J.O. REFERENCE GUIDE 2018 A guide for USA Softball of PA Commissioners, Staff & Teams

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1 J.O. REFERENCE GUIDE 2018 A guide fr USA Sftball f PA Cmmissiners, Staff & Teams PREFACE This dcument is designed t be a cmprehensive guide fr everyne assciated with the USA Sftball f PA Junir Olympic prgram and a resurce fr ur staff and ur teams. Peridic updates and revisins will be made as deemed necessary. It is imprtant that this infrmatin be cmmunicated t ur JO cmmunity and I encurage USA Sftball f PA Staff and thers t direct their teams t ur website: t view the pdf file cntaining this infrmatin. This infrmatin has been cmpiled fr the sle purpse f prviding general infrmatin fr the USA Sftball f PA Junir OIympic (JO) prgram. Fr the purpse f clarity USA used alne refers t the Natinal Organizatin; USA Sftball f PA refers t the Pennsylvania lcal assciatin which is, f curse, part f the Natinal Organizatin. Cmments, suggestins, recmmendatins fr updating and/r crrecting any f this infrmatin is encuraged. Cntact Suzanne Rbisn r the State Office with yur input. Suzanne Rbisn 6449 Snavely Curt, Harrisburg, PA (Office) suzannerbisn@earthlrthlink.net State Office: 6449 Snavely Curt, Harrisburg, PA suzannerbisn@earthlink.net USA SOFTBALL USA Sftball is a vlunteer driven, nt-fr-prfit rganizatin based in Oklahma City, OK, which was funded in 1933 and has evlved int the strngest sftball rganizatin in the cuntry. The grwth and develpment f USA led the United States Olympic Cmmittee (USOC) t name USA the Natinal Gverning Bdy f Sftball, pursuant t the Amateur Sprts Act f The USA has many imprtant respnsibilities as the natinal gverning bdy f sftball in the United States, including regulating cmpetitin t insure fairness and equal pprtunity t the millins f players wh annually play the sprt. When the USA entered the sftball picture in 1933, the sprt was in a state f cnfusin with n unified set f playing rules and n natinal gverning bdy t prvide guidance and stability. The USA changed all that by adpting sftball's first universally accepted rules f play and by rganizing cnsistent and fair cmpetitin acrss the natin. USA has becme ne f the natin s largest and fastest grwing sprts rganizatins and nw sanctins cmpetitin in every state thrugh a netwrk f 73 lcal assciatins. The USA has grwn frm a few hundred teams in the early days t ver 250,000 teams tday representing a membership f mre than fur millin. Fr mre inf, visit the USA Natinal Website: wwwusasftball.cm USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 1

2 USA SOFTBALL OF PENNSYLVANIA USA SOFTBALL OF PA refers t the Pennsylvania lcal assciatin which includes all cunties in the state. Philadelphia Metr is its wn lcal assciatin separate frm USA Sftball f PA. The USA Sftball f PA is the trademarked prperty f the natinal USA rganizatin. Pennsylvania typically ranks in the tp 4 assciatins in the natin fr USA yuth registratins. Pennsylvania is divided int 16 Districts. A District Cmmissiner is appinted t each district. The District Cmmissiner then appints a staff cnsisting f Deputy District Cmmissiner(s), JO Cmmissiner(s), Deputy JO Cmmissiner(s), UIC s, etc. A cmplete list f USA Sftball f PA Staff can be fund n ur website at It is imprtant fr all leagues/teams t knw wh their District Cmmissiner and/r District JO Cmmissiner is. Their signatures are required n varius Official USA frms which will be discussed later in this guide. Districts are gruped int 4 Areas: Nrtheast, Sutheast, Central and West. Each area is directed by an Area VP and ther staff. On the Natinal level, USA Sftball f PA is part f the Nrtheast Regin (Regin 1) (effective 1/1/2016) and the Eastern Territry. (see Regin and Territry in Definitins fr mre inf) USA SOFTBALL OF PA EXECUTIVE STAFF State Cmmissiner... Andrew Lechner President... Jeff Sell Executive Directr... Bill Rbisn Deputy State Cmmissiner... David Persing Treasurer/REGISTERUSA Administratr... Suzanne Rbisn Secretary... Peggy Lechner State JO Cmmissiner... Suzanne Rbisn State Umpire in Chief... Luau Bwers USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 2

