Category: ASA

Shirley Topley

Hall of Fame coach and U.S. Olympic assistant coach Shirley Topley, passed away on October 20, 2026, at the age of 92. Born and raised in Hondo, Alberta, Canada, Topley excelled in several sports, including field hockey and basketball, but it was softball where she established herself as one of the greatest of all-time.

Playing Career

Topley first starred with Canadian teams such as the South Hill Queens of Vancouver. She earned second-team ASA All-America honors in 1960, which led to an invitation to the 1961 Women’s Major Fast Pitch All-Star series. Impressed by her skills, Orange Lionettes owner Ricki Caito recruited her to California in 1962.With the Lionettes she helped win the 1962 ASA national title and earned All-America recognition (primarily as a first baseman). She spent two seasons with the Raybestos Brakettes (1963–64), leading the team in batting with averages of .372 and .340, then returned to the Lionettes through 1975.

Career highlights as a player include:

  • 16 ASA National Championship appearances
  • Member of 5 national championship teams (and 5 runner-up teams), including titles with the Lionettes (1962, 1965, 1969, 1970) and Brakettes (1963)
  • 11-time ASA All-American (some sources count up to 12 selections)

With the Lionettes over a nine-year span she hit .298 (613 hits in 2,055 at-bats), scored 322 runs, and hit 16 home runs while ranking among the league’s top defensive first basemen.

Coaching Career

Topley transitioned into coaching while still active as a player. From 1967 to 1972 she coached the Orange Lionettes to a 389-67-3 record (.853 winning percentage). In that span the team won two ASA national titles (1969 and 1970), seven Pacific Coast Women’s League titles, and a silver medal at the 1970 ISF Women’s World Championship.

She later coached other ASA teams (including the Orange County Majestics, who won the 1987 Women’s Major Fast Pitch national title) and served as an assistant at Cal Poly Pomona. Starting in 1990 she joined the U.S. Women’s National Team coaching staff and remained involved for years. She was part of two Olympic gold medal-winning delegations (1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney), plus a 1990 ISF Women’s World Championship gold and Pan American Games gold medals (including 1991, 1995, and the late 1990s).

Honors

  • Inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 1981 (Women’s Fast Pitch category)
  • Orange County Hall of Fame (1991)
  • BC Sports Hall of Fame (1998, multi-sport)
  • Dick Pollak Memorial Award (1990) for contributions to women’s softball

Ernie Yarbrough

USA Softball of Georgia Commissioner Ernie Yarbrough passed away on October 17, 2026. Ernie Yarbrough dedicated decades of service to the sport of softball, helping develop young athletes and strengthen the game throughout Georgia and beyond. He began serving as the USA Softball of Georgia Junior Olympic Commissioner in 2017 before being named Commissioner in December 2023. Throughout his time, Yarbrough worked to support athletes, coaches and officials while expanding opportunities for youth softball across the state.

Yarbrough’s contributions to USA Softball also extended to the national level, where he served as an assistant coach for the 2019 USA Softball U-15 Women’s National Team. The team captured gold at the Pan American Championship in Lima, Peru, adding to Yarbrough’s legacy of supporting and developing athletes on the international stage.

A passionate advocate for youth softball, Yarbrough was one of the founders of the Atlanta Vipers and established Georgia Power Softball Club in 2009. Through these organizations, he helped create opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, build character and pursue their goals of competing at the collegiate level. His commitment to the game extended beyond the field, emphasizing education, personal growth and the importance of preparing athletes for success beyond softball.

His exploits also occurred on the softball field. Ernie was an ASA All-American at the 1994 Men’s Major Modified tournament and the 1987 Men’s A Fast Pitch tournament.

2026 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

2026 held at Woodside Complex in Mauston, Wisconsin on September 12.

