The snow is finally almost gone and ASA coed games start this week with full schedules of ASA and NSA games next week. Get a leg up by visiting The Cage before your season starts. They're currently open:

3-8pm...........Monday through Friday
Noon - 8pm...Saturday
Noon - 6pm...Sunday

Also teams can reserve time by calling 344-7628, 1/2 hour is $20, 1 hour is $35.

One mile south of Dimond on King Street.

Anchorage Sports is offering two new leagues this summer, here are the details:
Mens Masters: 6 teams of 40+ players. Must turn 40 in the 2008 calendar year to qualify.
Wood Bat League: 6 teams that want to play using wood bats exclusively.

If you may be interested in playing or putting together a team please call Don Brooks at 562-1504.

Here are the two 2008 changes to the rules that will affect Alaska softball the most:
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Rule 3, Section 1 G: The bat barrel shall be free of audible rattles when shaken. The bat barrel shall not have signs of excessive wear.
Comment: Bat manufacturers suggested that this rule would help identify bats that have started to break down internally.
- - - -
Rule 8, Section 4 F: Slow Pitch Change Women's Open to Women's Slow Pitch
Comment: ALL women's slow pitch classifications are allowed to steal
- - - -
A full list of changes can be found here.

Last week was the opening of The Dome and the start of indoor softball in Anchorage. Check out the 6 team Coed and 6 team Men's league results on the AnchorTown league page.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association will hold its Coaches College in Anchorage October 26-28.

The deadline for early registration is October 12 (save $25 off the registration fee).

The first forty registered Alaska coaches receive a $100 scholarship.

Course 402 - “Advanced Analysis of Hitting, Pitching & Short Game Skills”
October 26-28, 2007
University of Alaska - Anchorage

Instructors: Kirk Walker, head coach at Oregon State University; Margie Wright, head coach at Fresno State University; and Cindy Bristow, former ISF Director of Development

Course Overview: This course teaches coaches how to analyze and teach fundamental individual skills. Coaches will learn and examine:
- The mechanics of hitting, pitching, bunting and slapping;
- Skills through video and photo analysis;
- Tips and adjustments to hit a variety of pitches thrown to a variety of locations; and

Our annual Labor Day tournament is right around the corner, we already have one team from Dawson, Canada signed up and ready to make the trip. Here are the details for this year's tournament:
Sept. 1 & 2 at Cartee Complex in Anchorage; $250 AND five game guarantee

* * * * * Three levels coed of play * * * * *
Open: Put together a team, they just need to be registered in ASA or NSA in Coed, Mens or Womens. 3 home runs and Progressive
Coed D: Use your D team roster and add up to 4 Coed players, 2 can be from Coed C. 2 home runs and progressive
Coed E: Use your E team roster and add up to 4 Coed players, 2 can be from Coed D. 1 home runs and progressive

Call Anchorage Sports at 907-562-1504 to register
Deadline is NOON Aug. 29

We are shooting for 6+ teams in each division, Open, D and E/Rec.

Hope to see you there!