made the final decision for the umpires and providing a new umpire Alfonse is now a science teacher at Woburn
board a no-brainer,” said Cress. Cress said training plan to ensure better skill sets and Memorial High School. He is also a retired
the selection committee interviewed umpire retention. Army master sergeant.
Page 12 the InsIDe PItCh January 2010
13.
14. host a free Aquafina Pitch, hit & Run competition
MLB looking for associations to hold local events in spring 2010
The Amateur Softball
Association of America (ASA) and
Major League Baseball (MLB) are
parterning in 2010 for the MLB
Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit & Run
(PHR), which this year will feature
a Girls’ National Softball Division
for the first time.
“ASA is thrilled to be partnering
again this year with Aquafina MLB
Pitch, Hit & 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 “AsA is thrilled to be partnering again this
and local associations to take
advantage of this opportunity year with Aquafina MLB Pitch, hit & Run,
to showcase our sport at the
National level, participate and especially at the national level.”
host a local competition. PHR is
very important to continue the
growth and promotion of our sport.” and the National Finals. The local event
is hosted one day in March, April or early
Hosting a free PHR competition May with winners advancing to the
provides boys and girls, ages 7-14, the sectional in their area.
opportunity to showcase their baseball more information required to host the
and softball skills. It also provides a great The top scorers are eligible to event.
community event in just two to three compete in the Team Championship in
hours; minimum of 30 participants per a Major League Stadium in June .The Please take advantage of this great
local competition. top scores nationwide, from the Team opportunity by signing up now to host
Championships, earn an all-expense a free Local Competition for the boys
The official skills competition of paid trip to the MLB All-Star Game and girls in your community this spring
Major League Baseball, PHR is intended in Anaheim, Calif. to compete in the (March 1 – early May).
to encourage youth participation National Finals competition
and emphasize the fun element of Please visit www.mlb.com/phr
baseball and softball. All participants PHR is a 1-day event that is easy to for more information and to register
must begin by competing in a Local administrate and can often be completed online for your free Local Administrator
competition, which can be hosted by any in only a few hours. The competition Kit, which contains materials and
organization, league, civic group or set of can be hosted on a baseball/softball information required to host. Space is
volunteers in the community. PHR is free diamond or any open field. Registered limited so do not wait.
of charge to both the participants and hosts will receive an administrative kit
the local hosting organization. with a handbook, promotional posters, For general information, send your
registration forms, strike zone banner, name, address, organization and
The Four levels of competition are award ribbons, and participation questions to: pitchhitrun@website.mlb.
Local, Sectional, Team Championship baseball cards for all participants and com.
Page 14 the InsIDe PItCh January 2010
