Softball History USA

2020 Team USA Women’s Slowpitch Teams

2020 Women’s Slow Pitch National Team

  • Patrika Barlow*, Louisville, Kentucky, Swings: Worth
  • Savannah Brown, Inola, Oklahoma, Swings: Easton
  • Chelsea Davis, Sarasota, Florida, Swings: Easton
  • Christan Dowling, Rochester, New York, Swings: Easton
  • Shelby Engle, Orlando, Florida, Swings: Monsta
  • Fiana Finau, Chula Vista, California, Swings: Easton
  • Stephanie Hartness*, Mobile, Alabama, Swings: DeMarini
  • Tara Licuana, Bellflower, California, Swings: Easton
  • Ashley Mack*, Jacksonville, Florida, Swings: Worth
  • Kelly Park, Aurora, Illinois, Swings: Easton
  • Sara Poteat, Marietta, Georgia, Swings: Miken/Worth
  • Terri Ross, Louisville, Kentucky, Swings: Worth
  • Kristen Shifflett, Charlottesville, Virginia, Swings: Easton
  • Tawna Williams, Amarillo, Texas, Swings: Louisville Slugger

Coaching Staff

  • Don Cooper, Kent, Washington, Head Coach
  • Tammy Higginbotham, Assistant Coach
  • Shannon Cooper, Kent, Washington, Assistant Coach

2020 Women’s Futures National Team

  • Tyquilla Abdoo*, San Antonio, Texas, Swings: Easton
  • Marisa Basham*, Ft. Madison, Iowa., Swings: DeMarini
  • Stephanie Call*, Lake Worth, Florida, Swings: DeMarini
  • Kelley Cash*, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Shayna Finley, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Swings: Monsta
  • Megan Higginbotham*, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Mandy Hollman, York, Pennsylvania, Swings: Easton
  • Amber Parrish, Wilson, North Carolina, Swings: Worth
  • Melanie Pfeiffer*, Vancouver, Washington, Swings: Easton
  • Annie Rardin*, Lexington, Kentucky, Swings: Miken/Worth
  • Wendi Reed*, Little Rock, Arkansas, Swings: Worth
  • Kristina Sherriff, Everett, Washington, Swings: Easton
  • Kylee Studioso, Edmonds, Washington, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Victoria Toplikar*, Kansas City, Missouri, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Dani Wayt*, Orange City, Florida, Swings: Louisville Slugger

Coaching Staff

  • Cara Coughenour, West Des Moines, Iowa, Head Coach
  • Marieo Foster, Assistant Coach
  • Tina Amfahr-Parris, Assistant Coach
* Indicates rookie

2020 Team USA Men’s Slowpitch Teams

2020 Team USA Men’s National Team

  • Kevin Bazat, Columbia, Missouri, Swings: Easton
  • Cory Briggs, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Swings: Miken
  • Dale Brungardt, Vancouver, Washington, Swings: DeMarini
  • Daniel Cayton*, Redding, California, Swings: Easton
  • Travis Clark, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Swings: Easton
  • Andrew Collins, Largo, Florida, Swings: Monsta
  • Greg Connell, Moultrie, Georgia, Swings: Easton
  • Ben Dunn, League City, Texas, Swings: Easton
  • Ryan Harvey, Clearwater, Florida, Swings: Worth
  • Bubba Mack, Milton, Florida, Swings: Easton
  • Kyle Pearson, Stonewall, Louisiana, Swings: Miken
  • Andy Purcell, Rockledge, Florida, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Filip Washington, Rochester, New York, Swings: Anarchy
  • Brian Wegman, Hamilton, Ohio, Swings: Easton
  • Jeremy Yates, Lake City, Florida, Swings: Easton

Coaching Staff

  • Brett Helmer, Cicero, New York, Head Coach
  • Todd Ankney, Lake Villa, Illinois, Assistant Coach
  • Tim Barnes, Gladewater, Texas, Assistant Coach

