NTS, the undisputed leader in testing, inspection, and certification, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). The partnership designates NTS as the sole-source for all certification testing of Slow-pitch Softball and Senior Youth Baseball Bats, underscoring USSSA’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of player safety and game integrity.

“USSSA has made it our mission to be the most visibly recognized and technologically advanced leader in bat standardization and player safety,” remarked Don DeDonatis III, USSSA CEO. “This new partnership with NTS, who has years of experience and expertise in our industry, will ensure that we continue to command and deliver the paramount of safety standards.”

NTS serves more than 8,000 customers across the globe, leveraging its 28 North American labs to provide best-in-class testing services. USSSA, the world’s largest multi-sport athletic organization, serves over one million members nationally in youth baseball and Slow-pitch, its two largest sports in regards to membership. As part of partnership with USSSA, NTS will conduct testing from its Sports and Mechanical Division in Belcamp, Maryland. “We are excited to partner with USSSA to ensure sports equipment is safe for everyone,” said Chris Schueler, General Manager at the NTS lab in Belcamp. The state-of-the-art facility ensures USSSA will receive expedited turn-around times and superior testing confidence to bat manufacturers. The NTS lab in Belcamp is recognized as a leader in conducting sports related testing, which includes NOCSAE equipment certification through the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI). The partnership further positions NTS as a one-stop shop for all baseball and softball related equipment testing needs.

“As a leader in sports and athletics equipment testing, we’re excited to provide USSSA with operational excellence to ensure USSSA achieves its mission,” continued Schueler. “NTS is confident that consistent and repeatable testing will allow the industry continue to innovate, which will result in enhanced player safety while maintaining the integrity and longevity of the game.”

About National Technical Systems
National Technical Systems, Inc. (NTS) is the leading provider of qualification testing, inspection, and certification services in North America, serving a broad range of industries, including the civil aviation, space, defense, nuclear, telecommunications, industrial, electronics, medical, and automotive end markets. Since 1961, NTS has built the broadest geographic presence in the United States, offering more than 70 distinct environmental simulation and materials testing categories, including climatic, structural, dynamics, fluid flow, EMI/EMC, lightning, product safety, acoustics, failure analysis, chemical, and other industry-specific tests.

Operating through a network of more than 27 technologically advanced testing laboratories, this geographically diverse footprint puts NTS facilities in close proximity to its more than 8,000 clients, allowing NTS to serve the nation’s most innovative companies with industry-leading accessibility and responsiveness. NTS is accredited by numerous national and international organizations and operates its inspection division under the Unitek brand, providing a wide range of supply chain management services. NTS’ certification division, which operates under the NQA brand, is one of the largest and most respected global ISO registrars, with active certifications in more than 75 countries. For additional information about NTS, visit our website at www.nts.com or call 800-270-2516.

About United States Specialty Sports Association
USSSA is headquartered in Viera, Florida. USSSA is the world’s largest multi-sport athletic organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 4 million participants, competing in 14 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! USSSA is an Associate Member of the WBSC. For more information about USSSA, visit www.usssa.com and follow USSSA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.