ORLANDO, FL. - The ASA Council, at their recently completed 72nd Annual Meeting, made some interesting changes for both 2004 and 2005 to help improve the slow-pitch program. First and foremost is the addition of stealing in championship play for the men’s program at all levels. This previously existed only in Mens ‘A’ and above and has proven very successful in adding both speed to the game and the removal of dead time while a catcher walks to the backstop to retrieve a pitch. Debate against this topic was mostly centered on the one umpire system and the skill level of lower level catchers. Ultimately the added interest for the game won. Another positive change for the slow-pitch program occurred in the Coed program where Coed ‘B’ was added, allowing three separate divisions of play. As for the seniors, the Old Majors and Class ‘A’ are gone and Major Plus, Major, AAA, and AA are in, aligning ASA with the other senior associations. Lastly, based on the overwhelming success of the Men and Women’s National Championship Series held in Oklahoma City, OK, the entire end of year calendar will be moved up for 2005. The Men/Women’s National Tournaments will occur two weeks prior to Labor Day, and the East/West National Championships will be held on Labor Day weekend. The National Championship Series will be moved to the last weekend in September. This will put most of the ASA events on a head-to-head basis with rival associations. In the past, ASA has tried to avoid scheduling conflicts at the sacrifice of weather and fall employment conflicts. This move should help the growing popularity of these programs.

Other items of interest concern the bat-testing program. The new standards will take effect January 1, 2004 and new labeling will signify the certification. The double base will also be mandatory for championship play in 2005, as well as face masks for Junior Olympic fastpitch players. The face masks will not be ready for the 2004 season as a NOCSAE approved mask is not available on the market.

Mississippi Commissioner ET Colvin was elected President of ASA and will serve a two-year term. He ran unopposed, which has not occurred before. Kelly McKeown, Marketing Director of ASA, also announced it has a new logo. It can be viewed at their website at www.softball.org.