Norcalfastpitch Team and Player Classifications

 

Teams

Unlike other national organizations with their strict methods of determining which teams should be classified as a “B” team, USSSA has only 2 sets of criteria for determining whether a team should be classified “A” of “B”.  Note:  Class “C” is reserved for league teams only.

 

1)               A “B” team may not have any college players.

2)               A “B” team typically consists of league players or players not able by ability to play on “A” teams.  It doesn’t matter if they come from multiple leagues or jurisdictions, these are the basic criteria.

 

Unfortunately, too many teams have tried to take advantage of this flexibility and have been playing “B” when they should be playing “A”.  Therefore, Norcalfastpitch has established some criteria to help determine who is “A” and who is “B” when the team doesn’t properly classify during the year.

**Note:  Teams classified “A” at the end of any year may not play “B” the next year if 6 or more players are returning.

Odd Ages and Open Team Classifications

§        Teams are now able to register as odd ages and open classifications.  Norcalfastpitch and USSSA World Series do NOT recognize open classifications for even aged teams (10u,12u,14u,16u,18u)

§        Any team registering as open in the even ages will be considered "A" classified teams for purposes of local play and World Series.  Example:  Team is registered as 12 Open - this team will be classified as 12A for purposes of Nor Cal and USSSA World Series.

§        All teams are subject to the guidelines for moving from “A” to “B” and from “B” to “A” after these stipulations.

Guidelines For “B” Teams Moving to “A”

§        Teams classified “A” in any given year, and bringing forward 6 players from the previous year’s roster may be considered “A” in the new year.  This is not a hard and fast rule, but the State Director will review each situation, leaning toward the team playing “A”.

§        Top 3 teams in each age from the Nor Cal State Championships may be reclassified to “A” unless moving up in age.  A reclassified team is allowed to carry their “B” classification to the World Series, and will be reclassified at the end of that event.

§        Top 3 teams in each age from the World Series will be reclassified to “A” whether moving up in age or not. 

1st place team from Fall Ball Championships (Team can play “B” in the next calendar year if 9 or more of the players are different on the team roster.

 ***Note:  All reclassified teams in the above stated guidelines must play the State and World Series Championships at the NEW level

§        During qualifying events, teams who win a tournament consisting of 4 or more teams without a defeat may be reclassified to “A”.  Once playing in 2 additional tournaments, the team may petition to be moved back to “B”. (see guidelines for “A” teams moving to “B”)

§        ***Note:  All reclassified teams in the above stated guidelines will play the State and World Series Championships in the “B” division and be reclassified to “A” effective August 1

 

§        During qualifying events, teams who win 2 tournaments consisting of 4 or more teams may be reclassified to “A”.  Once playing in 2 additional tournaments, the team may petition to be moved back to “B”. (see guidelines for “A” teams moving to “B”)

§        ***Note: All reclassified teams in the above stated guidelines will play the State and World Series Championships in the “B” division and be reclassified to “A” effective August 1

§        Any team can at any time request to be reclassified to “A”.  They may only request reclassification once per year under this guideline.

Guidelines For “A” TEAMS Moving to “B”

§        Once per year any team has the right to petition to be reclassified from “A” to “B”.  The requesting team must have played a minimum of 8 games in USSSA events.  The requesting team’s listed coach must provide an email or letter of request to the State office no later than 10 days before their next scheduled tournament, providing at the very least the team names and scores of all games played qualifying them for the request.  The State Director will review each request and communicate the decision and reason back to the coach requesting the new classification.

§        If the State Director feels after a few tournaments that the team is not competing at the “A” level, the team can be reclassified.  The listed coach will be notified by email.

Guidelines For Teams Playing Up in Age/Class

§        Any “A” team may play up in age classification at any time.  Teams are awarded double points for playing up in age, however, the double points will not be included when bracketing for the World Series.  “B” teams can play up in class, but not up in age.

***The team may not pick up any players who otherwise would make the team age ineligible at the sanctioned age.

§        Teams may play up in Class, but are immediately and permanently reclassified to the higher class and may not then play at the lower class.

****Exception – 10U teams can play 11U. 10u teams or players playing up in 12A will not be allowed to participate at the 10u level for the remainder of the year.

Players

§        The classification of a player is determined to be the highest class of team played in a given calendar year.  Once a player is added to an “A” team roster, that player at a minimum remains “A” for the remainder of the calendar year.  It doesn’t matter if the player road the bench, the player is still classified “A”.  The State Director has the option to classify each player as an “A” player in subsequent years, as well.

§        Individual players may not petition to be reclassified to “B”.  If the entire team is reclassified to “B”, then all players are reclassified to “B”.

§        An individual player who has been classified “A” may not be added to a “B” team roster at any time.