'Twig' Ogletree Named Director in Southeast; Kentucky Added

Oct. 1, 2008 – Senior Softball-USA

Softball News Report

LIVINGSTON, TN – Mark "Twig" Ogletree has been appointed Southeast Regional Director for SSUSA Clubs & Leagues' program in what's being called "a major breakthrough in our director's appointments," by Steve Simmons, SSUSA Clubs & Leagues National Director.

"We have been striving to ind someone to step forward and assume a director's role in this region," said Simmons.

The inter-association relationship between the SSUSA and the ISA played a huge roll in making this all happen. The two associations have common ownership, Bill Ruth is the owner of the ISA and co-owner, along with Terry Hennessy, of the SSUSA. Ruth and Hennessy have been encouraging SSUSA personnel to utilize the resources that the ISA can offer to help fill these positions.

Ogletree who earned his nickname "Twig" because his father is known as "Tree", from their last name, has been with the ISA since 2006. He is an ISA director as well as the Tennessee ISA Umpire-in-Chief.

"I played softball for several years but now enjoy the director aspect of softball," Ogletree said. "I started as a director for the Worldwide Softball Association in 2005 in Tennessee, but was recruited by the Independent Softball Association to come on board as a director for the 2006 campaign. It was a great move for me. Tennessee ISA was, and still is, the number one association in Tennessee and it was nice to be able to work with these guys in trying to grow softball in our state.

"I currently hold two very large tournaments that folks may have heard of, both are in Tennessee. They are the Miller Lite Shootout in Cookeville and Crossville, always during the irst weekend in May, and the May

ield Southern Showcase in Athens which is always held on the last weekend in April.

"At one point it looked as if the women's game might die off but I was not going to let that happen. It has showed, too, because Tennessee has more women's teams sanctioned with the ISA this year than any other state. As a result of these efforts, Tennessee will host the ISA Women's World Championships on Sept. 13."

Ogletree, at age 29, becomes the youngest SSUSA C & L director on staff and is the third director named who is not of senior age (50 or older). In addition to his duties as a softball director, Ogletree works nights as a transport driver for Coca-Cola. He is married and he and his wife Ashley are expecting a baby boy in February. If you would like to contact him about the clubs & leagues program in Tennessee in particular and the Southeast in general, or if you would be interested in one of the state director's positions that are available in the Southeast, here is his contact information: (Phone) 931-319-0669 (E- mail) twig_isa@twlakes.net