CENTRAL CALIFORNIA SENIOR SOFTBALL: Welcome
OVERVIEW FAST PITCH
For thirteen (13) years the Central California Men's Softball Asscoiation had done its part to promote the game of fastpitch softball in California. In 1993 the CCASA had high hopes of achieving the goal of competitive statewide fastpitch, with the inception of the CCASA Travel League. Two of the intial driving forces behind this league were Richard "Dick" Grove, Central California Metro Softball Commissioner, and Tim Lyon, manager of the San Luis Obispo Bucks. At the time, the Bucks were just an up and coming team in Central California, having just recently won the 1990 ASA "C" National Championship. With Tim Lyon's ability as a manager, and as a pitcher and player at that time. Mr. Grove appointed him to be the first President of the CCASA Fastpitch Travel League. Dick thought Tim would be able to relate closely with the players and managers, structuring a league that would be both competitive and fun for everyone. Tim Lyon ran the Travel League from 1993 to 1996.
In 1996, Mr. Lyon was finding it increasingly difficult to run the Travel League and still be committed to the development of his own team, the Bucks. So, in 1996 Mr. Lyon stepped down and Dick Grove appointed another President, Iren Hodge. Mr. Hodge ran the league from 1996 to 2004. During his eight (8) years the CCASA has seen the league grow and prosper, unlike any sustaining league in the Western United States, Between Dick Grove, Tim Lyon and Iren Hodge the league has enjoyed a steady growth in the number of fastpitch teams that participate, and a steady rise in competitive nature of these teams. Many of the teams that play in the CCASA challenge for the top spots in every tournament they play, including the ASA Nationals or the N.A.F.A. World Tournament.
In 1993 the CCASA wanted to put something together that enticed people to play the game of fastpitch at a higher level. From the inception of the league, they knew they had something. The league started off with six dedicated teams looking for a more organized and competitive form of fastpitch. Since then, it has had a high of 21 teams in 1999. The league dropped off to 10 teams in 2006 as fastpitch one again started to die off. With the appointment of Ike Pursell as President of the league it looks to be growing again as fourteen (14) teams look to be getting in as of this writting. Ike Pursell bring 40+ years of directing leagues and was ASA Commissioner from 1973 to 1984.
The league consits of A,B,& C teams in the past and is open to any competitive team that is interested in play competitive fastpitch. The A/B are grouped into one league and the "C" teams in another. The Central California invites all teams into the league who wish to paly at an organized and competitive level. Unlike other leagues or organizations, all metros within the Pacific Coast Region are allowed to play and compete for Central California's National Berths. No other metro does this. Central California believes in its' teams, and their ability to win the berths outright. The first place team in each division also recieves paid berths to the National Tournament and travel money as well.
The league is primarily based out of Central California. However, the areas where most of the teams originate, usually determines the location of possible league sites. The league has gone as far North as Sacramento, and as far south as Lancaster. We have even had dates in Los Vegas as well. The Central California Travel League starts in March and extends to the end of July. There are typically five weekends, spaced three to four weekends apart, consisting of five to six games per weekend, usually totaling twenty five games for the league. The teams that play in the Central California league are some of the best teams in Region 14, stretching from Northern to Southern California and Las Vegas to the East. These teams are not afraid of the high competitive nature of the league, and in fact, they embrace it. The competition is usually fierce, and on any given weekend, any one of these teams could go undefeated. Conversely, the next weekend they may only win one game.
With all of the competitive teams in the CCASA Travel League, it seems like the best source of top competitive fastpitch in the state. Hopefully, other teams will take the CCASA challenge in 2007, and compete against these extremely good teams. Maybe then we could actually see who is the best teams in California really are!
ANY TAKERS?
OVERVIEW SENIOR SLOWPITCH
I have played senior ball for the past 12 years and enjoy it a lot. As stated above I was the Commissioner for many years and have lots of experience in softball. When asked to take over the Central California Sr Program I took a few minutes and then answered yes. I asked that it be run by the players and not a select few who choose to rule for their personal gain. It is my hopes that we can start a rating systems of our own, use the rules that the palyers like and make it equal and fair for all.
The senior program is one of the fastest growing programs in softball right now and we should be able to provide a good quailtiy program that all would love to play in.