Very interesting questions by Spy Softball

[default]

The link below is taken from other sites that have in depth discussion about ASA's role in fastpitch moving forward. I had the chance to talk with the CEO of USSSA and Gordon Glennie before the last Pride game before the championship series. Don made some comments that I thought were a bit off the wall - but after reading this article what he said to me makes sense.

8-8-2013 Should ASA Remain the National Governing Body? | Spy Softball

 

[default]

IMO, Other than very few elite travel organizations nationwide (probably 100 or less), care less about USSSA, ASA, NSA, PGF, etc or the USOC or the Olympics in general. Most travel organizations/teams care about being in tournaments that are well-run, at good venues, at best value, to include shorter trips with occasional showcases thrown in. Of course the CEOs of USSSA, ASA, NSA. etc are competing more with each other for bragging rights of who has the most teams, etc but in the final analysis for most tournaments, those that provide a good value are valued by most teams. Fast Pitch has become more and more important to USSSA, ASA, etc as the number of adult slowpitch teams declines. The exception to that statement may be PGF or any org only involving itself in fastpitch.

 

[default]

Great point about the tournament associations. I would go even further and say even those elite organizations don't care about the sanctioning body. Good events can be non aligned and teams still come. Three major events on our fall schedule are not sanctioned by any association. In my opinion there should be more of that. The governing bodies have ALL forgotten who the customers are and that is too bad - because what that caused is the current debate - which simply is which Association is better suited to be the sports governing body in the US. Many times growth comes from new blood coming in with fresh ideas and energy. If ASA is able to hang on I just hope they are able to infuse the freshness needed to improve the sport - not simply to grow their ranks. The goal for all the associations is money. Teams and TD's need to take the sport back at some point. There are some cool things happening for 2014 from the grass roots level. Hopefully the Associations take notice.

 

[default]

and I hope they don't go "our insurance" or bust... that just penalizes the players and families. Some are doing this already....