CSOA History

The National Association for Girls and Women's Sports (NAGWS, formerly a Division of Girls and Women in Sports) under the umbrella of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) has been in existence for many decades.

The Affiliated Board of Officials (ABO) is one of the Associations which makes up NAGWS. All the sport associations under NAGWS have as their common purpose to provide all girls and women equal opportunity in sports as a player, coach, official or administrator.

Prior to 1975, the NAGWS‑ABO associations located in San Fernando Valley, Orange County and Los Angeles were responsible for training officials, scheduling of games and assigning the officials for all sports.

In 1975 the Southern Section of CIF assumed most of these duties. The NAGWS‑ABO was given the responsibility of recruiting and training officials for the different sports. In response to this change, it was decided that each sport form an association, but still remain under the umbrella of the NAGWS‑ABO Executive Council. The CIF was assured that the officials coming out of these different sport organizations would be specifically trained in officiating women's and girl's games.

The softball group established the Southern California Board of Officials for Girls and Women in Sports (SCBO‑GWS) under the leadership of Bonnie Mohnsen. They began to recruit and train officials for both high school and college games.

In 1976‑77, the membership had grown to 100 members and it was decided a few years later to form local units where they could focus on local issues, problems and do recruiting within their area. They would have their own officers, instructors and a certain amount of autonomy. They still would be under the direction and leadership of the Executive Council that would be comprised of the President of each unit. He/she would be able to present issues and vote on all association matters.

In 1986, President Joanne Venditto presented a revision of the By‑Laws and Constitution to the Executive Board where it was approved to change from SCBO‑GWS to the Southern California Softball Officials Association (SCSOA). At that time we were thirteen units representing the Los Angeles City, Central and Southern Sections of the CIF. We had approximately 500 members throughout Southern California. It was the goal of the SCSOA to provide an outstanding instructional program. We expected that all the training procedures in all the units would be the same thus providing a consistent application of the rules and mechanics by the officials.

The year 1988 saw several changes made with the addition of two new units, North Channel Coast and Imperial Valley (now Coachella Valley). Secretary‑Treasurer Al Valdez proposed a name change to California Softball Officials Association (CSOA), which indicated a greater serving area other than just Southern California. This would give other softball groups the opportunity to consider affiliation with CSOA so that we can be more consistent in our Softball instruction and officiating throughout the State of California. CSOA units cover about sixty percent of the State of California and in 1992, the Northern Nevada officials became members of CSOA.

Today over 900 members are enrolled in the fourteen CSOA Units. They will be assigned games at over 650 schools, which comprise nearly 50% of all high schools within California. Assignments are made in the Los Angeles and Southern Sections along with certain areas of the Central Section.

We encourage all members to invite other umpire groups throughout the state to join the CSOA to form a truly statewide organization.

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