CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION

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A.S.A. Northwest Region #15

Classification Rules & Guidelines


Article 1-General

1.Purpose

A) To establish rules and guidelines for the classifications of teams and players for tournament and championship competition.

2.Objectives

A) To attain, in an equitable manner, classification of teams at their respective level of athletic proficiency for the various levels of tournaments and championship play conducted by Local Associations.

3.Administration

A) A NW Regional Committee shall consist of each Local Association's player representative with a Local Association Commissioner as chair of the committee.

B) Each Local Association shall properly administer the resulting procedural code. Additional procedures and /or rules may be established by the Local Association, but in keeping with the above purposes and objectives as long as they are not inconsistent or in variance with the guidelines.

Article 2- Classification Boards

1. Formation of Boards

A) Each Local Associations shall designate a Classification Board to evaluate, classify and review team competitive levels according to the classification guidelines.

1) The Board shall consist of 3 or more members, one of which should be the Local Association Player Representative.

2) The method of selection to the Classification Board shall be determined by the Local Association subject to approval by the Local Association Commissioner.

B) Regional Classification Boards, one for adult and one for Junior Olympics shall be appointed by the Regional Director.

2. Authority of Boards

A) Classify players and teams prior to the beginning of regular season play based on past performance and current season roster.

B) Review players and teams during season play for reclassification prior to the appropriate ASA deadline.

C) Hear properly filed appeals from players and teams on their classification status by the appropriate ASA deadline.

D) Develop additional guidelines and regulations as the need arise.

E) Promote teams to level of play where the team is reasonably competitive.

Article 3- Team Roster

1. Submission of Team Roster

A) The team roster shall be submitted prior to participating in leagues or tournament play.

1) There shall be no transfers or additions of players to team roster after a date that has been established by the National ASA or Local Associations.

2) Teams must retain at least eight (8) players from their qualifying tournament roster to be eligible for their Regional or Western National Berth.

Article 4- Classification of Teams

1. General Information

A) Team classifications are described to differentiate between levels of competition.

B) Basic classification definitions shall be used by Classification Boards as guidelines when evaluating teams.

1) In determining proper athletic proficiency for teams, shall be limited to an overall comparison of all teams within the Regional area.

a) EXCEPTION: Teams that regularly compete in championship tournaments. Championship tournaments are those leading to District, Local Associations championship, Regional or National tournaments. This includes qualifying tournaments.

2) Teams that regularly compete in championship tournaments shall be evaluated on an overall comparison of all teams within the Regional area with reasonable consideration of teams on a National level.

C) Home Run Hitter (Men's and Coed Classification)

1) A Player who, while playing on a standard field, has the potential, under normal game and weather conditions, of hitting a home run in any game.

D) Field Dimensions (Men's and Coed Classification)

1) The ASA Official Guide requires that a slowpitch game be played on a fenced field which has fences established at a minimum distance of 275 feet (300 feet preferred) using an ASA approved restricted flight ball.

a) Deficit field dimensions are not to be construed as to preventing ASA slowpitch from being played, however special ground rules might be required.

2) Field dimensions and softball types are established so that the definition of a home run hitter can be established.

a) A batter who averages one or more homeruns in every three (3) games.

Article 5- Adult Classifications

1. Adult Slowpitch

A) A team that has 5 or more players on their roster from teams that finished in the top 30% of the Regional Tournament or Qualifying Tournaments held the year before shall qualify as a returning team.

2. Adult Fastpitch

A) Each Local Association Commissioner shall classify teams at the time of registration for the current year.

B) Any five returning players from a team constitutes a returning team for the purpose of classification.

1) The intent of the procedure is to keep teams from disbanding to re-form under another sponsor name with the key players from the previous year's team.

Article 6- Reclassification of Adult Teams

1. General Information

A) Roster changes may be cause for reclassification.

1) If a team loses up to 70% of their team, they must be considered for reclassification.
2) If a team has 5 or more players that have played on a reclassified team, that team will be reviewed for reclassification.
3) If a team ends up with 5 or more returning players by way of the pick-up rule prior to any level of championship play, that team will automatically be reclassified and must play at the next highest level available to them.
REASON: teams may try to get around the returning players rule and then have the potential of having 7 players that played with them the year before by using the pick-up rule that is available to them.

2. Adult Slowpitch

A) Teams being reviewed and possibly reclassified up one classification will be awarded a berth in the following years Regional Tournament.

1) MSP B and WSP Open- teams must finish either 1st or 2nd two years in a row before they are reviewed for reclassification.
2) MSP C and WSP C- The top 30% of finishers in Regional play will be reviewed for reclassification the following year.
3) MSP D and WSP D- The top 30% of finishers in Regional play will be reviewed for reclassification the following year.
4) Teams that win qualifiers and advances to a Western National Tournament and did not play in the NW Regional Tournament may automatically be reclassified the following year if they have 5 or more returning players. Reasons why they did not play in Regionals may be submitted by their State/metro Commissioner or by the manager. The decision of reclassification by the regional committee would be final.
5) If a team has five (5) or more players on teams that finished in the top 30%, they would be reviewed for reclassification as well.

