SSUSA, LVSSA SIGN MERGER

Oct. 1, 2011

Las Vegas Senior Softball Association (LVSSA) and Senior Softball-USA (SSUSA) have formally signed a Joint Operating Agreement to produce the largest tournament in the history of the sport: the World Masters Championships.

The combination of the LVSSA World Masters and the SSUSA Senior Softball World Championships is expected to draw 400 to 450 teams to Las Vegas from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7, 2012.

“This merger draws the best from both organizations – so it will be great for players,” said Terry Hennessy, chief executive officer of Senior Softball-USA.

The Joint Operating Agreement covers both the combined “World Masters Championships” and the “Southwest Championships” beginning in 2012.

Teams will qualify for the WMC by playing in the Southwest Championships or any of the 60 SSUSA Qualifiers and Regional Championships. The tournament will be administered by SSUSA, with LVSSA supplying many of the field directors and helping secure softball facilities.

The Winter Worlds, which have been held in Las Vegas for the past 10 years, will be moved to Phoenix in 2012.

“Phoenix has been a great venue for the World Championships for the past five years,” said Hennessy, “and we think it will be a perfect spot for the Winter Worlds.”

Las Vegas Events, the Title Sponsor of the 2012 World Masters Championships, has been instrumental in providing the necessary support to create the largest senior softball tournament in the world.

“On behalf of Las Vegas Events, I am excited to once again host the Senior Softball World Masters Championships in Las Vegas starting in 2012,” said MaryAnne Beaman, LVE’s vice president of event programming.

“Our organization was created to showcase events such as yours in the world’s most exciting city- Las Vegas. We welcome Senior Softball players to fabulous Las Vegas! We look forward to a long-term wonderful relationship,” she said.