Champion – Juno Athletics/LSR, Manahawkin, New Jersey
Runner Up – Incognito/Miken, Detroit, Michigan

  • Co-MVP – Melissa Rahrich, Juno (6-11, .545, 1 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • Co-MVP – Bernadette Tenuto, Juno (5-10, .500, 2 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Jasmine Gallindo, Armed Forces (6-8, 2 RBI, 3 Runs) – .750
  • HR Champion – Megan Baltzell, Derby Girls (8-11, .727, 4 RBI, 6 Runs) – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Melissa Rahrich, Juno (6-11, .545, 1 RBI, 6 Runs)
Kylee Studioso, Juno (4-9, .444, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
Sasha Killings, Juno (5-11, .455, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)
Chelsea Zorabik Davis, Juno (4-11, .364, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bernadette Tenuto, Juno (5-10, .500, 2 RBI)
Pamela Usry, Incognito (12-19, .632, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
Zakierra Webb, Incognito (9-19, .474, 3 RBI, 7 Runs)
Patrika Barlow, Incognito (9-21, .429, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Megan Baltzell, Derby Girls (8-11, .727, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
Sarah Davis, Derby Girls (7-10, .700, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
Randi Pauly, Derby Girls (6-9, .667, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Kristine Houseman, Ductech (8-13, .615, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
Kate Bugbee, Ductech (8-11, .727, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
Robin Shannon, Powerhouse (6-9, .667, 3 RBI)
Rena Engelhardt, Armed Forces (710, .700-, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)

OTHERS

Carlie Hart, Ductech/Turn2 Apparel (6-12, .500, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
Angelina Jones, Ductech/Turn2 Apparel (6-13, .462, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Juno Athletics/LSR, Manahawkin, NJ (3-0)
2. Incognito/Miken, Detroit, MI (5-2)
3. Derby Girls/Smash it Sports/Resmondo, Kent, WA (1-2)
4. Ductech/Turn2 Apparel, Coon Rapids, MN (2-2)
5t. PowerHouseSports/CWC, Stockton, CA (1-3)
5t. Armed Forces, USA (0-3)

2026 ASA Men’s B Slow Pitch Nationals

2026 held at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 4-5.

Champion – All Armed Forces, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Runner Up – Kut4 Sports/Anchor Roofing, Wetumpka, Alabama

  • MVP – Daniel Olvera – All Armed Forces (21-32, .656, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Alex Hovey – Comatose/S2N (19-24, 3 HR, 8 RBI) – .792
  • HR Champion – KT Abraham – All Armed Forces (34-49, .694, 30 RBI) – 10

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Daniel Olvera – All Armed Forces (21-32, .656, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
IF – Alan LaRocque – Kut 4 Sports/Anchor Roofing (22-29, .759, 7 HR, 15 RBI)
IF – Logan Hampton – Kut 4 Sports/Anchor Roofing (23-31, .742, 5 RBI)
IF – Nicholas Ludwig – All Armed Forces 937-49, .755, 5 HR, 25 RBI)
IF – Zac Perkins – Fishers/Leacock Sports/All Hustle (11-15, .733, 3 RBI)
IF – Austin Chambers – T’s 13 (15-23, .652, 6 HR, 14 RBI)
OF – Nicholas Follo – Empire Dirt Dogs (12-16, .750, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
OF – Lonnie Cheatwood – The Squids (9-14, .643, 3 HR, 11 RBI)
OF – Chris Starcun – Empire Dirt Dogs (12-16, .750, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
OF – Timothy Hicks – All Armed Forces (28-44, .636, 9 HR, 25 RBI)
OF – Todd Densmore – Kut 4 Sports/Anchor Roofing (20-30, .667, 5 HR, 18 RBI)
UTL – Alex Hovey – Comatose/S2N (19-24, .792, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
UTL – KT Abraham – All Armed Forces (34-49, .694, 10 HR, 30 RBI)
UTL – Chris Zwiebel – T’s 13 (14-21, .667, 3 HR, 10 RBI)
UTL – Zack Woodside – Comatose/S2N (18-24, .750, 4 HR, 11 RBI)
UTL – Justin Tripp – Kut 4 Sports/Anchor Roofing (17-27, .630, 4 HR, 17 RBI)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. All Armed Forces, Oklahoma City, OK (8-1)
2. Kut4 Sports/Anchor Roofing, Wetumpka, AL (4-2)
3. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (3-2)
4. Comatose/S2N, Beloit, WI (2-2)
5t. Empire Dirt Dogs, Wallingford, CT (2-2)
5t. The Squids, Wallingford, CT (2-2)
7t. Fishers/Leacock Sports/All Hustle, Kinzers, PA (2-2)
7t. Wiedmeyer Express/Great Outdoors Supper Club, West Bend, WI (1-2)
9t. Wooster Buildings, Millersburg, OH (1-2)
9t. Ductech/Monsta/Dirty Swag, Becker, MN (1-2)
9t. Top Shelf/BC Apparel/Icon, Claremore, OK (1-2)
9t. Northwoods Elite, Chippewa Falls, WI (1-2)
13t. SWOK, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
13t. All American/We Fix Blinds/D.R.O Outdoor Services/Dbl3z Sports, Brooklyn Park, MN (0-2)
13t. Vivid/Killbombers, Frisco, TX (0-2)

2026 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

2026 held at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 6-7.

