DECEMBER 7 UPDATE

Remember Pearl Harbor

ASA CODE CLARIFIED

The ASA Code as published in 2006 reads:

513L2.  Junior Olympic Class A and Junior Olympic Gold Fast Pitch teams which have previously qualified for a National Championship final may not compete unless they forfeit their berth in accordance with Article 513C of this Code.

The amendment adopted by ASA Council in November 2006 reads:

513L2  Junior Olympic teams which have previously qualified for a National Championship Final may compete in other National Qualifiers.  If a previously qualified team wins another National Qualifier, the highest finishing team without a berth will qualify.

The amendment, as posted on the ASA web site, did not cross-reference other articles of the Code, and, ASA Commissioners whom SPY consulted indicated that the amendment affected Gold and 18A.  However, this is apparently incorrect.  The key is the definition of “national qualifier.”

At SPY’s request, ASA’s Craig Cress has clarified the recent code change:

The change is in ASA Code Article 513 L 02 so therefore it affects the tournaments that are being referenced in Article 513 which are National Qualifiers and Article 513 F shows the list of National Qualifiers.  This change only affects Girls’ Class A Fast Pitch National Qualifiers – one per Region and NOT the Class A Regional Tournaments.  This change also affects the one Gold National Qualifier that is held in Oklahoma City, it does NOT affect the Regional Tournaments or Sector qualifiers in any way.

The balance of 513 remains intact; a previously qualified Gold team can enter another qualifying tournament only if it forfeits the berth.

PEOPLE

Rocci Pignoli’s legion of friends were saddened to hear at NFCA that the long-time Temple coach, now retired, suffered a heart attack last weekend.  One of the most affable people in our sport, Rocky is recuperating.  His family is urging people to write:

            Rocci Pignoli

2824 Manor Downs

The Villages, FL 32162

Erica Beach, celebrating two whole weeks of wedded life while attending NFCAwill be going to the Ohio State vs Florida game, and rooting for the Buckeyes.

Olympian Stacey Nuveman told visitors at NFCA that she is pregnant.  So is Olympian Leah O’Brien, expecting her third son.  Indeed, babies were a topic in the NFCA exhibit hall, where Jennie Finch Daigle had Ace, and Amy Chellevold Hillenbrand wheeled in Lauren and Brock.

Jim Bollinger has assumed managership of the annual Champions Cup in Irvine.  Gary Wardein for the So Cal Players Association, who created the Cup, has retired.  Belated news: Tia Bollinger has a daughter, 5 months old.  Tia and husband are living in the Huntington Beach area.

Oklahoma head coach Patti Gasso is missing the NFCA; off in the Gulf with Jimmy celebrating 20 years of marriage.

Kasey Clark, now playing in the Japan League, announced her engagement.

COMMITMENTS

Missouri Madness College Commitments
 
Jessica Moore - SS/OF - University of New Mexico
Sophia Galati - OF - University of Evansville
Kelsey Resa - P - Northwest Missouri State
Kelli Kurka - C - University of Central Missouri
Aubrey Moss - P - Lindenwood University
Allison Hopke - OF - St. Louis University
Danielle Taylor - C/1st - Johnson County Community College
Brittany Bax - OF - Johnson County Community College

Jersey Nightmare Gold Signings

Michelle Reed -  CF         Seton Hall
Chrissy Hilcken - P           Lafayette
Nicole Pasquale - C/ 2B   Queens College of Charlotte
Nicole Michel - SS/OF     Manhattan

TRANSFER

Kelsey Cammarata (junior OF) is transferring from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette to Texas State University.