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Georgia ASA Player and Umpire-In-Chief to Participate in ASA's "Border Battle"
Congratulations to USA Softball Men’s Slow Pitch National Team Player JD Genter (Chickamauga, Ga.) and Georgia ASA Umpire-In-Chief Jimmy Derrick for being selected to participate in the ASA Border Battle as a player and umpire respectively.

The game will feature North America's best Men's Slow Pitch players as Team USA plays against the Canadian Men’s Slow Pitch National team. "The Border Battle" is slated for July 24, 2010 at 4 p.m. ET during the Women's Fast Pitch World Cup of Softball at ASA’s Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City. This event gives fans a rare look at some of the best Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch talent at one event. The two teams will also play a series of exhibition games earlier in the week before "The Border Battle" is nationally televised live on one of the ESPN-family stations. All USA Softball Women’s Fast Pitch National Team games during the World Cup will also be televised by ESPN.

Genter, an infielder, is one of seven returners to join eight rookies on the prestigious squad. In the past three years he has been named to 11 All-Tournament teams and received two tournament MVP honors and one tournament defensive MVP title.

Derrick is one of only four umpires from the United States to be chosen by the ASA National Supervisor of Umpires, Kevin Ryan, to work this elite event. With the addition of one umpire from Canada, five umpires will make up the crew for this event. The Atlanta ASA Hall of Honor recipient has been umpiring for 29 years and is an Elite-level and ISF certified umpire in Slow Pitch. He started as Atlanta ASA's Umpire-In-Chief in 2002 and continued that title when Atlanta ASA Merged with Georgia ASA in 2006. Derrick has umpired in numerous ASA National Tournaments, including the following Slow Pitch Major Tournaments: Supers (twice), Hooters Championship Series, Men's Armed Forces (three times), Men's Major, Women's Major (twice) and Men's A.

Three Umpires Inducted Into Georgia ASA Hall of Fame
Congratulations to umpires Allen Hollaway, Larry McCaden and Bobbie Ragland for being inducted into the Georgia ASA Hall of Fame at the annual state umpire clinic in Atlanta on January 30. The trio are the first set of inductees since Georgia ASA and Atlanta ASA merged in 2006. The Georgia ASA Hall of Fame is the highest honor in the state an umpire may receive. Combined with the Atlanta ASA Hall of Honor, they are a part of an elite group of only 62 umpires who have been bestowed this honor since it began in the mid-1980s.

Also during the clinic, Dave Lloyd was honored with the Graybill Daniel Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution to the Georgia ASA umpire program and Georgia ASA overall. 

Georgia ASA Umpire-In-Chief, Jimmy Derrick, presented numerous Umpire-of-the-Year awards at the association, district and zone levels to umpires from around the state for their 2009 accomplishments. North Georgia Amateur Umpires Association's (NGAUA's) Powell Hazzard was awarded the Georgia ASA Umpire-of-the-Year.

In addition to the awards ceremony, ASA Deputy Director of Umpires, Jim Craig, flew in from Buffalo, NY to give a classroom clinic on the 2010 ASA Rule Changes and deliver the keynote address which focused on obstruction and interference. View more photos from this event going to the Umpire Awards Page or launch the 2010 Georgia ASA Umpire Clinic Slide Show.

Replays of Presentations from 2010 Georgia ASA State Umpire Clinic Available
Did you miss the 2010 State Umpire Clinic (January, 2010 at Emory University in Atlanta)? Or want to replay the two keynote addresses by Jim Craig? No problem ... click on the links below to launch audio-PowerPoint Presentations from the clinic...

ASA Deputy Director of Umpires, Jim Craig, explains the 2010 ASA Rule Changes (audio-PowerPoint Presentation)

ASA Deputy Director of Umpires, Jim Craig, gives the Keynote Address on Obstruction and Interference (audio-PowerPoint Presentation)

2010 ASA Rule and Code Changes
The ASA National Office has published its 2010 ASA Rule Changes. Changes to the rules include (but are not limited to) pitching distances and use of metal cleats in 16U and 18U J.O. classification and pitching arch heights in adult slow pitch. In addition, ASA has made modifications to the ASA Code. These modifications include (but are not limited to) college student-athlete eligibility in J.O. classifications and the location of the 18-GOLD national championship.