Champion – RoofX/I57/TBE, Topeka, Indiana
Runner Up – Wooster Buildings, Millersburg, Ohio

  • MVP – Tyler Irvine – RoofX/I57/TBE (16-21, .762, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 10 Runs)
  • Batting Champion – David Johnson, RoofX/I57/TBE (21-22, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 20 Runs) – .955
  • HR Champion – Chris Starcun, Empire Dirt Dogs (20-25, .800, 26 RBI, 16 Runs) – 10

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Pitcher – Luke Yutzy, Wooster Buildings (10-24, .417, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 8 Runs)
Infield – Johnny Schlabach, RoofX/I57/TBE (17-20, .850), 7 HR, 21 RBI, 14 Runs)
Infield – Joni Hostetter, Wooster Buildings (20-25, .800, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 19 Runs)
Infield – Anthony Acevedo, RoofX/I57/TBE (13-20, .650, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 12 Runs)
Infield – Tyler Irvine, RoofX/I57/TBE (16-21, .762, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 10 Runs)
Infield – Andre Yoder, Wooster Buildings (20-28, .714, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 14 Runs)
Outfield – Jon Eric Troyer, Wooster Buildings (24-29, .828, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 27 Runs)
Outfield – David Schwartz, RoofX/I57/TBE (13-20, .650, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)
Outfield – Cody Yoder, Wooster Buildings (14-20, .700, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 18 Runs)
Outfield – Adrian Ramos, Ductech/Monsta/Dirty Swag (14-18, .778, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 13 Runs)
Outfield – Justin Martell, Northwoods Elite (10-13, .769, 1 HR, 9 RIs, 2 Runs)
Utility – David Johnson, RoofX/I57/TBE (21-22, .955, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 20 Runs)
Utility – Andrew Collins, Ductech/Monsta/Dirty Swag (15-18, ..833, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 12 Runs)
Utility – Chris Starcun, Empire Dirt Dogs (20-25, .800, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 16 Runs)
Utility – Carlin Yoder, RoofX/I57/TBE (15-20, .750, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs)
Utility – Jesse Mullet, Wooster Buildings (20-28, .714, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 17 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. RoofX/I57/TBE, Topeka, IN (5-0)
2. Wooster Buildings, Millersburg, OH (4-2)
3. Ductech/Monsta/Dirty Swag, Becker, MN (3-2)
4. Empire Dirt Dogs, Wallingford, CT (4-2)
5t. Northwoods Elite, Chippewa Falls, WI (2-2)
5t. Wiedmeyer Express/Great Outdoors Supper Club, West Bend, WI (1-2)
7t. Fishers/Leacock Sports/All Hustle, Kinzers, PA (1-2)
7t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (1-2)
9t. Top Shelf/BC Apparel/Icon, Claremore, OK (1-2)
9t. Kut4 Sports/Anchor Roofing, Wetumpka, AL (0-2)
9t. Comatose/S2N, Beloit, WI (0-2)
9t. The Squids, Wallingford, CT (0-2)

2026 ASA Men’s AA Slow Pitch Nationals

2026 held at Woodside Sports Complex in Mauston, Wisconsin on September 12-13.

