The "NEW" birthday cutoff is actually the original dates ASA had used for years. The original date coincided with the school year start date of 9/1. It kept the kids together by grade.

About 25 years ago when the ASA was very influential some people in the organization convinced the powers that be to change the date to 12/31.


It took a short time for them to realize this was a huge mistake when it came to eligibility. The ASA then changed to the 1/1 cutoff date. This allowed a group of players to extended their ASA eligibility going forward. My DD had an early February birthday. The two age groups it affected the most was 14U when the older kids started their freshman year of High School and the freshmen in college who still had 18U eligibility for 18U.

Eventually the other Alphabets followed along with the ASA putting current situation in place. Bill Conroy and Joe Tholl were around then original change too place.