ASA Document of Rule Differences Between Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch  - Updated for 2010
EP, DP or Flex? What's the run limit? When do you call time? If you're jumping back and forth between fast pitch and slow pitch, then the ASA's document of rule difference between ASA fast pitch and slow pitch is for you. This document should be be in the equipment bag of every Georgia ASA umpire who spends time behind plate both wearing and not wearing a mask.

ASA Document of Rule Differences Between ASA/NFHS/NCAA   - Updated for 2010
Are you a Georgia ASA Umpire who also umpires Georgia High School Softball in the fall? Or do you umpire some NCAA games in the spring? Umpire all three? With three rulebooks to memorize, it would help to have a chart explaining the differences between the three types of ball. ASA has answered that need and has published a document of rules differences between ASA, Federation and NCAA. This document is a must for Georgia ASA umpires who also work high school and/or college ball.

Dates For 2010 State and National Umpire Schools/Camps
Clinics and classroom sessions are great, but the next step is to incorporate that knowledge and combine it with mechanic and positioning practice on the field ... ASA umpire schools and camps give you that opportunity. Georgia ASA will hold its One-Day Umpire School on February 27 in Conyers. The next step is to attend an ASA National School. Region Four's National Umpire School is February 13-14 in Nashville, TN. There are also nine other ASA National Umpire Schools around the country. The National Fast Pitch Umpire Camp will be help in Cincinnati June 16-20 for those interested in advanced instruction in fast pitch umpiring. The 2010 State and National Schools/Camps are as follows:

2010 Georgia ASA State Umpire Schools
Saturday, February 27 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Georgia ASA One-Day School Cost: $30 which includes lunch and school shirt Instructors: Region 4 UIC Dick Gayler and Georgia UIC Jimmy Derrick	Earl O’Neil Softball Complex 2709 Old Covington Road Conyers, Georgia 30013	Jimmy Derrick (Georgia ASA UIC) 404-863-2954 umpjimmyd@aol.com
2010 ASA National Umpire Schools/Camps - SEE ALL
Sat-Sun, February 13-14	ASA National Umpire School Cost: $75 which includes school shirts Instructors: Members of ASA National Staff	Nashville, TN	Phil Davidson (Tennessee ASA UIC) 615-386-7115 phil@pldavidson.com
June 16 - 20	ASA National Fast Pitch Camp (Region 4) Cost: $400 which includes all camp instruction and materials, Camp shirt, meals (Wednesday – Sunday noon), hospitality events, and transportation to and from the Cincinnati Airport. Early registration is encouraged – class size is absolutely limited to the first sixty approved applicants Hotel: $29.50 per night plus tax per umpire - if sharing with another umpire ($59/night per room) Instructors: Craig Cress - Director of Membership Services/Director of Umpires, Kevin Ryan – Supervisor of Umpires, Malcolm Boyles – Deputy Supervisor of Umpires – West Territory, Jim Craig – Deputy Supervisor of Umpires – East Territory, Julie Johnson - – Deputy Supervisor of Umpires – North Territory, Dave Epperson – Mid America Region UIC, Jerry Fick – East Central Region UIC	Mid-America Ballyard Park 6960 Blue Rock Road Cincinnati, OH 45247-2034 Midamericaballyard.com	Dee Fick 513-563-2755 asauic@fuse.net

Cobb County to Host 2010 Girls' 18-GOLD National Championship
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) national office has awarded Marietta, GA (Cobb County) as the new site for the 2010 ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD National Championships August 1-7. With an ASA Code decision recently passed by the ASA Council, the 18-U GOLD will move to the Lost Mountain Softball Complex in Marietta in 2010, a to be determined west coast site in 2011 and return to the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City in 2012. The Girls' 12-B Southern Fast Pitch National originally scheduled for Marietta in 2010 will be relocated.