3 DEFNITIONS OF COMMON TERMS ACE Certificatin ACE Caching Certificatin Prgram ffered by USA. The ACE (Aspire, Challenge, Encurage) Caching Certificatin Prgram is a certificatin prgram develped and designed t prvide sftball caches f all levels frm beginning caches t experienced veterans an pprtunity t certify as a cach with a natinal sftball rganizatin. Travel/turnament teams participating in champinship play turnaments must have at least ne (1) ACE Certified cach present fr all games. Advanced Play Any turnament thrugh which a team may qualify t advance t Champinship Play, i.e., State Champinships, Eastern Natinal Qualifier, USA Natinal Qualifier, USA Hall f Fame Qualifier, Reginal Qualifier, Territry Qualifiers. Champinship turnaments (USA Natinals and/r Eastern Natinals) are als cnsidered Advanced Play. Champinship Play The highest level f Advanced Play : USA Natinals r ne f the Territry Natinal Champinship turnaments, i.e., Nrthern, Suthern, Eastern r Western Natinal Champinships. Pennsylvania is part f the Eastern Territry. Classificatin f Play Age and Classificatin Travel/Turnament Teams - Must be ne f the fllwing: Class A 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U Class B 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U GOLD 16U & 18U Recreatinal Teams - Class C 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U Mre n Classificatins later in this guide. Cde refers t the USA Sftball Natinal Cde, which, alng with the Official Rules f Sftball and Prcedure Manual prvides the guidelines and regulatins f play fr the sprt f sftball fr all divisins. T view the Natinal Cde, g t and click n abut USA and then USA Cde. USA PA Cde refers t the USA Sftball f Pennsylvania Cde. T view the USA Sftball f PA Cde, g t District Cmmissiner Pennsylvania is divided int 16 Districts. Every District is assigned a District Cmmissiner, Deputy District Cmmissiner(s), JO Cmmissiner(s), Deputy JO Cmmissiner(s), Umpire-In- Chief/s (UIC s), etc. Divisin f Play Girls Fast Pitch is a Divisin f Play Girls Slw Pitch is a Divisin f Play Individual Registratin Registratin f each individual player, cach, manager and ther team persnnel which includes USA registratin and USA insurance. Individual Registratin is required fr all PA travel teams participating in USA Champinship Play turnaments. T individually register a team r league g t and click n the Individual Registratin r REGISTERUSA link. Junir Olympic r JO USA s Yuth Prgram, which includes 10UA, 12UA, 14UA, 16UA, 18UA, 10UB, 12UB, 14UB, 16UB, 18UB, 16U Gld, 18U Gld and Class C Recreatinal Level teams. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 3

4 JO Independent Travel Team Registratin A registratin prcess fr thse teams that purchase insurance ther than thrugh ur individual registratin prcess. Thse teams must prvide a cpy f their rster and an insurance certificate equivalent t USA Sftball accident and liability insurance prvided under the individual registratin. These teams are eligible t participate in invitatinal turnaments and the USA Sftball f PA State Champinships ONLY. If the teams chse t participate in USA Sftball Eastern Natinals r Natinals they must fllw the USA Sftball cde and cmplete the individual registratin prcess. All caches must adhere t the USA f PA requirements f ne cach must be ACE Certified and all caches n the field r in the duguts must have a cleared USA Backgrund Clearance. Lcal Assciatin accrding t USA terminlgy, Lcal Assciatin refers t each State r Metr Assciatin, fr example: USA Sftball f PA is the Lcal Assciatin fr the State f Pennsylvania which is further divided int 16 districts mentined earlier in this guide. Official USA Champinship Rster is als referred t as the Official USA Sftball r USA Rster. It als serves as Liability Waiver & Indemnificatin Frm and s must bear the signature f the respnsible party fr each rstered player. If players are under 18 years ld, a parent s signature is required. See Official Champinship Rster sectin later in this guide fr mre infrmatin. Official Turnament Entry Frm An fficial USA dcument, this Entry Frm is required fr all advanced play turnaments, eastern natinals r natinals. IMPORTANT NOTE: Fr Pennsylvania JO teams advancing t USA Natinals r Eastern Natinals, this frm must be generated and signatures acquired by the State JO Cmmissiner. Pickup Player A player wh is nt a rstered member f the team fr which they are being picked up. A maximum f (3) Pickup players are permitted fr Natinal, Eastern Natinal & State Champinships nly with a maximum f 20 players including the pickup players.. Rules gverning eligible pickup players are discussed later in this guide. Pick-Up Player Frm Official USA dcument shwing pick-up player s data (name, DOB, address, etc.), which must be signed by State JO Cmmissiner, and submitted t Champinship turnament staff befre that player may participate. Rules gverning eligible pickup players are discussed later in this guide. Playing Rules / USA Official Rules f Sftball / Participant Manual distributed t all USA Registered teams and includes all rules gverning USA sftball. USA Sftball f PA teams are als prvided with an USA screbk and Sftball fr Yu bklet. See als USA Cde fr additinal regulatins and guidelines pertaining t the sprt f sftball. Teams shuld cntact their District Cmmissiner if they did nt receive a cpy f the rule bk. Recreatinal Team/League the lwest level f cmpetitive sftball with teams cmpeting at the metr/cunty/cmmunity level nly. Als referred t as Class C /REC teams under USA Sftball f PA Junir Olympic terminlgy. Traditinally an instructinal and fun level f play. Leagues may establish their wn rules deviating frm USA rules such as batting all players, limiting bunting, sliding and stealing at the yunger ages, etc. Regin USA SOFTBALL OF PA is part f Regin 1, the Nrtheast Regin, which als includes: Philadelphia Metr, New Yrk, New Yrk City, New Jersey, Newark Metr, New Hampshire, Rhde Island, Massachusetts and Cnnecticut. REGISTERUSA USA s individual registratin prgram which includes USA membership and accident/liability insurance cverage available fr all players, caches, and staff. USA Backgrund Checks and ACE Certificatin fr caches and adult staff is prcessed thrugh REGISTERUSA. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 4

