What is the ASA? The Amateur Softball Association of America is an independent and unique organization. It is one of the largest and fastest growing Amateur Associations in America today. Its membership is comprised of men, women, girls and boys who are dedicated to amateur sports. More than 40 million adults and recreational softball and the majority of them play ASA softball. Softball is the largest team participation sport in the U.S.A.
Nor Cal ASA Staff Mike Blondino Commissioner General Association questions 2001 Pacific Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94403 650-533-0864 cell mblondino@norcalasa.org Manuel Gomez Junior Olympic Commissioner Junior Olympic questions 831-869-8521 mgomez@norcalasa.org
Sandy Scott - Office Manager Adult and Youth Travel Team and Recreation Team Registrations, Individual Player/Coach Registrations, Umpire Registrations and ACE Coaches Registrations. Certificate of Insurance showing a practice facility as additional insured. P. O. Box 2829 - Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-1631 office 916-962-1634 fax sscott@norcalasa.org Jim Cole - Umpire-In-Chief Umpire questions 511 Hammon Ct - Wheatland, CA 95692 530-633-0668 Phone 530-415-8795 Cell jcole@norcalasa.org
Peninsula ASA Manny Hernandez - District Commissioner 650 Shell Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404 650.286.3386 or mhernandez@fostercity.org Tim Barry Assistant District Commissioner 850 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame, Ca 94010 650.558.7315 or tbarry@burlingame.org Howard McGee - District Umpire-In-Chief 510.794.8343 or hmcgee1@comcast.net
Santa Clara Henry Perezalonso - District Commissioner 201 South Rengstorff Avenue Mountain View, CA 94039-7540 Phone: (650) 903-6404 Fax: (650) 962-1069 hperezalonso@norcalasa.org Don Lau District UIC 1458 Wildrose Mountain View, CA 94043 Phone: (650) 696-3712 Fax: (650) 969-3712 donlau@sbcglobal.net
Tri-County ASA Manuel Gomez - District Commissioner 320 Lincoln Ave Salinas Bus: 831-758-7166 Fax: 831-758-7939 mgomez@norcalasa.org Tina Garza - Assistant District Commissioner 300 West Street Hollister Phone: 831-636-4390 Fax: 831-636-4399 tgarza@norcalasa.org Bob Sparks - District Umpire-In-Chief 3058 Sloat Road - Pebble Beach Phone: 831-372-8294 parspar@aol.com
Statistics 6th Largest Association in the USA 28 Counties 8 Districts 4,109 Adult Teams 2,055 Junior Olympic Team 6,164 Total Teams 16,198 Individual Registrations 589 Umpires
Non-Profit Organization 501 (C) (4) Incorporated in 1977 Volunteer Based Staff Alliance with City Recreation Departments Associated with the Sports Association of Northern California Recreation Agencies South Bay North Bay Peninsula
Nor Cal ASA Board of Directors President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Directors: Tim Barry Manuel Gomez Kelly Abernathy Mike Blondino Monica Abbott Jim Cole Tina Garza Ann Gillen Manny Hernandez Rick McLaughlin Henry Perezalonso Jake Preston Dee Webster
PACIFIC COAST REGION 14 California, Nevada & Hawaii - 9 Associations Southern California Northern California Central California Sacramento Greater San Joaquin Oakland San Francisco Nevada Hawaii
2012 Playing Rule Changes
Rule 3 Section 1B: The knob will have a diameter of at least 1.6 inches with no sharp edges. The knob will be permanently attached to the bat and may be covered with grip tape. Comment: Changes the wording from taped to covered and safety tape to grip tape.
Rule 3 Section 1D: The Handle region of the bat must have a grip made of cork, grip tape, or other synthetic material that is permanently attached to the bat. No bare metal, wood or composite material may be exposed in this area. The grip shall not be less than 6 and not more than 15.
Rule 3 Section 1D: Cont d Any attachment such as a molded finger grip, flare cone or choke up device must be attached with grip tape. Resin, pine tar or spray substances are permissible on the Grip Region only.
