OFFICIAL ASA CODE SUMMARY
ASA has published a summary of changes to its Code adopted at its annual meeting in Mobile.
CODE CHANGES
1
2005 ASA Code Changes
Effective January 1, 2005
Item
#
Article Change Effect
2 106-28 Definition. Participation shall mean being available at the tournament
site and signing the ASA Official Tournament Signature Form.
(Attached)
Defines participation
6 201 A 03
c d
Each adult umpire $15.00 to the National Office.
Each JO umpire $13.00 to the National Office.
Increases umpires fees
$3.00
11 302 A 02 Board of Directors duties. Shall interpret Article 303 of this Code by
majority vote.
Board of Directors will
interpret the Executive
Directors duties.
13 302 F Board of Directors Oversight Committee. … shall have the
responsibility and authority to review and approve the preliminary
budget for submission to the Board of Directors. This committee
shall oversee all allocation and the expenditure of all funds
received from the USOC as well as all funds allocated from the
ASA general funds intended for use in sustaining the ASA’s
international program. The Board of Directors Oversight
Committee shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the
President or the Board of Directors.
Further clarifies the
Oversight Committee
duties
14 303 D 06 Adds the Exception Article 303. The Executive Director
cannot interpret his own
duties.
15 303 D 13 NEW under Executive Director duties. 13. Review with a committee
consisting of the members of the Membership Services staff all
tournament bids received by July 1 and return unsatisfactory bids to
bidding cities by August 15.
Allows the National Office
to pre-screen bids
received for National
Championships.
16 303 D 16 NEW 16. All national tournament representatives as required by the
ASA Code will be assigned by a committee consisting of the
Executive Director, Director of Membership Services and the
President.
Allows the National Office
to assign tournament
reps
18 305 A 04 The temporary commissioner must serve a minimum of six (6) months
prior to being reviewed by the Commissioner’s Appointment
Committee. At the Council meeting the Commissioner’s Appointment
Committee shall ……..
To ensure the
commissioner has served
through one full season.
19 305 D 01 Represent the best interest of ASA in their association. Commissioners must
represent ASA in the best
interest of ASA.
23 305 E 01 ….. without full disclosure and approval of the Board of Directors. Commissioners must
disclose to the Board of
Directors any connection
to sporting goods
manufacturers – dealer,
representative, employee.
25 305 F A commissioner may be subject to certain forms of discipline,
including but not limited to, reprimand, probation or removal at any
time for just cause by the Board of Directors.
Clarify the process and
make it consistent with
other disciplinary
procedures.
28 311 G 02 Place the Men’s Major 16” Slow Pitch and the Men’s A 16” Slow Pitch
into the National Championship Tournaments that utilize the three (3)
umpire system for our National Championship Tournaments.
Increases # of umpires
per game from two to
three.
34 312 B 01
a 02
Delete “To be eligible for selection to the Hall of Fame, only
participation at the Super and Major Division levels shall be
considered.”
Allows all players to be
considered for the
National Hall of Fame.
35 312 B 01
f
Adds “This person’s contributions must have reflected an impact at
the National Level.”
Enables all persons to be
considered for the
National Hall of Fame.
2
36 401 A 01 Site. The site of the meeting shall be determined by a majority vote of
the council members at the annual meeting. EXCEPTION: Effective
2007 and every fifth year thereafter, the annual meeting shall be held
in Oklahoma City contingent upon successful negotiations with a
hotel/convention space.
Exposes members to the
Don E Porter Hall of
Fame Stadium, the
National Hall of Fame,
the National Office.
39 402 Committees: Standing committees shall be established and organized
as follows:
A. Boys Fast Pitch. As written
B. Commissioner Emeritus. As written
C. Ethics. As written except the last sentence will read. This
committee shall have the authority to conduct hearings and
impose discipline including reprimand, probation or removal.
Persons disciplined by the Ethics Committee shall have the
right of appeal to the Board of Directors whose decision will
be final.
D. Equipment Testing and Certification. As written
E. Hall of Fame. As written
F. Junior Olympic Softball. As written
G. Legislative. As written
H. Long Range Planning. As written
I. Membership – As written except last sentence will read.
a. Review commissioners whose membership
production is unsatisfactory and conduct hearings
and make recommendations to the Board of Directors
for possible discipline including reprimand, probation
or removal.