Champion – Resmondo/Bay Area Legends/Stub Terminal, Gladewater, Texas
Runner Up – T’s 13, Omaha, Nebraska

  • MVP – Travis Clark, Resmondo (7-10, .700, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Batting Champion – Andrew Collins, T’s 13 – (26-29, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 19 Runs) – .897
  • HR Champion – Josh Riley, Mr. D’s/Ductech (19-26, .731, 20 RBI, 18 Runs) – 10

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Phil Matte, Resmondo (7-10, .700, 4 RBI, 7 Runs)
Travis Clark, Resmondo (7-10, .700, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
Anthony Acevedo, Resmondo (7-10, .700, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
Kyle Pearson, Resmondo (8-12, .667, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
Andrew Collins, T’s 13 (26-29, .897, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 19 Runs)
Logan Rogers, T’s 13 (22-30, .733, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 19 Runs)
Mitch Corriger, T’s 13 (17-28, .607, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
Ryan McClanahan, T’s 13 (19-28, .679, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 7 Runs)
Faron Fry, Anarchy (13-15, .867, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 8 Runs)
Austin Dawe, Anarchy (14-17, .824, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 8 Runs)
Bryan Dezern, Anarchy (11-17, .647, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 7 Runs)
Daniel Cayton, Mr. D’s/Ductech (21-26, .808, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 20 Runs)
Josh Riley, Mr. D’s/Ductech (19-26, .731, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 18 Runs)
John Radich, Iconic (10-12, .833, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 8 Runs)

OTHERS

Jeremy Yates, Mr. D’s/Ductech (18-26, .692, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 18 Runs)
Greg Connell, Mr. D’s/Ductech (15-26, .577, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 13 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Resmondo/Bay Area Legends/Stub Terminal, Gladewater, TX (4-0)
2. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (5-2)
3. Anarchy/SIS, Dowling, MI (2-2)
4. Mr D’s/Ductech/Hoffman, Stillwater, MN (3-2)
5t. Comatose/S2N, Beloit, WI (1-2)
5t. Iconic, Cary, IL (1-2)
7t. Deviants/Wolfpack, Appleton, WI (1-2)
7t. S2N/Meritran, Beloit, WI (1-2)
9t. IRUN4RYAN/JochumStrength/24Apparel, Farmington, MN (0-2)
9t. Northwoods Elite, Chippewa Falls, WI (0-2)

2026 ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch Nationals

2026 held at Woodside Sports Complex in Mauston, Wisconsin on September 10-11.

Champion – Juno Athletics/LSR, Manahawkin, New Jersey
Runner Up – Resmondo/SIS/Stub Terminal/RDD/S&S/LLC, Gladewater, Texas

  • MVP – Greg Connell, Juno (20-27, .741, 8 HR, 14 RBI, 20 Runs)
  • Batting Champion – Joe Bennett, T’s 13 (22-27, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 19 Runs) – .815
  • HR Champion – Kyle Pearson, Resmondo (20-27, .741, 20 RBI, 18 Runs) – 10

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Greg Connell, Juno (20-27, .741, 8 HR, 14 RBI, 20 Runs)
Mason Farmer, Juno (20-26, .769, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 17 Runs)
Johnathan Williams, Juno (13-21, .619, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 13 Runs)
Matt Valencia, Juno (15-24, .625, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
Dan Herren, Juno (17-26, .654, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 17 Runs)
Jason Matusik, Resmondo (14-20, .700, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
Bradley Jones, Resmondo (13-17, .765, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9 Runs)
Kyle Pearson, Resmondo (20-27, .741, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 18 Runs)
Phil Matte, Resmondo (17-26, .654, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)
Chris Zwiebel, T’s 13 (14-20, .700, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 9 Runs)
David Johnson, T’s 13 (19-27, .704, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 18 Runs)
Joe Bennett, T’s 13 (22-27, .815, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 19 Runs)
Jake Stadler, Comatose (12-17, .706, 7 RBI, 5 Runs)
Corey Volden, Comatose (10-13, .769, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
David Yoder, Anarchy (9-10, .900, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)

OTHERS

Austin Andrews, Comatose (12-17, .706, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 13 Runs)
Andrew Collins, T’s 13 (16-27, .593, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Juno Athletics/LSR, Manahawkin, NJ (4-1)
2. Resmondo/SIS/Stub Terminal/RDD/S&S/LLC, Gladewater, TX (4-2)
3. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (4-2)
4. Comatose/S2N, Beloit, WI (3-2)
5t. Iconic, Cary, IL (1-2)
5t. Anarchy/SIS, Dowling, MI (1-2)
7t. S2N/Meritran, Beloit, WI (1-2)
7t. IRUN4RYAN/JochumStrength/24Apparel, Farmington, MN (1-2)
9t. Deviants/Wolfpack, Appleton, WI (0-2)
9t. Northwoods Elite, Chippewa Falls, WI (0-2)

2026 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

2026 held at McQuillan Park in Rochester, Minnesota on September 5-6.

