The 2009 Illinois ASA State Tournament Schedule has been announced:

The Illinois ASA Salutes its State Champions from 2009:

Mens A Fastpitch, Mascoutah Pete's Blues
Mens B Fastpitch, Belleville Stallions
Mens B Slopitch, Decatur Pennsylvania Sports
Mens C Slopitch North, HOI Vending
Mens C Slopitch South, Granite City Rampage
Mens D Slopitch, Arcola Burton Drywall
Coed Class A Slopitch, Plainview Grothaus Trucking
Womens Major Fastpitch, Indy slammers
Womens Open Slopitch, Quincy
Girls 18U, A Fastpitch, Mattoon Pride
Girls 18U, B Fastpitch, CIGS Rebels Gold
Girls 16U A Fastpitch, Midland Magic
Girls 16U B Fastpitch, Team ConXion
Girls 14U A Fastpitch, Quad City Firebirds
Girls 14U B Fastpitch, Her-A-Cane
Girls 12U A Fastpitch, Glen Carbon Black Widows
Girls 12U B Fastpitch, Streator Cyclones
Girls 10U A Fastpitch, Rockert Fire
Girls 10U B Fastpitch, Clinton Gold

The following persons were voted into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame for 2008:

• Tony Romolo, Peoria
  Tony was associated with fastpitch softball in Peoria for over 60 years. He was a player, sponsor and ASA Commissioner. He was selected for induction in the Meritorious Service Category.
   
• Barry Pepper, Wyoming
  Barry is the only umpire in this years Hall of Fame Class. He has umpired for over 20 years and has worked 15 State Tournaments, 5 Regional Tournaments and 7 National Tournaments.
   
• Rich Tillitt, Murphysboro
  Men’s fastpitch pitcher who has won over 800 games in a 36 year career. His Arcola S&K team won the Men’s Class A National Championship. Tillitt made 1st team all-state 9 times and was named 1st team All American in the 1978 and 2004 National Tournaments. An excellent hitter, Rich had a .300 career batting average with 200 plus home runs.
   
• Fran Prochaska, Moline
  Fran was selected to the Coach/Sponsor category. He sponsored a Men’s Slowpitch team since 1984. In 22 years of State Participation, his teams finished 4th or better 11 times, second twice, third twice and won one state championship. His team also participated in senior division slowpitch where they placed second in the 35 and Over Category three times.
   
• Leo Sasatelli, Taylorville
  After 35 years of supporting fastpitch softball, Leo will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a sponsor. His Sassatelli Blues youth teams won 7 state championships and 2nd and 3rd place at the Nationals. He also sponsored a Junior Blues team that won 2 state titles and also sponsored a successful men’s fastpitch team for many years.
   
• Dave Scott, Greenup
  Men’s fastpitch player from 1978 – 2003. Played for 8 teams that between them won 3 Class A State titles and appeared in 15 National Tournaments. As an outfielder, Scott made first team All State 3 times. A perennial .300 plus hitter, Scott batted leadoff and stole 268 bases in his career. Scott also managed 6 years for Bonutti Orthopedic and Nokomis Budweiser and won 277 games with only 91 losses.

The following Teams were voted into the Illinois ASA in the team category:

• Macomb Magic Womens Fastptich team
   
• Taylorville Sassatelli Boys Teams
   
• Decatur Oxygen Slowpitch Team
   
• Wood River Phone Masters Men’s Slowpitch Team

Mission

1. To promote softball within the Illinois ASA boundaries for all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin or ancestry.
2. To promote all phases of softball including men’s, women’s, coed and youth.
3. To establish standard rules and regulations that can be observed by all members.
4. To conduct well-organized championship tournaments.
5. To be represented by teams in local, region, and national tournaments.
6. To promote, organize and conduct clinics and seminars in the proper skills of softball play and rules of the game.
7. To assist International softball teams when requested.
8. To provide grants and assist in the growth of the sport.
9. To provide scholarships to enable more persons an opportunity for advanced education.

Commissioner's Statement

Illinois ASA is an affiliate of ASA/USA Softball, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States and a United States Olympic Committee (USOC) voting member. Illinois ASA organizes youth clinics, umpire seminars and conducts national qualifying tournaments in slow pitch and fast pitch for men, women, coed and youth. Illinois ASA is a non-governmental and non-profit organization. We are staffed by volunteers dedicated to the advancement of softball at all levels of play. Our funds go to the administration of activities and other related events that benefit our membership, including clinics, grants and scholarships. Illinois ASA is responsible for all financial obligations in the operation of the program. This association is self-supporting and does not receive any sponsorship funds from National ASA/USA Softball.

Illinois ASA is one of the best softball programs in the United States. The Illinois ASA staff attends many program planning meetings, district meetings, tournaments, clinics and seminars. From January to December the Illinois ASA staff is always working at something that will make a better program for our teams and umpires. For their dedication, my thanks and appreciation. To the many managers, coaches, players, parents and umpires goes a big thanks, it’s you that make Illinois ASA successful.

To all, I wish you a very enjoyable and successful softball season.

_____________________________

Don Brewer
Illinois ASA State Commissioner