Major League Softball Association operations are very similar to that of Minor League Baseball.  It is not like the Major or Super Major amateur level of softball where the Players on those teams live in different cities across the country and travel separately to the tournament city each weekend.

Players must live within close proximity of where the MLSA Club is located.  The entire Club travels together to the away games.  In addition to player salaries - transportation, hotel accommodations and meal money is provided by each MLSA Club.
 
MLSA Players and MLSA Clubs are expected to be involved with their community - this includes charity work, softball clinics, fundraisers for various charitable organizations and other selected worthy causes, etc.  This is another reason why Players must reside within close proximity to where the Club is located during the season.

Players are required to practice with the Club during the week in the evenings.  Mondays are usually an off day and practice is held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  Players not on the Disabled List (DL)  MUST be available for all practices and all games, both home and on the road.

Players are considered full-time but are permitted to have day jobs ** - we highly recommend Players to work four, 10 hour workdays if at all possible, Monday through Thursday.  Some road trips may begin on Thursday evenings or early Friday morning depending on how far the Club must travel and mode of transportation. 

**   This is scheduled to change after the second season because the MLSA intends to play both home and away games during the week as well as on the weekends.   After the second year, Players will not be permitted to have other jobs during the season. 

What is the business structure of the MLSA?

The MLSA has 11 full time employees in addition to an Executive Committee consisting of 5 MLSA employees, a 7 Member Board of Directors, including three outside Directors, and a 30 Member Board of Governors. 
(see MLSA Staff & Organizational Structure for complete details)

Is each Club independently owned or are the Clubs owned by the MLSA?

Each Club in the MLSA is independently owned.  Ownership can be 1 person or a group.  Ownership and management structure of an MLSA Club is very similar to that of a major league or minor league baseball team.  The MLSA serves as the governing body that oversees its Member Clubs.

What are the requirements for a group or individual to own a Club in the MLSA?

This will vary depending on the specific group or individual but all must meet certain eligibility requirements.  This includes, but is not limited to, net worth, business background, sports background and proposed management structure.

What does it cost to own a Club in the MLSA?

The cost of a Club in the MLSA is $375,000.00.

What is the operating budget for a Club in the MLSA?

The operating budget for a Club in 2011 is between $950,000 and $1,200,000.  The total operating budget is dependent, in part, upon the size of the Club’s support staff and mode of transportation for road games in addition to other various factors.

Are their cost models or guidelines for this operating budget?

Yes.  A very detailed and comprehensive document titled MLSA Club Operating Budget Guidelines is given to all Club Owners.

Are there guidelines to follow for the operation of a Club in the MLSA?

Yes.  There is an extremely comprehensive Operations Manual with all the forms, documents and procedures required to successfully operate a Club in the MLSA and to insure uniformity throughout the league.  We have tried to create a complete, turn-key product for the Club Owners.  Club Owners are required to operate their Club based on the MLSA Membership Agreement.

Are there any restrictions regarding the naming of a Club in the MLSA?

Clubs in the MLSA must use the name of the city or state in their name.  Many Clubs will have a contest to assist them in coming up with a name for their Club.  Clubs are not permitted to have a company name as part of their name. 

Is there a salary cap in the MLSA?

Yes.  There is a hard salary cap and it will be strictly enforced.  We believe that this will make all Clubs in the MLSA competitive with one another.

How many players are on a Club?

Clubs have an Active Roster of 16 players under contract.  There is also a Developmental Squad of 10 additional players; they are not under contract but are required to practice with the Club.  If an Active Roster player is injured and placed on the DL a player from the Developmental Squad will sign a contract and be on the active roster for a limited time.  Clubs are required to have 16 active players on their roster at all times.

How does the MLSA plan to procure its players?

The MLSA has had over 100 inquiries from current or former players in minor league baseball and more than 300 inquiries from Division 1 and 2 college baseball programs.  Players are also scouted at our Combines around the country.  Many players have also registered with the MLSA Wire Service (Player Database). Individual Clubs will conduct both “open” and “invitation only” tryouts next spring.

What type of Owner is the MLSA looking for?

Owners will come from current and retired professional athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs and executives from all types of business backgrounds.  They will all share a passion for the sport of slow-pitch softball and realize that it is time for this sport to take the stage on the professional level.

We encourage and prefer Club Ownership to consist of a group of owners.

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MLSA FAN FORUM

The Major League Softball Association would like to hear from you! 

Our fans are extremely important to us and your opinons do count!  We consider all of our fans a top priority and we take all of your comments very seriously.  Please comment on anything you like... the game concept, the rules, what you would like to see the MLSA accomplish - anything at all.   Send an email to MLSA27@aol.com  and write "Fan Forum" in the subject line. 

All Fan Forum Submissions must contain the following information:

Name
City and State
Telephone Number with Area Code 

Note:  All submissions will be verified for authenticity

If you write to us at Fan Forum we reserve the right to place your information on our website and to edit all submissions.   Please be sure to include your first and last name, the city and state in which you reside, and a telephone number where you can be reached as all submissions require verification. 

Thank you for your interest in the MLSA!