Comment: Changes the wording from safety tape to grip tape, clarifies that no bare wood or composite material along with metal can be exposed and allows for the tape to be a minimum of 6 inches in length versus a minimum of 10 inches in length.
Rule 3 Section 7 : The Characteristics of any approved equipment cannot be unnaturally changed. Examples include icing, cooling or heating of any equipment. Warming devices for bats are NOT approved. Comment: Science has proven heating of bats with warming devices adds to batted ball speed and are now illegal.
Rule 5 Section 10C: In all Junior Olympic Pool Play, Class A and B 12-Under, 14-Under, 16-Under and 18-Under and 18-Under Gold, no inning shall start after 1 hour and 40 minutes in fast pitch and 1 hour and 30 minutes in Slow Pitch.
Comment: Code Article 510 O 03 which covers the time limits of our games was voted on and changed so that the JO Slow Pitch time limit was reduced by 10 minutes.
Rule 8 Section 7L: When a runner intentionally contacts a fair batted ball that an infielder has missed. Comment: Clarifies the rule already in effect by replacing the word kicked with contacts.
Provide training for Adult and Youth Give Rules Clinics for Coaches Make Rule Interpretations Mentoring Program Association Registration Fees Adult $60 Youth $38 Recreation Registration Fees Adult $46 Youth $33 If Umpires are background checked thru their City that will lower Rec Fee to $43 (Rec. Fees remained the same in 2012, will increase in 2013 to Adults $51 and Youth $38) Plan ahead
Umpire Program $10,000,000 LIABILITY INSURANCE This policy covers you in the event you are sued, and adjudged by a court of law for bodily injury, personal injury or property damage to others while officiating at ASA sanctioned activities, games, leagues and tournaments involving ASA registered teams. Coverage is provided for defense costs to include legal fees, court costs and investigative costs.
Umpire Program INSURANCE COVERAGE WHILE OFFICIATING OTHER SPORTS ASA Umpire Associations, ASA Commissioners, or UIC s can now purchase Accident and Liability Coverage, as well as Game Fee Reimbursement as a result of injury, for their umpires who officiate other sports. Coverage is only $22, but must be purchased with a minimum of 10 umpires. (Premium is $150 minimum).
Umpire Program As part of the Registration Fee, each umpire receives insurance coverage, A Rule Book, an Umpire s Manual and a subscription to the online Balls and Strikes Softball Magazine. Because an umpire is registered with the ASA, he/she can obtain Rule Interpretations, attend ASA Rule Clinics and the Regular and Advanced National Umpire Schools.
Umpire Program An umpire uniform and leisure wear program is available to each registered umpire. Included are clothing, souvenirs and publications. Request the new catalog today. Only ASA Registered Umpires are selected to officiate in Metro, State, Regional and National Tournaments. There are now more than 90 ASA National Tournaments. Qualified ASA Umpires can apply for Elite Umpire status within the ASA.
Umpire Program Only through the ASA Program are Training Aides available for umpires and umpire organizations. ASA Umpires are eligible to apply for the Medals Program available in Blue (3 yrs.), Bronze (5 yrs.), Silver (15 yrs.) and Gold (20 yrs.), just for being a Registered ASA Umpire. ASA Umpires are eligible to apply for the National Indicator Fraternity and be recognized for their umpiring experience in a registry in the ASA Hall of Fame, Umpire Manual and Case Book
QUESTIONS?
Article 501 D 02 d Delete the words: or Class B Program Comments: Allows college players to play in the JO Class B Program
Article 505 E 05 & 06 E. Additional Penalties. A team, team member, manager, team official or umpire may be suspended for a period of time for violations outlined in Article 505 ( A ) at the sole discretion of the commissioner or the commissioner s designee(s), subject only to any right of appeal to the Executive Director. However, the following acts of suspension require a minimum of loss of eligibility, as follows: 05. A Player found in possession of an altered bat and found guilty according to Article 505 shall be suspended for a five ( 5 ) year minimum. 06. A Team that is discovered to have within it possession or control of an altered bat may be suspended for a two ( 2 ) year minimum. Comments: Establishes suspensions period for a player or team in possession of an altered bat.