5 Rster See Official USA Champinship Rster. Standard Rster A nn-fficial dcument listing all players n a team. A standard rster is available thrugh REGISTERUSA fr individually registered teams. A Standard Rster IS NOT acceptable fr advanced r champinship turnaments. See Official USA Champinship Rster. Territry USA Sftball f PA is part f the Eastern Territry which includes: Maine, New Hampshire, Cnnecticut, Massachusetts, Vermnt, Rhde Island, New Yrk, New Jersey, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohi, Philadelphia Metr and Nrth Carlina. Travel/Turnament Team Teams that participate in USA sanctined turnament events including invitatinal, advanced play and champinship play turnaments (State Champinships, Qualifiers, Natinal Champinships) WHY REGISTER WITH USA SOFTBALL OF PA? Becme a member f ne f USA s tp 4 assciatins in the natin fr yuth registratins. USA s Junir Olympic (JO) prgram benefits players in all age grups: 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U players. When yur entire rganizatin individually registers and insures with USA Sftball f PA, liability insurance is extended t cver yur Organizatin s Officers. With USA individual registratin and insurance, yur rganizatin is issued a Certificate f Liability" and yu can btain additinal certificates fr yur practice r playing facilities at n additinal charge t yu r the facility s wner utilizing the Additinal Insured. When yu register yur entire league, USA Sftball f PA prvides a plaque fr every 10 teams in yur league which yu can use as yu deem apprpriate: award t yur teams, spnsrs, MVPs, r whatever. We prvide USA Rule Bks, Screbks and USA Sftball f PA Sftball Fr Yu bks fr all registered teams. USA ffers a stringent backgrund check fr all adult members f yur rganizatins fr a nminal fee. USA ffers a Cach s Certificatin prgram (ACE) fr any cach. An USA Backgrund Check is included in the certificatin. USA serves bth travel/turnament teams and recreatinal rganizatins in bth Slw Pitch and Fast Pitch. USA categrizes Fast Pitch travel teams s that yur teams are cmpeting at a cmparable level as ther teams within yur classificatin. USA als has a GOLD classificatin fr ur elite 16U and 18U players. With USA individual registratin, insurance, Backgrund checks and ACE certificatin, yur team is eligible t participate in USA s Advanced Play turnaments. With USA Sftball f PA Independent JO Travel Team Registratin, Backgrund Checks and Ace certificatin yur team is eligible t participate in USA Sftball f PA State Champinship turnament and invitatinal turnaments. USA Sftball f PA ffers a variety f cmpetitive turnament scenaris: invitatinals, qualifiers and Champinship turnaments at the State, Reginal, Territrial and Natinal levels. Yu can purchase Dudley sftballs the fficial sftball f USA Sftball f PA frm yur District Cmmissiner at a discunted price. USA Sftball f PA ffers the Lechner Schlarship t prvide financial assistance t utstanding undergraduate USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 5

6 students enrlled r planning t enrll at any Penn State University campus. Children f USA members r thse wh are themselves members f the USA Sftball f PA are eligible t apply. Visit ur website fr details. USA ffers an individual registratin prgram which includes accident and liability insurance fr every registered player r cach. See REGISTERUSA later in this guide fr mre infrmatin. USA INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION REGISTERUSA Benefits: Includes USA membership and accident & liability insurance Players are insured t play n any USA-registered team n matter where they play sftball Registered players are eligible pickup players fr the same r higher classificatin team fr Champinship play Optins f $125 deductible r $250 deductible USA Pht ID s available fr turnament/travel teams; nn-pht ID s fr rec-level teams. Certificate f Liability" is available fr yur team and yur practice r playing facilities at n additinal charge t yu r the facility s wner. All USA Sftball f PA Junir Olympic Turnament/Travel teams are required t individually register players and caches t be eligible t play in advanced play turnaments (Eastern Natinals/Natinals). Individual Registratin is highly recmmended fr all league/recreatinal teams. Recreatinal level players wh are individually registered are eligible pick-up players fr Champinship play. Individual registratin with USA Insurance is required fr all PA teams participating in any USA advanced play turnament (Eastern Natinals/Natinals). Individually registered players are insured t play n any USA-registered team within the guidelines f champinship and advanced play. Players wh participate n a turnament/travel team and at the recreatinal level must be individually registered with their travel team. Recreatinal level players are eligible Pickup Players fr champinship play ONLY IF they are individually registered. Players may appear n nly ne (1) Champinship Rster within a divisin f play in any ne (1) seasn. REGISTERUSA Pht ID cards are highly recmmended fr all travel teams participating at any level. Pht ID cards are required fr all teams participating in USA Natinal Champinship turnaments. USA Backgrund checks are required fr all caches & adult members f teams. NOTE: Beginning in 2015, all individuals in direct cntact with yuth must have Pennsylvania Backgrund Clearances it is the law. Teams must have at least ne (1) ACE Certified cach present at all advanced play & champinship play games. Teams must register with the State/Metr Assciatin where the majrity f their players reside. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 6

