SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
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Fun, Healthy & Social: Softball's Triple Play PONY Softball www.sportseventsmagazine.com No matter what characteristics you're looking for in a sport, chances are softball has it. "Baseball has always been known as the American pastime, but we've always said softball is the game America plays," said Ron Radigonda, executive director of ASA (Amateur Softball Association)/USA Softball, the national governing body of softball. "Softball has many levels of participation and disciplines, from fast pitch to slow pitch, so it's a game that's playable for anyone who chooses to play." One of the top attractions of the sport is, of course, its social appeal. "Softball gives you an opportunity to play in a friendly team environment, and that's one reason it attracts so many players," Radigonda said. "Slow pitch softball for adults is one of the few truly co-ed games that can be played where men and women are competing on the same field. An office group can get together and play co-ed; softball has so many social aspects." Another positive attribute of softball, noted Radigonda, is the many health benefits the game offers in a relatively short period of time. "Softball is a fun, recreational activity that can get people outdoors and competing in a game that doesn't take a whole lot of time," he said. "A normal softball game lasts about one hour and 10 minutes. So it's something in this fast-paced life that allows us to get out and socialize while allowing a great opportunity to exercise and take care of our physical well being." Organizers for the sport are making sure to stay on top of their game when it comes to promoting and growing the sport. PONY Softball recently approved the addition of 20 new events to its roster, giving its 100,000 players more opportunity to get involved, said Abraham Key, president and CEO of PONY Softball. "We have events going on all the time, and our members love the new events that were recently approved." ASA/USA Softball currently has more than 1 million players ages 18 and under and more than 1.2 million adult players. And, while the organization isn't experiencing much growth right now—membership ➤ 2014 Baseball/Softball Sourcebook 7