3. Adult Fastpitch A) Teams shall be reclassified to the next highest classification based on the following criteria.

1) Teams that win a B or C National Qualifier.
2) If a Regional Tournament is played, the top 20% of the finishers will be reviewed for reclassification the following year.

B) Reclassified teams shall receive a Regional berth in their respective reclassification.

**original #2 has been deleted**

Article 7- Classification Appeals Process for Adult Teams

1. General Information

A) Local Association Commissioners in each area shall hear the appeal regarding reclassification and make recommendations to the classification committee by the last Wednesday in June.

2. Adult Fastpitch/Adult Slowpitch

A) Teams may appeal their classification to the NW Classification Committee. Teams are expected to play in at least two tournaments or one round of traveling league play before making an appeal.

B) The appropriate two page form must be completed in full and postmarked no later than June 29th in order to be considered. The appeal request must be accompanied by the team's original Championship Play Roster of the previous year and the current year.

C) Teams must allow up to fourteen (14) days for an appeal to be processed. The roster shall be marked with the applicable classification as determined by the classification committee and forwarded to the appropriate Championship Tournament Director. Copies shall be kept on file and made available if a team wishes to enter a qualifying tournament.

D) If an appeal is granted and the team is allowed to play at the same level as in the previous year, the team's roster will be frozen.

1) Any player addition will automatically move the team back to the higher classification.

a) The intent of this procedure is to inhibit teams from losing two events with an intentionally weaker team, be classified down and then add players who become even more competitive.

Article 8- Types of Adult Team Classifications

1. Men's Slowpitch

A) Class 'Major'

1) Budgeted, traveling, highly competitive teams, which generally have been established several years.
2) Teams have skilled defense and a proficient offense and are composed of strong, athletic, skilled players.
a) They utilize their power to score in any given inning or situation. They have a lineup capable of power in any part of the order.
b) The team is built around its power and utilizes it to its fullest advantage.
3) They have class in their defense and turn the double play easily.
4) They usually place within the top quarter in competitive tournaments.
5) Major teams compete in Open or Major tournaments and may be invited to participate in 'A' tournaments.
6) Teams may not compete in 'B' or lower tournaments unless approved by the Tournament Director and their State or Metro Commissioner.
7) Teams will be allowed twelve (12) homeruns per game.

B) Class 'A'

1) Teams are skilled offensively and defensively with players that have good skills, athletic abilities and experience.
2) Defensively, they are capable of taking games away from their opponents with strong, clean fielding.
3) Teams will generally finish in the upper half or tournaments they enter. Teams may occasionally win tournaments in which few Major teams compete.
4) Teams may not compete in 'B' or lower tournaments unless approved by the Tournament Director, and their State or Metro Commissioner.
5) Teams may follow the 'A' homerun rule (9) unless they are playing up (Major) or down ('B' homerun rule).
a) A teams that has 3 or more homerun hitters will generally be classified 'A'.

C) Class "B"

1) Teams may be registered as a Tournament team only or they will play in their local association's top level of league play. 2) Teams may have highly skilled players, but not all defensive positions will be filled by highly skilled or experienced players. Teams speed is above average.
3) Teams may win one or two games in championship tournaments, but are competitive with teams in this classification.
4) Teams may compete in 'B" or higher level tournaments.
5) Teams may not compete in 'C' or lower classification unless approved by the Tournament Director and their State or Metro Commissioner. 6) Any team which establishes itself as a strong 'B' team , or which has improved through the addition of higher caliber players, will be considered for reclassification.
7) This classification will follow the 'B' homerun rule.

D) Class 'C'

1) Team play a competitive schedule. They generally play at least six (6) tournaments.
2) Teams may have skilled players, but not all defensive positions will be filled by skilled players. Team speed is average.
3) Teams may be moved to 'B' with the addition of higher caliber skilled players.
4) This classification will follow the 'C' homerun rule.

E) Class 'D'

1) Teams play a less competitive schedule than 'C' teams, and participate in less than six (6) tournaments.
2) Teams may have a few skilled players but are usually lacking in making the defensive plays on a consistent basis. Teams speed is average.
3) Teams will be asked to play in a 'C' tournament if they finish in the top three (3) positions of three (3) 'D' tournaments.
4) Teams will follow the 'D' home run rule.