7 CLASSIFICATIONS 18U GOLD MUST be individually registered thrugh REGISTERUSA Players may be recruited frm anywhere in US. NO Cllege players 18U Class A teams may participate in 18U Gld Qualifiers prviding that they have NO Cllege players rstered. Qualifies reclassified as 18U Gld fr remainder f seasn Desn t Qualify may return and play at 18U A level. 16U GOLD MUST be individually registered thrugh REGISTERUSA 16U Class A teams may participate in 16U Gld Qualifiers Qualifies reclassified as 16U Gld fr remainder f seasn Desn t Qualify may return and play at 16U A Level Class A Travel/Turnament Teams (10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U) MUST be individually registered thrugh REGISTERUSA t be eligible t play in advanced play turnaments (Eastern Natinals/Natinals) r JO Independent Travel Team Registratin (mut prvide prf f insurance equal t USA Sftball s issued insurance). Players may be drawn frm multiple PA cunties r frm brdering metr/state assciatins. Class A teams may participate ONLY at the Class A level except as nted abve fr 16U & 18U Gld. Class B Travel/Turnament Teams (10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U) MUST be individually registered thrugh REGISTERUSA r JO Independent Travel Team Registratin (must prvide prf f insurance equal t USA Sftball s issued insurance). Majrity f players must be drawn frm within the team s hme USA Sftball f PA District. Teams recruiting players frm acrss established PA district bundaries must btain apprval frm State JO Cmmissiner EXCEPT if all players participate in the same USA Sftball f PA rec league. May participate in Class A turnaments, but are then subject t being reclassified t Class A fr the remainder f the seasn based n their ability t cmpete against Class A teams. May be subject t be reclassified t an A team if level f cmpetitiveness appears t exceed that f a typical Class B team. Class C (10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U) Teams participating at the Cmmunity/Recreatinal (League Play) level nly. May individually register thrugh REGISTERUSA (Recmmended) r may team/league register thrugh their respective USA Sftball f PA League. Class C (rec) players may be eligible pickup players fr Class A r Class B travel/teams in Champinship Play ONLY if they are individually registered thrugh REGISTERUSA. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 7

8 RECLASSIFICATION USA Sftball f PA reserves the right t reclassify a team based n the abve criteria and the fllwing: As a general rule, If yu play up, yu stay up, that is, teams wh play at the higher classificatin may be subject t reclassificatin t the higher classificatin fr the remainder f the seasn IF: The team perfrms at.500 r better in the higher level turnament, and/r The team qualifies fr Advanced r Champinship play at the higher level turnament. Examples: 12U Class B Team participates in 12U Class A turnament and ges 4-3. Team may be reclassified as a Class A team fr remainder f seasn. 12U Class A team participates at 14U Class A turnament and ges 0-4. Team will nt be reclassified. 14U Class B team participates in 14U A State Champinships. Team will be reclassified as a 14U Class A team fr remainder f seasn. Team may advance t 14U Class A Eastern Natinals, but may nt participate in 14U Class B Eastern Natinals. EXCEPTION: 16U Class A teams & 18U Class A teams may participate in their respective age s GOLD Qualifier. If the team des nt qualify, they may return and play at their respective Class A again. Class A teams may nt participate at the Class B level. LOECHNER SCHOLARSHIP USA Sftball f PA ffers the Lechner Schlarship t prvide financial assistance t utstanding undergraduate students enrlled r planning t enrll at Penn State (including all satellite campuses). Children f USA members r thse wh are themselves members f the USA Sftball f PA are eligible t apply. Visit ur website fr mre details and the applicatin frm and instructins. FORMS Varius frms are available n the FORMS page n the USA Sftball f PA website: including: Turnament Sanctin Frm Turnament Fact Sheet Pick-Up Player Frm Pickup Player Rules Lechner Schlarship Applicatin Bllinger Insurance Claim Frms Fr frms nt listed n the FORMS page, cntact yur district cmmissiner r the state ffice. Visit and click n Click Here t view ur 16 District Cmmissiners t find yur District Cmmissiner. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 8