J. Player Representatives. As written
K. Playing Rules . As written
L. Special Events. As written
M. Tournament Programs – This committee shall include a
minimum of one member from each region and shall review
current policies and procedures regarding:
a. Classification
b. Standards and procedures for conducting National
Championships.
c. Research and review possible legislation in the area
of National Tournament formats.
N. Umpires. As written
O. Ad Hoc Committees. As written
Streamline committee
structure.
40 402 B Deletes the Championship Awards Committees. Bids will be received and
screened by the National
Office.
41 402 G . . . discipline including reprimand, probation or removal. Persons
disciplined by the Ethics Committee shall have the right of appeal to
the Board of Directors whose decision shall be final.
Further defines the Ethics
Committee
43 402 N 04 Deletes “under Article 305 (D) of this code” and adds “and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors for possible discipline or
removal.
Membership Committee
should recommend action
to the Board of Directors.
46 403 A 01
a
Amendments to the ASA Code Proposed under Article 403 A 01 may
be approved only at a duly called council meeting upon a 60%
affirmative vote of those in attendance and entitled to vote at such
meeting.
Allows the majority to
determine our course
rather than 1/3.
48 403 B 01
a
Amendments to the ASA Playing Rules under Article 403 B 01 may
be approved only at a duly called council meeting upon a 60%
affirmative vote of those in attendance and entitled to vote at such
meeting.
Allows the majority to
determine our course
rather than 1/3.
3
52 501 A 03 Members of the Armed Forces team are exempt from this rule if
competing with their individual service (branch) team or the Armed
Forces team.
Allows any military player
to compete with the
Armed Forces team,
regardless of their status
on another championship
roster.
53 501 A 03 Teams from Men’s Class A Fast Pitch and below are eligible to
participate in the Men’s Major National Championships and retain
their eligibility for their original classification in championship play.
Increase participation at
Men’s Major Fast Pitch
54 501 D Exception: Adult Slow Pitch. Each team will be allowed up to two (2)
foreign players to participate in championship play.
Foreign players do not
adversely affect the slow
pitch game.
57 501 E 01 Add after first sentence “Industrial teams that have players from
company branches in more than one (1) state must play major.
Prevents teams working
for a major employer from
forming a “Super” team to
play in a lower division.
65 506 A 05 Effective 2007. Remove Men’s Class A from Article 518 C and Article
519.
In 2007 there would only
be one tournament in
Class A and they will not
participate in the Hooter’s
Championship finals.
68 507 F 01
f
Men’s Class A Slow Pitch. Top two (2) positions for two consecutive
years.
Reduces the number that
have to be mandatory
reclass.
69 507 F 02
c
In the fifth line after all tournament awards add “MVP or outstanding
pitcher.”
Would enforce the reranking
of pitchers in
national tournaments.
72 509 D 01
k
Change Men’s and Women’s Church Nationals to second weekend in
August.
These tournaments need
to be moved as not to
conflict with new dates of
Men’s and Women’s A, B,
C and D.
77 509 D 04
b
Girls’ Slow Pitch (all ages). These National Championships shall be
scheduled and completed on the weekend that includes the last
Saturday in July.
Schools in the South are
beginning earlier.
81 510 F 02 Exception #3: JO Girls’ Class A Fast Pitch Only. No fill in procedure if
tournament has 138 qualified teams. At no time will the fill-in
procedure be used to exceed 138 teams.
Prevents a large number
of fill-ins at the National
Championships.
84 510 M 06 Any player discovered using an altered bat (including a doctored bat
or a bat with additional weight) shall be called out and disqualified
from further tournament competition for a minimum of one year. ASA
shall have the right to take possession of a bat that is, in the sole
discretion of the Tournament UIC and the Tournament Committee,
reasonably suspected to an altered bat. In the event the suspected
bat is tested and determined to be an altered bat, then the player
shall surrender ownership of the altered bat to ASA; otherwise the bat
shall be returned to the player.
Additional penalties for
using an altered bat.
92 511 A 02 Include the following: Boys’ 16-Under Fast Pitch; Boys’ 14-Under Fast
Pitch; Boys’ 12-Under Fast Pitch and Boys’ 10-Under Fast Pitch.