Nor Cal ASA back to 4 berths to USA/ASA A National Championship New partnership with Dudley for softballs
Pacific Coast Region 14 Changes C pick-up player rule has changed AGAIN for the better! You may pick up to 3 players who played in your C Association Championship who are no longer eligible for Championship Play or from within your league. Inter-league rules for all-star teams 4 game guarantee for NQ, HOF and Regionals (except for 18 Gold)
Nor Cal ASA Changes Non-profit clock is ticking Starting in 2014 all organization must be non-profit No outside Association pre-qualifiers Joint 10u A Association Championships Nor Cal ASA, Oakland ASA & San Joaquin ASA 8u sanctioned tournaments now posted on website
Looking to the Future.. Nor Cal ASA to host 2013 USA/ASA Nationals 16U A July 28 August 4 Twin Creeks and Mission College Fields 171 teams participated in 2011 2 Host Berths Insurance cost increase in 2013? B & C Pre-qualifier Management System Road Shows will take on a new form in 2013. What do you want to see?
Registration = www.registerasa.com Don t click either of these if you forgot your Username or Password. Email me at sscott@norcalasa.org Can t remember your User Name and Password DO NOT Create another profile Don t get Frustrated Email me at sscott@norcalasa.org with your Name, Zip Code and Date of Birth I will be able to look up your existing profile and email you back with the information to login. Step-by-step Guides on how to Register a Team for 2012 Step-by-step Guides on how to Register a League for 2012 Guides are found on our website at: www.norcalasa.org Click on Junior Olympic then the Registration tab.
Creating a Member Profile It will ask the following: ASSOCIATION, GROUP & LEAGUE ASSOCIATION = CA Northern California ASA [Several coaches enter where they think they reside. Example: Monterey Coaches have been choosing CA Central California ASA since they do live in Central California. However that is a totally different Association] [Some if not sure choose UNKNOWN] which just gets them lost in the system] GROUP = J O Rec. or J O Travel with the number to which county you are in. Example: JO Rec. 1 would be San Mateo County
LEAGUE = If you chose JO Rec. 1 then you would choose the league you are associated with. If your League Name doesn t appear, send Sandy an email so she can add it.
TRAVEL TEAMS Nor Cal ASA has been chosen as a TEST ASSOCIATION for a new invoicing process. You can now pick and choose who you want to order Photo ID cards for and who you don t. When ready to generate an invoice you will need to click on the players before clicking the Generate Invoice Preview button.
You will get to PREVIEW the invoice before you complete the invoice process. If you see a player missing, or you wanted photo instead of non-photo you can go back to make the change.
New this year is the UPGRADE TO CHAMPIONSHIP button. When you generate an invoice you should request the Standard roster. When you decide your going to participate in Championship Play, you will want to convert the Standard Roster over to a Championship Roster. Previously there were several steps to this process and I would need to Approve the team again. This year it s as easy as clicking a button.
ACE Coaching Certification Program All Nor Cal ASA Team Personnel in the dugout must be ACE certified!
If you are a returning coach and find the system has you at the wrong ACE Level, you can email me at sscott@norcalasa.org. I will be able to look up your information and update to the correct level. When you email me let me know your User Name and Password so I won t have to recreate one. Again, if you don t remember your login information, I can fix that too. To be ACE Certified you want to click on the word PURCHASE for ACE Certification w/background Check. This will bring you to the Background Consent Form. When you agree it will bring you to the purchase screen to enter your VISA or MasterCard for payment. After you submit you will need to wait for the background check status to say CLEARED. Once cleared the words ACE Certification w/background Check under the Requirement column will become a blue link. Click on this link which will take you to the ACE Website. NEW You no longer need to know a separate password for the ACE site.
