St. Batricks Day ASA Qualifier

The Medford Parks and Recreation Department today announced a qualification incentive for men's slow-pitch softball teams intending to compete in the Amateur Softball Association national tournament at U.S. Cellular Community Park.

 

Teams participating in at least three of the four men's softball tournaments coordinated by MPRD between March and August receive a paid entry into the 2015 ASA Men's "D" or Men's "E" Western National Tournament at USCCP Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7) -- a $375 value.

 

The four local ASA-qualifying tournaments are:

ASA rules require teams to play in at least two 2015 ASA-sanctioned tournaments to be eligible for the national tournament.

 

The registration fee for each of the four local qualifiers is $275 for four-game guarantees. For tournament details, visit sportsmedford.com.

 

"This incentive is a great opportunity for Medford teams to earn a free berth to a big-time tournament held in our own back yard," assistant parks and recreation director Rich Rosenthal said. "It's an easy-to-achieve benefit for the teams regularly competing in City-run tournaments. I hope this also encourages teams in our region to sign up for these fun local events at a first-class facility."

 

The City of Medford earned the right to host the ASA Western National Tournaments at USCCP through a competitive bidding process in 2013. The "D" and "E" skill levels are roughly equivalent to the City of Medford's "A" and upper "B" recreational softball league classifications.

 

Medford hosted the 2011 Men's "D" Western Nationals, which attracted 30 teams. Hussey Shelter, a longtime Medford team, placed fifth.

 

"The Rogue Valley is a hotbed for softball in general," Rosenthal said, "and there are several established Medford adult teams capable of winning a national championship."

 

Stimulated by the construction of USCCP in 2008 coupled with its decades-long partnership with ASA, local slow-pitch softball participation rates are on the rise -- bucking a nationwide downward trend.

 

In 2014, three of the five annual adult slow-pitch softball tournaments coordinated by MPRD set participation records, including sharp increases in the St. Batrick's (29 teams), Firecracker Overnighter (29) and Grand Gobbler (24) events. Overall, a record of 135 teams registered for men's, women's and coed divisions in 2014.

 

Medford's evening recreational softball program has grown to be the largest in Oregon with 383 teams in 2014. Participation rates in 2015 leagues are up 13 percent compared to last year.