ISSA Finalizes Details for Tournaments in 2015, Early 2016

The International Senior Softball Association (ISSA) has noted its schedule for senior tournaments for the year:

MANASSAS, VA: The ISSA staff is at work on the details for the 5th Annual World Tournament of Champions on January 29-31, 2016. It is very import to the preparation planning for teams to submit their online entry form for each event that they plan on playing as early as possible.  The online entry form submittal provides staff notice and reserves a spot in the tournament for the team.  The final entry is the receipt of the mailed entry fee which is not due until the published deadline.  The ISSA US Open National Championships now has 86 entries and will close soon so field assignments can be prepared and arrangements for umpires and awards completed. The list of teams already entered is posted on the website so all managers can check to make sure that their team is included.

WINTER NATIONAL RULES EVENTS: ISSA tournaments help after October 1 will allow teams to use their 2016 roster of players.  These tournaments will be held at Virginia Beach, Palm Springs, California and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Senior women's teams will be playing this year at the ISSA US Open National Championships at Myrtle Beach as 12 women's teams have already entered online.  All teams 70+ and Up will come in early on Wednesday to start their play at Grand Park.  Thirty (30) teams over 70 have already signed to up to play.  (Check list on the website for specific teams.)  Any new teams looking to play in the US Open should reserve their place today since it is a good chance the entries will close early when field capacity is reached. Anyone interested in more information about the remaining ISSA senior tournament at Myrtle Beach and/or the WTOC can contact RB Thomas, Jr. (571-436-9704 and/or Greg Thomas (571-220-0158).

ISSA WINTER NATIONALS at VIRGINIA BEACH: The preliminary game schedules are now posted on the website for this event to take place on October 9-11.  Each team should have a representative check-in their team on Thursday night to get their tournament info, schedules and softballs.  The ISSA Staff will be at the Days Inn, 1000 S. Atlantic Ave. from 7:30pm to 9:30pm to distribute materials and be available to answer any questions about the event.

ISSA US OPEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:  The last big event for ISSA will take place at Myrtle Beach on October 21-25.  Eighty-six teams have already entered this favorite senior tournament.  Any team planning to enter should submit their entry form immediately. Players that are concerned about playability of the fields at Myrtle Beach resulting from recent rain need not worry. The staff at Grand Park have informed the staff that the sun is shining today and fields are playable now.  The nine softball fields at Grand Park have synthetic turf with a state-of-the-art drainage system designed to handle storm events.

ISSA/ISF WORLD TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: The event most seniors look forward to is the WTOC in January at Tampa, Florida.  The ISSA and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission have reserved the fields to accommodate up to 110 teams this year.  (Last year's participation was 93.)  If any team plans to enter the event, ISSA asks they submit the online entry form now so they can assign the five complexes to the different age/skill divisions at the earliest possible date.  The tournament will be held on January 29-31, 2016 for all ages (always the weekend before the Super Bowl Weekend.)  Anyone with questions about the tournament or their team eligibility should contact the ISSA Office.  The Earned Berth list of teams is posted on the website.  All tournament winners and league champions may also be eligible.      

About the ISSA: The International Senior Softball Association, founded in 1994, is headquartered in Manassas, VA and is an Allied Member of the Amateur Softball Association of America. The ISSA has become one of the nation's leading senior softball organizations and its staff provides leadership positions nationally and internationally for the development and administration of the senior division. For more information on the ISSA, visit the website of  www.seniorsoftball.org and/or telephone the ISSA Office at 703-368-1188.