Slowpitch - Softball Nation

 Just a few notes to update you on as we move toward the 2012 season.

Equipment: (The Ball)
SoftballNation has adopted a new standard for the ball beginning in 2012.
We will use the 44 COR, 400 lbs compression ball.

2012 Slow Pitch Nationals:
The Men's Bronze and Women's Division Slow Pitch Nationals will be held the weekend of Sept. 8th in Virginia Beach.

The Men's Gold and Men's Silver will be held the weekend of Sept. 15th.  The location will be annouonced in the next week or so.  We are making final arrangements on the site.
 

More updates to come: keep checking back.
 

Click Here

2011 Team Registration is Under Way

To sanction your team for the 2011 season click on the link below. You can register online and pay with a credit card or pay by check. To begin the team registration process, click on the link below.

If you have your roster information available, you can add that information when you sanction and your roster form will be automatically populated.

The sanction fee is $30.00 for the calendar year.

Once your team is registered into the system, you'll be assigned your own team page. This page gives you the ability to add team and player information, standings, stats, pictures, videos and much more.
 

SoftballNation recently completed its 2010 Convention in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Here are some of the highlights of the convention including some rule changes and other news.

Much of the discussion surrounded the bats and balls as usual.  SoftballNation will be experimenting with some things in 2011 in an effort to improve the game.

There were also a couple of rule changes teams should know about.

Rule Change:
Men's Bronze Home Run Rule for 2011:
1 Home Run,  2nd HR is an out, 3rd and Beyond ends the inning.
(Note: this cuts out one of the "free" home runs in the Bronze division.  Now a team will only have one so-called mistake before getting to the inning ending home run.)

Foreign Substance on the Barrel of the Bat is not allowed:
No foreign substance is allowed on the barrel of the bat.  Pine Tar and other such substances may only be used on the handle of the bat.  A bat with a foreign substance on the barrel will be considered an "illegal bat."

Experimental Rule:
Allowing 11 players on Defense:
We will experiment with this rule during the season.  It will not be used in post season play for 2011.
The idea behind this experiment is to provide a little more protection for the pitcher.  Teams will now be able to apply the 5 man infield along with the traditional 4 outfielders.
This experiment will be done on a tournament by tournament basis at the directors' descretion.

Some Key Dates:
Virginia State Championships:
Men's Western State (Bronze): July 23-24
Men's Gold, Silver State: Aug 13-14 Richmond
Men's Bronze Eastern State: Aug 13-14 VA Beach

Black American Nationals: Aug 20-21 (Charlotte, NC)
Church Nationals: Aug. 20-21 (Va Beach, VA)
Men's Bronze Nationals: Sept. 10-11 (Va Beach, VA)
Men's Gold and Silver Nationals: Sept 17-18 (Va Beach, VA)
Coed Nationals: Va Beach: Date TBA
 
Teams Reclassified:
The other topic of discussion revolved around teams continuing the play down.   In an effort to improve softball at all levels of play, ,we've come up with a list of teams that will be reclassified for the 2011 season based on their 2010 performance.

The idea behind this is to place teams in the divisions where they fit best and provide an opportunity for all teams to compete.  Click on the PDF below to look at the list.

If you had an account on the old SportsNation website, you can use that same information to login here! Once you have logged in, click the “Join the Network” button in the left column of any page. Be sure to contact Butch Tiller if you need access to your new team page!

To provide a competitive sports environment for the teams that join the organization through fair play, integrity and sportsmanship. To encourage participation in the game of softball in accordance with the highest traditions of competition. To promote the game of softball.

 If you would like to advertise your business with us, let us know.

We are now taking ads for our 2012 Yearbook as well as outfield billboard signs, website ads and tournament sponsorships.

Contact Butch Tiller at 804-378-2285 or tilcomm@aol.com for more details and information.

SoftballNation is pleased to announce an agreement with Mizuno for the 2011 season. 

Mizuno will serve as an exclusive Sporting Goods Sponsor for a number of SoftballNation and BaseballNation events, including the Slow Pitch Nationals in Virginia Beach, Va.

Mizuno will also serve as a title sponsor for the 2011 Beast of the East in Richmond, VA and the Taylormade Classic in Virginia Beach (also known as the Dudley).

There's more Mizuno related news coming in the near future, including the dates for an exclusive Mizuno Bat Tournament.  Stay tuned for details.