The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) recognized members and tournament hosts for the 2013 softball season.
St. Joseph was awarded the ASA James Farrell Award of Excellence as host for this year’s Men’s Fast Pitch 40 and Over, and 50 and Over National tournaments.
The award for hosting two national tournaments with the highest rankings was also given to St. Joseph for the previously listed tournament, as well as the Slow Pitch Class E/Rec Northern Nationals.
ASA is the national governing body of softball in the United States,
To attain the James Farrell Award of Excellence, named in honor of former St. Louis ASA commissioner and national office staff member James Farrell,
cities must do an outstanding job of hosting ASA National Championship Tournaments. The host city must attain a percentile of 95 percent in each of the evaluation categories of ASA Representative, Umpire-In-Chief, and National Office.
Both tournaments were hosted at Heritage Park Softball Complex. The St. Joseph Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities Department, St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau, and St. Joseph Softball Board collaborate to bid on and host these types of tournaments. The criteria used in determining the award is overall tournament organization, quality of the facility, playing field conditions, quality of officials, responsiveness of staff, and opening ceremonies.
This was the fourth time St. Joseph has been awarded this particular honor. Previously, St. Joseph had received the honor for hosting the 1998 Men’s Major Fast Pitch Tournament at Phil Welch Stadium, the 2009 14U Girl’s “A” Northern Nationals, and the 2010 18U Girl’s “B” Northern Nationals.
Next summer, St. Joseph hosts the ASA Boy’s Fast Pitch, Men’s 23U Fast Pitch, and Coed Class C&D Slow Pitch National tournaments.
For more information on this and other awards, please visit www.asasoftball.com.