The National Softball Hall of Fame honors individuals for their accomplishments to the sport of softball. Each year the National Softball Hall of Fame inducts members in numerous categories based on their accomplishments or contributions to the game of softball.
NATIONAL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME
Qualifications & Procedures
Categories & Requirements
In order to be selected as a commissioner, a commissioner must meet the following criteria:
- (1) The nominee must have been a commissioner for fifteen (15) years.
- (2) The nominee must have served in some of the following areas:
- Served as Regional Director
- Served as Chair or Vice-Chair of a National Committee
- Hosted National Championship Finals
- Any special recognition received and/or other services to humanity.
In order to be selected as a Head Coach, a coach must meet the following criteria:
- (1) The nominee must have been the head coach of a national team (Team USA) for a period of five (5) years.
- (2) The nominee must have won a minimum of two (2) WBSC approved International Championship events (World Championships, World Cups, International Cups, Border Battles and/or Olympic Games.
In order to be selected as a manager, a manger must meet the following criteria:
- (1) The nominee must have managed/coached for a period of fifteen (15) years.
- (2) The nominee must have managed/coached in five (5) National Championships.
- (3) The nominee must have been retired at least three (3) years from major Championship Play.
This nominee’s contributions to softball must have made an impact at the national level and can include any combination of the above categories. In addition, years of service, being an organizer-builder of softball and financial contributions to the sport are also considered.
All players who competed at the National Championship play in fast pitch, slow pitch and modified pitch or have represented the United States as a member of a USA Softball National Team can be nominated for the Hall of Fame. Players must get at least 75 percent (nine) of the votes cast by the 12-member Hall of Fame.
Qualifications:
a. Fast Pitch. The minimum requirements for consideration are three selections as an All-American including at least one selection to the First Team or three selections as a member of Team USA or any combination of the three. NOTE: The selection process developed by a joint venture of USA Softball and the approval of the United States Olympic Committee must be utilized in selecting the national team. Multiple selections to Team USA during the same year will be limited to one (1) per season in determining eligibility for Hall of Fame induction.
b. Slow Pitch. The minimum requirements for consideration are three selections as an All-American including at least one selection to the First Team or three selections as a member of Team USA or any combination of the three.
In order to be selected as a sponsor/team, a sponsor/team must meet the following criteria:
- (1) The sponsor nominee must have sponsored a team (s) for ten (10) years.
- (2) The sponsor nominee must have sponsored a team (s) who participated in four (4) National Championship Finals.The team nominee must have participated in four (4) National Championship Finals.
Umpire: In order to be selected as an umpire, an umpire must meet the following criteria:
- (1) The nominee must have umpired fifteen (15) years.
- (2) The nominee must have umpired in three (3) USA Softball National Championships, at least one at the highest available classification.
- (3) The nominee must have been retired at least three (3) years from major competition.
NOMINATION QUESTIONS
Email: HOF@usasoftball.com
405-425-3430
learn more about tHE PROCESS
Nominations can be made by Commissioners, Past Presidents, Council Members, or a Commissioner Emeritus. No more than two (2) nominations per year can be made by these individuals.
All nominations should be submitted to the USA Softball National Office by September 1. Qualified nominations will be considered by the USA Softball Hall of Fame Committee at the USA Softball Annual Meeting.
If you are interested in learning more about the nomination process or wish to nominate someone for the National Softball Hall of Fame, please reach out to your state/metro association Commissioner to coordinate the completion of the nomination form/packet.
Factual and detailed information must be presented to the committee before a candidate can be accepted. Scrapbook and newspaper clippings are acceptable, as well as letters from competent references. A candidate will be considered three times (does not have to be consecutive), after which the candidate is no longer eligible for consideration. The candidate may change categories at any time prior to selection if the nominator notifies the National Office. If a candidate is not selected in either the first or second year, the nomination will automatically be considered at the next Council Meeting unless the person who nominated the candidate informs the National Office by September 1.
Once an individual is nominated for the Hall of Fame, the candidates go before the Hall of Fame Selection Committee at the USA Softball Annual Council Meeting. The Hall of Fame Committee will review each candidate and their qualifications before voting to determine the next class for the Hall of Fame. A person must receive seventy-five percent (75%) votes from the committee members.
There is a maximum of ten (10) individuals selected to the Hall of Fame on an annual basis, however there is no limit on the number of selections per category type.