Independent Softball Association
Encyclopedia
The Independent Softball Association (ISA) is one of four governing bodies
for softball
in North America
. The ISA was founded by Larry Nash with the help of his wife Connie, in 1984 in Shelbyville, Tennessee
. The headquarters moved to Winter Haven, Florida
in 1997 and to Bartow, Florida
in 2007.
’s existing softball organizations. Then after many years of enjoying the sport, Nash decided he had ideas to help make softball even more fun and enjoyable and formed the Independent Softball Association.
From the first tournament with sixty-four teams and the association's first national tournament in Conyers, Georgia
that saw sixteen teams, the growth began. Nash worked around the clock balancing an insurance agency, a life, a home and a growing softball association for ten years until 1994 when Nash’s health came into play. That’s when long time softball player, enthusiasts, sponsor and businessman Bill Ruth of Washington State University
stepped in. Ruth had come across the possible sale of the ISA and figured with his love of the sport and his knowledge of business, this could work and actually acquired the association amidst some other business dealings.
Late in the 1990s the association expanded into Youth Fast Pitch
and followed that expansion with the addition of Modified Pitch. In 2007 the association began its new baseball
program. In October 2007, Don Stratton of Florida was named the new CEO.
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
for softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The ISA was founded by Larry Nash with the help of his wife Connie, in 1984 in Shelbyville, Tennessee
Shelbyville, Tennessee
Shelbyville is a city in Bedford County, Tennessee, United States. It had a local population of 16,105 residents at the 2000 census. Shelbyville, the county seat of Bedford County, was laid out in 1810 and incorporated in 1819...
. The headquarters moved to Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
in 1997 and to Bartow, Florida
Bartow, Florida
Bartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
in 2007.
History
First introduced to softball in 1967, Nash was hooked from his first game. After years of playing, Nash decided that although he may have lost a step or two in the game, he still had much to offer the game of softball in the form of coaching and organizing teams. He managed a local team for a while and also became a director for one of TennesseeTennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
’s existing softball organizations. Then after many years of enjoying the sport, Nash decided he had ideas to help make softball even more fun and enjoyable and formed the Independent Softball Association.
From the first tournament with sixty-four teams and the association's first national tournament in Conyers, Georgia
Conyers, Georgia
Conyers is the only city in Rockdale County, Georgia, USA. It is twenty-four miles east of Atlanta. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,689. Census estimates of 2005 indicate a population of 12,205. The city is the county seat of Rockdale County. By 2009, the reported population was...
that saw sixteen teams, the growth began. Nash worked around the clock balancing an insurance agency, a life, a home and a growing softball association for ten years until 1994 when Nash’s health came into play. That’s when long time softball player, enthusiasts, sponsor and businessman Bill Ruth of Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
stepped in. Ruth had come across the possible sale of the ISA and figured with his love of the sport and his knowledge of business, this could work and actually acquired the association amidst some other business dealings.
Late in the 1990s the association expanded into Youth Fast Pitch
Fastpitch softball
Fast-pitch softball is a form of softball played commonly by women and men, though coed fast-pitch leagues also exist. The International Softball Federation is the international governing body of softball...
and followed that expansion with the addition of Modified Pitch. In 2007 the association began its new baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
program. In October 2007, Don Stratton of Florida was named the new CEO.