All posts by Christian Smith

NCSA ANNUAL LEAGUE MEETING

The NCSA Annual League Meeting is set for August 13th, 2024 at 7:00pm EST on the NCSA Facebook Page.  This meeting is extremely important for all club softball teams to attend.  We go over a lot of great information, it’s interactive and we will have a discussion about rules for the upcoming season.  It is certainly your chance to have your voice heard.  Click HERE for the official invitation with all the details.

Make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 13th at 7:00pm EST.  The meeting will happen LIVE on the NCSA Facebook Page.

NCSA PARTNERS WITH NFCA!

The NCSA partnered with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for the 2024-2025 season.  This partnership will run through the 2026-2027 season.  The NFCA (www.nfca.org) is the premier “one-stop-shop” organization in the sport of fastpitch softball.

There are many services offered to the membership, highlighted by education, events, awards and networking opportunities.  Education remains the top priority featuring a grassroots Coaching Tools Package compiled of practice plans, drills, evaluation forms.  The NFCA also disseminates podcasts, forums, a video vault, virtual coaches clinics, webinars, a mentoring program, publications, a drills database and accurate credible information surrounding the sport. Learn more about the NFCA here: https://nfca.org/pages/about-nfca.

“The NCSA has experienced tremendous growth over the past 2 decades with more and more student athletes looking to continue their fastpitch softball careers at the college level,” said NCSA President & CEO, Sandy Sanderson.  “This partnership with the NFCA will create opportunities for our club softball coaches to enhance their team’s skills development, while also providing a pathway for our players to become coaches themselves following their playing careers.”

The NCSA is so excited to be partnered with the NFCA this year and providing our coaches a 1-year complimentary membership (normally $60).  NCSA presidents/coaches will now be able to access countless education pieces the NFCA has to offer.  They can take these offerings, utilize them, and make their team that much better!

NFCA Executive Director, Carol Bruggeman had this to say about the partnership.  “I would like to thank the NCSA for making a huge commitment to their softball coaches by offering a membership to our Association.  Everyone wins with this new initiative. NCSA coaches will have access to relevant NFCA benefits and the NCSA will help grow the sport of softball. Special thanks to NCSA CEO Sandy Sanderson, Vice President Christian Smith, and NFCA Director of Membership Paula Blumenschein for their efforts in bringing this initiative to life.”

Team presidents/coaches will be emailed individually with instructions on how to set up their complimentary NFCA membership account.

Any questions regarding this partnership can be directed to NCSA Vice President of Softball Operations, Christian Smith.

SAVANNAH AHRENS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

For the last few years, the NCSA has awarded the “Savannah Ahrens Award” to an individual who has distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior.  Past award recipients are Sacred Heart’s Kassidy Pratt, Michigan State’s Claudia Rea, U.S. Naval Academy’s Jackie McNulla and Northern Arizona’s Mikayla Kea.

Savannah dedicated well over a decade to the NCSA, first as a player then most recently as the Vice-President of Operations.  In January of 2022, Savanah made the difficult but honorable decision to retire from the NCSA to spend more time with her young family.  That being said, without Savannah’s dedication, commitment and enthusiasm, the NCSA would not be where it is today.  That is why we are honored to name this distinguished award after her.

In order to nominate a player for the Savannah Ahrens Award, please email a testimonial (500 words maximum) to Christian Smith at [email protected] by the deadline of Sunday, July 14th.  Information to include in the testimonial is detailed in the nomination form.

UNIV. OF MISSOURI JOINES FOR 24/25

The University of Missouri officially joined the NCSA for the 2024-2025 season! The NCSA is excited to welcome the Tigers who join Washington University in St. Louis, Youngstown State University, University of St. Thomas, Yale University, University of New Mexico and Nova Southeastern University as the new teams for ’24-’25 thus far.

New teams are welcome to join the NCSA through July 31st.  If your team is interested in joining the NCSA for next season, contact Christian Smith today!

JUNE TOP 10

To conclude the NCSA Division 2 season, we have one final Top 10 to show how the NCSA D2 season will conclude! UW-Whitewater won the NCSA D2 National Championship against Salisbury! A huge congratulations to all NCSA Division 2 teams on a very successful first season at the Division 2 level this year has exceeded our expectations, and we will have to set the bar higher for next season! Overall congratulations to all teams who participated int he NCSA Division 2 World Series and this season, it would not have been possible without your hard work!

MAY TOP 10

Rawlings May Top 10

It is World Series time! The May Top 10 is very important as we will use this Top 10 is used to help seed our 4 teams for the World Series! As you can see, we have a lot of movement with a new #1 seed, Stevenson University, this team is strong and will not back down to any opponent!  Following 7 points behind is UW-Whitewater they received the most amount of #1 votes but not enough to beat Stevenson. UW-W is a team who has stayed in the top 5 for majority of the season. Salisbury University is the #4 seed, Salisbury was the first team to join the NCSA D2 and the first season to play together. Those are not the only firsts for Salisbury they are also going to the World Series for the first time ever! Sacred Heart D2 is the #5 seed not only have they had an amazing season they deserved this spot in the World Series!

To follow along all things NCSA D2 World Series click HERE.

 

Next poll 6/5/24

NEW TEAM REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 24/25 SEASON!

The NCSA has opened New Team Registration for the 2024-2025 NCSA season.  New teams can be guaranteed a spot in the NCSA if they sign up on or before July 31st.

In order to join new teams need to sign the League Participation Agreement and pay the one-time new team registration fee.

If your team is interested in joining the NCSA for next season, contact VP of Softball Operations, Lacie Lautner today!

WASHINGTON UNIV. IN ST. LOUIS JOINS

With the Early Registration Discount ending on April 15th, Washington University in St. Louis took advantage of the New Team Fee savings and officially joined the NCSA for the 2024-2025 season! The NCSA is excited to welcome the Bears who join Youngstown State University, University of St. Thomas, Yale University, University of New Mexico and Nova Southeastern University as the new teams for ’24-’25.

No worries if you missed this early sign up period – new teams are welcome to join the NCSA through July 31st.  If your team is interested in joining the NCSA for next season, contact Christian Smith today!

APRIL TOP 10

April showers are bringing a lot of movement to the NCSA D2 Top 10. Fairfield standing strong at the #1 seed they are not moving as they have just clinched a playoff spot as well! Following behind is UW-Whitewater at #2 also clinching a playoff spot for District 4! Stevenson #3 a strong team who is one to keep your eyes on this playoff run in District 2. At the #10 seed we have a new team to the NCSA and the Top 10 UTC. To see a brand-new team earn a top 10 spot at this time in the season is very impressive!

 

Next poll: 5/2/24

 

 

YOUNGSTOWN STATE JOINS FOR ’24-’25

With the EXTRA Early Registration Discount ending on March 15th, Youngstown State University took advantage of the New Team Fee savings and officially joined the NCSA for the 2024-2025 season! The NCSA is excited to welcome the Penguins who join the University of St. Thomas, Yale University, University of New Mexico and Nova Southeastern University as the new teams for ’24-’25.

No worries if you missed this period – we will be having an Early Registration Discount from now until April 15th 2024, with 25% off our New Team Fee – a savings of $100! If your team is interested in joining the NCSA for next season, contact our Director of Team Development Melanie Tunkey today!