OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Softball leaders from throughout the world convene in Oklahoma City this week for the XXV International Softball Federation (ISF) Congress, being held Oct. 27-30 at the Marriott on Northwest Expressway. The Congress is hosted by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America/USA Softball. 

"On behalf of ASA/USA Softball, I am excited to welcome our sport's leaders to Oklahoma City, the Mecca of softball, for the XXV International Softball Federation Congress," ASA/USA Softball Executive Director Ron Radigonda said. "With the landscape of international softball changing, the Congress could not come at a more pivotal time. I am looking forward to the positive changes that will result from the meetings here in Oklahoma City." 

Delegates began arriving Wednesday and action started earlier today with a meeting of the Finance and Budget Corporate Services Commission. While the Congress will include discussion whether or not softball should form a joint bid with baseball for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games during the Olympic Legacy Commission Forum on Saturday, other events include meetings of the competition commission, the playing rules commission and the slow pitch task force. Development, equipment standards and marketing will also be discussed with a variety of other topics. 

Oklahoma City was chosen over a bid from the Bahamas Softball Federation and the 2011 congress marks the first time the meetings will take place in the United States since Tampa in 2001. In 2009, the congress traveled to Venezuela, in 2007 it was in Philippines, in 2005 Taiwan played host, and 2003 it took place in China. 

-Courtesy of the ISF