“With the changes that occurred in Reno at the ASA Annual Meeting, we decided that moving the GOLD to the east would be a great first step towards the new rotation,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “Marietta has proven to be a successful host for ASA National Championships especially as the 2004 hosts of the GOLD National. We are excited to move this tournament next year to the west and then every third year return to our home in Oklahoma City. We feel this is the best solution to meet the needs of the teams and everyone else involved in the success of the GOLD.”

Be sure to stay posted with GOLD updates by visiting http://gold.asasoftball.com/

Balls & Strikes Magazine and The Inside Pitch Available Online
Click HERE for the latest edition of ASA's Balls & Strikes Magazine, It features a preview of the World Cup and an introduction to the Futures Team. The June, 2010 issue of The Inside Pitch is also available for free online with features other associations around the country. You may also want to check out the February, 2010 issue of The Inside Pitch which features on the front page one of Georgia's J.O. Commissioners, Kim Townsend who was honored at the ASA J.O. clinic in Oklahoma City for her 15 years of service to ASA (seen to the right receiving her award from ASA Director of Membership Services, Craig Cress).

Georgia ASA Umpire Code of Ethics
ASA umpires are professional umpires. We get paid to umpire amateur athletes. As individual professionals, we have a responsibility to the players, fans, other umpires, our associations, ASA and ourselves to meet a high standard of professionalism both on and off the field. All Georgia ASA Umpires are expected to know and follow the Georgia ASA Umpire Code of Ethics. Georgia ASA takes this very seriously. Umpires not following this document may be brought in front of the Georgia ASA disciplinary committee and are subject to disciplinary action. Any questions regarding this code, please contact Jimmy Derrick.

Georgia ASA to Host Four National Tournaments in 2011
At the 78th Annual ASA National Council Meeting in Reno, Nev., Georgia ASA was awarded Four ASA National Tournaments for 2011. The tournaments include three girls' fast pitch southern championships and the Men's Church Slow Pitch national. The ASA Nationals in Georgia for 2011 are as follows:

• Girls’ 16-Under Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Columbus, Ga.

• Girls’ 10-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – La Grange, Ga.

• Girls’ 18-Under Class B Fast Pitch Southern – La Grange, Ga.

• Men’s Church Slow Pitch – Cumming, Ga.

Check here for a full list of 2011 ASA National Tournament Locations

Region IV will also be hosting an additional eight National Tournaments in Tennessee and North Carolina. The 2011 National Tournaments in Region IV are as follows:

• USA/ASA Girls’ 10-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Johnson City, Tenn.

• USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Chattanooga, Tenn.

• Men’s Senior East 50 and Over – Burlington, N.C.

• Men’s Senior East 55 and Over – Burlington, N.C.

• Men’s Senior East 60 and Over – Burlington, N.C.

• Men’s Senior East 65 and Over – Burlington, N.C.

• Men’s Senior East 70 and Over – Burlington, N.C.

• Men’s Senior East 75 and Over – Burlington, N.C.

Many J.O. Fast Pitch "A" teams from around Georgia will be working toward a National Title in 2011. The USA/ASA Class "A" National Locations for 2011 are as follows:

• USA/ASA Girls’ 10-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Johnson City, Tenn.

• USA/ASA Girls’ 12-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Montgomery, Ala.

• USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Midland, Texas

• USA/ASA Girls’ 16-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Chattanooga, Tenn.

• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under “A” Fast Pitch – Normal, Ill.

• USA/ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD Fast Pitch – West Coast  Location TBA

Georgia ASA is preparing for 13 ASA Nationals in 2010. The 2010 ASA Championships in Georgia are as follows:

• Girls’ 18-U GOLD Fast Pitch – Marietta, Ga.

• Girls’ 10-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 12-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 14-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 16-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 18-U Slow Pitch – LaGrange, Ga.

• Girls’ 10-U Class A Fast Pitch Southern – Cumming, Ga.

• Coed Major Slow Pitch – Columbus, Ga.

