May 23, 2018 | Softball
The all-new American Softball Association (ASBA) has opened up the playing field with the introduction of the hottest new league in women’s sports, offering an exciting alternative for professional softball.
“Traditionally, the end of college has meant the end of the road for many elite softball players,” said Michael Chiaradio, CEO and founder of ASBA. “Opportunities to play professionally have been largely limited and the odds high. ASBA has tapped into that void.”
The inaugural season of the league will include four teams that will compete in Mobile, Alabama from June 15 through July 31, 2018.
“I am beyond blown away by the number and caliber of athletes who have registered with ASBA. We have former professionals, All-Americans, Division I superstars and college standouts. These young women wanted to keep playing at a high level and were looking for a different sort of league. ASBA came along at the right time.”
ASBA was built on a revenue-sharing model that guarantees an equal distribution between teams/players and the league. Salaries will be paid from all Softball Related Income (SRI) which includes, but is not limited to ticket sales, proceeds from the ASBA Network, concessions, parking, local sponsorship agreements and merchandise sales.
“We look at this as a cooperative venture. We split all monies 50/50 with the teams, reinvesting our portion into growing and developing the league. We look forward to forming lasting relationships with local merchants and businesses,” Chiaradio said.
To keep costs down and increase SRI, the league is looking for community support in the housing of players, a practice common in minor and independent baseball leagues. Sponsorships and donations have helped to launch the league.
“It was a long shot,” Chiaradio, a former professional baseball player admits. “But it’s all coming together, thanks to the round-the-clock efforts of our team and to the players who put their faith in a start-up league. I’m sure there will be bumps in the road, but first and foremost, ASBA is a cooperative league. We don’t believe in holding back, hiding information or pretending to be perfect. We listen to our players and our fans and together we will create the best professional softball league ever! It’s been a long time coming, but we’re ready to play ball!”
ASBA will hold its inaugural draft on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
Jan 15, 2018 | Baseball, Partners
We at Be the Best are really excited to announce our newest partner, Top Coach Podcast.
For many of you, Top Coach needs no introduction. As the single greatest home to podcasts for and about coaches and an amazing resource for sports enthusiasts at all levels, Top Coach informs, inspires and entertains thousands of people, every single day.
Jack Warren, founder of Top Coach, will be in Cherry Hill this January for the annual Be the Best Coaches’ Convention and is someone worth seeking out. Not only is he a great guy; he’s filled with knowledge and insights and has interviewed the greatest coaches in the game. Make sure to stop by the Top Coach booth and we promise, you’ll leave there knowing a thing or two you didn’t know before!
As a way of thanking our friends at Top Coach for their years of selfless service promoting our passion, we are extending a SPECIAL OFFER that is not open to the general public.
Sign up for Be the Best and receive $40 off each adult ticket you purchase. Just use this code at checkout:
TOPCOACH
CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER COUPONS, CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY
GROUP RATE DISCOUNTS AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AT CHECKOUT
Jan 14, 2018 | Baseball, Partners
Be the Best is excited to partner with The Coaches’ Journal, a new media platform that brings us into the inner circles, inner workings and inner souls of some of the most fascinating coaches out there.
The Coaches’ Journal shares stories that ignite conversation, inspire fans and improve the ever-evolving landscape of sports. Check them out here and make sure to follow them and sign up for their newsletter.
Guaranteed you’ll be ignited and inspired with information and stories that will enhance your life as a coach.
Dec 15, 2016 | Be The Best News, The Best Stories
Everyone’s got a story when it comes to the sport they love. How they got started. Who got them motivated. What road they took to pursue their dreams. And when Be the Best plays a part in someone’s story, we know we’ve done our job.
Here’s the story of Jaycee Ruberti and how attending Be the Best Coaches’ Convention at ten years-old framed her future to become a collegiate softball player at Hofstra University.
I have played softball for as long as I can remember. And for most of that time, I dreamed of playing for Hofstra University. When I was 10 years-old, I accompanied my dad to Be the Best Clinic in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We went from class to class, learning the different aspects of the game taught by college coaches from all over the country.
I had the good fortune of attending a session taught by Bill Edwards who, at the time, was the head softball coach at Hofstra. His instructional lecture was the most powerful and exciting I had ever heard. I asked my dad to revise my schedule so we could attend every one of Coach Edwards’ sessions.
I WAS HOOKED!
Coach Edwards made two statements that I have never forgotten. The first was, “College coaches are looking for good people, not just good athletes.” And, because I’m an outfielder, the second statement was particularly relevant. “There’s not always a correct way to catch every single ball that’s hit. JUST CATCH IT!”
From that day on, playing at Hofstra became my dream.
As my softball career continued and the recruitment process began, I became even more determined to play at Hofstra. I started receiving interest and offers my freshman year of high school but was not willing to accept any offers until Coach Anderson (Hofstra’s new head coach) had an opportunity to see me play at least once.
In June of 2015, Coach Anderson showed up at a Team New Jersey tournament. After watching me play three consecutive games, I was invited to visit Hofstra University the following weekend. On that visit, Coach Anderson offered me a position on the 2018 Hofstra softball team.
My dream started at Be the Best and I know now that dreams do come true — with God, hard work and determination!
Thank you, Jaycee, for sharing your story. We wish you nothing but The Best, as a player and a person!
If YOU have a story about Be the Best, let us know!
Just click here, fill out the form and we’ll be sure to share it!
