Major League Softball Association

Infobox sports league
title = Major League Softball Association (MLSA)
current_season = 2009 Inaugural Season

pixels = 250 px
sport = Softball
founded = 2007
ceo =
fame =
motto =
teams = 30 teams in three, ten Club Conferences. There will be two, five Club Divisions in each Conference
country = USA
champion =
website = [http://www.mlsa-usa.com MLSA-USA.com]
TV =

The MLSA will feature men’s professional softball as it has never been played before! The games will be played in minor league ballparks or college baseball stadiums exclusively. The MLSA style of softball will emphasize speed, defense and athleticism. When combined with outstanding offensive performances, our fans will be entertained with constant action and excitement. This combination will add a different dimension to the game of men’s slow-pitch softball not widely associated with the game today. The MLSA will combine the skill of baseball with the continuous excitement and the constant action of slow-pitch softball, creating a sport to be enjoyed by fans of all ages. [ [http://www.mlsa-usa.com Mlsa Home ] ]

Game Highlights

The MLSA will feature men’s slow-pitch softball as it has never been played before. The games will be played in minor league ballparks and college baseball stadiums exclusively. MLSA softball emphasizes speed, defense and athleticism. When combined with excellent offensive performances, it will provide our fans with great entertainment and constant action. The MLSA game encompasses the skill and strategy of baseball with the continuous action and excitement of slow-pitch softball, creating a sport to be enjoyed by fans of all ages. [ [http://www.mlsa-usa.com/MLSA_HIGHLIGHTS.html Mlsa Highlights ] ]
* 90’ Base Paths 52’ from the Pitching Rubber to Home Plate
* 4 Ball - 3 Strike Pitch Count (a foul ball after a second strike is an out)
* All Games are 9 Innings
* Pitching Arc: 3’ Minimum (from point of release) - 10’ Maximum
* Base Stealing is permitted once the ball reaches the front of Home Plate
* 4 Umpires will work each game; 1 Official Scorer is assigned to each game
* The majority of Umpires selected by the MLSA will have a background in college baseball officiating
* All games will be governed by a combination of current Professional Baseball Rules as well as additional rules written specifically for the MLSA
* The Official Softball of the MLSA is a 12” .47 COR ball with a leather cover. The ball for daytime games will be optic yellow with red and blue stitching. The ball for night games will be traditional white with red and blue stitching.
* 16 Man Rosters with a 10 Man Reserve Roster. All Players are required to sign a Uniform Player’s Contract. (UPC)
* Players participate in a Revenue Sharing Program with the MLSA and the Club Owners. This is in addition to their regular salaries.
* Players are required to reside in the city (or close proximity) during the season where their MLSA Club is located
* Regular Season Schedule is 156 Games; the Post Season will consist of Division and Conference Championships and a World Series
* All dates are doubleheaders
* All games will be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
* Suggested ticket prices are only $10.00. Remember, all dates are doubleheaders. A great value for 2 games!
* Scores and Game Highlights will be available on our web site and other sports information services

Conferences

"These locations represent the optimum plan for MLSA Franchises. The MLSA may have fewer Clubs the first year. Locations are subject to change." [ [http://www.mlsa-usa.com/CONFERENCES.html Conferences ] ]

chedule

Important Dates [ [http://www.mlsa-usa.com/DATES.html DATES ] ]

* Friday, September 5, 2008: Last day to submit Club nicknames, logos, team colors and uniform designs for approval by the MLSA. Club names, colors and uniform designs are approved on a first submitted, first served basis.
* Friday, February 6, 2009: Player information must be received for all tryout participants on the forms provided by the MLSA.
* Saturday, February 21, 2009: First day of Spring Training (Player Tryouts)
* Wednesday, March 4, 2009: Final Cut Day. All Clubs must select their required Official 16 Man Roster and 10 Man Reserve Roster
* Monday, March 9, 2009: Clubs must submit their Official 16 Man Roster and 10 Man Reserve Roster by this date.
* Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22, 2009: Opening weekend of the 2009 Season
* Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 21, 2009: Fan balloting for the All-Star Teams
* Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21, 2009: Players, Managers and Coaches vote for the All-Star Teams
* Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, 2009: All-Star Game Weekend
** "Friday, July 3 -" All-Star Team Workouts - Dinner
** "Saturday, July 4 -" Workouts; Home Run Contest, Celebrity Game for Charity
** "Sunday, July 5 -" All-Star Game at 1:00 PM MVP Trophy ceremony following the game.
* Wednesday, July 8, 2009: Final changes to 16 Man Roster and 10 Man Reserve Roster. No new Players can be added after this date.
* Monday, September 21, through Thursday, October 1, 2009: Make-up games will be scheduled during this period.
* Friday, October 2, 2009: Division Championship Series begins between the first and second place Clubs in each Division. (Best of 5 Series)
* Friday, October 9, 2009: Conference Championship Series begins between the 2 Division winners in each of the Conferences. (Best of 7 Series)
* Friday, October 16, 2009: First Round of the MLSA World Series between the 2 Conference Champions with second and third best regular season record. (Best of 7 Series)
* Friday, October 23, 2009: World Series Finals between the winner of the first round and the Conference Champion that received a bye in the first round for having the best record in the regular season. (Best of 7 Series)

References