ISSA Stakes Out Summer Schedule

The International Senior Softball Association (ISSA) has noted that significant events will take place on the following dates and locations.

During the month of June the senior players will have the opportunity to visit some of the Nation's outstanding mountain destinations.  First up will be the Penn Senior Classic on May 30-June 1 at Drifton, PA which is located in the northeastern part of the State in the Pocono Mountain region. 

The following weekend the ISSA will be at Maryville/Knoxville, TN for the Smoky Mountain Senior Classic.  The Smoky is in its third year for seniors and is becoming a popular event.  This year the tournament will expand into Knoxville to accommodate the increased number of teams anticipated to enter.  Senior teams planning on playing in the Smoky should check the ISSA Website to identify the softball complex where their division will be scheduled. In keeping with the tradition of the 40+ years of the Smoky Mountain Classic, the Senior Classic is also drawing the Nation's top ranked Major teams seeking the "bragging rights" for senior softball. 

At the end of June (27, 28 & 29) the ISSA staff will be in the Blue Ridge Mountains at Roanoke/Salem, VA to hold the 13th ISF Senior World Cup Championships.  Last year the popular event drew 73 senior teams which is at the capacity of the available field space so teams planning on playing should not delay entering the tournament.  Teams should note that the date for the tournament will be held June 27, 28 & 29 for all divisions.  The ISF Senior World Cup Championship is one for a team’s resume and earns points toward the eligibility requirements for the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame.

Information is available at the website, http://www.seniorsoftball.org/

About ISSA: The International Senior Softball Association (ISSA) is a not-for-profit corporation organized in 1994 by experienced softball administrators to provide the senior players a voice in the sport and the opportunity to participate in and experience the highest quality world-class tournaments.  The ISSA is an Allied Member of the Amateur Softball Association or America, the National Governing Body for the sport of softball.  ISSA Executive Director, RB Thomas, Jr. is also the Director of Senior Softball for the International Softball Federation and has annually conducted the ISF Senior World Cup since 2002.  In 2011 the ISSA will expand their tournament program to new and exciting venues thoughout the United States.  The mission of the ISSA is to:

• establish national and international goals for senior softball activities and encourage the attainment of those goals;

• coordinate and develop amateur senior softball activity to foster productive working relationships among other senior softball organizations;

• promote and encourage physical fitness and public participation in senior athletic activities;

• assist organizations and persons concerned with senior sports in the development of amateur athletic programs and other events that foster the special comradery among seniors;

• provide for swift resolutions of conflicts and disputes involving amateur athletes, and protect the opportunity of any amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official to participate in senior amateur athletic competition;

• foster the development of amateur athletic facilities for use by amateur athletes and assist in making existing amateur athletic facilities available for use by senior softball.

• provide and coordinate technical information on physical training, equipment design, coaching, and performance analysis;

• encourage and support research, development, and dissemination of information in the areas of sports medicine and sports safety.

• encourage and provide assistance to amateur athletic activities for senior women;

• provide world class competition for senior softball.

The ISSA Tournament Program promises to provide exciting events again this year. Our staff is busy working on our expanded tournament program in order to address player requests and bring more ISSA events for the teams who have experienced our tournaments over the years.  Our staff is available to assist you with any details and our new website will provide updated news about senior softball.  Best wishes for a great season and we look forward to seeing all in the coming months.