The geographical area of the United States and particularly California is divided into territories that are referred to as State/Associations. Each Association is represented by a Commissioner who acts as a liaison between their Association and the National Office of the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA).

The Commissioner is assisted by a Junior Olympic Commissioner and various deputies in order to better serve the Junior Olympic community.

Our Association, Greater San Joaquin Softball Association (GSJSA), includes the City of Stockton, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Amador and Calaveras counties.

What is the ASA?

The Amateur Softball Association of America is an independent and unique organization. It is one of the largest and fastest growing amateur sports associations in America today. Its membership is comprised of men, women, girls and boys who are dedicated to amateur sports. More than 40 million adults and youngsters play annually in the United States some form of competitive and recreational softball and the majority of them play ASA softball. Softball is the largest team participation sport in the U.S.A.

An investment for softball's future. That is the byword of the Amateur Softball Association's Junior Olympic Program, one of the largest youth programs in the United States.

Through this program, youngsters 8 to 18 years of age are introduced to the great game of softball . . . the game for everyone and the No. 1 team participant sport in the United States.

In playing softball, youngsters learn sportsmanship, the benefits of keeping physically fit and esprit de corps while, at the same time, developing their own abilities and personalities to the fullest.

And, most of all, this is a program that is fun. The element that makes youth sports "fun" is participation. And each year more than one million youngsters participate in ASA Junior Olympic Softball. This participation helps lead to a positive attitude towards sports.

Youngsters compete in league play, ASA sanctioned invitations and championship tournaments in both fast pitch and slow pitch at the end of the season. The ASA conducts 17 J. O. national championships each year.

Once involved with the ASA Junior Olympic Program, youngsters will experience the thrill and excitement of competition that will carry them through into adulthood.