About NAFA

History of NAFA...How it all started...

  The North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) annually hosts the largest men’s fastpitch softball tournament in the world. This incredible fastpitch organization was founded in Chicago in March of 1993 by Pat Bucknell, Jim Williamson, Loren Lathrop, Ronn Kopp, Dale Van Houten, Roger Regez, Milt Waschow and Bill Musolf. It was founded by and for fastpitch players to serve the fastpitch community of North America.

   We are in forty states, six Canadian Provices, and Mexico. In our World Series we have had players from all over the world including New Zealand, Argentina, Australia and Japan. The World Series has grown from 61 teams in 1993 to an expected record of  over 160 teams this year in Des Moines, Iowa. It has been held in Crystal Lake, IL, Salt Lake Ciy, UT, Hutchinson, KS, Salem, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Fargo, ND, and Eau Claire, WI,  Mankato, Minnesota and Appleton-Kimberly, Wisconsin.

   The 2007 World Series will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, August 16-26 for all but the Major/Open Division which will be in Madison, Wisconsin on July 27-29. The Masters World Series is being held in two locations for all classes, one being held in Carson City, NV, September 15-16, 2007 and in Northern Illinois September 8-9, 2007. The 2008 World Series has been awarded to Mankato, Minnesota with the 2009 World Series being awarded to Appleton-Kimberly, Wisconsin and 2010 Bid presentations will be made at this year’s World Series. We have the most extensive men’s fastpitch database in the world with over 2,000 teams. Our major sponsors are Worth, DeMarini, Createch, Fastpitch Express, Pepsi, Awards by Wilson, and Delp’s Awards. We promote men’s fastpitch year round.

Philosophies that made us #1...

  NAFA is an international organization run by fastpitch people to help all levels of men’s fastpitch teams and especially those teams at the A, A-Major and AA levels of play.

  The founding principles (which still ring true today are

1) No Time Limit

2) No Tie Breaker

3) Use a real FP Ball

4) Have an enforceable pitching rule

5) Play on real FP fields with homerun fences at proper distances

6) Provide an early method of qualifying for the World Series by allowing enough time to raise money and plan a quality trip

7) Provide a unique 3 Game Guarantee Bracket so that teams could stay longer and enjoy the World Series.

  Our mission has always been to provide a set of rules to help the game and promote the sport.

Qualifing for the NAFA World Series...

  Over time we have adjusted our qualifying method to allow any team that plays in a sanctioned NAFA Tournament or League to attend the World Series in all states but Wisconsin and Minnesota who have healthy grass roots programs, large state tournaments and have developed their own qualifying method. Any Team or Tournament Director can sanction a league or tournament with NAFA for $25. If no qualifier or league exists in your area (especially for Open and AAA teams) they can receive a direct berth from the Executive Director.

Today‘s Leadership...

  The organization is led by Executive Director Benjie Hedgecock, who assumed those duties September 1, 2003 from NAFA’s founders Pat Bucknell and Jim Williamson, who still both serve as Director’s Emeriti for NAFA.  NAFA has a 13 person Executive Board and has State Directors in most states and Canada. Our International Umpire Staff is recognized as one of the best in the World. We work closely with the ASA,  ISC and Softball Canada. See our Contact List of Directors which is extensive.

Today’s Challenges...Team Classification, etc...

  The greatest challenge NAFA faces is the classification of teams. Fortunately we have had success compared to other organizations in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 in classifying teams with the help of our State Directors, our National Classification Committee and our Executive Board. Getting new players into the sport, having an aging sport and finding playing facilities for leagues & tournaments continue to be top challenges as well.