The Kansas Amateur Softball Association held their Annual Kansas ASA Conference March 19-20 at the Holiday Inn in Topeka, Kansas. Over two hundred people attended one or more of the events offered by Kansas ASA. It was a busy informative and fun packed weekend. A brief description of each event is listed below.

CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAY AND THE 2005 SOFTBALL SEASON
The Saturday afternoon session was filled with information about the upcoming softball season. Rodney Peer, State Director of Umpires presented the new playing rules for 2005; Jim Westerhaus, Adult Programs Director discussed the Adult Fast Pitch State Tournament in Emporia and the Adult Slow Pitch State Tournaments in Salina and Winfield. Sarah McMahon, State Youth Director and John Crippen, Deputy State Youth Director presented the new tournament structure for State Youth Tournaments. Joe Sproul, State Commissioner discussed the 2007 changes in the National Tournament Program.

Toni Boyles, a motivational speaker spoke to the group about change and adjusting to change. Toni’s motto is Learn, Live and Celebrate Life. An enjoyable time was had by all.

KANSAS ASA AWARDS BANQUET
The Kansas Amateur Softball Association hosted their annual Awards Banquet March 19 at the Holiday Inn Topeka, Kansas with one hundred thirty-five in attendance. Kansas ASA was honored to have as our guest speakers E. T. Colvin, President, and Ron Radigonda Executive Director of the Amateur Softball Association of America, the National Governing Body of Softball. The Awards Banquet is a time where Kansas ASA recognizes individuals and organizations that have set their goals high and achieved success in their endeavors and service to Kansas ASA. The following is a list that has achieved success in their areas:
Membership Awards:
David Freeman, KASA Region 1 Commissioner; George Cunningham, KASA Region 2 Commissioner; Mike Alexander, KASA Region 3 Commissioner; John Crippen, Wichita Area Youth Commissioner; Mario Narvaes, KASA Region 4 Commissioner; Lynette Ball, KASA Region 5-6 Commissioner.
E.C.I. Team:
The Topeka E.C.I. team was recognized for winning the ASA-West Women’s Class D Slow Pitch National Championship and advancing on to the Hooters Championship Series.
Complex Awards:
Clay Center B’s, Wade Bauer President; Lynette Ball; Mike Alexander; Greg Brungardt and Skip Tidwell, Shawnee County Girls Softball Association; Rogers Brazier, Director Topeka Parks and Recreation; Jack Wiley, TPS Hummer Sports Park; John Crippen, President Two Rivers Youth Club.
State Commissioner Service Awards:
Allen Winter, KASA Region 1 District U-I-C; Linda Shove-Morgan, Director of Sales Holiday Inn - Topeka; Jeffrey Bachman, KASA State Player Representative; John Rogers, KASA Deputy Wichita Area Youth Commissioner; Kevin Neighbors, KASA Region 4 District Commissioner; Robert McMahon, KASA Region 3 District Commissioner; Russell Secrest, State Director of Umpires from 2000-2004; Linda Briden and Richard Forester, Topeka CVB and Topeka/Shawnee County Sports Council; Bruce Andrews, Topeka Parks and Recreation; John Crippen, KASA Deputy State Youth Commissioner; Mario Narvaes, KASA Region 4 Commissioner; Nancy Sharples, Topeka Parks and Recreation.
Dale Wilson Umpire Awards:
J. B. Baldwin, Clarence Calvin, Randy Robinson.
Scholarship Awards:
Katherine Zimmerman, $500 Kansas ASA Scholarship; Erin Blackburn, $500 Kansas ASA Scholarship; Britney Walter, $500 Kansas ASA Scholarship; Amy Hoppock, $750 Margaret Peck Scholarship.
Hall of Fame Inductee in the Commissioner Category:
Jim Westerhaus, Kansas ASA President and Adult Program Director.

STATE RULES CLINIC
Kansas ASA hosted their Annual State Rules Clinic Sunday, March 20 at the Holiday Inn. One hundred forty-five umpires registered for the clinic. Our own Dave Epperson, Regional U-I-C and Henry Pollard, recently retired from the National Umpire Staff and Commissioner of Central Virginia were the clinicians for the clinic. Commemorative Kansas ASA Coins were presented to those umpires that worked Championship Play in 2004. It was a great clinic. You cannot say enough about the great job Dave and Henry do presenting a clinic.