9 OFFICIAL USA CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER Only REGISTERUSA-generated rsters will be accepted fr advance play & champinship turnaments fr Eastern Natinals r Natinals. N hand-written rsters, n hand-written add-n players permitted if JO Independent Registered Team yu must cmplete the Writable Official Champinship Rster /Writable Pick Up Player frm fund n ur website under frms at Players may be rstered n nly ONE (1) Official USA Champinship Rster within a Divisin & Class f Play in any ne seasn. Page 1 and 2 f rster MUST be printed back-t-back n ONE (1) sheet f paper. Stapling page 1 and 2 tgether is NOT recmmended. Recmmendatin: Once rster is signed by parents and yur lcal District Cmmissiner make multiple cpies as the riginal cpy will be cllected upn entering an advanced play qualifying turnament. An riginal Official Champinship Rster must be submitted t Turnament Directr fr Qualifiers and/r State Champinship turnaments. Rster must be signed by team s hme District Cmmissiner r designee. Rster must be signed by each parent r guardian if player is under 18 years ld. Rster may be signed by players ONLY if they are ver 18 years ld. Original Rsters will be cllected and submitted t State JO Cmmissiner immediately fllwing a qualifying event fr all qualifying teams. Original Rsters will be kept n file fr submissin t the Natinal/Eastern Natinal Champinship event t which the team will advance. OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER Liability Waiver (pg. 1 f 2) Teams Managers must cmplete bttm left prtin District/JO Cmmissiners must cmplete bttm right prtin. Sign n BOTTOM LINE (Signature f USA Deputy/District Cmmissiner) USA Lcal Assciatin & Regin Number: USA SOFTBALL OF PA DO NOT SIGN ON LINE DESIGNATED Signature f USA Lcal Assciatin Cmmissiner r Designee. ONLY the USA SOFTBALL OF PA State Cmmissiner may be entered here. N ther signatures shuld appear in this area. The State Office r State JO Cmmissiner will btain the State Cmmissiner s (Andrew Lechner) signature nce rster is validated and befre rster is submitted with the Official Turnament Entry Frm fr Natinal Champinship entry. USA OFFICIAL WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY & INDEMNIFICATION FORM (pg 2 f 2) The fllwing fields are pre-printed n a REGISTERUSA generated rster frm: Year Player s Name Team Name Date f Birth City & State Bnafide Residence Divisin & Classificatin f Address (nly if Champinship play entered at registratin) PARENT signature is required fr all players UNDER 18 years ld. Initials acknwledges that the liability waiver and player affidavit infrmatin n page 1 f 2 was read and is understd. Must be signed by the District/JO Cmmissiner f the team s hme district prir t participating in any USA turnaments (bttm right prtin f pg. 1) Must submit riginal rster t USA SOFTBALL OF PA State JO Cmmissiner fr entry int any Natinal Champinship Turnaments. IMPORTANT NOTE TO TEAMS: Be sure t make several cpies f yur rster nce yu btain all signatures. Yur Original Rster must be submitted at yur first qualifying turnament and will be frwarded t State JO Cmmissiner fllwing yur qualificatin fr Champinship Play. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 9

10 PICKUP PLAYER & PICKUP PLAYER FORM Maximum f 3 pick-up players Pickup Players must be Individually Registered with USA Sftball f PA Pickup players must be drawn frm the same divisin f play and frm the same r lwer classificatin. Divisin f play: Girls Fastpitch Classificatin: Age & Class, ex. 18U Class A Players must be frm USA registered teams n lnger eligible fr champinship play. Pick up players are NOT PERMITTED fr Natinal Qualifiers r Junir Olympic Hall f Fame Turnaments. Pick-up Players ARE PERMITTED fr USA Sftball f PA State Champinships, USA Natinals and Territry Natinal Champinship finals. A player may play with nly ne team as a pick-up player ther than their wn team within a divisin in a seasn. A player may participate in nly ne State Champinship turnament as a rstered player r pick-up player within a divisin in a seasn. Official USA Pickup Player Frm must be cmpleted and attached t the fficial Champinship Rster befre the team may participate in the turnament in which they are utilizing a pick-up player. Refer t ur website, under Frms. Pickup Player Frm must be signed by State JO Cmmissiner and/r USA Sftball f PA State Cmmissiner. Pick-up player s pht ID and/r dcumentatin must be submitted with the pick-up player frm. Example: A 14U Class B player may be an eligible pick-up player fr a 14U Class A team prviding that the Class B player did nt/will nt participate in any ther State r Natinal Champinship turnaments in the same seasn. SPECIFICALLY FOR DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS & JO COMMISSIONERS RESPONSIBILITIES Relating t Champinship Rsters Verify that all parent signatures have been btained fr players under 18 years f age. Verify that Manager s infrmatin is cmplete. Sign n bttm line Signature f USA Deputy/District Cmmissiner Date and enter yur mbile phne number. USA Lcal Assciatin & Regin Number: enter USA Sftball f PA Regin 01 DO NOT SIGN n USA Lcal Assciatin Cmmissiner r designee (tp) line. This will be cmpleted when team qualifies and rster is sent t State JO Cmmissiner. This shuld bear ONLY ur STATE COMMISSIONER s signature Andy Lechner. Be sure t distribute USA Rules Bk, Screbk and Sftball fr Yu bklet t every registered team in yur District. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 10

