NEW TEAM INFO AND FAQ

 

• WHAT IS USSSA?

  The first thing to know is...what is USSSA. USSSA is the United States Specialty Sports Association. It is a sanctioning body that provides athletics to amateur athletes all across the country. It is more than slowpitch softball, USSSA also sanctions fastpitch, baseball, basketball, soccer, flag-football, ect... and sports involve male, female, children, and mixed group participants. USSSA defines the rules and provides team rankings for each sport. This website represents USSSA Slowpitch Softball in the state of Oregon.  Our national site, usssa.com, is also a valuable resource for national information and multi-sport opportunities. 
  

• All of our tournaments and results are stored into a national database and teams are ranked on the state level and national level. Every year, USSSA hosts National Invitational Tournaments (NITs), a State Tournament, and finally a World Tournament to determine who are the best teams! (Teams must qualify for the State and World Tournaments.)

•  WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO START PLAYING USSSA SLOWPITCH TOURNAMENTS?

PLAYERS - A typical tournament team has 10-14 players. 10 players are required to be on the field at all times in tournament play, thus some teams carry 1-4 extra players. Its best to have at least one extra player as a player may gets injured or ejected from the game. If you have a player ejected, you must have a sub to fill their spot or your team will forfeit the game.

SELECT DIVISION TO PLAY - Oregon USSSA offers many levels of competition:  We offer events for the low level weekend warrior, to the highly competitive teams with national championship ambitions.  Most divisions use the home run rule to help properly slot teams in the proper divisions.

MENS--The national rule for Home Runs in Men's 'B' (4 HR) 'C' (2 HR), 'D' (0 HR)   and 'E' (offensive ejection).   These rules are in play in State Championship, NIT, Nationals and Worlds.  In Oregon, the Men's Home Run rules are:   'B' (6 HR),    'C' (3 HR),    'D' (1 HR),    'E' Major (0 HR),    and 'E' (inning ending out).

MIXED--The national rule for Home Runs in Mixed is 'B' (4 HR), 'C' (2 HR), 'D'  (0 HR) and 'E' (offensive ejection).  In Oregon, we follow these home run rules.

CHURCH--The national rule for Home Runs in Church Majors is (5 HR), Competitive (3 HR), and Recreation (1 HR).  In Oregon, we follow these home run rules.

• HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR TOURNAMENTS and LEAGUES?

LEAGUES -  Oregon USSSA sanctions both leagues and tournaments.  Teams that play in a USSSA sanctioned league  will have their $20 registration covered by their league dues.  Teams playing in USSSA leagues will also earn USSSA points which count towards their state ranking.

TOURNAMENTS - A list of Tournaments can be found by clicking on the Tournaments button at the top of the home page or on the tab on the right side. Dates, Location, Contact information, and Divisions offered are all listed. Note: Each tournament may have different divisions available, for example, a tournament on one weekend may only run Men's D and E divisions, while another tournament that same weekend runs Men's C, Womens, and Coed (Mixed) Divisions at another separate location. 

Another note: Teams do not have to play USSSA Leagues to play USSSA Tournaments. Any team can play. All new teams playing USSSA tournaments will be subject to a $20 yearly registration fee. This Registration fee is associated to a team name, thus you may have the same players but want to change your team name, that will cost another registration fee. Any team can modify its roster throughout the season as long as they do not have a locked roster, which happens when you win an NIT. Like Leagues,  Tournament teams also earn USSSA Points (most  Oregon tournaments are qualifiers)

• WHAT ARE USSSA POINTS GOOD FOR?

  These point are essentially used to qualify your team for larger, more prestigious tournaments like the State Tournament and World Tournament. See the State/World Berths link on the left side of the page. Often tournament directors seed teams in tournaments based on rankings. Teams are ranked by USSSA points earned in leagues and tournaments. Ultimately, each year USSSA Oregon crowns a STATE CHAMPION for each division of play.

• HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SOFTBALL IN OREGON?

   Call 503-362-4224 or e-mail us at office@usssaoregon.com.