​It was 1968. USSSA began with an idea.  Individuals, unhappy and disenchanted with the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and its rules, leadership and overall system, came together with a hope to become something bigger and greater.  A handful of people and several meetings in hotel rooms later, this team put together guidelines that brought the United States Slo-pitch Softball Association to the sports community.

In the same way that our origins story began with an idea, USSSA Washington started in 1979 with limited involvement. A handful of people put the organizational structure together, reached out to a ‘few’ interested sponsors, coaches, umpires and teams. Convincing them to take the chance and play our tournaments, offering slightly different rules and approach to the game of (slo-pitch) softball.  Teams played our tournaments – and then, they qualified and played in our Divisional and World events. Our many talented volunteers attended parks department league meetings to help reach the teams and to spread the word about “the new kid on the block”.

It did not take long for the word to reach the softball community in Washington that USSSA was the game to play.

The 80’s were a time of growth and innovations:

• Established a “State Office”.
• Team classification is established and becomes the mainstay for Washington USSSA teams.
• Team travel fund established.
• USSSA Washington gets its own “Slo-Pitch News” publication.
• Washington hosts their first Youth World Championships, and Corporate Regional Championships.
• Team points system established.
• First softball organization to play in the Kingdome, men, women, and youth teams.

In the 90’s, USSSA Washington continued to evolve with:

• Over 350 registered Umpires.
• Tournaments exceed the 300 marks.
• Rule innovations introduced by USSSA Washington (most notably the 3/2 count) are adopted as a national rule.
• Washington hosts the USSSA Church World Championships.
• USSSA Washington establishes its own “Hall of Fame”.
• USSSA Major N.I.T. comes to Washington.

With the new millennium of 2000, USSSA Washington continued its growth:

• Establishing a stable platform of tournaments within each program and Program berth awards.
• Youth Fast Pitch and Baseball breaks new ground for Washington.
• Tournament Entry voucher system upgraded.
• Custom computer programs and our point system enhanced.
• Establishing a USSSA Washington Web site opens our future to unending possibilities.