THE WINDS OF CHANGE AND THE INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CONGRESS: The Welby Factor Comes of Age - - - - Quo Vadis?
by
Gordon L. Wise - - Past ISC Commissioner and Director of Marketing

In the words of an old and revered college professor to his young students, "The only constant which you will face in your careers is CHANGE!" Regardless of career field, age, education, or area of interest, a person, an organization - - - even a sports organization - - - is bound to feel the effect of change. Some of that change is deliberately brought about by the person or the organization. Much of it comes externally from the actions of others. Some of it is welcomed. Some is dreaded. Some is resisted, to the detriment of the person or organization. Indeed the prospects for the future of many persons, many careers, and many organizations turn on the ability, and often the willingness, to deal with change.

Within a matter of days, the International Softball Congress (ISC) will deal with change in two areas which are likely the most critical since its founding - - - as the ISC experiences the retirement of Milt Stark as Executive Director and the change in format of its "crown jewel", the ISC World Tournament.

Both of these events must be seen as "sea changes" in the life - - - and in the future - - - of the organization itself. They put into motion forces and events which may well determine the direction and the viability of both the ISC and the sport itself --- literally the "Quo vadis" moment of time.

As the reigns of control pass from Stark to Ken Hackmeister of Utah, the style and the tone of leadership will become markedly different. The approaches to the problems and opportunities facing the ISC will often be 180 degrees from those which have characterized the 19 years during which Milt Stark has done his level best to continue the legacy of ISC founder Carrol Forbes. 

The change in format from the traditional double-elimination tournament to a round-robin format with a 16-team playoff for the title will add dimensions to the World Tournament which are long overdue. It will also significantly alter a format which has been the symbol of the premier fastpitch event for amateur men for decades. 

Not surprisingly, these two "changes" have come with perhaps more than the usual amount of struggle which often accompanies change.

Also not surprisingly, it is possible to trace both of these changes to the actions, wisdom, and forethought of a great man who died nearly two years ago - - - Bob Welby of St. Louis.

From the moment he became ISC President in 1993, Welby set out on a mission to bring change in the organization which would make the ISC stronger and more responsive to players, sponsors, and hosting organizations. In addition to working to heal some of the schism which had long existed between his organization and the ASA, he used his power as President to bring change in the leadership and responsibilities of several key committees. Welby's plan to staff the World Tournament Committee with "some of the very strongest, most effective men in the ISC" led directly to significant change. These changes included the elimination of the team travel fund from World Tournament bidders' requirement. This controversial move, made necessary by the virtual disappearance of bidders, thus reduced the cost of bidding for the premier event in the sport. This move has opened the door for additional, new potential host communities and sponsors who are now opting to offer team travel funds as they compete to host the event It also included the move to a round-robin World Tournament format - - - and even more controversy. 

In Bob's moves designed to broaden the base of leadership and give more authority to the Executive Committee and to committee chairs, Welby unleashed forces and personalities resulting in progressive moves and changes perhaps broader and a mite quicker than even he could visualize.

In August of 2001, the "changing of the guard" at the top of the organization will reflect a shift in philosophy which coincides with the changes which Welby's appointments hastened. After long, loyal, and effective service, Milt Stark's retirement will give way to Ken Hackmeister's innovation-directed and promotion-driven leadership. It is imperative that broad support for the new leadership which Hackmeister represents fall into place immediately. The "passing of the torch" has come neither easily nor smoothly, but it has come. Now the burden rests with ISC leadership beginning with the Executive Committee and continuing through the Board of Directors to provide their support to the new Executive Director, to bury personal ambition and acrimony from the past, and to resist all efforts at putting roadblocks in his way as he begins to lead the ISC into the 21st century. Some changes in key leadership positions may have to be made in order to assure that this transition works and that the "team" directing the organization - - and indeed the entire sport - - are in sync with the vision of the new leader.

The other change coming in August of 2001 is one filled with great possibilities for the World Tourney, for the teams themselves, for tournament hosts, and certainly for the fans. The merits (and demerits) of the experimental round robin format have been rather well laid out, argued, and debated for the past several years. This writer firmly believes that the opportunities and strengths of the new ISC World Tournament format far outweigh any possible downsides which may be seen by some as looming

Again the need for pulling together on this one is crucial. This rather bold step IS an experiment which is not set in concrete. The strengths of the new format must be given a full shot at proving themselves. The long range view must be firmly kept in focus with a commitment to attracting and retaining teams, fans, and tournament underwriters.

The feisty little Irishman who led us well, kept us laughing when we needed laughter, and left us all-too-soon, will be looking down on Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in August; will be looking down on so many of his friends who are working hard to implement some of the changes which his actions either brought about or accelerated; will be looking down on the organization and the sport which was so much a part of his life. Here's a vote for pulling together and uniting the immense talents which make up the ISC, its teams, and the fans of the organization and the sport.