Establishes a three game
format.
93 511 A 02 Men’s Class A Fast Pitch National Championship Establishes a three game
format.
94 511 A 02 Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship Establishes a three game
format
95 511 A 02 Women’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship Establishes a three game
format
97 511 A 02 Men’s Class A Fast Pitch
Men’s Class B Fast Pitch
Establishes a three game
format
4
99 511 A 03 Pool play for the Women’s 23-Under Fast Pitch Establishes a four game
guarantee
100 511 A 03
g
The ASA National Office may combine divisions or classifications
based upon recommendations of the senior classification committee.
Not enough teams to
have all classes.
102 511 C Junior Olympic Class A, Class B and Gold National Championship
Finals.
C. Seeding onto the Official Association bracket.
a. Bracket protection. The ASA Official three game
guarantee bracket shall be used. Teams qualifying
from the same region shall be protected, where
possible, from playing each other in the first two
rounds of the winner’s bracket. When the number of
teams entered in the tournament from a region is
greater than the number of sections on the bracket,
the final alignment shall be determined by the ASA
Representative.
b. Order of Draw. The region with the most teams shall
draw first, the region with the second most teams
shall draw second, etc. In case of ties between
regions, the lowest region number shall draw first.
When more than one team within a region must draw,
positions to draw shall be based on alphabetical
order according to the team name listed on the
roster.
Establishes a three game
guarantee with only one
draw at the manager’s
meeting.
103 511 C Junior Olympic Class A, Class B and Gold National Championship
Finals.
D. Seeding onto the Official Association bracket.
c. Bracket protection. The ASA three game bracket
shall be used. Teams qualifying from the same region
shall be protected, where possible, from playing each
other in the first two rounds of the winner’s bracket.
When the number of teams entered in the
tournament from a region is greater than the number
of sections on the bracket, the final alignment shall
be determined by the ASA Representative.
d. Order of Draw. The region with the most teams shall
draw first, the region with the second most teams
shall draw second, etc. In case of ties between
regions, the lowest region number shall draw first.
When more than one team within a region must draw,
positions to draw shall be based on alphabetical
order according to the team name listed on the
roster.
NOTE: If the Junior Olympic Gold tournament is televised in
Oklahoma City, the field will be split into two 32 team brackets with
the winner of each bracket playing in the final game. The winner of
the final game will be declared the official winner of the tournament.
Establishes a three game
guarantee with only one
draw at the manager’s
meeting and a new
format for the GOLD if
televised.
109 516 F 01 01. Sector Qualifying Tournaments: Each Sector shall hold two (2)
Sector Qualifying Tournaments (SQT). Half of each Sector’s
complement of berths would be awarded at each of the two Sector
Qualifiers. Each Region within the Sector could only host one of the
two Sector Qualifiers in the same year unless no other Region in that
Sector wished to host.
By mutual agreement, regions within a sector may set the date for
Sector Qualifiers in any order they desire. IF no agreement can be
reached then the Region with the most Gold participation in the
previous year would host the first Sector Qualifier in that Sector and
the Region with the second most participation in the previous year in
Allows tournament
directors to work with
their local staffs in
securing the appropriate
facilities and resources.
5
the Sector would host the second Sector Qualifier in that Sector. If a
particular Region did not wish to host a Sector Qualifier, the Region
with the next highest Gold participation would be offered the Sector
Qualifier. That process would go on until all Regions have declined
and would revert back to the Region with the most Gold participation
in the previous year.
114 518 B B. Men’s Major Slow Pitch National Championship Finals.
01. Location. Bidding Cities must submit three ( 3 ) year bids for
these tournaments and maintain a rating of 90% or higher.
The dates for this tournament shall be approved by the
Special Events Committee.
02. Eligible Teams. The top fifteen ( 15 ) teams with major
qualifying points and the Men’s Armed Forces team.
