USSSA Classification Recommendations
Many teams try to let a post-season tournament location influence which USSSA classification they try to play in. Regrettably, USSSA Baseball does not operate this way. Teams are required to play in the appropriate classification which best matches their ABILITY. Even though a team was AA or AAA the previous season, does not automatically mean they are the same classification for the current season. Sometimes teams think just because they didn't win the World Series the previous season, they should drop down a classification. This is not correct. Team classification is determined EACH SEASON based on the team's ABILITY that season!!! Understand placement in a classification is subjective. This subjective opinion will often differ depending on who you ask. Will USSSA be perfect in our judgment? Probably not. When subjectivity is involved, there likely is no perfect system. But we WILL be fair to the best of our ability!
In summary, here are a few requirements and recommendations for properly selecting your teams' starting classification:
1. A team's classification IS NOT determined by team declaration, but rather by the team's ability and performance within a classification.
2. Returning teams are REQUIRED to start the current season at or above the highest classification that they qualified for the previous season.
3. A team forming with four (4) or more players from any previous season roster regardless of PREVIOUS OR CURRENT SEASON TEAM NAME, MANAGERS, COACHES, or SPONSORS is considered a returning team and must start the current season at or above the highest qualified classification of that team from the previous season.
4. A team that finishes 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a USSSA World Series the previous season are REQUIRED to to start the current season in the next higher classification.
5. The size of a community or geographic location of a community has NO BEARING on a team’s proper classification or ability. Many great teams have come from small towns, as well as large cities. Just because a team is from a certain area of the state does not make the team a specific classification.
6. Don’t base a team's classification perception on a post-season destination. Just because a team wants to go to the AA World Series in a specific town does not mean the team should be classified as AA. For the USSSA program structure to work, teams can not be allowed to CHOOSE their classification.
7. Prevention of SANDBAGGING in the AA & AAA classifications is a TOP PRIORITY. Since every team's ability is subjective, USSSA reserves the right pursuant to Rule 3.03 to reclassify a team at any time which demonstrates a skill level and ability, which in the sole opinion of USSSA, is over qualified for a specific classification of play. Sandbagging should be monitored by all team managers and should be reported to the State Office via email immediately.
8. As a RULE OF THUMB the top 15% - 20% of teams in the state should be classified as Major. The next 40% - 45% of teams should be classified as AAA and the lower 40% - 45% of teams should be classified as AA. Because all statistics are relative, the AA & AAA classifications should be relatively equal in size.
Age Divisions of Play
4U
USSSA provides a skill based recreation style T-Ball program for players 4 years old. Developing basic baseball skills is the priority of this rookie division.
5U & 6U
USSSA provides two (2) distinct classifications of play for 5 & 6 year olds in single age divisions. This format allows players of ALL skill levels to enjoy competing against teams (players) of like ability. In addition, USSSA provides two (2) styles of competition based on how the ball is delivered to the batter.
Coach Pitch (5U & 6U Competitive): The Coach Pitch Division uses an offensive team's coach pitching overhand to the batters. No batting tee is used in the 5U & 6U Coach Pitch Division.
Coach Pitch (5U & 6U A-Rec): The Coach Pitch Division uses an offensive team's coach pitching overhand to the batters. If the batter is unable to put the pitched ball in play, a batting tee is then used. No under hand pitching is allowed.7U & 8U
USSSA provides two (2) distinct classifications of play for 7 & 8 year olds in single age divisions. This format allows players of ALL skill levels to enjoy competing against teams (players) of like ability. In addition, USSSA provides two (2) styles of competition based on how the ball is delivered to the batter.
Coach Pitch (7U & 8U Competitive): The Coach Pitch Division uses an offensive team's coach pitching overhand to the batters. No pitches are thrown by a player in the 7U & 8U Coach Pitch Division.
Coach Pitch (7U & 8U A-Rec): The Coach Pitch Division uses an offensive team's coach pitching overhand to the batters. No pitches are thrown by a player in the 7U & 8U Coach Pitch Division.
Kid Pitch (7U & 8U Competitive): The Kid Pitch Division uses a defensive team's player pitching to the batters. No pitches are thrown by a coach in the 7U & 8U Kid Pitch Division.9U
USSSA provides three (3) distinct classifications of play for 9 year olds in a single age division. This format allows players of ALL skill levels to enjoy competing against teams (players) of like ability.
9U: The 9U classification is a "catch all" for the 9 year old age division. Because teams play 8U in so many varieties, the 9U classification is for all competitive "select" teams and acts like a combination of the Major & AAA classifications. For 9 year olds, this is our most talented and highly skilled division.9U AA
The AA classification is designed for those "select" or "recruited" or "frozen" teams which cannot attain qualification at the 9U level. If USSSA finds AA teams consistently winning within the AA class, we reserve the right (Rule 3.03) to elevate such teams to 9U.
9U A-Rec
The A-Rec classification is designed for those "recreation level" teams which are bound by geographic league boundaries and restricted rosters.
10U - 14U
USSSA provides four (4) distinct classifications of play for 10 - 14 year olds in single age divisions. This format allows players of ALL skill levels to enjoy competing against teams (players) of like ability.
10U - 14U Major: The Major classification is designed for the most competitive, "select" teams. Players on these teams may be recruited from any state. This is our most talented and highly skilled division, and provides outstanding teams, who take great pride in competing day in and day out against the best competition available.10U - 14U AAA
The AAA classification is designed for those "select" or "recruited" or "frozen" teams which cannot attain qualification at the Major level. If USSSA finds AAA teams consistently winning within the AAA class, we reserve the right (Rule 3.03) to elevate such teams to Major. The AAA classification is intended to be the "middle ground" for travel type teams in USSSA.
10U - 14U AA
The AA classification is designed for those "select" or "recruited" or "frozen" teams which cannot attain qualification at the AAA level. If USSSA finds AA teams consistently winning within the AA class, we reserve the right (Rule 3.03) to elevate such teams to AAA.
10U - 14U A-Rec
The A-Rec classification is designed for those "recreation level" teams which are bound by geographic league boundaries and restricted rosters.
15U - 18U
USSSA will provide a new program for these older age divisions starting with the 2009 season. Watch for details coming soon!