11 USA NATIONAL & EASTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS The number f USA Natinal berths made available t PA teams is based n the number f JO teams registered in that divisin in the previus year. USA Sftball f PA Teams can qualify fr USA Natinal Champinships by: Winning an USA Natinal Qualifier turnament, and/r Finishing in the tp 3 in their respective Class A State Champinships. T qualify fr Class A r Class B Eastern Natinals: Win an Eastern Natinal Qualifier, and/r Cmpete in their respective Class A r Class B State Champinships and at least 1 additinal USA Sanctined turnament, preferably a qualifier. Hst a qualifier (nly 1 team berth per hst rganizatin) AND participate in yur respective USA Sftball f PA State Champinship turnament. All teams advancing t Natinals/Eastern Natinals must participate in their respective State Champinship turnament. EXCEPTION: Teams wh win an USA Natinal Qualifier r Eastern Natinal Qualifiers wh fficially accept their berth within 7 days f cmpletin f the qualifying turnament. Thse qualified teams must submit their Original Champinship rster and Natinal Champinship entry fee t the State JO Cmmissiner within 14 days f the Natinal Champinship deadline. Any unclaimed berths (thse nt claimed with 7 days f winning qualifying turnament) will be ffered t the next team in successin f finish f that qualifying turnament r at the respective State Champinship turnament. Teams/Players may participate in nly ne State Champinship event in any ne seasn. Teams/Players may participate in nly ne Natinal Champinship event in any ne seasn. Prcessing yur Entry fr Natinal Champinship turnaments PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: After qualifying, a team s riginal champinship rster must be submitted t the State JO Cmmissiner by the turnament directr. The team manager is respnsible fr cntacting the State JO Cmmissiner t accept their Natinal champinship berth within 7 days f cmpleting qualifying turnament. Qualified team must submit a check payable t USA Sftball f PA in the amunt f the entry fee fr the apprpriate natinal turnament and frward t State JO Cmmissiner within 14 days f cmpletin f the qualifying turnament r 14 days prir t the Natinal Turnament Entry deadline date (whichever cmes first). State JO Cmmissiner will cmplete Official Turnament Entry Frm and submit t Natinal Champinship turnament directr with Original Rster, entry fee (check frm USA Sftball f PA) and Pick-up player frms, if applicable. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD AN USA SOFTBALL OF PA JO TEAM SUBMIT AN ENTRY DIRECTLY TO ANY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE PROCESSED AND SUBMITTED BY THE STATE JO COMMISSIONER. Teams are respnsible fr their wn travel and any ther expenses related t their participatin in any Natinal Champinship events. USA Sftball f PA will assist teams in btaining infrmatin pertaining t the Natinal Champinship event, but are urged t check the Natinal Website fr links t the apprpriate event: Required dcumentatin & certificatins: Official Original USA Rster & Official Turnament Entry Frm with PROPER signatures will be submitted by State JO Cmmissiner. Teams must present the fllwing dcumentatin at check-in/registratin USA Pht ID s Caches USA Backgrund Check Caches ACE Certificatin dcuments Sign-in/Check-in prcedure Prf f USA Registratin & Insurance is required. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 11

12 HOSTING A TOURNAMENT Sign-In Sheet: Print and Sign their name and birthdate n the Turnament Sign-In Sheet while shwing their Pht ID (Printed name nly may be cmpleted in rder f the rster befre turnament check in). Caches must display prf f USA Backgrund check and/r ACE Certificatin dcuments at all times during the turnament. The fllwing guidelines have been cmpiled t ensure that hsting rganizatins are aware f the tasks invlved in hsting an USA turnament, the bligatins t USA Sftball f PA and their respnsibilities t prvide a safe, affrdable, quality turnament fr all participants. Any questins, cntact Suzanne Rbisn. General Turnament Guidelines: NO TOURNAMENT MAY CONFLICT WITH THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FOR EQUIVALENT AGE/CLASSIFICATION. Hsting rganizatins must be registered with USA Sftball f PA and all turnament persnnel shuld have USA backgrund checks. Obtain apprval BEFORE POSTING OR ADVERTISING yur USA turnament: Cntact the State Office and/r State JO Cmmissiner with tentative date, lcatin, turnament type, turnament frmat, age/classificatin, entry fee. Turnaments will be managed t reduce cnflicts and bst participatin. Sanctin yur turnament: All turnaments using the USA reference are subject t a sanctining fee as fllws: Invitatinals: $50 Qualifiers: $50 (plus $25 per team assessment fee) Cllege Shwcases: $100 Sanctin frm, sanctin fee and Turnament Fact Sheet must be submitted t USA Sftball f PA fr final apprval. Sanctin Certificate will be prvided by the State Office and must be prminently displayed at main field/cmplex. Turnament will be psted n USA Sftball f PA website and TurnamentUSA (free f charge) nce apprved. Qualifiers: (see Guidelines fr Qualifiers later in this manual) Additinal cnsideratins pertaining t Qualifier Turnaments: Team assessment fee: $25 per participating team JO QUALIFIER TOURNAMENT RESULTS REPORT. Cllect and frward USA Champinship Rster fr Qualifying team(s). Other cnsideratins/expenses fr Hsting Organizatin: Request prf f teams USA registratin and insurance. Determine awards package and purchase team trphies and individual awards. Balls Only Dudley (fficial Spnsr f USA Sftball f PA) sftballs shuld be used and are available fr purchase thrugh USA Sftball f PA. Umpire Fees Field/cmplex Rental Field maintenance: persnnel, lining material, drying material, etc. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 12

