Policies and Procedures

This page outlines specific policies and procedures for the USSSA Fastpitch Program in Maryland, Delaware and Central/Western Pennsylvania. It includes information on the Roster Procedures, Heat Policy, Berth Procedures, and Code of Conduct.

USSSA Maryland, Delaware, and Central/Western Pennsylvania Guest Player and Roster Procedures

Guest players are permitted in national stature events.

Teams in USSSA tournaments nationwide (with the exception of certain state and national events) can utilize guest players of comparable class for events that they are participating in. This means teams that are short a player or two for an event have a standardized way to bring on guest players for specific events.

As this system is the same in all states, it will improve roster transparency. Anyone will be able to see approved guest players for an event or teams within that event. Additionally, the system will no longer allow a player to be rostered with more than one team.

The system is very intuitive and works through the coach’s login at usssa.com. We have also created a series of help documents for you to use to help in your orientation to the new system. They include:

Please note that team performance will continue to affect team classifications, and the use of guest players will not be a factor in evaluating teams for potential promotion.

We recognize that from time to time, a player may wish to completely change teams during the season. This is different from being a guest player because she is making a new team her “home” team. This will require her to be dropped off one roster and added to another. If she chooses to go to another team, which includes a team within the same organization or a different age group, she would have to submit a player release form along with paying a release fee. Players are only allowed one release during the spring/summer season. A player can start the season on one roster and then be released to the other to finish out the season, but she can’t go back and forth between the two teams. The Guest Player System should be used for a player who may “guest” on more than one occasion with another team but is not officially leaving her ‘home” team. If a team disbands midseason, players can be released to another team without affecting their one-time transfer.

The following are USSSA East Coast Events Guidelines for player release:

Return of Equipment: Players must return all team-issued equipment in a timely manner.
Financial Disputes: All financial disputes must be resolved directly between the player and the team. USSSA / East Coast Events will not mediate or intervene in monetary issues.
Team Transfer Policy: A player gets one team transfer per season without penalty.
Disbanded Teams: If a team disbands and a player is forced to find a new team, that transfer will not count towards their one allotted transfer per season.

If a player needs to be formally released from a team, please click below to fill out the Player Release Form.

Player Release Form

USSSA Maryland, Delaware, and Central/Western Pennsylvania Heat Index Policy

The following heat index policy guidelines have been established to ensure the safety and welfare of all players, coaches, and umpires involved with the sport of fastpitch softball.

Heat Index Actions

80° – 89°: Use caution; Monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
90° – 104°: Use extreme caution; Ensure water breaks are allowed as needed; Ensure that all individuals drink fluids and that uniforms are modified to ensure the coolest level available.
105° – 114°: Games will be shortened in duration to allow a longer break between games for all involved; Alter uniforms where feasible.
115° & Above: All activities will be suspended until the heat index is below 115.

The Heat Index will be watched by the on-site Directors, the on-site UICs, and the USSSA State Director’s Office. The Heat Index Policy will be implemented and enforced by the State Director’s Office. The State Director’s Office will attempt to reschedule games as needed to complete the schedule. The standards above are in compliance with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and local counties.

Revised Date: December 2020.

USSSA Fastpitch Post Season Qualification Guidelines

There are three levels of qualification for USSSA Post Season National Championship berths.

Direct Qualification: At the conclusion of qualifying events (based on stature), the system will identify and award appropriate teams with a Qualified designation based on order of finish in the event. The number of berths awarded is based on the stature of the event. On the occasion where a team has already qualified, it is possible that a berth may be awarded to the highest finishing team in the event, which has not yet qualified and has a winning record in that event.

Accrual of USSSA Points: Teams can earn an At-Large berth by participating in USSSA events throughout the season and accruing a minimum of 150 USSSA Points. Once a team accrues 150 USSSA Points, they will automatically be granted an At-Large Berth.

State Director Application: A team can apply for an At-Large Berth through their State Director. For a team to be given an At-Large Berth by their State Director, it is recommended that they accrue a minimum of 4 USSSA Event Credits. Credits are earned based on the stature of an event. For teams located in an area without a State Director, they can apply to the USSSA National Championship Director.

Click here for the qualifying procedures for Open/B National Events.

Any team looking to participate in a “C” National Championship must be classified as a “C” team. The typical characteristics of a “C” team are described here. All team entries into this event will be scrutinized by the “C” National Tournament Director and USSSA event coordinators to ensure that the teams meet the eligibility criteria and to make sure that the competitive balance is what the teams expect. In the future, USSSA may initiate qualification procedures, but at this point, USSSA is offering a “C” National Championship nationwide, and the only requirement to participate is that teams be classified as “C” teams.
Teams intending to participate in the National Championship MUST submit their entry fee online to the national office; no checks accepted. Each team’s State Director will approve all eligible teams that register for the National Championship.
Teams must have available a copy of their current official USSSA roster with appropriate signatures, up-to-date insurance certificate, and birth certificates for all rostered players. Teams are also responsible for handling all other paperwork associated with this event (eg, housing forms, admission passes, T-shirt orders, etc.).

USSSA East Coast Events Code of Conduct

USSSA and East Coast Events are committed to providing a positive and competitive tournament experience for all participants. To ensure a respectful and sportsmanlike environment, the following guidelines apply to all coaches, players, parents, and spectators:

The team manager is responsible for the behavior of all team personnel, both on and off the field.
Only the designated team manager may address an umpire or tournament official regarding a call or ruling. All others must remain in their team’s designated area.
All communication with umpires, tournament officials, and staff—both in person and off the field (including calls, emails, texts, and social media)—must be courteous and professional.
Managers should report any unsportsmanlike or inappropriate behavior to the tournament director immediately.
Coach ejections result in suspension for the remainder of that game and the team’s next game (or next USSSA event if none remain on that day).
Ejected parents or spectators must leave the facility for at least the remainder of the day.
All ejections and unsportsmanlike incidents will be reviewed by the state office sportsmanship committee and may result in further disciplinary action for individuals or teams.