A lot of significant news came out of the ASA/USA Softball Council Meeting that wrapped up in Oklahoma City on Thursday and Friday as the 2014 Hall of Fame Class was announced, sites for the National Championships were released, a major proposal was passed and a big leadership change happened at the top.

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Here are brief summaries of the newsworthy items that happened in the last two days of the Council Meeting:

*** National Softball Hall of Fame Class of 2014

The following will be inducted at the 83rd Annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nev. next November:

Darryl Day – Fast Pitch Player (Hilton Head, S.C.)
Craig Elliott – Slow Pitch Player (Wadley, Ala.)
Ted Germain – Umpire (Mayville, Mich.)
Stacey Nuveman – Fast Pitch Player (La Verne, Calif.)
Tommy Orndorff – Manager (Vienna, Va.)
Ron Radigonda – Meritorious Service (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Bruce Tanski – Sponsor (Clifton Park, N.Y.)

 

*** 16U GOLD National Championship Created

ASA/USA Council Members passed legislation to create a 16-Under GOLD National Championship, starting in January, 2014.
The location and dates will be announced in the future.

 

*** 2015 National Championship Locations

The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today its sites for the 2015 Championship season at the ASA/USA Softball National Council Meeting in Oklahoma City, Okla.

ASA/USA Girls’ 10-Under Class A Fast Pitch –  Normal, Ill.
ASA/USA Girls’ 12-Under Class A Fast Pitch – Sacramento/Roseville, Calif.
ASA/USA Girls’ 14-Under Class A Fast Pitch –  Salem, Va.
ASA/USA Girls’ 16-Under Class A Fast Pitch –  Chattanooga, Tenn.
ASA/USA Girls’ 18-Under Class A Fast Pitch –  Spartanburg, S.C.
ASA/USA Girls’ 16-Under GOLD –  TBD
ASA/USA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD –  TBD

 

*** New Executive Director and President Take Over

Southern California ASA Commissioner Phil Gutierrez (Oceanside, Calif.) stepped into office as the President of the ASA and former Director of Membership Services Craig Cress (Edmond, Okla.) assumes the Executive Director role of the organization replacing Ron Radigonda who is retiring after 15 years in the position.

“I am privileged, honored and humbled to become the president of the National Governing Body of Softball, ASA/USA Softball,” said Gutierrez.  “We will continue to work hard to develop and promote our game domestically and internationally.”

Gutierrez takes the reins from Mississippi ASA Commissioner E.T. Colvin, who began his two-year term as ASA President in 2011.

Cress has been involved with the ASA for over 35 years serving in several roles as a player, umpire, district commissioner, Umpire-In-Chief, league administrator, as a council member, and National Office staff member.

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In other association news, Rodney Cobb of Texas ASA was voted to be the Southern Territory Vice President for a seat on the ASA/USA Board of Directors.

In addition, Joey Rich of Missouri ASA will join the Board of Directors as the Northern Territory Vice President.

In the Eastern Territory, Andy Dooley of Piedmont Virginia ASA was elected and the Western Territory will be represented by John Gouveia of Oakland ASA.

Warren Jones of Ohio ASA was also elected as President-elect for ASA/USA Softball.

The 2014 ASA/USA council meeting will be held November 8-14 at the Nugget Hotel in Reno, Nev. and in 2015, ASA/USA will take its business to the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. from October 30-November 5.