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Mixed Guidelines

2025 USSSA CHALLENGE CUP EVENT DATES:

MIXED C/D/E – JANUARY 9-12 (NO LAUNCH EVENT)

GENERAL OVERVIEW

  • Players must have played USSSA/GSL in 2024 and in good standing.
  • It is not necessary that they played in the Mixed program specifically.
  • Any exception must be approved by the Challenge Cup Committee in writing.
  • Teams are required to adhere to the Challenge Cup uniform guidelines.

FORMAT FOR ALL DIVISIONS

  • 2 Round Robin into Double Elimination Tournament
  • All Mixed program rules apply per National Rulebook.
  • Teams are playing 5&5 format or 6&6 in the lineup alternating by sex.
  • Defenders can play any position without restriction.
  • A man and a woman can wear the same uniform number.
  • All rosters must be online and all players must have completed waivers before participating.

The team will be registered as a “Challenge Cup” team. If you are playing Mixed D, you will be registered “Challenge Cup – MixD” not as a regular “Mixed D” team.  Do not create a team on the website for this event.   The teams are created by National Office for this event with State Director’s approval. Our Committee will review every team and make appropriate changes.

ALL TEAMS MUST BE PREPARED TO PLAY AT THE SCHEDULED BEGINNING OF THE EVENT. WE CAN NOT TAKE SPECIAL REQUESTS.  STANDARD GAME TIMES / START OF PLAY.

Entry Fee: TBA

Must pay online through Team Manager Account.  No teams will be permitted to pay at the event.

You can only play one Mixed level per event. For example: Mixed C player cannot play Mixed D also, even if legal.

Any player found to be playing on multiple teams, both teams will be disqualified.

EQUIPMENT

We will be using approved Dudley softballs.  12″ ball for Male and 11″ ball for Female.

USSSA will supply all game softballs.

ANYONE CAUGHT STEALING OR PLACING TOURNAMENT BALLS IN BAG WILL BE EJECTED FROM THE TOURNAMENT. THE SECOND OFFENSE OF THIS ACTION TO THE SAME TEAM WILL RESULT IN THE TEAM BEING EJECTED FROM THE TOURNAMENT.

BAT GUIDELINES

  • All bats must have USSSA THUMBPRINT.
  • All bats will be compression tested.
  • All bats should be legal for USSSA Slow-Pitch competition.

USSSA Umpires or Directors reserve the right to remove any bat we feel is altered, damaged, or made to enhance ball/bat performance. We will take the bat for that game and return it upon the end of the game with the mutual understanding it will not be used for the remainder of the tournament. If the bat is caught being used a second time, the player using the bat at that time will be ejected from the tournament and will be asked to leave the park/complex. If a player refuses to give up the bat for the remainder of the game, he/she will be removed from the tournament and park/complex as well.

FOOTWEAR

Metal spikes of any kind are prohibited in USSSA play.

PARK RULES

http://usssaspacecoast.com/a-z-complex-policies/

UPON ENTERING THE TOURNAMENT, YOU, AS THE MANAGER, AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND OUR ABOVE RULES, POLICIES, DETAILS, AND GUIDELINES AND THAT YOU AGREE TO MAKE SURE TO FORWARD ALL THIS SAME INFORMATION TO YOUR TEAM SO THEY ARE AWARE AS WELL.

All games will take place at the USSSA Space Coast Complex.

LODGING

ALL Teams must stay in Brevard County. USSSA does have a list of great host hotels, condos etc. and that list is included for your convenience.

Please do not make your travel plans until you have been confirmed as paid and entered in to the event.

UPON ENTERING OUR TOURNAMENT:

YOU AS THE MANAGER AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT OUR RULES, POLICIES, DETAILS AND GUIDELINES AND AGREE TO MAKE SURE TO FORWARD INFORMATION TO YOUR TEAM.

MIXED TEAM GUIDELINES

Men & Women players MUST be the PRV of the previous calendar year to participate and have played USSSA.  ALL managers and players MUST be approved by your respective State Director.

Example: Male PRV of D in 2023, can only play D or above.  Male PRV C on a D team in 2023, cannot play on a D team for the Challenge Cup. USSSA Challenge Cup teams are not allowed to have “Drop Downs” and/or “Chips” on their respective rosters.  Please note that the Mixed program does allow the Women to legally play one class lower, this is not a “Drop Down.”   Please email your State Director if you feel you may be in violation of playing in a division.

MAJOR DIVISIONS – No player PRV restrictions

B DIVISIONS – Male PRV of B Elite or Lower, Female max of 4 Major/AA players

C DIVISIONS – Male PRV of C Elite or Lower, Female B or lower

D DIVISIONS – PRV of D Elite or Lower, Female C or lower

E DIVISIONS – PRV of E Elite or Lower, Female D or lower

Only Mixed Major Teams are allowed to combine bordering States for competition. Major Teams may only use up to 2 TOTAL STATES to build their teams.

There are no requirements at all in terms of maximum players from one Mixed team.

All States and Canadian Provinces are allowed to have 1 team represent their State per division. 

States or entities wishing to have multiple teams should follow these guidelines below:

If you have 5 or more registered in-class teams by November 1, you may send 2 teams.

If you have 12 or more registered in-class teams by November 1, you may send 3 teams. 

If you have 25 or more registered in-class teams by November 1, you may send 4 teams. 

Exemption:  Approval of the State Director and the Challenge Cup Committee in writing ([email protected]). 

TEAM AND PLAYER RANKINGS AND ELIGIBILITY

We will be using the USSSA Player Ranking Value (PRV).

If there is a player NOT listed on a USSSA roster for this season, we will revert to the previous year/year’s rankings or the listed PRV in the player’s online profile. All Players must be able to show a legal photo ID at all times (must be 18 years of age.)

You may not be appealed in January 2024 to then play lower in the Challenge Cup.   This is a 2023 ranking event only.   No exceptions.

You must have your photo ID on yourself, in your bat bag, or on the park/complex’s property.

HOW TO CHECK PLAYER RANKINGS

The Athlete can go to their player locker and sign in at usssa.com/login to confirm their PRV.   If you have issues you may contact your State Director.

TOURNAMENT WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES

Should your team withdraw for any reason from this tournament once the team has been entered, the cancellation/withdrawal must occur prior to the tournament being “SOLD OUT” or prior to the posted deadline.

Should your team cancel after the specifications listed above, your team is still responsible for the entire entry fee.

Unpaid entry fees will result in the team and each individual player being placed on our Suspended Lists until payment is made in full.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify game times, playing locations, or tournament structure due to: field conditions, time constraints, safety issues, team count, or inclement weather.