Val Lewis: Co-Founder of FastballBSF

Have you ever dreamed of playing a seven inning baseball game in an hour and fifteen minutes, on a softball sized field that will also enhance your baseball skills?  Well, stop dreaming…now you can!   It’s called FastballBSF…Baseball on a Softball Field, and will be coming to your town soon.

FastballBSF is the brainchild of long-time baseball entrepreneurs Steve Sigler and Val Lewis. Both had independently thought of the idea of playing a baseball game on a softball field for years, and one day while discussing ideas of how to attract more young men and adults to continue playing baseball, the idea was born. Steve named the game Fastball and arranged for Rawlings to develop the ball, and Val began developing and testing the concept of utilizing the more plentiful softball fields that would draw participants back to their childhood roots. They decided the game had to be fast, safe, challenging, play like baseball, but not be pitcher-dominated. The United States Fastball Association, a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt corporation was then formed to be the national governing body of FastballBSF. After a number of iterations that at one time utilized a sophisticated radar unit (which was ultimately abandoned) the game has been tested in league and tournament settings, and is now ready for national competition.

The game has attracted the attention of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). They have included FastballBSF under their banner as the perfect alternative to slow-pitch softball for those who want a more challenging game, and not pitcher-dominated typical with fast-pitch softball. With ASA, the game has an immediate national infrastructure.  The ASA umpires association is in place all over the country and will be handling all officiating duties. There is an annual FastballBSF/ASA joint registration/insurance fee of $20/player that provides general liability and up to $250,000 second tier accident medical insurance during each calendar year.  This membership/insurance policy is provided through ASA’s premier insurance provider, Bollinger Insurance.

The game features wood bats (Haag Bat Company - national sponsor: www.haagbatco.com) ; a special reduced- injury-Factor (RIF) 9.5” ball; batters start with a 1 and 1 count; adult pitchers pitch from 60 feet; 10 seconds between pitches; 1 minute between innings; two youth and multiple adult age divisions; Father/Son Division; 3 ability divisions (Recreation, Competitive, Elite); no breaking pitches (curves, etc.) are allowed in the Recreation and Competitive levels, but are allowed in the Elite Division.

Check out more features and watch a video presentation at www.usfastball.com.  People interested in learning more and being involved can email jdills@usfastball.com or call Jim Dills at 530-676-3791.  ASA/FastballBSF is searching for local League Presidents in most areas.