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Cary Townsend of Orlando, Florida writes:

I was surprised at the quick response to my questions.  I really do believe it when the MLSA says its fans are a top priority.  Well done!


Barry Kinchen of East Lansing, Michigan writes:

This has been a hot topic of conversation in Michigan.  Players and fans of the sport can't wait to see this take off.  Please consider putting video highlights of the Player Combines and Exhibition Tour on your website.


Patrick Bennett of Austin , Texas writes:

This will be a great game to watch!  Playing in this type of stadium will finally bring respect to the game of slow-pitch softball.  Only real athletes will be able to play in the MLSA.  No overweight players who can't do anything but hit home runs.  Players in this league will have to play defense - it's about time!


Brett Tomlinson of Detroit, Michigan writes:

The MLSA will finally break the stereotype that softball is for older men who aren't athletic enough to play pro ball.  Congratulations!


Jack Hauschultz of Bay Village, Ohio writes:

Softball will now be taken more seriously on the national level and should develop into an excellent spectator sport.


Kurt Stovall of Cherry Hill, New Jersey writes:

I sincerely hope that players in the MLSA will be team oriented, unselfish, hard working and very athletic.  You have a great opportunity here to develop a professional sport the way it should be operated  - low ticket prices, fan friendly players, no multi-year, guaranteed contracts and NO player's union that has destroyed just about every professional sport in this country!


Robert Antoine of Pensacola, Florida writes:

This is a great idea.  Pensacola, Florida would welcome major league slow pitch softball with open arms.  We have an independent baseball team here and major league slow pitch softball could just add to the great area we have here for baseball and softball.  Plus a new waterfront ballpark has just been approved.  So please bring your league to Pensacola, Florida.  Home of the great weather and great beaches.  Hope to see you soon.


Cliff Hansen of Las Vegas, Nevada writes:

This is a great idea.  I have been trying to get some of our teams to try this here in Las Vegas for over 10 years but no one thinks it will work.  I sure hope you can get it to fly because I think it will add the elements that the game has been missing for too long.  The tech level of our equipment has out produced the game so far and we need to move to bigger fields just to save lives.  This format of the game promises speed, lively play and the rebirth of defense as a deciding factor and not just long bombs off the bat.  It also makes all 10 players on defense instrumental to the game.  The catcher is no longer a guy you can pull out of the stands to fill in.  He has a legit job.  I really hope you can make this work.  Don't forget to come to Vegas to check out some of the talent.  We have some strong players here that can compete both defensively and offensively.


Darren Maitland of Richmond, Virginia writes:

Players in the MLSA will all be great athletes.  The emphasis on speed and defense is just what this game needs.  There will be no way to "hide" a player in this league!  With the bat technology today this game needs to be played in baseball stadiums. 


Larry Bettinger of Framingham, Massachusetts writes:

This should be an awesome sport to watch.  No more Home Run Derby with guys playing on small fields with a .52 COR (or higher) ball!  All the players in this league will have to have superb skills in every aspect of this game.


Tom Davis of Boise, Idaho writes:

This sounds really exciting.  It is about time slow-pitch softball made it to the professional level.  I look forward to hearing more about the MLSA in the upcoming months.


Nathan Mueller of East Lansing, Michigan writes:

I hope there will be a team in Michigan.  We love our softball here and I know you would have a great fan base here.


Steve Cisneros of Marietta, Georgia writes:

What a fantastic concept you have developed to take this sport to the pro ranks.  I really like the way this game will be played.  REAL athletes will be needed to play this brand of softball!


Kathy Whitmire of Bridgeport, Connecticut writes:

Since my husband read your press release and then your website he and his friends have talked about nothing else!  They can't wait to see where all the teams will be located. 


Dan Richards of Dallas, Texas writes:

This is awesome.  This is long overdue and with the way you have "designed" your type of game it will be a very exciting game to watch.


Kevin Truitt of Rancho Mirage, California writes:

What a great concept to play the game of slow-pitch softball this way.  The only break in the action will be between innings.  California has an ubelievable amount of rabid softball fans and they will love to watch this.


Stu Kellerman of Glendale, Arizona writes:

This will be a great game to watch.  There will be plenty of excitement associated with this game the way you are going to play it.  I am sure the team here will have a tremendous fan following. 


Jackie Steadman of Lexington, Kentucky writes:

Great job guys.  In the old days Kentucky had a professional softball team and it was very popular.  The style of play in the MLSA will make it even more popular because you will have top athletes competing for a spot on each roster.  No more one dimensional players - players will have to be great in all phases of the game.

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CONTACT US

The Major League Softball Association welcomes your questions, comments and suggestions. If you would like to have your comments appear on our website then please go to our Fan Forum section. If you would like to keep your questions, comments and suggestions confidential then please email us at MLSA27@aol.com.  Please be sure to include the topic of what you are writing about in the subject line so it can be forwarded to the proper MLSA Staff Member for the appropriate response or action.  Be sure to include your name, city, state, and telephone number for verification purposes.

Thank you for your interest in the Major League Softball Association! 

        MLSA..... A GREAT NEW GAME!