Last updated on May 24, 2023
Softball is a popular sport in the United States, and it has been played for over a century. The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America was founded in 1933 and has been the National Governing Body (NGB) of Softball in the U.S. for many years. However, in 2017, the ASA underwent a rebranding and changed its name to USA Softball.
Many people wonder if USA Softball is the same as ASA softball. The answer is yes, USA Softball is the same organization as the ASA, but with a new name and logo. The rebranding was done to modernize the organization and make it more appealing to younger generations.
Although the name and logo have changed, USA Softball still has the same responsibilities as the NGB of softball in the United States. This includes overseeing the rules and regulations of the sport, organizing national and international competitions, and supporting the development of softball players and coaches at all levels.
Contents
What Is ASA Softball? What Is USA Softball?
ASA Softball, formerly known as the Amateur Softball Association, is the governing body for softball in the United States. It was founded in 1933 and has since evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. ASA Softball oversees more than 150,000 amateur teams nationwide, and it has many important responsibilities as the National Governing Body of softball in the United States.
In 2016, the ASA Softball announced its organizational rename and rebrand to USA Softball. USA Softball is still the governing body for the United States national softball team, and it is a member of the sport’s international governing body, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping, and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in international and domestic competitions. While ASA Softball and USA Softball are technically the same organization, the rebranding has allowed for a fresh start and a renewed focus on the future of softball in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did USA replace ASA?
Yes, USA Softball is the new name of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball. The name change and rebranding was announced in 2016 and became effective on January 1, 2017. However, the organization still serves as the National Governing Body (NGB) of softball in the United States.
Is the USA stamp the same as ASA?
No, the USA Softball stamp is not the same as the ASA stamp. The ASA stamp was used to indicate that a bat is approved for use in ASA play, whereas the USA Softball stamp indicates that a bat is approved for use in USA Softball play. The USA Softball stamp is required for all non-wood bats used in USA Softball sanctioned events.
Is USA Softball bat ASA approved?
Yes, USA Softball bats are approved for use in ASA play. The USA Softball stamp is one of the approved stamps for non-wood bats in ASA play. However, not all ASA approved bats have the USA Softball stamp. Other approved stamps include the USSSA, NSA, and ISA stamps.
Is USA Elite Select the same as ASA softball?
No, USA Elite Select is a separate organization from USA Softball (formerly ASA). USA Elite Select is a youth fastpitch softball organization that provides tournaments, showcases, and other events for players and teams. While some USA Elite Select events may be sanctioned by USA Softball, the two organizations are not the same.
Conclusion
Despite the name change, USA Softball still upholds the same values and responsibilities as the former ASA/USA Softball. It remains the National Governing Body of softball in the United States, responsible for organizing consistent and fair competition across the nation. It also adopted softball’s first universally accepted rules of play and continues to provide guidance and stability to the sport.
Ultimately, whether you refer to it as USA Softball or ASA Softball, what matters most is the love and passion you have for the game. Softball is a sport that brings people together, and it is up to all of us to continue to uphold its values and traditions for generations to come.
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