2020 Team USA Men’s Futures National Team

  • Colin Baartman*, Golden Valley, Minnesota, Swings: Miken/Worth
  • Joseph Bennett*, Statenville, Georgia, Swings: DeMarini
  • Patrick Ellwanger, St. Paul, Minnesota, Swings: Easton
  • Chente Granados, Chino, California, Swings: Worth
  • Alex Hovey*, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Swings: Monsta
  • Jared Hunt*, El Cajon, California, Swings: Monsta
  • Tyler Marshburn*, Clayton, North Carolina, Swings: Easton
  • Phil Matte*, Radcliff, Kentucky, Swings: Demarini
  • Jason Matusik*, Umatilla, Florida, Swings: Miken
  • Ryan McClanahan, El Cajon, California, Swings: Miken
  • Zane Migues*, Broussard, Louisiana, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Brett Rettenmeier, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Swings: Monsta
  • Josh Riley, Berea, Kentucky, Swings: Worth
  • Adam Ussery, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Swings: Monsta
  • Johnathon Williams, Chicago, Illinois, Swings: Anarchy

Coaching Staff

  • Rob Humphrey, Burlington, Iowa, Head Coach
  • Denny Crine, Henderson, Nevada, Assistant Coach

* Indicates rookie

ASA Pitching Height Arc History

  • ASA
  • February 24, 2020

From the start of ASA Slow Pitch in 1953 the pitching arc 3 feet from release (pitcher’s hand) to 10 feet. Sound familiar?

In 1975 at the ASA National Convention they voted to go to an unlimited arc. This lasted for two seasons.

  • Mike Nye hit an incredible .769 at nationals in 1976 with an unlimited arc.
  • Umpires would call anything that didn’t land within 6 inches of the back of home plate a ball.
  • Zinn’s Diner fielded a team with 10 small people and a pitcher that could throw a 25 foot arc for strikes. The were beating national powers like York Barbell and Howard’s Furniture.

In 1977 they switched to a 6 foot to 12 foot arc from the ground.

For the 2010 season ASA switched to a 6 foot to 10 foot arc from the ground.

Other changes to field dimensions:

  • In 1982 the bases moved from 60 feet to 65 feet.
  • In 1989 the pitching plate was moved back from 46 feet to 50 feet.
  • In 2010 the bases were moved from 65 feet to 70 feet.

2010-2019 All Decade Team

  • Co-Player of the Decade – Andy Purcell
  • Co-Player of the Decade – Brian Wegman
  • Offensive Player of the Decade – Greg Connell
  • Defensive Player of the Decade – Don Dedonatis
  • Team of the Decade – 2017 Smash It/Scene/TDM/Miken/Worth – (69-7) – Won the Conference USSSA regular season and USSSA Major World Series

ALL DECADE FIRST TEAM

P – Travis Clark
P – Andy Purcell
C – Brett Helmer
EH – Ryan Harvey
1B – Kyle Pearson (LA)
2B – Greg Connell
3B – Bubba Mack
SS – Don Dedonatis
MI – Bryson Baker
OF – Brian Wegman
OF – Jeremy Yates
OF – Andrew Collins
UT – Dennis Rulli
UT – Kevin Filby
UT – Luis Reyna
Manager – John Rector
Sponsor – Travis Resmondo

ALL DECADE SECOND TEAM

P – Andrew Vitcak
C – BJ Fulk
EH – Dale Brungard
1B – Scott Kirby
2B – Steven Lloyd
3B – Shannon Smith
SS – Kevin Bazat
MI – Kevin Kennington
OF – Brandon Dillon
OF – Brian Zirkle
OF – Cory Large
OF – Jason Branch
UT – Chris Greinert
UT – Mike Umscheid
UT – Chris Larsen
UT – Jeff Flood
Manager – Steve Shortland
Sponsor – Brett Helmer

ALL DECADE HONORABLE MENTION

Geno Buck
Lee Powers
Nic Santana
Ben Dunn
Cory Briggs
Jeremy Isenhower
Neil Haglund
Brad Reckart
Brian Rainwater
Filip Washington
Rick Baker
Adam Rockoff
Josh Riley
Orlando Castillo
Steve Whaley
Brett McCollum
Brett Rettenmeier
Brian Logan
Chad Mullins
Daniel Kirkwood
David Kessler
Faron Miller
Keith Laski
Kyle Pearson (FL)
Patrick Ellwanger
Ryan Parfitt
Jimmy Salas
Chente Granados
Donovan Pokraka
Johnathon Williams

Mike Nye

Mike Nye – USA Softball Hall of Fame class of 2019.