03. Qualifying Tournaments.
a. Qualifying tournaments will be secured through and approved
by the ASA Director of Membership Services.
b. Qualifying tournaments will pay an assessment of $100 per
team to the ASA National Office.
c. Any ASA registered team may participate in Major qualifying
tournaments per the guideline set forth in Article 518 ( B )( 4
).
d. Ten ( 10 ) Approved qualifying tournaments will forward a
final order of finish to the ASA National Office within ten ( 10 )
days of the completion of the Major qualifier. Points will be
awarded by the ASA National Office as per the following
schedule:
First Place – 60 points
Second Place – 40 points
Third Place – 30 points
Fourth Place – 20 points
Fifth Place – 15 points
All other teams – 10 points
Teams that win qualifiers will receive $1,500 when they
participate in the Men’s Major National Championship. No
team may receive this winning prize money more than once.
The money will be passed down to the next eligible team.
04. Eligible Players. A Major team in 2005, 2006 and 2007 may
not have more than two ( 2 ) players from the super player
list. ASA Men’s Class A teams may have one ( 1 ) player from
the super player list.
05. Rosters. Once a player participates with a team that earns
major qualifying points that player is frozen to that roster. All
major team rosters are frozen and must be on file with the
ASA National Office by August 15.
06. Playing Fields. All major tournaments must be played on
fields that are a minimum of 300 feet and a maximum of 325
feet.
07. Approved Softball. The ASA approved .40 COR .375
compression ball will be used in the major championship
finals and qualifiers when fences are less than 325 ft. With
fences of 325 ft. the .44 COR .375 compression will be used..
08. Awards.
a. Team trophies will be given to teams finishing the top four
( 4 ) places.
b. Cash awards will be as follows:
01. First Place $ 3,000.00
02. Second Place $ 2,000.00
03. Third Place $ 1,500.00
Changes in Men’s Major
Slow Pitch
6
04. Fourth Place $ 1,000.00
c. Other awards:
01. $1,000.00 each to the top two ( 2 ) teams in points.
These teams will be seeded in different ends of the
bracket.
02. $500.00 to the home run champion.
09. Tournament Brackets. ASA Official Double Elimination
bracket will be used. The top two ( 2 ) teams in points will be
seeded and placed and all other teams will draw for their
position in the bracket.
10. Team Points Tie Breaker. If there is a tie in the number of
points to decide the position the following tie breaker will be
used:
a. Team that played in the most major qualifiers.
b. Team with the highest average finish in major
qualifiers.
c. Team with the best won/loss record among tied
teams in major qualifiers.
d. Flip of coin.
115 518 B 07 Approved softball. The ASA approved .40 COR .375 compression ball
will be used in the major division championships and qualifiers when
fence distances are less than 325 feet. With fence distances of 325
the .44 COR .375 compression will be used.
Change in softballs for
Men’s Major
116 518 C Effective 2007. New D. ASA Men’s Slow Pitch D National
Championship finals.
ASA will conduct four National Championships in Men’s Class D. One
championship will be played in each of the four territories according to
Article 204, Territories of the ASA Code. These tournaments will
follow the same guidelines as the Men’s East/West National
Championship in Article 518 C of the Code.
New format for Men’s
Slow Pitch D
133 518 E New format for Girls’ Class A Fast Pitch (See Attached on page 7) New format and name
135 518 G New format for Girls’ Class B Fast Pitch (See Attached on page 9)
Effective 2007
New format
137 518 F New format for Girls’ Class A Fast Pitch (See Attached on page 8) New format and name
140 519 A Add Exception to A. The four National Champions from the Men’s
Class D will play a round robin into a seeded double elimination
bracket. Effective 2007.
New format for Men’s
Class D Slow Pitch
142 519 D Add: This transportation can only be used by the players on the
National Championship final roster plus one manager and one coach
– not to exceed 15 total persons.
Clarifies who receives
transportation expenses.
143 520 Adds Mens’ Major Fast Pitch to Special Events. Location of this
tournament is critical.
144 520 Adds Womens’ Major Fast Pitch to Special Events. Location of this
tournament is critical.
145 601 A-G New A. The Executive Director shall negotiate and secure proposals
to host the ASA Annual Council Meeting. These proposals will be
screened and approval for presentation to the ASA Council by the
Board of Directors. The ASA Council will decide the final site by a
majority vote.
F & G – remain as written
Gives ASA great
negotiating power.
146 602 F 01 Change date due to July 01.
