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The ASA National Council has approved a number of rule changes and code changes for the 2010 season. Some of the matters addressed within the changes include eligibility for Junior Olympics as well as the JO pitching distance in some divisions, the expansion of national tournaments in adult slow pitch and changing the pitching arc in all division of slow pitch to 6-10 feet (previously 6-12 feet). Other issues which were stressed at the recent state meeting involve the use of tape and cone- or flare-shaped grips on bats, designating the tactic of "rolling" bats to be illegal and permitting the use of warming sleeves on bats.

NDASA makes it first venture into the ever-growing entity that is social networking by introducing its brand new Twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/NorthDakotaASA, which can be accessed at any time from the Twitter logo located in the header of this site. The page will be used to post quick updates and information such as imminent deadlines, important announcements and web site updates (such as the posting of state tournament brackets). For example, currently on the page, you will find a link to the ASA's 2010 rule and code changes as well as an announcement that the new year's state tournament dates and locations have been updated on this site. Please feel free to submit your feedback either via Twitter or at webmaster@ndasa.org.

Provided by Walt Stack - Bismarck received not one but two National Tournaments, one in 2010 and another in 2011. The National Council normally selects tournament sites two years in advance but in 2009 they initiated a new national tournament designated as E-Rec which is intended for recreation teams only. The first of these tournaments was awarded last year to Topeka, Kansas but no tournament was awarded for 2010 until this year's council meeting just concluded in Reno, Nevada. Bismarck was bidding for the 2010 tournament along with Springfield, Missouri. The first two votes were dead even but on the third vote, one delegate switched his/her vote to Bismarck so Bismarck was awarded the 2010 E Rec tournament. In addition, Bismarck bid on several other adult slow pitch tournaments and were awarded the 2011 Men's Class C Northern. Five cities were in competition for the bid. This tournament has been attracting around 45 to 55 teams and Bismarck hopes have teams registered in at least that range.

Additionally, Minot has been awarded the 2010 Women's Class D National scheduled for Labor Day weekend, which will be run simultaneously with the previously announced 2010 Women's Class C Northern National.

Neighboring Minnesota will also be he site for a national tournament in the new year as North Mankato was awarded the 2010 Coed Class C & Class D Nationals.

The Mandan Parks & Recreation has received a national award from the Amateur Softball Association for the Men’s Masters 40 & Over National Championship. The Mandan Parks & Recreation received a 98% rating, which is one of the highest in the country. This was Mandan’s first National Softball Tournament that they have hosted. Mandan plans to bid for another National Softball tournament for 2012.

The Fall edition of the NDASA's official newsletter "Softball News" Has ben mailed to mailboxes around the state and is also available here in PDF form. The publication's featured story details Tharaldson Enterprises' 2009 ASA National Championship. North Dakota's powerhouse team emerged victorious in the Men's Class B tournament in Oklahoma City, one of seven national titles determined at that site over the course of the weekend. Tharaldson's went undefeated through the 13-team Class B West National field to advance to the national championship series against Checking/Worth out of Connecticut. The New Englanders were no match, however, getting swept in the best-of-five series.

The Fall edition also provides summaries of each state tournament from this past season along with team pictures of all the champions. A list of all teams that must move up in 2010 due to their state tournament results can be found on page 14.

As usual, the newsletter also contains the insightful commentaries of Commissioner Jack Hanley ("Commissioner's Column"), President Dick Gulmon ("President's Report"), Regional Umpire-In-Chief Walt Stack ("From Behind The Catcher") and State Umpire-In-Chief Mike Wolf ("Ump Chat").