Year   	ABs	Hits	HRs	Avg.	Team
1970			53	.718	Warren Motors
1971			71	.641	Warren Motors
1972			106	.651	Warren Motors
1973			103	.660	Warren Motors
1974			 	.680	Warren Motors
1975				.673	Nelson's Painting
1976	424	326	65	.769	Warren Motors  (scored 297 Runs, had 216 RBI, 73 Doubles and 13 Triples)
1977					Nelson's Painting (Amateur, before going Pro)
1977	258	170	36	.659	Detroit Caesars (Pro)
1978	246	161	33	.654	Detroit Caesars (Pro)
1979	179	 90	 6	.503	Detroit Caesars (Pro)
1980					Jerry's Caterers
1981				.711	York Barbell/Ken Sanders
1982			32	.696	York Barbell/Ken Sanders
1983				.712	Jerry's Caterers
1984				.650	Jerry's Caterers
1985	393	266	17	.677	Steele's Sports
1986					Vernon's
1987				.678	Marlton Trucking			
1988	116	 78	 4	.672	Marlton Trucking and Apollo East Side
1989	277	194	18	.700	Ritch's Salvage
1990	 63	 89	10	.708	Vernon's
1991					Vernon's & Florida Mulch 40+ (MVP ASA 40+ Nationals)
1992	109 	162 	 9	.673	Vernon's & Florida Mulch 40+

INCOMPLETE – Estimated to have a Career Batting Average of .725 with over 500 HR.

ASA Girls’ 10-Under A Fast Pitch National Champions

1998 – California Crunch, Chino, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
1999 – Invasion, Placentia, CA (held at Broken Arrow, CA)
2000 – San Diego Renegades, San Diego, CA (held at Stockton, CA)
2001 – USA Athletics, Cypress, CA (held at Moreno Valley, CA)
2002 – Minors Gold, San Jacinto, CA (held at Tulsa, OK)
2003 – Lakewood Ladies, Lakewood, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2004 – American Athletics, Orange County, CA (held at Tulsa, OK)
2005 – Corona Angels, Corona, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2006 – 95 Texas Glory, Mesquite, TX (held at Moline, IL)
2007 – Indiana Thunder, Goshen, IN (held at Auburn, AL)
2008 – Team Smith Blue, Chino Hills, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2009 – Victory USA, Cypress, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2010 – Firecrackers 99, Cerritos, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
2011 – Team Watley, Santa Ana, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2012 – Firecrackers 01, Cerritos, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2013 – So Cal Athletics, Lakewood, CA (held at Bowling Green, KY)
2014 – Tennessee Mojo 03, Cookeville, TN (held at Johnson City, TN)
2015 – Birmingham Vipers 04, Odenville, AL (held at Normal, IL)
2016 – Universal Fastpitch, Fairfield, CA (held at Stockton, CA)
2017 – Lasers Silver, Miamisburg, OH (held at Findlay, OH)
2018 – Knockout Divas 07, Montgomery, AL (held at Montgomery, AL)
2019 West – KC Storm 08, Lee’s Summitt, MO (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
2019 East – Atlanta Vipers Stewart, Loganville, GA (held at Johnson City, TN)

ASA Girls’ 16-Under GOLD Fast Pitch National Champions

2014 – TN Fury 97, Whitwell, TN (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
2015 – Nebraska Gold Mizuno Heard, Lincoln, NE (held at Salem, OR)
2016 – Texas Bombers Gold, New Braunfels, TX (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
2017 – Florida Impact Feldman, Lithia, FL (held at Clearwater, FL)
2018 – Texas Glory Naudin, Frisco, TX (held at Plano, TX)
2019 – Tulsa Elite OKC Walde, Oklahoma City, OK (held at Plano, TX)