ACE Coaching Certification Program The ASA ACE (Achieve, Certify, Educate) Coaching Certification Program was developed and designed to see that our coaches achieve a certain level of understanding about what their duties are as coach of a youth softball team The ACE Certification Manual is designed to be a practical guide to the everyday situations you will encounter as a youth softball coach. After obtaining your ACE Certification, you will be well prepared to coach a youth softball team $ 5 Million Liability Insurance Policy
ACE Certifications All online now at www.registerasa.com 1 st Year ACE Coach Certification $20 Coaches Book $ 5 Total Registration Fee $25 2 nd, 3 rd and Continuing Education ACE Coach Certification $20 Total Registration Fee $20
Background Checks All Nor Cal ASA Coaches and Umpires will be background checked through LexisNexis There will be no additional fee for the background check List of criteria that will be used in the screening is listed on the Nor Cal ASA website
Registration Fees Team Adult Recreation Teams $16.00 per team JO Recreation Teams $18.00 per team Adult Travel Teams $26.00 per team Individual Registrations & Insurance $12.00 per player with a $250 deductible $23.00 per player with a $0 deductible
Individual Player/Coach Registration 250,000 Health Coverage 2 Million Liability Coverage Year Round Coverage 90/10 policy To From Practice, Game, Tournament Coverage Individual Player Card USA/ASA Merchandise Discount
Individual Player/Coach Registration Team receives at NO additional cost ASA Rule Book ASA Championship Roster-use registerasa.com Pacific Coast Regional JO Handbook Scorebook
Bollinger Insurance Products Tournaments & Clinics Travel Accident Plan Umpire Plan Field Owners Plan Supplemental Sports Organization Plans Crime - $ 175 Equipment $100 minimum
Directors & Officers Insurance Provides coverage for lawsuits seeking damages for alleged or actual wrongful acts, e.g., discrimination, wrongful suspension of players, wrongful dismissal of coaches and sexual harassment. $385 per year-$1,000,000 coverage $770 per year-$2,000,000 coverage
Junior Olympic Age Qualifications A player s age as of December 31 determines the age in which the player is eligible to play the following year. 10-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2000 is ELIGIBLE. 12-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 1998 is ELIGIBLE. 14-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 1996 is ELIGIBLE. 16-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 1994 is ELIGIBLE. 18-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 1992 is ELIGIBLE ( Includes Junior Olympic Gold ). Players of younger age classification may play in older age classifications, but an older age classification player may not play in the younger age classification.
MANDATORY FOR ALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY
Junior Olympic Program Definitions 18 Gold Level A Level Self Declare Process Open recruitment B & C Levels League/All Star Teams Recruitment of players is not allowed Team can NOT tryout, select, announce, practice and/or play together before May 1 st Select Alternates for Travel Teams
Junior Olympic B Program Definitions The purpose of the Pacific Coast Region s Junior Olympic B program is to provide a recreational program and championship tournaments for recreational teams registered with ASA. It is not necessarily the intent of the B program to establish a classification system for the teams that do not feel they can compete with the Region s best teams. Categories of Eligibility Recreational League Teams High School Age 16u and 18u B Teams Rural B Teams
Important B eligibility rules you need to know Individual players who *participate on an A team after the last full weekend in April (28/29) of the current season are not eligible to participate in B tournaments. *Note: participate in this sentence shall be defined as uniformed and rostered attendance at an umpired game.
14u B Player Classification Non-varsity high school players are eligible to return to the League that they participated in during the previous calendar year for Championship Play. A Championship Play Team may not have more than 5 (five) of these players on their roster. *Exception: may be appealed to the JO Commissioner if there is no Frosh-Soph/JV team. ------------------------------------------ To play on a 14u B league team a player must be a registered League participant from the previous year and currently be registered for the same League; the Freshman or JV team season play has concluded.
Junior Olympic C Program Definitions The purpose of the Pacific Coast Region s Junior Olympic C program is to provide a recreational program and championship tournaments for recreation leagues/teams registered with ASA. It is the intent of the C program to establish meaningful competition for teams that are unable to compete in the B program due to league size and/or skill level. Categories of Eligibility Recreational League Teams 1. Teams formed from a league with four or less teams within the same age classification. 2. A second team formed from league with eight or less teams in that age classification may be formed. The first and second teams are being formed based on tryouts or demonstration of skill with the second team being drafted after the formation of the first team with the Junior Olympic Commissioner s approval. Rural C Teams
Important C eligibility rules you need to know. Individual players who *participate on an A and/or B team after the last full weekend in April (28/29) of the current season are not eligible to participate in C tournaments. *Note: participate in this sentence shall be defined as uniformed and rostered attendance at an umpired game. Any C team or player that participates in any A or B qualifying tournaments will not be eligible to participate in any C Championship event in the same season.