2. Women's Slowpitch

A) "Class 'Open"
1) Teams are skilled offensively and defensively with players that have good skills, athletic ability and experience.
2) Defensively, they are capable of taking games away from their opponent with strong, clean fielding. They turn the double play easily.
3) Offensively, teams have better than average power and better than average team speed.
4) Teams may win one or two games, in championship play and are competitive with other teams in this classification.
5) Teams may not compete in 'C' or lower classification tournaments unless approved by the local Tournament Director or their Association Commissioner.

B) Class 'C'

1) Teams play a competitive schedule. They generally play in 4 to 6 tournaments.
2) Teams may have skilled players but not all defensive positions will be filled by skilled players.
3) Teams may be moved to open with the addition of higher caliber skilled players.
4) Teams may not compete in 'D' classification tournaments unless approved by the local tournament director and their State or Metro Commissioner.

C) Class 'D'

1) Teams play less competitive schedule than 'C' teams, and participate in less than 4 to 6 tournaments.
2) Teams may have a few skilled players but are usually lacking in making the defensive plays on a consistent basis.
3) Teams will be asked to play in 'C' tournaments if they finish in the top three (3) positions of (3) 'D' tournaments.

3. Coed Slowpitch

A) Class 'Major'

1) This classification is not acknowledged in the Northwest.
2) 'A' teams may attend the 'Major' National Tournament.
3) Limited to six (6) homeruns. An out is recorded for each additional homerun.

B) Class 'A'

1) Teams composed of 5 or more players capable of playing on a Mens 'B' or Womens Open.
2) Teams are competitive at the Regional and National level.
3) Limited to three (3) homeruns. An out is recorded for each additional homerun.

C) Class 'B'
1) Teams composed of 5 or more player capable of playing on a Mens 'C' or Womens 'C' team.
2) Teams are competitive at Regional level.
3) Limited to one (1) homerun. An out is recorded for each additional homerun.

D) Class 'C'

1) Teams composed of 5 or more players capable of playing on a Mens or Womens 'D' team.
2) Teams are competitive at the State level.
3) No homeruns allowed. An out is recorded for each homerun hit. No ejections.

E) Class 'D'- DELETED

4. Men's and Women's Fastpitch

A) Class 'Major'

1) Budgeted. traveling, highly competitive teams, which generally have been established several years.
2) Teams have skilled defense and a proficient offense and are composed of strong, athletic, skilled players.
3) Teams usually place within the top quarter in competitive tournaments.
4) Major teams compete in Open or Major tournaments and may be invited to participate in 'A' tournaments.
5) Teams may not compete in 'B' or lower classification.
6) A team will generally have two (2) or more major class pitchers.

B) Class' A'

1) Teams are skilled offensively and defensively with players that have good skills, athletic abilities and experience.
2) Teams will generally finish in the upper half of tournaments they enter.
3) Teams may occasionally win tournaments in which a few Major teams may compete.
4) Teams may not compete in 'B' or lower classification tournaments.
5) A team generally has 2 or more class 'A' pitchers.

C) Class 'B'

1) Teams will range from better teams from the recreational level leagues, to the less successful teams from the 'A' leagues.
2) Teams may have highly skilled players, but not all defensive positions will be filled by highly skilled or experienced players.
3) Teams may win one or two games, at best, in championship tournaments.
4) Teams may compete in 'B- or higher level tournaments.
5) Teams may not compete in 'C' or lower classification tournaments.
6) Any team which establishes itself as a strong 'B' team, or which has improved through the addition of higher caliber players, will be considered for reclassification.
7) A team will generally not have any pitchers that can dominate the game.

D) Class 'C'

1) Teams play in recreational level leagues and do not regularly participate in tournaments.
2) A team's offense and defense is inconsistent and often limited.
3) The 'C' teams will generally have younger and inexperienced players, but they have the older experienced pitcher who cannot compete in the 'B' class.

Article 9 - Junior Olympic Classification

1. 18U Gold Fastpitch

A) Open to all players within the region, and in accordance with the Regional and National ASA Codes.

B) Teams shall register with the Association where the majority of players reside or attend school.

C) Player Declaration Form.

1) Players must sign a "Player Declaration Form" and file their team roster where they intend to play.
2) June 1st or one day prior to participation in championship play is the deadline date to file the "Player Declaration Form" and team roster with the local and regional officials.

2. Class 'A'

A) Teams are competitive and travel.

B) Teams are select, hand picked or self declared.

C) Teams may participate in Class Gold and 'A' invitational tournaments.

3. Class 'B'

A) Involves some travel.

B) Teams may participate in Class 'A' and 'B' invitational tournaments.

4. Reclassification

A) Teams may be reclassified by their local association based on tournament performance.



DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE CLASSIFICATION INFO PHOTO GALLERY TOURNAMENTS SPONSORS
REGION 15 DIRECTORY HALL OF FAME UMPIRE PROGRAM NEWS & EVENTS SOFTBALL LINKS


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