As some of you are aware, I recently relocated from Southern California, the hotbed of youth fast pitch softball, to Central California. While Central California is not exactly void of softball, the move has been difficult for me, due to the fact that my daughter grew up playing softball in So Cal, and I knew many people involved in the sport. Anytime I attended a tournament in So Cal, I’d run into several people I knew, and I could talk softball.

Since my move in September, I have attended one youth softball tournament, and felt lucky that I ran into about four people I knew. This past weekend I visited a local pizza parlor where the local recreation league was conducting signups. I got to meet the president of the league, talk a little about their organization, and expressed my interest in umpiring in their league. Youth softball is not as big a world as we in the sport feel it is, but hopefully by the middle of summer I’ll feel a little more at home, and will have had the opportunity to get my fill of games.

Usually, in this issue of Softball West, I utilize a large portion of this space to cover rule and code changes adopted at the annual ASA Council meeting. However, this year, there was very little in the way of substantial changes. Once again, several controversial proposals were suggested, but none with any direct impact on the fast pitch game were approved

Presidential Agenda
As with most presidential positions, the President of ASA has very limited powers. Even so, when the President of ASA focuses on one specific issue, he can create change. An example of this is the action of the past president, Franklin Taylor, who made it his mission to improve the safety of the game, and used all his resources to change both the bat and ball standards. Although he did not do what he had originally set out to do, make the bats equal to wooden bats, he did have an impact on the "liveliness" of the bat and ball.

This was accomplished by appointing certain individuals to the Equipment Standards Committee, individuals who would work towards fulfilling his agenda. Fortunately for those involved in youth softball, Mr. Taylor did not have overwhelming support of the ASA Council. He had been elected president by just one vote two years ago, narrowly defeating E.T. Colvin. Without support, Franklin could not make the changes he desired. Due to his narrow loss at the previous election, it came as no surprise at this past ASA National Council meeting that Colvin ran unopposed for President, and was elected by acclamation. Now the question is, where is this president going to exert his energies?

Even before he made his first speech at the closing banquet of the Council meeting, those who have known Colvin for some time knew exactly what his agenda was. As the past Chairperson for the ASA’s Tournament Restructuring Committee, he has been working towards changes to the ASA’s tournament program, most notably, the Girls "A" Fast Pitch program and the East/West National Championship program. Colvin has had two years to get the proper ASA Code changes approved by the Council. Although the concept of changing the program has been brought before the ASA Council for the past five years, proposals by G. Pat and/or Colvin to date have not obtained the support needed.

But now Colvin is in charge, and he will help his cause by appointing those who share his vision to the heads of Committees that will review proposed Code changes. Specifically he will focus on his old position as Chair of the Tournament Restructuring Committee. His work may be made easier if Southern California ASA Commissioner, Steven Monson, resigns from this committee. However, you can be assured that the committee will be appointed and begin meetings in the very near future.

You can also rest assured that at the next year’s Council meeting there will be a proposal to make the girl´s fast pitch "A" nationals either an East/West, or four corners event.

If that fails to gain the necessary support, you will see it again in following years. Only time will tell how well Colvin does in rallying the troops in support of his agenda.

Foul Tips
Has anyone noticed the inclusion of a softball storyline in the hit series Law and Order?

A new character in the series, an Assistant District Attorney, is supposedly an ex-college softball player.

Unfortunately, in one episode the character is shown hitting balls in a batting cage, eliminating any credibility as to the actress’s softball abilities

You can contact me at softballfloyd@hotmail.com_and so the ball rolls.