USA Softball

The USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP) will identify a pool of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball through domestic and international competition. The program will focus on providing an equal opportunity for players to develop their skills and show their talent while growing the game of softball in the United States. Serving as a pipeline to the National Team, the program is inclusive to all that wish to participate and develop their skills. The program will also identify a pool of coaches who can lead athletes and support their goals to advance their skills and achieve success.

Through the HPP, athletes around the country will have the chance to make a USA Softball National Team at multiple age groups. Working first at the local level, the best talent in the game will work through camps, clinics, identifiers and tryouts to make local teams, region teams and potentially be selected to a National Team to participate with USA Softball at a World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) international event.

Coaches in the program have the ability to learn from top coaches and invest in athletes’ futures. They have the opportunity to grow the game of softball, both in participation as well as skill level. Giving back to the game and helping with this program will lead to satisfaction and watching their athletes achieve success.

The HPP includes 10 regions and 62 local areas throughout the country. The program is headed by the USA Softball National Office and a committee that was formed to create the program and adjust, as necessary. The committee will also work to place individuals in roles throughout the regions and areas. Through evaluation, placement, training, and re-evaluation each year, HPP can identify athletes for advancement consideration, working to discover the future Women’s National Team athletes.

The HPP age classifications are based on the age guidelines for the WBSC competition schedule. Age groups are defined by birth year and an athlete must be the age group age throughout the entire year. For example, if an athlete is trying out for the 2021 14u region team, the athlete must not turn 15 until 2022. The age of the athlete on Dec 31 determines their age group for the following year. An athlete may try out for their age group team but be asked to move up in age group.

2021 Age groups that will participate in the program:

U-13 – Local Area Pool, Regional Pool (born 2008 or after)

U-14 – Local Area Pool, Regional Pool and National Team (depending on available WBSC qualifier) (born 2007 or after)

U-15 – Local Area Pool, Regional Pool and National Team (depending on available WBSC World Cup) (born 2006 or after)

U-16 – Local Area Pool and Regional Pool (born 2005 or after)

U-17 – Local Area Pool, Regional Pool and National Team (depending on available WBSC qualifier) (born 2004 or after)

U-18 – Local Area Pool, Regional Pool and National Team (depending on available WBSC World Cup) (born 2003 or after)

The HPP is broken into different state areas. HPP Identifiers for each age group will be held in those areas followed by try-outs on an annual basis. Age groups and try-out dates may be different from area to area, based on seasonal and state considerations. You should first search for your state area and then contact your local area program coordinator for identifier information if you have questions.  Click here to find a list of identifiers.

USA Softball is divided into ten regions. Each region will offer competition for the HPP pools of athletes in each eligible age group. This will provide a higher level of playing experience for all participants from the regional level. Athletes that standout as the most elite will then advance for possible national team trial, pool, or team participation. Contact your USA Softball local area program coordinator for more information.

Before the event, you must register. Registration cuts off one week before the event. On-site registration is available, for an extra fee of $10.

If you pre-register, you must bring your confirmation receipt or be able to pull it up on your phone. This will help the program coordinator find your registration quickly, through your Member ID number. During the event, you will wear your Member ID race number on your shirt for easy identification.