USA Softball of South Mississippi

Official Website of USA Softball for South Mississipppi

2022 USA Softball of South Mississippi Spring Meeting

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Dear Fellow Softball Enthusiasts,

I hope this email finds everyone doing well.  It’s almost softball time; ready or not!  Warmer temperatures will soon be here and we’ll be in the dirt soon.  Looks like everyone has started their registrations and getting their leagues organized.  Hopefully, we can have a more “normal” year with fewer restrictions and dry weather.  There seems to be a lot of interest in working between the leagues and providing the girls opportunities to play this great game.  Our spring meeting is a great opportunity to see everyone and see what everyone else is doing.

It’s been an eventful year already for USA Softball of Mississippi.  Our long-time State Commissioner, ET Colvin, retired on Oct 31st then recently passed away.  The State Umpire in Chief retired when ET retired.  There will a numerous leadership changes and staff additions in the next year as we build the new organization.  Davey Cole of Tupelo has been appointed as the new State Commissioner.  Davey has been a long-time umpire in the Tupelo area working numerous state and national championships.  Chris Mcgee has been appointed the new State Umpire in Chief.  Most of you know Chris; long-time umpire who has worked state, national, international and collegiate levels.  I have been selected as the State Junior Olympic program.  Davey and Chris are scheduled to attend our meeting.

Here’s details on the meeting:
What:  USA Softball of South Mississippi Spring Meeting
When:  Thursday, Feb 17th, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Where:  Donal Snyder Community Center, 2520 Pass Road, Biloxi (upstairs meeting room)

This meeting is open to everyone.  League Presidents should plan to attend the meeting; whether you’ve sanctioned with USA Softball in the past or not. We are all stronger when we work together.  Please pass along this invite to any new board members that would like to attend. It helps all of us to have people knowledgeable and ready to step in and help. I’d also appreciate if everyone would please let me know if there are any changes in your organization.

USA Softball has many important responsibilities as the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States.  A very important distinction between USA Softball and other athletic organizations. USA Softball is not a tournament organization. Recreational play and invitational tournaments are left to individuals, groups or organization to administer.  The proceeds for these efforts remain with the hosts to support their organizations.  USA Softball provides support to those entities to enhance and enable their efforts. As the National Governing Body, USA Softball conducts Championship Play events leading to the crowning of Local Association and National Champions.

I also encourage everyone to Like the USA Softball of South MS Facebook page. It’s the best way to stay in touch with the latest information. The URL to the group is below:

https://www.facebook.com/USASoftballSouthMS/

Please RSVP if you plan to attend the meeting. If you don’t, I’ll probably be calling you. My cell number is 228-365-2301 if you need anything. Email is always good also at tstanley2128@outlook.com.
Thanks,,,
Tom
District Commissioner
USA Softball of South Mississippi
https://usasoftballsouthms.com/

Saucier Halloween Invitational

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The Saucier Youth Association are hosting an invitational tournament this weekend on Saturday, October 30th.  They would like to invite all local league teams to come participate including Tee Ball (6u), Coach Pitch (8u), 10u, 12u and 16u.  There is no entry fee.  Just a small gate fee for the parents.  Teams can register using the link below:
https://usasoftballsouthms.com/?page_id=3896
Teams registered to play this weekend can be viewed using this link:
https://usasoftballsouthms.com/?page_id=3898

They have good start on registration, but could really use a few more teams in each age group to help make it a great day for the players.  It’s always a fun tournament and good time for all.

Thank you for Playing USA Softball!

2021 Gulf Coast Showcase – Oct 2-3, 2021

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The inaugural Gulf Coast Showcase event will be held at the Gulfport Sportsplex Turf Field on October 2nd & 3rd, 2021.  The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for area girls softball teams to compete locally and be seen by college coaches.  Every year, parents spend lots of money traveling to compete in showcase events.  Competing locally saves money and be seen by college coaches in the local area.

The showcase format will be a straight five games where teams will be able to bat their lineup.  The 80 minute time limit will help teams get through the lineup multiple times.  The showcase is open to 14u, 16u and 18u (High School) age divisions.  The cost of the event is $250 entry fee plus pay-at-the-plate for umpires.  Entry fee can be paid online or in-person at the event.  USA Softball sanctioning is waived for this event but proof-of-insurance is required.  Hosts for this event are the Crossfire and Overdrive Softball Clubs.  From more information, contact Chad Hancock at 228-860-6559 or Tom Stanley at 228-365-2301.

There are still tons of details to be worked out.  We’re in contact with area coaches to gain their attendance.  Pre-registering for the event will aid in getting their participation.  We have some other things in the works that will be announced as plans are finalized.

Registration for the event can be done online at:
Gulf Coast Showcase Registration

Teams entered in the event can be viewed at:
Gulf Coast Showcase Teams

Thank you for Playing USA Softball!

2021 USA Softball of Mississippi South State Tournament Info

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I always take time to reflect on the season as we come to the end.  It’s been a long difficult two years dealing with the pandemic.  Then basically restarting softball from the ground up; from getting leagues back up to finding enough umpires just to cover the midweek league games.  An especially rainy spring forced all of us to work about muddy fields and rescheduled practices.  But given what we’ve been through, I’m so glad we have softball back.  Here’s to a “normal” 2022 season and I can’t wait to get started.  I’m especially grateful to have teams from all over the coast wanting to come together so the girls have a chance to enjoy this great game. 
Attached is the Tournament Information Packet for this weekend’s USA Softball of Mississippi’s Tee Ball, 10U C South and 12U C South State Tournaments.  Unfortunately, the Coach Pitch bracket didn’t make.  That was the danger in moving the tournament schedule back a week.  Please review the packet carefully.  I have included a checklist to make sure you have everything you need to play this weekend. 
You are entering Championship Play, so everything will be a little more formal this weekend.  We play by the State Rules and the Official Rules of Softball.  The local tournament rules do not apply.  You will need a roster.  Included in the packet is rules for coach pitch and fast pitch.  I have included a roster that must be filled out and signed by the parents.  All players must be USA Softball Individually Registered.  
 
One coach must be ACE Certified; doesn’t have to be the head coach.  It’s mandated by code and the U.S. Olympic Committee.  The ACE training in available online at: http://registerusasoftball.com.
 
There will be a Coaches Meeting on Friday, 2:00 PM at the fields.  Each team should have at least one coach there.  The first game time is 4:00 PM.  Players need about 15 minutes to check-in before they play.  Be sure to allow enough time for them to check-in before they warm-up.  They will not play without checking in.  We have a short opening ceremony at 3:30 PM with the teams present to kick off this year’s event.
Tee Ball does not need to attend the coaches meeting.
The tournament will be held at the Bayou View Sports Complex in Gulfport.  The address is 4300 Hewes Av, Gulfport, MS 39501.  The weather forecast has a chance of showers, so you should be prepared for anything.  Be sure your players hydrate to be able to handle the heat.

One final note… every once in a while someone performs a selfless act that is especially noteworthy.  Ms Carolyn Owen and Gulfport Youth Sports Association allowed us to move back the tournament schedule when the Tropical Storm canceled a weekend.  They didn’t have to do that.  Long Beach got a second chance to host the Gulf Coast Championships.  The girls got a chance to get a softball weekend back.  This is what we do for each other as a softball family to look out for each other and is especially commendable.

Good Luck to everyone.  Most of all, we want the players to be safe and have a fun weekend.

Thanks for Playing USA Softball!

Download Tournament Info Packet

2021_South_State_Tournament_Info