How to Classify Your Team
The main objective for team classification is allowing teams to play within their skill level and bring parity to CT USSSA program. This allows CT USSSA to develop tournaments or divisions within a tournament for different classes. It also allows you to play in the correct bracket at USSSA World Series events. As teams enter the system the CT State Director will monitor entries and adjust the class selected as required.
Girls' Fastpitch Class “A” - Any team considered to be the highest level competitive travel team within CT. If your team is normally in contention to win each tournament you enter and you beat the "better" teams in your state, and you have multiple front line pitchers, then you should consider yourself an "A" team. A small percentage of teams qualifies for A.
Girls' Fastpitch Class “B” - Any team considered to be an average to above average level competitive travel team within CT. If your team is occasionally in contention to win a tournament you enter and you are competitive with most teams in your state, and you have solid but not overwhelming pitching, then you should consider yourself an "B" team. The majority of teams qualifies for B.
Girls' Fastpitch Class “C” - Any team that typically only plays in a local league, a town league, an all star team from a local league or a team that might only play in one or two tournaments a year. A "C" team is also any team considered to be an entry level or new travel team and lacks the experience and number of skilled players and pitchers to compete on a National or State levels with the higher skilled Class “A and B” teams. If you're a newly formed team that plans on playing in a number of competitive tournaments or an existing team that consistently finishes in the middle or at the bottom of the pack in most tournaments, then you are a "C" team.
Age Classification - USSSA allows teams to sanction their team with actual age levels (10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 18U). If your team is comprised of players all of the same playing age please register your team with the exact age level. This will allow CT USSSA to create tournaments and divisions within a tournament with teams of the same age level. Also teams can play at the World Series at their exact age level. Teams are still free to "play up".
“OPEN Tournaments”- Most 2012 tournaments will be classified “OPEN” that allows “A”, “B” and "C" teams to play together. As team register for tournaments divisions for the different classes may be created.
For National and Regional World Series events the classification is very important as team are able to compete on the big stage with teams of similar capabilities.