ASA Girls’ 18-Under GOLD Fast Pitch National Champions

1994 – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA
1995 – Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA
1996 – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA (held at Stockton, CA)
1997 – Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (held at Oklahoma, OK)
1998 – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA (held at Phoenix, AZ)
1999 – So Cal Athletics Gold, Irvine, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
2000 – Katy Cruisers, Katy, TX (held at St. Louis, MO)
2001 – Katy Cruisers, Katy, TX (held at Marietta, GA)
2002 – OC Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
2003 – OC Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (held at Salem, OR)
2004 – Southern Force, Johnston City, IL (held at Marietta, GA)
2005 – Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (held at Salinas, CA)
2006 – OC Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2007 – Worth Firecrackers Rico, Huntington Beach, CA (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2008 – Gold Coast Hurricanes, Plantation, FL (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2009 – Sorcerer Gold Phil, Concord, CA (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2010 – East Cobb Bullets, Kennesaw, GA (held at Marietta, GA)
2011 – Team North Florida, Dunnellon, FL (held at San Diego, CA)
2012 – AZ Desert Thunder Gold, Tucson, AZ (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2013 – Atlanta Vipers Gile, Kennesaw, GA (held at Clearwater, FL)
2014 – Wagners Gold Dunn, Oviedo, FL (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2015 – Beverly Bandits, Grove City, OH (held at Hillsboro, OR)
2016 – Beverly Bandits DeMarini, Taylor Mill, KY (held at Oklahoma City, OK)
2017 – Virginia Unity Johnson, Spotsylvania, VA (held at Clearwater, FL)
2018 – Rock Gold Waye, Holland, PA (held at Plano, TX)
2019 – Excel Elite Williams, Sherman, TX (held at Plano, TX)

2011 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

2011 held at Orlando, Florida on September 16-18.

Champion – Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – 1st Step/DCS, Miami, Florida

  • MVP – Michael Rogers, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Defensive MVP – Frank Gruber, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Offensive MVP – Steve Allen, 1st Step/DCS

2011 USSSA MEN’S CLASS “B” WORLD TEAM

  • Robert Sena, Doerflinger/TSC/Pro-Coat/Combat
  • Brad Tabler, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Chris Wilson, 1st Step/DCS
  • Robert Hendren, 1st Step/DCS
  • Chad Loudon, Down2EarthSports.com/Worth
  • Jon Jamison, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Jared Goetz, Doerflinger/TSC/Pro-Coat/Combat
  • David Kessler, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Jason Roesch, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Jimmy Carter, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Sean Greer, Down2EarthSports.com/Worth
  • Richie Jones, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Rafael Robledo, Doerflinger/TSC/Pro-Coat/Combat
  • Nicholas Masur, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton
  • Luke Wright, 1st Step/DCS
  • Frankie Toress, 1st Step/DCS

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton, Cincinnati, OH (5-0)
2. 1st Step/DCS, Miami, FL (7-2)
3. Doerflinger/TSC/Pro-Coat/Combat, Seattle, WA (3-2)
4. Down2Earthsports.com/Worth, Baxley, GA (3-2)
5t. Checking/Worth, CT (4-2)
5t. Dave’s Place/Sports55/Miken, FL (3-2)
7t. Texas Miken Softball Club, TX (3-2)
7t. Fence Brokers/Gametime Supply/Worth, Bryant, AR (3-2)
9t. Deluxe Bakery, NJ (3-2)
9t. Primetime/Easton, Macon, GA (3-2)
9t. Gas It/Easton/Lewis Lawn Care, SC (3-2)
9t. Wiley’s/Supreme/Combat, FL (2-2)
13t. Team Demarini, CAS (2-2)
13t. PNH Softball, FL (2-2)
13t. Magic/National Gold/S&S/TYJA Sports, MA (1-2)
13t. Pipe/Players Warehouse/Dss/Easton, OH (1-2)
17t. Zamora’s All Out Sports/Team TPS, TX (1-2)
17t. A&K Tile/3rd St. Financial/TPS, OH (1-2)
17t. Line Drive/Triple SSS Sportscards, MI (1-2)
17t. T’s 13/Easton, Omaha, NE (1-2)
17t. Westshore Pizza, MI (1-2)
17t. The Scene/Easton, FL (1-2)
17t. Midwest Swing/Miken, IN (0-2)
17t. KTI/Cartel/DeMarini, WA (0-2)
25t. Joel’s Pizza/Reebok, FL (0-2)
25t. Team Evo, FL (0-2)
25t. Latinos De, Caracas, Venezuela (0-2)
25t. Doc A’s Team Combat, FL (0-2)

Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/Easton