USSSA Baseball
Usssa baseball tournaments began after the softball league had thought upon something for the men as well. This was the year 1968. The association was struggling and it soon found itself lacking the funds to cover its expenses. Something had to be done. Well, an effort was made and it paid off after a while. People were appealed to and different trusts were entreated to give in the way of sportsman spirit. Standing for the Unites States Slow Pitch Softball Association, the USSSA did what it could for a variety of games including baseball, basketball, karate and football.
Usssa youth baseball began not long after its inception. The young were clamoring for attention and had to be catered to. There was a sign of good taste in them and they formed the future so they obviously could not be ignored. First the age limit was fixed but then it was raised to include teenagers. It was a matter of time before all the kids and gangly youth were playing in the fields. Now there was nothing which could come in the way of the young playing for the sake of play alone.
Starting a usssa youth baseball team was a difficult task at first. The young ones were anti-authoritarian and lacked discipline. They had to be trained right from the beginning to the end of the game. Everything from how to swing the bat to how to catch a baseball were brought into full view. As demonstrations followed lectures the kids learnt so much valuable stuff that they began to play beautifully.
Usssa baseball players are no hoods or meanies. They are gentlemen and sophisticated outclass individuals. A lot has gone into the grooming of each player. From how they comb their hair to what color socks they wear…everything is considered and not just the playing style. The required acumen from them is so much that many are weeded out at the beginning of the tests. But many make it too into the final selection round. Then it is up to the selection committee to choose which ones are it and which ones just sit.
In usssa baseball tournaments + 14 year old boy can play provided he meets the difficult demands. It is no easy task mind you. The level of skill and superiority is so mind boggling that many a cock of the walk has given up by raising his hands in despair when the going gets tough. But it is precisely when the going gets tough that the tough get going and in fact get downright rough. The craftiness of action and playing ability of heroes that is standard procedure on the field in the usssa makes one want to beat one’s head against a wall. It is painstakingly and excruciatingly difficult to accomplish. So much so that were the best of the best chosen to lead the way 90% of them would still get rejected at the end.
So there you have it. A league that is in a league of its own. A wonderful association meant to be praised by all who come upon it. It follows ethical standards and doesn’t throw in the towel when it comes to competition. Just the way things ought to be.