New 01. The bid shall be opened and screened in the National Office
and the results shall be sent to the Council for review at least 15 days
prior to the start of the Annual Council Meeting.
02. – remain as written.
Allows more time to be
screened and reviewed.
149 605 G Changes assessment fees for National Championship Finals to
$100.00
Adds revenue to ASA
7
Item #133 -- Article 518 E
USA/ASA Girls Class A Fast Pitch National Championship
18-, 16-, 14-, 12-, 10-Under
Defending Champion 1
Runner Up 1
Host Teams 2
Hall of Fame 8
National Qualifiers 15
Returning teams from previous year’s National Championship Finals and ASA National Championships
0-16
Regional (2 per region) 30
Top Five Associations (3) 15
Next Fifteen Associations (2) 30
Associations registering 201+ teams (1) 0 - 69
Total Berths Based on Registration 45 - 114
Geographical Hardship
Alaska 1
Hawaii 1
Rocky Mountain Region 1
Maximum possible number of teams 105 - 174
8
Item #137 -- NEW Article 518 F (Replaces Article 517 B)
ASA Girls Class A Fast Pitch National Championship
The ASA shall conduct one National Championship in each age classification of Junior Olympic Girls’
Class A Fast Pitch in each of the following territories, in accordance with Article 204, Territories of this
Code.
1. Eligible Teams. All teams within an ASA National Championship Territory that have not
qualified for a USA Junior Olympic Girls’ Class A National Championship are eligible to qualify
for the ASA National Championship. [Ineligible. Any team that has qualified for a USA Junior
Olympic Girls’ Fast Pitch National Championship is not eligible to participate in an ASA National
Championship.
2. Dates. All ASA Girls’ Fast Pitch National Championship tournament shall be held on the
weekend that contains the first Saturday in August and shall be scheduled for a maximum of five
(5) days. Five days is not mandatory but the maximum allowable.
3. Entry Fee. The entry fee shall include a $100.00 per team assessment to be paid to ASA.
4. Site: The site of these tournaments shall be determined by:
a. Bids submitted from cities within the National territory.
b. A vote of all National Council members within the National territory.
c. The site will be decided at the National Council meeting two years prior to the date of the
tournament.
5. Format. Each ASA Girls’ Fast Pitch National Championship shall use the ASA Official three
game bracket.
6. Awards. Team and individual awards shall follow procedures outlined in Article 607,
Championship Play Awards, of this Code or as approved by the host commissioner and Regional
Director.
7. Umpires. A minimum of two umpires shall be used for each game until the finals of the loser’s
bracket, at which three umpires shall be used throughout the remainder of the tournament. Umpire
selection shall be the responsibility of the Regional Umpires-in-Chief of that National territory.
8. Opening Ceremonies. Each ASA National Championship shall have a pre-tournament
luncheon/draw for the managers and opening ceremonies.
9. Berths. The first and second place team in each ASA National Championship tournament shall
receive a berth to the USA Girls’ National Championship Finals in the team’s succeeding year’s
age classification provided the team has five (5) players from the previous year’s roster on the
current year’s roster and physically present at the tournament site prior to the start of their first
game.
9
Item #135 -- Article 518 G.
G. Girls’ Class B Fast Pitch 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18-Under National Championship Finals.
NOTE: See Article 205 to determine which teams are eligible to play East and West.
East West
Host Teams 3 2
Local Associations 51 40
Three teams per region 27 -
Six teams per region - 36
Top 10 Local Associations 10 -
Top 15 Local Associations - 15
Maximum Possible Number of Teams 91 93
G. EFFECTIVE 2007. Girls’ Class B Fast Pitch 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18-Under National
Championship Finals.
NOTE: See Article 204, Territories to determine which teams are eligible to participate in
North, South, East and West.
East North South West
Host Teams 2 2 2 2
Local Associations (2) 50 38 48 48
Three teams per region 12 12 12 -
Four teams per region - - - 12
Top Three Local Associations (5) 15 15 15 15
Next Two Local Associations (3) 6 6 6 6
Next Ten Local Associations (1) 10 10 10 10
Hardship – Rocky Mtn., Alaska,
Hawaii 1 1 1 1
Maximum Possible
Number of Teams 95 83 93 96