First Defense Guidelines
2026 USSSA CHALLENGE CUP EVENT DATES
FIRST DEFENDERS – JANUARY 8th – 11th (NO LAUNCH EVENT)
MILITARY DIRECTOR EMAIL
CHALLENGE CUP COMMITTEE EMAIL
DATE: First Defense – JANUARY 8th – 11th
USSSA MEN’S & WOMEN’S DIVISIONS
Men’s COMP
Men’s REC
& Women’s
Men’s 40+ Please see our Seniors guidelines tab- https://challengecup.usssa.com/senior-cc/
(Bordering states are possible in the CC Senior division. Please follow the regular Senior guidelines on this topic.)
Men’s REC: No player with a PRV of C Elite or above may play in the REC. Any player who played Military Varsity A in 2024 or 2025 must be approved by First Defense Committee.
First Defense Committee reserves the right to make final decisions on team class. It is possible we combine divisions but we do not hope to do so.
TEAM MAKE-UP: Teams can consist of Military, Police and Fire personnel combined.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:
Military – Active Duty, Reserves/National Guard, Retiree, and DD-214 (limited to 5 per team).
No DOD Civilians, Contractors, Dependents and DD214 Spouses. Military players must play with a team from the State where you are ASSIGNED, not where you reside and not your home of record. Personnel assigned to one state with their command in a bordering state can play for the neighboring state if the home state is not sending a team. Any special situation will be reviewed by the First Defense Committee.
Police – Active and Retired Law Enforcement personnel
Fire – Active and Retired Fire/EMT personnel
Players must have played USSSA or GSL in 2025 (Slow Pitch or any Specialty program including military) with the exception of no events being offered within 200 miles from a team’s registered address. Each State’s eligibility requirements will differ from State to State based on number of events offered within the State. Check with your military Director regarding eligibility. Exception(s) must be granted by the military Director and or approved by the Challenge Cup Committee.
SCHEDULE: We plan to release the schedule 10 days prior to the start date. We will post projected start times for each class December 29, 2026. We will have age group projected starts prior to the release date, so please email ([email protected]).
FORMAT: Two seeding games then a double elimination play-off. We will do everything possible not to combine divisions, but there is always a possibility we may combine for SEEDING GAMES ONLY with no equalizer, then split teams into their own division play-offs. If the need arises, the Challenge Cup Committee will determine how we will proceed for divisions with less than FOUR teams. The deadline to enter the event is December 9th, 2025, so the Challenge Cup Committee will have enough time to decide how we need to proceed. Event will start Thursday due to extended time limits and projected increased participation.
REGULATION TIME LIMITS:
SEEDING GAMES – No new inning after 65 MINUTES (MERCY RULE APPLIES)
PLAY-OFF GAMES – No Time Limit (MERCY RULE APPLIES)
CHAMPIONSHIP & IF GAMES – NO TIME LIMIT (MERCY RULE APPLIES)
HOME RUN RULES:
Men’s Comp 8 HR then DBO
Men’s REC 3 HR then DBO
Women’s 3 HR then DBO
Men’s 40+ DHH plus 8 then DBO
COURTESY RUNNERS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TEAMS – In the spirit of the USSSA Challenge Cup, the Men’s & Women’s divisions will use the CUSSSA Courtesy Runner Rule. Men’s & Women’s Courtesy Runner can be anyone on the roster for the pitcher only.
ROSTER DEADLINE: Preliminary online rosters will be due December 1st, 2025. Online roster must be finalized BEFORE December 12th, 2025. We understand emergencies occur, so all emergency changes must be emailed to Challenge Cup Committee after December 30th, 2025.
ENTRY FEE PAYMENT: Teams will be allowed to enter without payment, but the entry fee will be due NO LATER THAN December 8th, 2025. We understand situations occur that require a payment extension. Please communicate any delays to [email protected]
TEAM CLASS REGISTRATION: State Directors will need to email a list of First Defense Challenge Cup teams for their state with the appropriate division (COMP or REC), manager name, manager cell and email to First Defense Committee. Teams will be created by home office, and managers will be notified when team is ready to add their online roster.
NEIGHBORING STATE RULE FOR CHALLENGE CUP ONLY
Men’s Comp & Men’s REC. NO Combine states in First Defense, unless approved by First Defense committee.
Women’s team may form with neighboring states with approval from military Director and or approved by the Challenge Cup Committee.
If a state has no USSSA or GSL Military Director or program, approval will not be required (please check with the Military Director or Challenge Cup Committee). This is a hot topic, so managers are 100% responsible for player compliance to the guidelines.
ALL TEAMS MUST BE PREPARED TO PLAY AT THE RELEASED PROJECTED START FOR EACH DIVISION. WE CAN NOT TAKE SPECIAL REQUESTS.
All Bats must have the 240 Stamp. They must meet 240 compression standards. Passed bats will be stickered. Any player that steps in the batter’s box with an unstickered bat will be DQd from the event.