• Coed Class A Slow Pitch – Columbus, Ga.

• Coed Class B Slow Pitch – Columbus, Ga.

• Men's 9-man Modified Pitch - Cumming, Ga.

• Men's 10-man Modified Pitch - Cumming, Ga.

• Men's Major Modified - Cumming, Ga.

Check here for a full list of 2010 ASA National Tournament Locations.

I Want to Umpire in an ASA National. What Do I Need to do?
The first thing to do is get paper qualified for the current season. This means that you meet all of the requirements to be put on the list of potential umpires to be selected from Georgia ASA to work an ASA National. The paper qualification requirements for 2010 are as follows:

• Attend at least ONE of the following schools or clinics:
  • Georgia ASA State Clinic (January 30, 2010 at Emory University in Atlanta)
  • State Zone Clinic (See Umpire Training Page)
  • National UIC Clinic (Not Applicable for 2010 - the next clinic with be in early 2011 in Oklahoma City)
  • ASA Umpire School (2010 Dates TBA)
• Work at least 10 local association ASA assignments
• Be in good standing with Georgia ASA and the ASA National Office

After you meet the above requirements, make sure to inform the UIC of your local association, Georgia ASA District and Georgia ASA Zone.

2010 Zone Umpire Clinics Dates Set
The Georgia ASA Umpire Program was over the state in early 2010 to spread the word ASA rule and mechanic changes for 2010. The locations and dates of he clinics are listed below ... if you were not able to attend a 2010 clinic, contact Georgia ASA Umpire-In-Chief, Jimmy Derrick.

Sunday, January 24 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (uniform sales 2:30-3:00 only)	Zone 1 Clinic	Lockheed Elementary School 1205 Merritt Road Marietta, GA 30062-3251	Jodie Rowell (Zone 1 UIC) 706-291-8457 uiczone1@yahoo.com
Tuesday, January 26 7:30 p.m.	Zone 5 Clinic (#1)	East Roswell Recreation Center 900 Fouts Road Roswell, GA 30076	Craig Stone (Zone 5 UIC) 678-618-3901 umpcraig@comcast.net
Saturday, January 30 9:00 a.m.	Georgia ASA State Clinic	Emory University Math and Computer Science Building 400 Dowman Drive            Atlanta, GA 30322	Jimmy Derrick (Georgia ASA UIC) 404-863-2954 umpjimmyd@aol.com
Monday, February 1 7:00 p.m.	Zone 5 Clinic (#2)	Minnick Park 1850 Kissingbower Rd. Augusta, GA 30906	Craig Stone (Zone 5 UIC) 678-618-3901 umpcraig@comcast.net
Saturday, February 6 9:00 a.m. (uniform sales times TBA)	Zone 6 Clinic (#1)	Everett Milton YMCA 103 S Dawson Street Thomasville, GA 31792	Lee Folsom (Zone 6 UIC) 229-561-3202 sogaump@windstream.net
Sunday, February 7 3:00 p.m. (uniform sales times TBA)	Zone 3 Clinic	Heritage Park 101 Lake Dow Rd McDonough, GA 30252	Larry McCaden (Zone 3 UIC) 404-281-2517 Lamac44@aol.com
Tuesday, February 9 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Zone 4 Clinic	Mike Daniel Recreation Center 1220 Lafayette Parkway Lagrange, GA 30241	Buddy Logan mrjel58@yahoo.com
Thursday, February 18 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (uniform sales: 6:00-7:00 only)	Zone 2 Clinic	Rhodes Jordan Park Community Center 100 East Crogan Street Lawrenceville, GA 30046-4950	Tim Smith (Zone 2 UIC) 404-786-4259 tim@gwinnettumpires.com
Saturday, February 20 2:00 p.m. (uniform sales times TBA)	Zone 6 Clinic (#2)	Hinesville City Hall 115 East M L King Junior Dr. Hinesville, GA‎	Lee Folsom (Zone 6 UIC) 229-561-3202 sogaump@windstream.net