Champion – Russell’s Paint & Body, Longwood, FL
Runner Up – Eide Ford, Mandan, ND

Russell’s Paint & Body captures a fourth ASA C National Championship with prior ones occurring in 2005, 2015, and 2024.

Eide had four walk off wins during the tournament and nearly won the championship in extra innings of the IF game.

  • MVP – Jeremy Migliori, Russell’s Paint & Body (17-25, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 17 R, .655 OBP)
  • Batting Champion – Kade Hinker, Kafka – .813
  • HR Champion – Matt Pohl, TC3 Hardline – 10

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Kade Hinker, Kafka (8-11, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 10 R, .813 OBP)
IF – Jeremy Migliori, Russell’s Paint & Body (17-25, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 17 R, .655 OBP)
IF – Austin Jochum, IRun4Ryan/Jochum Strength/24Apparel (15-21, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 15 R, .760 OBP)
IF – Travis Styer, TC3 Hartline (19-30, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 13 R, .645 OBP)
IF – Brandon Lussier Jr. , Eide (13-22, 5 HR, 14 RBI, .591 OBP)
IF –  Cody Burgess, Russell’s Paint & Body (16-26, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 15 R, .615 OBP)
OF – Dayron Pena, Russell’s Paint & Body (14-24, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 12 R, .607 OBP)
OF – Jared Klein, Turn2 Apparel/Weststar/JAT/Viessman Trucking (14-20, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 13 R, .727 OBP)
OF – Matt Pohl, TC3 Hardline (21-27, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R, .806 OBP)
OF – Trent Christoffel, TC3 Hardline (17-28, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 13 R, .633 OBP)
UT – Corey Neugebauer, Eide (21-27, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 15 R, .778 OBP)
UT – Ryan Acker, IRun4Ryan/Jochum Strength/24Apparel (15-21, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 13 R, .714 OBP)
UT – Devin Anderson, Russell’s Paint & Body (16-28, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 12 R, .571 OBP)
UT – Paydin Slette, Eide (16-27, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R, .621 OBP)
UT – Dustin Duncan, Russell’s Paint & Body (15-24, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R, .679 OBP)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Brandon Lester, Russell’s Paint & Body (14-23, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, .600 OBP)
IF – Craig Kolb, S2N/Meirtran (9-12, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, .800 OBP)
IF – Nathan Egofske, S2N/Meirtran (11-15, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, .765 OBP)
IF – Michael Wieland, Iconic Apparel (10-15, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 R, .722 OBP)
IF – Hayden Hinker, Kafka (11-19, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, .579 OBP)
IF – Ryan Rasmussen, TC3 Hardline (15-30, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 R, .516 OBP)
OF – Ryan Schalow, Kafka (13-19, 11 RBI, 9 R, .789 OBP)
OF – Daniel Phyle, IRun4Ryan/Jochum Strength/24Apparel (17-25, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 15 R, .680 OBP)
OF – Hunter Wright, Kafka (10-15, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, .688 OBP)
OF – Tyson Carney, Eide (11-21, 2 RBI, 8 R, .565 OBP)
UT – Ron Reed, TC3 Hardline (10-24, 3 RBI, 5 R, .462 OBP)
UT – Martin Wind, Turn2 Apparel/Weststar/JAT/Viessman Trucking (13-20, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 11 R, .667 OBP)
UT – Daniel Sargent, Turn2 Apparel/Weststar/JAT/Viessman Trucking (13-22, 2 RBI, 9 R, .591 OBP)
UT – Tyler Hayes, TC3 Hardline (18-29, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 14 R, .645 OBP)
UT – Ryan Valdes, Russell’s Paint & Body (14-29, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 13 R, .500 OBP)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Russell’s Paint & Body, Longwood, FL (6-1)
2. Eide Ford, Mandan, ND (4-2)
3. TC3 Hardline, Milwaukee, WI (5-2)
4. IRun4Ryan/Jochum Strength/24Apparel, Farmington, MN (4-2)
5t. Turn2 Apparel/Weststar/JAT/Viessman Trucking, Cold Spring, MN (3-2)
5t. Iconic Apparel, Adel, IA (2-2)
7t. Kafka, Greenwood, WI (3-2)
7t. S2N/Meirtran, Beloit, WI (2-2)
9t. TNT/Coast2Coast Athletics, Fargo, ND (1-2)
9t. MN Maniax/H. Sports/Marucci/S2N, Oakdale, MN (1-2)
9t. Scallywags/GreaterThan, Colby, WI (1-2)
9t. The Mill/A3/GS, Billings, MT (1-2)
13t. Titan Resources/Apex, Williston, ND (1-2)
13t. Silverbacks, South St. Paul, MN (1-2)
13t. Twin River Cabinets, Coon Rapids, MN (0-2)
13t. MN Duct Pros, Lakeville, MN (0-2)
17t. SpamTown Sliders, Austin, MN (0-2)
17t. St. Cloud Subaru, Turn2/Picture Perfect, Sauk Rapids, MN (0-2)

