The American Softball Association’s (ASA) Junior Olympic program offers five divisions of play for boys and girls, including 10-under, 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under, in both fast and slow pitch. Although the ASA does offer over 50 Junior Olympic National Championship and National Tournament events, the majority of its over 80,000 teams play in recreational leagues. In these leagues, children can learn the basics of softball in a relaxed and inclusive environment.

For the more competitive teams, national championship competition is offered for boys and girls of all ages. Teams must qualify for ASA Junior Olympic National Championship events. In girls' fast pitch, the ASA recognizes Class A and Class B classifications, with Class A being a higher level of play. In addition, in 18-under Girls Fast Pitch the ASA offers the GOLD classification, the highest level of play in girls fast pitch. To get more information or find teams and tournaments in your area, contact your ASA State/Metro Association.

The Junior National Team, which competes internationally, is selected through open tryouts and a final, invitational tryout.

Joining USA Softball
By becoming part of an ASA team, you are automatically a part of USA Softball. The ASA is beginning to enroll individual junior members, but this membership is not required to compete in sanctioned events.

Major Events
The ASA hosts an annual Junior and Senior National Championship for men and women, which is open to ASA sponsored teams. The ASA also hosts the Women’s Class A Senior National Championships and the Women’s Major Senior National Championships, the highest level of play for amateur softball. The Junior and Senior National teams also participate in World Championships. Junior Worlds are held annually and Senior Worlds are held once every four years. The next Senior Worlds will be in 2006.

• 2005 Pacific Rim Sports Summit

Contact Information
web: USA Softball
email: info@softball.org
phone: 405.424.5266