An Abbreviated History Of OASA

 The Oklahoma Amateur Softball Association began January 1969 with Joe Candy of Norman, Ok. attending the ASA National Convention to found OASA as a new ASA area apart from Oklahoma City Metro area.

The spring of 1969 Joe Candy, the first state commissioner, held the first state meeting in Norman with attendees from Norman and Stillwater. Some of the original attendees from Stillwater were Ben Bunch, Virgil Ackerson, Dixie King, and Moose Greenwalt. Joe started out with less than 75 teams and explained the state system to almost 250 teams.

 Jack Vermier of Stillwater took over as the 2nd State Commissioner in 1972.

James Foiles replaced Jack in 1974 as the 3rd state Commissioner. James expanded the state system to over 1400 teams and 500 umpires. Before leaving for California in 1981, James set up a committee to develop the OASA Hall of Fame. The committee met the spring of 1980 in OKC at the Lincoln Plaza Boulevard Restaurant. The original committee was Jerry Harper, Virgil Ackerson, and Dave Drennan. On March 29, 1981 the new OASA Hall of Fame was adopted. The first class of Hall of Famers included James Foiles (Commissioner), Duncan Optimist Club (Meritorious Service), and Lavelle (Bugs) Boyden (Umpire).

The 4th and present State Commissioner was Dr. Virgil Ackerson who was appointed Fall 1981. The support staff included Ben Bunch, State President, James White, JO Commissioner and Darrell Weeks, UIC. From 1981 on the OASA has only had one State President; three JO Commissioners (Terry Ratzlaff and present commissioner Jo Ann McGuire); and three UIC (Rocky Arrington and present UIC Ron Mueller). The continuity has paid off by increasing team registrations from 1400 to 4400 teams in 1999. The team participation in championship play has increased from 40-50 youth teams to 300+ youth teams. The adult participation has increased from 100 adult teams to 400 + adult teams. This can be attributed to the expansion of post season tournaments. The OASA offers 20 adult and 38 youth districts or qualifiers. These teams can qualify for 25 youth and 18 adult state championships. The state also host many regional tournaments, national qualifiers, and national tournaments.

Any additions or corrections to this rambling history may be made to vackerso@nocaxp.north-ok.edu