Age Classification Questions

[JCellar17]

I was advised this weekend that USA Softball stated it is ok for a player that is required to move up an age bracket for the upcoming season to play down an age bracket during the fall. And this was an ENQ. This seems insane and I am having a hard time believing that this could be true. This is my 1st year back after taking a year off, did I miss a rule change??

 

[snoman76]

"technically" she would be eligible for that younger age until December 31st.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

The USA season runs from Sept. 1st thru completion of Nationals...........

So whoever is telling you that is feeding you a line!

 

[Heavy Hitter]

The team season runs from Sept 1 thru nationals. Age is still determined by birth year. So you could have a kid play on a team in the fall and not be on the team in the summer.

2017 age group breakdown:

18U - 1998,1999
16U - 2000, 2001
14U - 2002, 2003
12U - 2004, 2005
10U - 2006, 2007

 

[wow]

Its fall.. who cares?

 

[BruisedShins]

Obviously Jason cares if he's getting jobbed in a qualifier. I would care too.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

The team season runs from Sept 1 thru nationals. Age is still determined by birth year. So you could have a kid play on a team in the fall and not be on the team in the summer.

2017 age group breakdown:

18U - 1998,1999
16U - 2000, 2001
14U - 2002, 2003
12U - 2004, 2005
10U - 2006, 2007

September 1st begins the 2018 season.......
So breakdown for this year should be
18U - 99 & 00
16U - 01 & 02
14U - 03 & 04
12U - 05 & 06
10U - 07 & 08

The OP is coaching a 10U team made up of predominately 2008 players - another team should not be trying to play 06 players!!!
IT IS FALL - So teams are supposed to be getting ready for Spring/Summer Ball, not stacking a team to get a win against a team trying to prepare correctly....

 

[snoman76]

IT IS FALL - So teams are supposed to be getting ready for Spring/Summer Ball, not stacking a team to get a win against a team trying to prepare correctly....

Exactly. The trophy hunters bring girls in that will be moving up to play with them in the fall so they can get on their team website and say "Hey we won a tournament". ASA/USA needs to stop dragging their feet and change the birth year eligibility to match the insurance that was changed a couple years ago to coincide with the season..

 

[Jose_canusee]

The problem is TD's that allow it to happen. They need to follow the rules . Especially with a qualifier

 

[Heavy Hitter]

September 1st begins the 2018 season.......
So breakdown for this year should be
18U - 99 & 00
16U - 01 & 02
14U - 03 & 04
12U - 05 & 06
10U - 07 & 08

The OP is coaching a 10U team made up of predominately 2008 players - another team should not be trying to play 06 players!!!
IT IS FALL - So teams are supposed to be getting ready for Spring/Summer Ball, not stacking a team to get a win against a team trying to prepare correctly....

The OP asked the question is this allowed? By rule the answer is yes. I am not saying whether it is right or wrong, I just answered the question. If you want to change the rule then petition you county rep or state commissioner to get the rule changed.

The problem is TD's that allow it to happen. They need to follow the rules . Especially with a qualifier

The TD did follow the rules.

 

[softball44]

So I am throwing together a one time tourney team so my 3 travel ball nieces can play with my daughter in an ASA tourney. Youngest is 04 and oldest is 02 they can play a 14ufall tourney together correct? Thanks

 

[Heavy Hitter]

By rule 02's are allowed to play 14u until December 31. On January 1st they have to moveup and
play 16U.

 

[okiedad1961]

I would agree that should be watched closely in fall qualifyers.Not a fan of cross rostering teams to bring in extra pitching to ensure a win ,kinda cheapens the win for org needing to do it.I don't mind doing it for competeing nationally,but not in a local qualifyers.Another concern of mine is protecting teams or orgs by not recording results good teams win and lose games and in the fall who cares.

 

[Indiansummer11]

I saw many 06? players continuing to play in 10u this past weekend at Diamond Chix Pumpkin Smash. Not sure why you would want your kid playing with an 11in ball when they will never use it again after the fall.

 

[snoman76]

By rule 02's are allowed to play 14u until December 31. On January 1st they have to moveup and
play 16U.

100% correct.... However, correct me if I'm wrong, if the 02 was on a 16u ASA roster then she cannot "play down" at 14u even though she is 14u eligible.

 

[Heavy Hitter]

That is interesting question snowman, I know that is how it used to be. In the past once a player was officially roosted playing up(16U) she couldn't play their age(14U) until the next season. But with ASA changing the season from year to year to Sept.1 thru Nationals technically we are in a new season.

 

[brownsfan]

I saw many 06? players continuing to play in 10u this past weekend at Diamond Chix Pumpkin Smash. Not sure why you would want your kid playing with an 11in ball when they will never use it again after the fall.

Some just want a trophy.

Some aren't ready to move up and if they have the opportunity to "play down" most jump on it.

 

[mamoneyoh]

100% correct.... However, correct me if I'm wrong, if the 02 was on a 16u ASA roster then she cannot "play down" at 14u even though she is 14u eligible.

What would happen if the team wins a bid to an ENQ for next season? Would they have two options....1. Give up the bid to the Nationals or 2. Not take the now 16u players?

 

[Heavy Hitter]

What would happen if the team wins a bid to an ENQ for next season? Would they have two options....1. Give up the bid to the Nationals or 2. Not take the now 16u players?

I am not sure the number, but if the majority of the team is back at 14U next year they can keep the bid and play 14U.

 

[snoman76]

What would happen if the team wins a bid to an ENQ for next season? Would they have two options....1. Give up the bid to the Nationals or 2. Not take the now 16u players?

My team got a bid at 12u for Easterns and they let me carry it over to the next year for 14u. Eastern Nationals is pretty easy to get in to. If you're good with the right people a phone call is all you need to go there, winning an ENQ tournament isn't always necessary.