Membership Benefits

As the National Governing Body of Softball, USA Softball is a non-profit organization that affords millions of players, fans, coaches, administrators, umpires and parents with benefits upon registering to play USA Softball. While each state/metro association and USA Softball member league offers unique opportunities upon registering, certain benefits exist for everyone just by being part of the program.

 

 Click here for a Membership Benefits brochure

All Members

  • Eligible to participate in USA Softball sanctioned events

  • A copy of the Official Rules of Softball, which provides a set standard of playing rules for consistency and fair play for all those involved

  • Subscription to and opportunity to be featured in Balls & Strikes Online Magazine, the Official Magazine of USA Softball

  • A copy of USA Softball’s Official Scorebook

  • Top-of-the-line insurance coverage through RPS Bollinger Insurance to provide peace-of-mind for all those involved in the sport

  • The opportunity to use USA Softball’s Member logo, which designates you as a member of the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States

  • Hotel discounts when booking through IHG brand hotels 

  • Travel discounts through USA Softball partners, including United Airlines, Avis, Budget and Enterprise

    • Avis Rental Car - AWD: T086700

    • Budget Rental Car - BCD: Z632397

    • Enterprise Rental Car - Code: NA51A21

  • Discounts on safe and effective nutritional supplements for athletes and umpires to support their health through Thorne Research

  • Membership in the ONLY organization that supports the USA Softball National Team programs and sends Team USA to WBSC World Cups, Pan American Games and the Olympic Games

  • Comprehensive dedication to the integrity of the game, including:

    • Industry-leading equipment testing and certification standards

    • Comprehensive background checks on coaches, umpires and volunteers who surround our game

    • SafeSport, which provides services to sport entities on abuse prevention techniques, policies and programs

    • Annual Safety Awareness Guides, which provides information to youth and adult players and umpires on topics such as first aid, lightning safety and travel policies

In addition to the above USA Softball member benefits, additional benefits by category can be found below.

Youth Athlete Benefits

  • Recreation and competitive opportunities for boys and girls in both fast and slow pitch

  • A positive and nurturing environment to help aspiring athletes in their development and preparation for college and life

  • Accident insurance coverage through RPS Bollinger on all individual registrations while teams have the opportunity to purchase Team insurance and name field owners as additional insureds

  • Opportunity to play in State/Metro/Regional Championships, National Championship Qualifiers and National Championship Finals

  • Opportunity to be selected for:

    • 12-Under All-American Games

    • Junior Men’s and Junior Women’s National Teams

    • All-Star or All-League teams

Adult Athlete Benefits

  • Recreation and competitive opportunities for men, women and coed in fast pitch, modified pitch and slow pitch

  • Opportunity to play in State/Metro/Regional Championships, National Championship Qualifiers and National Championship Finals

  • Accident insurance coverage through RPS Bollinger on all individual registrations while adult teams have liability insurance and the opportunity to purchase accident insurance

  • Up-to-date player database, which details individual player classifications to level the playing field in tournament and recreation play

  • Opportunity to be selected for:

    • Men’s, Women’s and Futures Slow Pitch National Teams

    • Men’s and Women’s Fast Pitch National Teams

    • All-American and All-Tournament Teams at National Championship Finals

Umpire Benefits

  • Official USA Softball Umpire Manual, which is published annually online

  • Top-of-the-line insurance options, including liability, excess accident medical expense and insurance coverage when officiating scholastic and collegiate softball events through RPS Bollinger

  • USA Softball is the industry leader in umpire training and mechanics education

  • The opportunity to attend both National and local Umpire Schools

  • Assignments to local, metro, state, Regional and National Championship Finals

  • The opportunity to join the USA Softball Umpire Awards Program

  • The ability to certify with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), which provides opportunities to be selected to umpire at WBSC World Cups, Pan American Games, select international events and the Olympic Games

  • The opportunity to umpire in the international exchange program with countries like Canada and Australia

  • The opportunity to umpire in joint events hosted by MLB and USA Softball

Coach Benefits

  • Ability to name field owners as Additional Insureds for organizations and purchase team insurance for additional coverage

  • Education through the ACE (Aspire, Challenge, Encourage) Coach Education Program

  • Discounted one-year membership to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)with completion of the ACE Coach Education Program

  • Exclusive access to ACE Coach-specific resources and National Coaching School opportunities

  • Access to online educational resources relating to athlete health and wellness

  • Access to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaching Softball course and training modules to foster a positive sports environment

Leagues, Parks and Recreation and Tournament Director Benefits

  • Opportunity for discounted softball equipment, such as balls, through state/metro association partnerships

  • Opportunity to use USA Softball registered umpires

  • Opportunity to purchase optional insurance coverages through RPS Bollinger, including Directors & Officers Liability, Crime and Equipment Insurance

  • Adult Team Tournament Directors have ease of mind knowing that their registered teams have liability insurance that is included with their team registration. Tournament Directors may purchase Tournament Accident insurance for additional protection

  • Youth Team Tournament Directors have the opportunity to purchase liability and accident insurance for their sanctioned tournaments

  • Ability to host local USA Softball tournaments and bid on USA Softball National Championships

  • Support from the state/metro association staff for league administration

  • Access to lineup cards, bat stickers, brackets and more for league and tournament play

  • Discounted organization websites offered by SportsEngine

  • Opportunity to participate with the MLB PLAY BALL and Pitch, Hit and Run initiatives

  • Access to TournamentUSASoftball.com which allows you to list your sanctioned tournaments, results and more

Parents of Youth Athlete Benefits

  • Peace of mind, knowing your youth athlete is a part of the ONLY softball organization that

    • Requires background checks and SafeSport training for coaches, umpires and Tournament Directors in youth Championship Play. In addition, each state/metro association may have additional requirements for non-Championship Play

    • Requires state/metro associations to meet state/federal laws regarding concussion protocols

    • Provides the best-of-the-best in coaching education to ensure that coaches understand their duties as a coach of a youth softball team

    • Provides top-of-the-line insurance coverage to provide assistance if the need arises

    • Provides both parent and coach Code of Ethics so that members understand their role in fostering a positive and nurturing environment for youth athletes

    • Equips officials with the best education and training materials, making USA Softball officials the best trained and proficient in the sport of softball

  • Educational resources covering topics relating to youth sports such as: recruitment, nutrition, leadership, anti-bullying and more

City and County Governments

  • Two million dollars worth of Liability Insurance

  • Opportunity to bid on National Championship and Territorial Finals and USA Softball National Council Meetings