Sanction Invitational ASA approved tournaments Must meet ASA standards All teams and umpires must be registered Playing fields must be prepped Restrooms available on site
Nor Cal ASA Pre-qualifier 10u, 12u and 14u A teams and all B & C Nor-Cal ASA Association teams must play in one ASA pre-qualifying tournament prior to the Association Championships.
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY Championship Play is a tournament or competition from which the winner and other selected teams may advance to higher levels of play of ASA The following events are considered Championship Play: Local Association Championships Regional Championships Area Championships National Qualifiers Territory Qualifying Tournaments Hall of Fame Qualifying Tournaments Hall Of Fame Tournaments National Tournaments National Championship Finals
Hall of Fame Qualifier Open to all Pacific Coast Region 14 ASA A teams in the 12u, 14u, 16u & 18u age classifications The top 2 teams advance to Oklahoma City to play in a 24 team tournament. The top 8 teams from the Oklahoma City tournament advance to the 2012 USA/ASA National Championship Final
National Qualifier Each of the 15 Regions has One National Qualifier in each age group. Open to all teams in the USA One direct berth in the 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u to the USA/ASA A National Championship Final
PCR 14 Regional Championship An additional way to qualify for USA/ASA A National Championship Finals Only for A teams from the Pacific Coast Region finishing 5th - 8 th place in the Association Championships A Teams can skip Pacific Coast Regional 14 Championship and still play in ASA A Western National Championships
ASA A Western National Championship Finals All Nor-Cal teams that participate in the Association Championships are eligible for this tournament. Teams finishing 3 rd place and below at Pacific Coast Region 14 Regional are eligible for this tournament. 1 st & 2 nd place at the 2012 ASA Western A National Championship Finals will qualify to play in the 2013 USA/ASA A National Championships Finals
Rosters for Championship Play The roster deadline for Championship Play is 24 hours prior to the start of Championship Play. Once a team has competed in any Championship event the player is frozen to that roster and may not compete with another team until the original team is no longer eligible for Championship Play. If a player leaves a team after Championship Play participation, they may not join another team until the original team is no longer eligible for Championship Play Once a team plays in Championship Play that team s roster is then frozen and the only way additional players can be added is on a Pick-up Player form. No more add players once you competed in Championship Play.
Things to remember when going to Tournaments Sanctioned Tournaments: You don t need a Championship roster for Sanctioned Tournaments. www.registerasa.com has a printable tournament roster (non-championship Roster) for Sanctioned Tournaments that will work. Regional and National Championship Play Tournaments: All players must have a Picture ID at sign-in and at all games. You will need to sign-in (try to do this as a team) and do it in the order of the names on the roster. Players need to sign the back of their Photo ID Cards.
Pick-up Player Rules Pick-up players must come from teams which are no longer eligible for Championship Play and from the following areas: -Gold from own Region - A, B from own Association - C from Association Championships or from within your league
Pick-up Player Rules con t Pick-up players must have played for an ASA registered team during the current season and must have played in the division of play for which they are being picked-up. Pick-up players must be from the teams same division (Fast pitch) and the same or lower classification (Gold, A, B or C). EXCEPTION: A player who has competed in Junior Olympic Championship Play is eligible to participate in adult Championship Play during the same season as a pick-up player. Players (Adult and Junior Olympic) whose teams have qualified to compete in the highest-level tournaments in a classification will not be eligible pick-up players.
Nor-Cal Website Updates/News Tournaments Organization Contacts Umpire Clinics Calendar of Events www.norcalasa.org We are on Facebook!!!
Other Websites USA/ASA SOFTBALL www.asasoftball.com Pacific Coast Region 14 www.region14.com Monica Abbott www.monicaabbott.net Monica is available for Opening Day Ceremonies.
THANK YOU!!!