The Difference between USA Softball and other organizations
The end of the first quarter for 2017 is rapidly approaching and we want to update everyone on the rebranding effort, the why; as well as what it means to be the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Sport of Softball and the only Member Federation (MF) for the Sport of Softball with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) from the United States.
The rebrand to USA Softball from ASA has been exciting and successful. The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) has been very successful for over 80 years so what has changed; only the name to USA Softball. Why the name change? Simply, it was so that everyone gains an understanding of what and who our organization represents. This rebrand from ASA/USA Softball allows us to better identify as USA Softball, the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Sport of Softball, as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
The NGB is the responsible party for selecting teams to represent the United States in all sporting events internationally for all sports under the Olympic platform as well as all events leading up to the Olympics, which include World Championship Qualifiers, World Championships, Pan American Qualifiers and the Pan American Games. USA Softball is extremely honored to be the NGB for the Sport of Softball and takes great pride in following all selection criteria when selecting athletes to represent the United States in the Sport of Softball.
USA Softball is also the only Member Federation (MF) recognized internationally by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) for the Sport of Softball for the United States. USA Softball is proud to be a Member Federation of the WBSC which allows USA Softball sole authority to host International events and send National Teams to sanctioned International events and World Championships for the Sport of Softball.
There is another type of membership offered by the WBSC called Associate Members. Other Baseball and Softball organizations from around the world may apply to the WBSC Board of Directors to become this class of member with the WBSC. These Members are welcomed with less membership responsibilities and benefits than those of Member Federations as they do not have the right to vote on WBSC matters and they do not have the responsibility or authority to host International events, send teams to International events or represent the United States in the Sport of Softball at any World Softball event.
We appreciate everyone’s time and attention in reading this information. For any further questions, please contact the USA Softball Board of Directors Member in your region, President Warren Jones, President Elect John Gouveia, Immediate Past President Phil Gutierrez, WBSC Softball Division North American Vice President E.T. Colvin or Executive Director Craig Cress. The contact list for the USA Softball Board of Directors is listed on the USA Softball website at http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/about/about-us under the Board of Directors tab.
Respectfully,
Craig A. Cress
Executive Director
USA SOFTBALL
2801 N.E. 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111-7203 Phone: (405) 424-5266 Fax: (405) 424-3855
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