13 TOURNAMENTUSA full featured turnament management package is available fr apprved turnament directrs at a cst f $10 per team. Cntact Suzanne Rbisn fr mre infrmatin. Turnament Liability Insurance is highly recmmended and is available thrugh Bllinger. Link: GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING AN INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT (rev d 11/1/2017) NO TOURNAMENT MAY CONFLICT WITH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FOR CORRESPONDING AGE/CLASSIFICATION. PRE-APPROVAL IS RECOMMENDED. Dates/sites t be managed t encurage greater number f participating teams and eliminate cnflict with qualifiers r ther key turnaments via yur lcal District Cmmissiner r the State JO Cmmissiner. TOURNAMENTS MUST BE SANCTIONED THROUGH USA SOFTBALL OF PA BEFORE POSTING OR ADVERTISING TOURANMENT Turnament Sanctin Frm (under FORMS tab) and $50 sanctin fee fr invitatinals and $100 fr Shwcase/Clinic turnaments must be submitted t yur USA District Cmmissiner r the State Office. When Sanctin Frm & fee is received and turnament is apprved by District Cmmissiner: Turnament will be psted n USA Sftball f PA website and Turnamentusa. Sanctin Certificate will be generated and sent t turnament cntact via the state ffice. Certificate must be displayed at main field thrughut turnament. Turnament may be psted n ther turnament websites. USA REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS Only USA Registered Teams are eligible t participate. Fr yur prtectin, be sure teams prvide prf f USA registratin and insurance. Nte: USA Individual registratin includes USA insurance. ROSTERS USA Champinship Rsters r Standard Rsters are acceptable. OTHER TOURNAMENT EXPENSES All related fees and csts are the respnsibility f the Hsting Organizatin: Trphies, medals, balls, umpires, field rental, etc. TOURNAMENT LIABILITY INSURANCE Turnament Liability and/r Accident Insurance are highly recmmended. Visit and click n Turnament/Clinic Insurance. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 13

14 GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING A QUALIFIER TOURNAMENTS (rev d 11/1/2017) These guidelines have been cmpiled t ensure that hsting rganizatins are aware f their respnsibilities t USA Sftball f PA and t prvide a safe, affrdable, quality turnament fr participants. Any questins, cntact Suzanne Rbisn. NO TOURNAMENT MAY CONFLICT WITH THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FOR EQUIVALENT AGE/CLASSIFICATION. Hsting rganizatins must be registered and backgrund checked thrugh USA Sftball f PA and REGISTERUSA. PRE-APPROVAL REQUIRED BEFORE POSTING OR ADVERTISING. Dates, sites, frmat and entry fee are subject t apprval f the State Office wh will manage scheduling t encurage greater number f participants and t eliminate cnflict with ther qualifiers r key turnaments. FEES TO BE PAID TO USA SOFTBALL OF PA: $50 turnament sanctin/$100 Shwcase/Clinic Fee plus $25 per participating team (fr Eastern Natinal/Natinal qualifiers) (details belw). SANCTIONING THE TOURNAMENT WITH USA SOFTBALL OF PA Sanctin frm, $40 sanctin fee and Turnament Fact Sheet must be submitted t USA Sftball f PA fr final apprval. Sanctin Certificate will be prvided by the State Office and must be prminently displayed at main field/cmplex. Turnament will be psted n USA Sftball f PA website nce apprved. TEAM ASSESSMENT FEE - $25 per team must be submitted within 7 days f cmpletin f turnament with cmplete rder f finish t the State JO Cmmisisner.. TOURNAMENTUSA This prgram permits authrized TDs t accept nline registratins, create game schedules, track wins/lsses, cmmunicate with registered teams, etc. Cst: $10 per team. Cntact Suzanne Rbisn fr details and/r t request authrizatin. JO QUALIFIER TOURNAMENT RESULTS REPORT (Available n website.) Must be faxed r ed t PA State JO Cmmissiner within 24 hurs f cmpletin f turnament. Must be mailed t PA State JO Cmmissiner within 7 days f cmpletin f turnament alng with: Team assessment fee (check made payable t USA Sftball f PA) Original signed rster f qualifying team(s). USA REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS Only USA Registered Teams are eligible t participate. Only individually registered teams (REGISTERUSA) are eligible t advance. Nte: USA Individual registratin includes USA insurance. All advancing teams must cntact their State JO Cmmissiner t accept berth t advance t Natinal events. ROSTERS - ONLY USA Champinship Rsters may be accepted. Teams that are eligible t advance must submit the pre-printed Champinship rster frm REGISTERUSA Must be signed by parent fr every player under 18 years ld (r by player if ver 18) Must be signed by team manager Must be signed by District/JO Cmmissiner (PA) r by State r Metr Cmmissiner (ut-f-state). Original signed rsters must be cllected at check-in. Rsters f qualifying PA team(s) must be sent t PA State JO Cmmissiner within 7 days f cmpletin f turnament. Failure t reprt and/r submit assessment fee results in revcatin f hst team s berth t Eastern Natinals and pssible suspensin f team/rganizatin frm all USA events until settled. SUMMARY OF ELIGIBILITY/BERTH INFO: TYPE OF QUALIFIER State/Metr Assciatins *Teams frm ther states require apprval f their respective state/metr cmmissiner befre they can accept any Natinal Champinship berth. One (1) Hst team berth available per ENQ. PA teams must cntact State JO Cmmissiner: Suzanne Rbisn r suzannerbisn@earthlink.net t advance. ELIGIBLE TEAMS Eastern Natinal Eastern Territry teams* Nne USA Natinal USA Sftball f PA teams nly unless turnament was apprved t accept teams frm neighbring USA NATIONAL BERTHS 1 st place ONLY 2 nd & 3 rd place EASTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (ENC) BERTHS* 12 r less teams: 1 berth Teams: 2 berths 31+ Teams: 3 berths Hsting Organizatin: 1 berth USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 14

