TENNESSEE ISA CLASSIFICATION PROCESS 

Below you will see exactly what was posted on all major Tennessee message boards on December 27, 2009.  This is a concept that we feel is hands down the best way to use for classifications.   

ISA has decided that we will begin the season with a new concept for teams. This will consist of an Upper and Lower Division. The Upper Division will use a combination of C and D class rules. The homerun limit will be 3 and then inning ending outs. The lower will use E Class rules, one homerun then inning ending out and offensive ejection for a second home run and beyond. Our tournaments will use this format from the start of the 2010 season until the weekend of May 1st & 2nd. On May 2nd ISA will have a State Classification Process. This will consist of placing teams in C, D, and E Class. During 2010 season C class will be the highest class offered in Tennessee. Once teams are placed in their respective class on May 2nd they will be required to play a minimum of 1 ISA event preceding classifications before an appeal will be accepted. The deadline for appeals in July 6, 2010. After this date teams will be required to play States, Nationals, and Worlds in their respective class. The purpose of the Upper and Lower concept is simply to let the teams show us what class you belong in. Each year there are changes on every team and some changes may have teams thinking they should play a different class from the year before so this helps Tennessee ISA determine where you belong based on how you compete up until May 2nd. Tennessee ISA encourages all teams to compete and sanction in a at least one ISA qualifier prior to classification date. The reason for this is teams that DO NOT compete prior to classifications will be required to play in the highest class offered in their first ISA event for 2010. After they compete in the highest class offered they will be allowed to appeal for re-classification like all other teams. Each Tennessee ISA Area Director and Tournament Director will follow this same formula until the classification date. The Upper Division will consist of all teams that finished the season as an ISA B (Platinum) / C (Gold) last year. If a newly forming team has four or more players on their roster that finished on a B/C roster last year then that team must start out in the Upper Division. Also all teams that finished in the top 8 in the ISA D Class (Silver) State in 2009 will be considered Upper Division at beginning of season. Remember all players on the above listed teams (B teams, C teams, and top 8 in State Tournament in D Class) will be considered Upper Division players prior to classifications on May 2nd. That all being said means that all other D class teams and E Class teams will make the Lower Division. Any and all appeals will be handled by your local State Director.

The date is set and the venue is booked!  We will have all three mens divisions in Gallatin, TN.  There are a total of 10 fields on site in Gallatin with another 2 fields about 10 minutes up the road if they need to be utilized.  ISA feels that it is best if we keep all the divisions together in one location.  The atmosphere surrounding this years State Championship will be awesome!  We will be having a West vs East All Stars Game and a Directors Game on Friday night in Gallatin.  There will also be a Homerun Derby and a Skills Competition going on Friday night.  Friday night will also consist of a live draw for each class.  Sunday will be Championship Day and we plan to have all three championship games begin at the same time!  There will be many more details to come soon on the ISA Championships including host hotels and host restaurants.  Look foward to seeing you there and as always THANKS FOR PLAYING ISA!

ISA's new State Directors are Josh Pelfrey (East), Steve Lovvorn (Central), & Mike King (West).  They will work together to provide a Co-State Directors role that makes ISA in Tennessee even stronger.  All three gentlemen have the great ideas to continue the growth of ISA!  Currently all three are working on securing dates for the 2010 season and looking at the possibility of Tennessee ISA hosting a World event in 2010.  Details and dates on events will surface soon but until then if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact any of the three guys at the below contact information.

Also if you are interested in becoming an ISA Director or Umpire contact your respective State Director for more information.

EAST TN STATE DIRECTOR - Josh Pelfrey - 423-309-7147 - TennesseeISA@gmail.com

CENTRAL TN STATE DIRECTOR - Steve Lovvorn - 931-703-2019 - Slovvorn@nadcedu.com

WEST TN STATE DIRECTOR - Mike King - 901-601-0233 - mking@kattworld.com