It’s been another great season for Worth Slow-pitch softball. We have had some great things happen over the past several months. The 454 HR Derby series has been a huge hit across the nation hosting almost 50 derby’s at various venues in which more than 2000 players have participated and thousands have watched as players demode the new 454 Titan line of high-end composite bats. I want to applaud our 454 Advisory Staff for working with tournament directors, local parks, and close friends who put in countless hours of preparation to make these derby’s go off without a hitch. We performed benefit derby’s in which all of the entry fees went to a local charity of family in need, as well as enhanced the tournaments to make the whole softball atmosphere a success. Our plan is to continue this in 2012 to promote the new line of 454 bats that will start being released in the next few months.
A lot of players and teams have been asking me about the new USSSA (ABI) Bat Standard that will be taking effect in the near future. I have included some bullet points along with the new finger¬print that you will start seeing on the new USSSA bats.
New USSSA 1.20 fingerprint (fingerprint shown below) will be mandatory on all softball bats after 1/1/13.
New bat standard is designed to meet a new Accelerated Break-In test (ABI) and new requirements for anti-altering so the game is not dictated by players that choose to alter their bats from the way the manufacturers designed them to perform.
Worth will start having the new bats ready with the new designs in the near future.
Same great 454 technology platform and performance as before, just designed to meet the ABI and anti-altering require-ments of USSSA.
Our Worth Slowpitch Facebook page continues to be a great interactive site for Worth loyalists interested in new products and venues as well as posting various pictures and videos for all to see and comment on. You can type http:// www.facebook.com/WorthSlowpitch to view all of the current posts and stay up to date on players, teams and products that are being talked about on a day to day basis. We will answer any questions that we can in a timely manner and understand that we cannot let the cat out of the bag on some issues, but we will be as helpful as we can in providing you with all of the information you
need in order to make decisions on future Worth equipment purchases.
As you have probably heard that Team 454/Emerald Consulting/WORTH fought hard through the USSSA “A” Worlds at the ESPN Wide World of Sports to capture the national title. They battled some tough teams, but outlasted them all after going into the “if” game. A special congrats to Bill Rhew who is not only the sponsor for the team but was named MVP for the tournament along with 7 other team members to be voted to the All-World team. Team 454 was our #1 “A” team this season and did not disappoint as they played well all season long after some early player moves. They gelled quickly as a tightly knit bunch to pull for each other and defi¬nitely made their mark in the USSSA Conference circuit. This makes it 3 years in a row, where Worth’s top “A” team has won the title at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.
The Border Battle that was played in July and also aired on ESPN, was considered a revenge game for Team USA. Last year, Team Canada won the game as Team USA could not score in the last inning. Well this year was different story as Team USA with five of the Resmondo/WORTH players on the roster jumped early and often as Team USA pounded out base hits and homeruns left and right as they dominated Team Canada. The game only lasted 4 innings as the mercy rule was in effect and the final score was 25-3. It looked as though Team Canada was beat before they stepped foot onto the field. They will have to regroup over the season and gear up for 2012 as it looks as though Team USA with the direction of Scott Shortland will put another quality team on the field to represent the Stars and Stripes. The Resmondo players were using the new Resmondo ASA 454 Titan that is sold exclusively at Resmondo Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The USSSA Slugfest was held on back to back week¬ends in Lake Buena Vista where hundreds of players stopped by the Worth hitting station to demo all of current bats we have in the current line. We had 30 bats lined up for all to hit and test out before they made their purchase of the 454 Titans and Mayhems. Both 1.20 BPF and 98 mph bats were on site amongst the other slow-pitch manufacturers displaying their current bats for all to demo. It was good to see a constant group of players lined up at the Worth tunnel hitting bombs out into the open football field. Advisory players such as BJ Fulk, Greg Connell, Don DeDonatis and other Worth Advisory players stopped by to hang with and talk to players about playing at the top level and picking their brain on hitting, it was good to see the interaction as these guys are down to earth and love talking softball.
Until next time, stay focused and play hard.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World's Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!
