Carolina Softball Association: Welcome

Carolina Softball Association has again partnered with the Ashlie Pipkin Memorial Tournament and will sponsor and assist with organizing this year's event on September 15-16, 2012 at Sumter's Patriot, Palmetto and Dillon Parks.  This will be the 4th year for this annual charity event.

Last year's event brought a record 51 teams to Sumter as players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and fans helped to remember Ashlie's amazing life.  All tournament proceeds, including entry and gate fees and souvenir sales, will benefit "Camp Ashlie" and other non-profit charities.  This year's events will also include a showcase event for the 16U and 18U age divisions.  College coaches will be in attendance.

"We are extremely excited about continuning our relationship with the Ashlie Pipkin Memorial Tournament and to work with the generous volunteers that work so hard to remember Ashlie while promoting an event that benefits our youth," states CSA South Carolina State Director Rob Weiland.  "As part of our committment to this event, CSA will not schedule any tournaments in the Carolinas during this weekend in hope that teams will support this event as well.  We strongly encourage teams to sign up for this event earlier so that we can make plans to accomodate everyone!"

For more information on or to donate to the Ashlie Pipkin Memorial Tournament please visit  www.eteamz.com/pipkintournament.  To register for this tournament, please contact Jeffrey Bays at 803.983.3717 or jeffrey@playcsa.org or info@playcsa.org

Carolina Softball Association will be holding their 2012 North Carolina State Umpire Certification Clinic for all interested umpires on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the James L Morgan Recreation Complex in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

The cost of the certification clinic is $25.00/person and includes light food and beverage, 2012 CSA Liability Insurance and 2012 CSA Umpire Registration.  An additional individual liability insurance policy will be available for an additional $20.00 fee/person and covers an umpire regardless of which association they are officiating throughout 2012.  CSA highly recommends this coverage provided through Chappell Insurance Agency.  Umpires will also be able to purchase and order official CSA umpire gear.

The clinic will also cover 2012 rules changes, schedules and compensation as well as uniforms, mechanics and expectations.  All umpires wanting to be considered for State and National  Championship assignments must attend this Certification Clinic.  Officials with current high school and/or collegiate experience are preferred.

For more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact Kevin Birchfield, North Carolina State Director, at kevin@playcsa.org or 910.534.5748 or Lee Andrews, National UIC, at lee@playcsa.org or 843.639.3833.

Carolina Softball Association will be holding their 2012 South Carolina State Umpire Certification Clinic for all interested umpires on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Coach TB Thomas Sports Center at Byerly Park in Hartsville, South Carolina.

The cost of the certification clinic is $25.00/person and includes light food and beverage, 2012 CSA Liability Insurance and 2012 CSA Umpire Registration.  An additional individual liability insurance policy will be available for an additional $20.00 fee/person and covers an umpire regardless of which association they are officiating throughout 2012.  CSA highly recommends this coverage provided through Chappell Insurance Agency.  Umpires will also be able to purchase and order official CSA umpire gear.

The clinic will also cover 2012 rules changes, schedules and compensation as well as uniforms, mechanics and expectations.  All umpires wanting to be considered for State and National  Championship assignments must attend this Certification Clinic.  Officials with current high school and/or collegiate experience are preferred.

For more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact Rob Weiland, South Carolina State Director, at rob@playcsa.org or 843.230.2745 or Lee Andrews, National UIC, at lee@playcsa.org or 843.639.3833.

Jeffrey Bays, of Sumter, SC, has been named as South Carolina Area Director for Carolina Softball Association effective January 1, 2012.   Jeffrey will be responsible for the Charleston, Summerville, Manning and Bluffton markets as well as supporting the Sumter area.       

“CSA and area teams are fortunate to have Jeffrey serve them as Area Director.  He has always strived to make tournaments a great experience for players, coaches and fans.  He will continue to improve our brand of play,” states Rob Weiland, CSA SC State Director.     

He comes to us after years of coaching recreation and SCISA softball as well as coordinating the Ashlie Pipkin Memorial Tournament each year in Sumter.  “I am looking forward to this new challenge with CSA and serving the teams in the Carolinas!” states Bays.      

For more information on hosting events or umpiring in the low country of South Carolina, please contact Jeffrey at 803.983.3717 or jeffrey@playcsa.org.