NC ASA Update for 2009

The NC ASA State meeting was held 12-6-08 in Burlington. Several issues were addressed. I will try to update everyone on the latest from NC ASA and ASA National.




Here we go.

1) In an effort to keep our ball fields safe havens for our kids, ASA National has implemented mandatory background checks for coaches who wish to play in "championship" play. Championship play is described as the ASA State, qualifiers, or a National tournament.We at NC ASA strongly support the efforts of ASA National to ensure that our kid’s safety is in the forefront of decisions made on the National level. After much discussion with many of the travel ball coaches we have mandated the following.
Starting in 2009, all coaches in NC must be background checked prior to participation in any sanctioned ASA event. The background check is available online through www.registerasa.com for a fee of $4.25. This will be up and running with our new sanction year, available to you on Dec. 15th, 2008. There is also a background check authorization form that must be filled out and emailed or mailed to me along with a copy of your driver’s license. My email address is [email protected] . My mailing address is PO Box 1116, Rural Hall, NC, 27045.

2) ASA National has also made it mandatory that the head coach of any team that wishes to continue on to "championship" play, must be ACE Certified. The certification is available online at www.asasoftball.com

3) NC ASA missed securing a second National berth by 54 teams this year. I challenge everyone to see that ASA play is promoted to any team who has not participated in ASA in the past in an effort to see that we may reach that goal to secure a second National berth for 2010.

4) NC ASA has made a requirement to play in at least one ASA event, as a qualifier, to secure a spot in the NC ASA State tournament. You must also compete in the NC ASA State to qualify for entry in any of the ASA Regional National tournaments. Remember that picture IDs are required for the National tournaments.

5) NC ASA will keep the cost for individual registration at $8.00 for non-picture ID cards for "B" teams and $15.00 for the picture ID cards for "A" teams. All teams playing "championship" play must sanction as an "A" team with the picture ID cards.Remember this carries insurance along with the registration. This is a great way to save a little money for teams who only wish to play local tournaments only and sanction as "B". Example: A team with 12 kids and a coach, can cover their team with insurance including the sanction fee for around $112.00.

6) NC ASA has the Region #4 National Qualifier for 14U. It will be played in Wilmington, NC, TBD.

7) NC ASA has a National Qualifier for 10U and 12U scheduled for Burlington, NC , July 10-12, 2009.

8) There will be a coach’s meeting Jan. 17th, 2009 in Burlington or Greensboro at 10am. The place will be decided within the next week. More details to follow. Please make plans to attend. We will go over all the changes and have an open discussion time to answer any questions that may arise. We will also be providing lunch. There is no cost. This is an informational meeting for you.

I know the list is long but I hope this will help you be aware of the upcoming changes for 2009. As always, I have an open door policy. If you would like to speak to me about any of the changes please feel free to call me at 336-416-6056.
Sincerely,
Rick McHone
NC ASA JO Commissioner

 

My Reply....

....is that I'm 100% behind Rick and NC ASA.
Way back in the "day", myself and the other coach of our team, fell into the ASA gig because all of the other nationals, USSSA, NSA, PONY, etc. did not fit our kids schedule.
BAM! What a great experience!!!!!!
Our team had to qualify in NC first. Well, that was easy because there were only 2 other teams to play for the NC ASA state championship.
We hooked up the kids and went to Atlanta 2 weeks in a row to continue our quest for a spot in the nationals.
No offense to NSA, USSSA, and other orgs. but, folks, trust me when I tell ya that ASA was the heat. I'm sure that many teams that rock in Pony, USSSA, etc. would do well in the ASA format.
In order to do that, teams in NC have got to step up and play in the ASA format/tourns. JDub, the fishman

 

Update on the Region 4, 14U National Qualifier

***ATTENTION*** We have received several inquiries concerning the 14U National Qualifier and the conflicts with high school playoffs...Please note: The original date for the Region 4 Qualifier is in the process of being changed...Updates will be coming soon!!

 

Is there a better date?

If I found this info is correct playoffs start that following Monday.
1st Round May 18
2nd Round May 21
District May 25
Individual Regional/State June 4-5

SC ASA State will probably be the 2nd or 3rd weekend in June. Unless you are in the SC State Championship for school ball this first choice weekend works.
ASA GA are having qualifiers the whole month of May. There won't be a date that works for everyone. I am sure GA teams would love to see late June so they can get qualified if they don't get one of their 5 berths. CA teams also came east and took two berths in June from TN and VA last year.
We are crossing our fingers that this date doesn't fall on SC ASA State.

 

Reason for changes

Lots of NC HS coaches don't want their players playing till after the HS State, June 6-7. TN is the same way. If we keep the original date, we may as well send the berths to GA anyway, as they play HS ball in the fall. We are trying to give most everyone, in the 4 state region, at least an opportunity to play for the two berths. The NC ASA State will be held June 12-14. It would be nice if SC ASA follewed suit. That would be the best scenario. You are right though. Someone will feel slighted with anything we do.

 

Good point SC is no different.

SC State will probably be the same weekend as NC June 12-14. The last few years it has been that weekend.

 

?

Doesn't NC have a Hall of Fame Qualifier in 14U?

 

SC ASA State is penciled in for June 12-14 right now and will be finalized at our State meeting this weekend, but I don't see it changing.

And Yes NC does have the 14u Hall Of Fame Qualifier this year.