Monday, October 2, 2006
For the first time in its 60+ year history, the International Softball Congress is entering into a complete reorganization that affects personnel as well as how teams qualify for berths to the World Tournament and ISC II Tournament of Champions.
Here is a summary of the changes.
Internal Changes
The ISC has eliminated 12 positions in the commissioner ranks and at the same time, changed team qualifying from an Area basis to a Regional basis. There will no longer be the former Area Qualifying tournaments as we used to know them.
We are now divided into 5 Regions; US West, US Central, US East, Canada West and Canada East. Each of these regions is headed by a Regional Vice President. Under each VP are 1 – 4 Regional Commissioners all of whom are former Area or Travel League Commissioners.
The definitions of these regions is on the ISC web site [url]www.iscfastpitch.com[/url]. Click on Rules and Forms link in left margin. It also has the revised Letter of Intent Form for regions rather than areas. We suggest managers and players review the region definitions are there are some “open” areas included.
Here is a breakdown of these regions, championship berth allocations and the personnel involved.
US West (4 WT, 3 ISC II)
Regional VP – Chris Santos
Regional Commissioners – Keith Erkenbrack (with help from CaL’s)
Commissioners at Large – Dick Mason, Jim Williamson, Dave Blackburn & Milt Stark EDE
Specialists – Jim Flanagan and Ron Chambers
US Central (10 WT, 9 ISC II)
Regional VP – Dave LeBlanc
Regional Commissioners – Dean Oscar, Les Novak, Tom Crouch and Pat Sullivan
Commissioners at Large – Wayne Fisher, Floyd Hammen, Ed Kirner, Royce Heath & Charlie Smith
Specialists –Judd Berthiaume, Gary Baughman, Bret Baughman, Hank DeWild & Tony Schaaf
US East (6 WT excluding defending champ, 5 ISC II)
Regional VP – Bill Howell
Regional Commissioners – Billy Smith and Lee Isenhart
Commissioners at Large – Larry Fisher, Bill Hillhouse, Robert Gray & Tom Stasik
Specialists – Doug Gillis & Rick Havercroft
Canada West (2 WT, 3 ISC II)
Regional VP – Ferdi Nelissen
Regional Commissioners – Todd McCabe and Craig Donaldson
Commissioners at Large – None
Specialists – None
Canada East (4 WT excluding host, 9 ISC II excluding champ, runner up & host)
Regional VP – Bob McGowan
Regional Commissioners – Colin Smith and Blair Setford
Commissioners at Large – None
Specialists – Al Doran, Bruce Bierman and Todd Idenouye
International (4 WT, 0 ISC II)
International Commissioner – Bill Hillhouse
Qualifying Processes
Each VP and his Regional Commissioners have been asked to have their qualifying events decided by November 1. They can use any of the following options to qualify teams:
1. Invitational Tournaments – Subject to tournaments agreeing to some ISC conditions.
A. Above can be “open” to teams from any location
B. Above can be “restricted” to teams from within the region
2. Travel League – Must meet ISC criteria and be concluded by July 15 or
played with champion gaining berth for the following years championship.
3. Region Tournament – An extension of the former area tournaments but now includes teams from the entire region.
Use of Invitational Tournaments as Qualifiers
The following are recommended guidelines for invitational tournaments to be granted status as an ISC Qualifying Tournament.
Tournament must agree to use ISC rules, ISC recommended ball and all umpires dressed in official ISC umpire attire. We may ask some to use an “experimental” ball.
Tournament must be publicized as either an “open” tournament for teams from any location or a “restricted” tournament for teams within the ISC region. An “open” tournament may restrict WT or II berths to only those teams from within the region. To qualify for a berth, the team must play the tournament with 100% of its ISC roster and no team may use players who are on the roster of another ISC or ISC II team. Teams already having a WT or II berth cannot be excluded from participation. Participation in some type of ISC Qualifier is mandatory for teams to be considered for an invitation berth to World Tournament or ISC II Tournament of Champ must provide timely, complete tournament results to Al Doran for distribution and posting.
Teams Winning berths in ’06 for ’07 championships
Three teams, Orillia Riversharks (WT), Thomson Area Merchants (WT) and Kitchener Phoenix Outlaws (ISC II) won ’07 championship berths by winning ’06 ISC Travel Leagues. These championship berth commitments will be honored and these teams have berths secured for ’07.
Thanks
On a personal note, each ISC person whose position was eliminated, was contacted by phone and explained the reasons for the decision. In each case, the individuals understood and graciously accepted the decision. They made a tough job much easier by their understanding and acceptance of the needed changes. To each of the eliminated people, my sincere thanks for the manner in which you accepted the news.
Ken Hackmeister
ISC Executive Director
iscken@comcast.net