15 AWARDS/TROPHIES/BALLS/UMPIRE FEES/FIELD RENTAL respnsibility f Hsting Organizatin TOURNAMENT LIABILITY INSURANCE highly recmmended. Visit t purchase. GUIDELINES FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (rev d 11/1/2017) State Champinship Turnaments are held in varius sites acrss the State. State Champinships are administered, managed and directed by USA Sftball f PA staff nly. Organizatins with suitable facilities may submit a request t hst a State Champinship t the State Office r State JO Cmmissiner. 4 game frmat (Weather Permitting): 10,U, 12U, 14U, 16U, & 18U Class A and B: 2 pl play games will determine seeding int duble eliminatin will be utilized. ONLY USA Sftball f PA registered teams may participate in the PA State Champinship turnaments. Teams may participate in nly 1 state champinship turnament within a divisin f play in a seasn. Players may participate in nly 1 state champinship turnament in a seasn as a rstered player r pick-up player. Teams wh participate in USA Sftball f PA State Champinship turnaments may earn a berth t the apprpriate USA Eastern Natinal Champinship turnament as fllws: State Champinship Class A Class B USA NATIONAL BERTHS Tp 3 teams Nne EASTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BERTHS All ther participating teams wh have cmpeted in USA Sftball f PA State Champinship turnament r qualified via an Eastern Natinal Qualifier. All ther participating teams wh have cmpeted in USA Sftball f PA State Champinship turnament r qualified via an Eastern Natinal Qualifier. Awards package includes State Champinship Awards (Jackets r ther type f award apprved by the USA Sftball f PA JO Advisry Bard/Bard f Directrs fr 1 st place team when at least 8 teams participate at any ne level. USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 15

16 SANCTIONING YOUR TOURNAMENT Turnaments advertised as USA r using USA rules r umpires, MUST be Sanctined with State ffice. N exceptins. USA Turnament Sanctin Fees & Assessment Fees: Invitatinals & Qualifiers: $50 per turnament Qualifiers: A fee f $25 per team assessment fee is due within 7 days f cmpletin f the turnament. (See Turnament Results Reprt belw) Shwcases: $100 per turnament Turnament Sanctin Frm is available nline under the FORMS tab Cmplete the frm, print and send with yur check payable t USA Sftball f PA t the State ffice at 6449 Snavely Curt, Harrisburg, PA After apprving yur turnament the Turnament Sanctin Certificate will be sent directly t the turnament directr listed n the sanctin frm and must be psted at the main site f the turnament fr the duratin f the turnament. Turnaments that are nt prperly sanctined cannt be advertised as an USA turnament. nr will USA Umpires be allwed t fficiate the turnament. If they chse t d s thse umpires will nt be cvered by their umpire insurance and players are nt insured while wrking r playing in a nn-sanctined turnament. VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME Vlunteers are needed fr varius duties at lcal, state and natinal events. Please cntact yur District Cmmissiner, the State Office r the State JO Cmmissiner if yu are interested in vlunteering yur time fr ur Yuth Sftball prgram. We are especially in need f vlunteers fr Eastern Natinal Champinships in Yrk, PA in late July/early August. We need Check In Assistants, Screkeepers, Bracket Keepers, etc. T vlunteer r fr mre inf, please cntact Suzanne Rbisn, State JO Cmmissiner by phne at r suzannerbisn@earthlink.net USA Sftball f PA JO Guide Page 16