Les Novak

Les Novak

Les Novak

The softball family lost a true giant with the passing of Les Novak, Minnesota’s longest-serving Umpire-in-Chief and a mentor to generations of officials. Les passed away on August 25, 2026.

Longtime Minnesota ASA Umpire in Chief (UIC), Les Novak, was elected to the National Softball Hall of Fame and due for induction this fall at the USA Softball National Council Meeting. This is the highest recognition anyone can receive in softball.

Some of Les’ achievements are:

  • Started umpiring in 1957.
  • Minnesota State Umpire In Chief from 1964 to 2006.
  • Umpired in ten ASA National Championships.
  • Participated in every ASA Umpire Clinic since its’ inception.
  • Conducted umpire clinics in Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Phillipines, and Thailand.
  • Was the plate umpire in the 1986 Women’s College Softball World Series.
  • Was the plate umpire in the 1986 Men’s College Baseball World Series.
  • He served as the MLB emergency umpire for the Minnesota Twins at Metropolitan Stadium.
  • He served as the Umpire In Chief for the Women’s Pro Softball League (which would eventually become the NPF) from 1997-2001.
  • He served as the Umpire in Chief for the American Pro Softball League (slow pitch pro league) from 1977-1979.
  • He assigned Big 10, Northern Sun, MIAC, and UMAC games for many years.
  • He has served as the International Softball Congress (ISC) Assistant UIC since 1998.
  • He has served as an ISC Commissioner since 1999.
  • Inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2002.
  • Induction into the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame in 2009
  • Chairman of the ISC Umpire Committee
  • Minnesota High School Clinician for Baseball and Softball for 14 years.

Most recently, Les has supported the sport as a driving force behind the creation of the Carrol Forbes Lifetime Membership Foundation, authoring articles for the Fastpitch Chronicle and Fastpitch Bulletin, and has served as the ISC Assistant UIC since 1998, and as an ISC Commissioner since 1999. Les is retired, lives in New Hope, Minnesota, and has four daughters Wendy, Wanda, Carol, and Cathy.

Howard Dwayne Hale

Howard Dwayne Hale

Howard Dwayne Hale

A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, he devoted more than three decades of service to the sport of softball through USA Softball, formerly the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). As a member of USA Softball of Tennessee for 30 years, Hale played a vital role in the administration and continued growth of amateur softball throughout the state, working alongside local associations, volunteers and tournament directors to strengthen opportunities for athletes of all ages.

His unwavering dedication to USA Softball and his lasting contributions to the sport were recognized in 2017 when he was inducted into the USA Softball Hall of Fame, an honor he cherished deeply. Throughout his years of service, Hale became a respected leader within the USA Softball family. His commitment to the organization, passion for the game and willingness to support players, officials and fellow administrators left a lasting impact on softball throughout Tennessee and across the country.

Outside of softball, Hale served 25 years with the Tennessee Department of Education in the Transportation Division and was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard. He was also a successful entrepreneur and longtime concession operator in the Chattanooga area, where his outgoing personality and dedication to serving others made him a familiar face throughout the community.

Hale is survived by his former wife and lifelong best friend, Donna Hale; his daughters, Lisa (Christian) Bennett, Amanda Hale Smith and Callie Anne Hale; his son, Howard Hale Jr.; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Hale’s decades of leadership, service and commitment to USA Softball will be remembered by the many athletes, officials, volunteers and administrators whose lives he touched. His legacy will continue to live on throughout the softball community he helped build.