January 1, 2012 – With the help of corporate sponsorship and a recent success of a variety of professional and amateur leagues, we are proud to announce the formation of the Professional Association of Southern Softball (PASS). Comprised of 24 city-represented teams from twelve states across the American South, the PASS will feature high-scoring, high-excitement adult slow pitch softball.
The 24 teams are spread across four divisions.
Northern Division: Charlotte Shamrocks, Louisville Thoroughbreds, Nashville Muskies, Raleigh Cats, Richmond Robins, Virginia Beach Blue Claws.
Southwest Division: Austin Bulls, Baton Rouge Rhinos, Dallas Bandits, Houston Slammers, New Orleans Buzz, Shreveport Fighters.
South Central Division: Atlanta Arrows, Birmingham Gorillas, Jackson Jacks, Little Rock Razorbacks, Memphis Navigators, Mobile Hounds.
Southeast Division: Jacksonville Buzzards, Miami Whales, Myrtle Beach Dolphins, Orlando Kings, Savannah Spikes, Tampa Toros.
Each team is made up of a roster of 15 players with a senior player-coach. There are no trades or free agents in the league, and all players are paid a standard living salary and bonuses for playoff wins and winning the championship.
Each team plays a 50-game schedule. At the end of the season, each division winner and the top four non-division winners play in a championship tournament to crown the champion.
The league was formed from the popularity of the Southern Softball Association of America, Inc. From its success, professional softball leagues formed over the years and have now combined. Those leagues were the Arklatex League, the Gulf Coast Softball Association, and the Carolinas Adult Softball League. There were also some amateur leagues that are now a part of the league: the Kentucky-Ohio Adult Softball League, the Sunshine State Softball Organization, and the Government Circle Softball Association.
Though PASS has corporate sponsorship, each team in the league will be owned by an individual. League play begins in the summer of 2012.
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Behind the Scenes: OOTP, the game of 1 million test runs, or at least 72. I was looking for a typical final score of being around 9-12:8-11. On the average, I got that, based on analyzing some data. Of course, there are always those anomalies, the most frustrating of which is the 1-0 final. That final is especially frustrating, more so than the 30-24 extra inning game.
With that said, I am generally happy with the results, and once I got where I liked the statistical outputs, I tested the seasons over and over, getting similar season-to-season results. Then I advanced the test to 2012 and here I am.
This league obviously cannot follow certain softball league rules, like having four outfielders. Also, I didn't try to simulate slow pitch results, though I did scale down walks and strikeouts, so most of the runs and outs are on contact. In fact, I will basically ignore pitchers and edit any pitcher who is too successful.
One more note: I may refer to a distribution draft that didn’t happen. I left players on their teams from previous years tests, but I didn’t want a history. However, there were a few players I saw as stars and wanted them to remain in the league.
As an avid softball player, I think I may have found a dynasty to hold my interests. I have written dynasties on other sites about my real life softball playing. Now is the time for a totally fictional league.
I hope you enjoy my softball dynasty!