Iowa Amateur Softball Association
Classification Code
Revised Feb. 1, 2007
2006 Code Changes in Red Bold Type
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Iowa Amateur Softball Association Classification Code
Revised Feb. 1, 20072006 Code Changes in Red Bold Type |
A. General
1. In classifying teams, the philosophy is having the ability to compete within that class and not the ability to win that class at the district, state, regional or national level. Teams are to be grouped who are similar in caliber as defined in Article 306 B. A single team or a small group of teams judged to be clearly superior to all other teams within the state will not be allowed to play at lower levels in order to supply them with a large pool of teams to compete against.
1. Team classification shall be based on the roster that is submitted.
1. The Classification Board shall be appointed by the Iowa ASA Commissioner
and will consist of three (3) or more members, one of which should be the Player Representative and
District Commissioner in which the team registers.
Meetings: The Classification Board will meet at least once a year, or any such time as deemed
necessary to hear all appeals, and review all classifications. They shall determine the proper athletic
proficiency for teams.
Authority: Iowa ASA will designate a Classification Board to evaluate, classify and review
team competitive levels according to the classification guidelines. The Classification Board shall have
the authority to act on the following:
1. Classify players and teams prior to the beginning of the regular season play based on past
performance and current season roster.
2. Review players and teams for possible reclassification prior to the appropriate ASA deadline.
3. Hear properly filed appeals of players and teams on their classification status by the
appropriate ASA deadline.
4. Develop additional guidelines and regulations as the need arises.
Appeals: Teams classified in accordance with this article have the right to appeal their teams
classification to the State Commissioner. All appeals must be submitted by the team manager and
contain the following information on the Appeal Form and include:
1. A copy of the team’s current Championship Roster.
2. A brief statement stating the reason for your appeal.
3. Evidence to support the reclassification appeal
Example: Team Names, Game Scores, and Classification of other ASA registered teams played in the
current softball season.
Board Objectives: To determine proper athletic proficiency for teams, the Classification Board shall be limited to an overall comparison of all teams within the state.
Mandatory Reclassification/Restricted Classification
C. Women’s 11" and Co-Ed Slow Pitch Classification
According to Article 507 F 1a of the ASA Code any team that has five or more players on a roster, including pick-up players, from a team or team that finished in the top 4 positions in the same National Championship must play in the next higher classification for the teams next ASA season. Exception: For National Championships with 48 teams or less, the mandatory reclassification to play in the next higher classification will only affect the top five percent (5%) of the teams. All other teams are reclassified according to Article 507 F1 of the ASA Code.
Returning teams with two or more wins, excluding forfeits, in a state tournament must play in the same or higher classification in their next ASA playing season and shall be considered the same team for restricted and/or mandatory reclassification purposes.
D. Men’s 12” Slow Pitch (Class A, B, C, and D)
1. New Team
A team with no more than 4 members from a team’s roster in their previous season in ASA. This NEW team may drop no more than one class in the same division of play from their last ASA playing season and may not contain other players who in their last ASA playing season were from a higher classification team or are players that are from a team that was mandatory reclassified.
Returning Teams shall be defined as team that returns with 5 or more players (including pick-ups and players from any other reclassified teams of the same classification) from a roster in their previous season in ASA.
Returning teams with two or more wins, excluding forfeits, in a state tournament must play in the same or higher classification in their next ASA playing season and shall be considered the same team for restricted and/or mandatory reclassification purposes.
Each Men’s Slow Pitch Player shall be classified based on the Classification of the team that the player last played with (including pick-up players) in their last season in ASA Championship Play.
5. Player Reclassification:
Player Rosters for the current season for championship play may include new players on their rosters who in their last season of ASA championship play were roster members of another team(s) that played in a higher Classification in the same Division of Championship Play. Based on the Iowa ASA Player Re-Classification Rule, these new players may be players who competed at one or more classifications higher than the previous season. Players who were members of a team subject to mandatory or restricted reclassification must maintain the same classification as assigned by the mandatory or reclassified rule in their next ASA season. Mandatory or Reclassified players may be counted as one of the number of players allowed to drop one or more classifications in their next season based under the Player Re-Classification Rule. The number of players and classification of these players shall be as follows:
Player Re-Classification Rule:
Class B Teams may add a total of 4 Players from a Class A Team(s).
Class C Teams may add a total of 2 Players from a Class B or Class A Team(s) or one player from each Class.
Class D Teams may add a total of 2 Players from a Class C Team(s).
Returning Teams must play in the next higher classification of championship play in their next ASA playing season if they finish in the:
Top six finish in the National Finals or
Top twelve finish in the National Finals for two consecutive years or
Top four finish in the Iowa ASA D State Tournament for two consecutive years
Top two finish in the Iowa ASA C State Tournament for two consecutive years
Mandatory reclassified teams may appeal their reclassification or play at the next higher classification for one year before appealing to play in another classification level.
The state commissioner has the right, in his/her sole discretion, to reclassify to a higher level any team or player he/she views to be improperly classified at any point during championship play.
The following factors will be considered when judging a slow pitch team’s appropriate classification level:
Level of success experienced by roster members in previous years of ASA and non-ASA championship play both collectively and individually. Level of success teams judged to be of similar or lesser caliber have had in ASA championship play. Past athletic accomplishments of the team members. Results of invitational tournament play. The team in question shall be classified at the highest level in which they have demonstrated the ability to compete effectively against other teams classified at such a level. The team should consistently, but not always, be able to defeat teams classified one level below the level appropriate level to the team in question. The team should occasionally, but with low frequency be able to defeat teams classified one level above the level appropriate for the team in question. The team should virtually never lose to teams classified two levels below the level appropriate for the team in question. The number of home runs a team can consistently hit assuming normal weather conditions and a fence distance of 300 feet. Teams will generally be placed at the highest level where they can consistently hit the limit of home runs allowable.
Additional factors to be considered include:
"Class A" teams and above: All or nearly all players in the lineup are capable home run hitters. All players are highly skilled outstanding players with exceptional defensive and/or offensive abilities. Most players will have competed in inter-collegiate athletics and in some instances as NCAA Div. I athletes.
“B” teams: Nearly all players in the lineup are capable home run hitters. Nearly all players are highly skilled outstanding players with few, if any, mid-caliber players in the lineup. The team will resemble an “A” team in some respects but will generally hit for less power. Many players will have competed in inter-collegiate athletics although typically at levels lower than NCAA Div. I.
“C” teams: Roughly half the team’s players will be capable home run hitters. There will be a mix of highly talented and mid-caliber players in the lineup. Some will have competed in small college athletics while several will not have played above the high school level.
“D” teams: A small percentage of the players in the batting order are capable of hitting home runs. Teams will consist of predominately of mid and low-caliber players who never played inter-collegiate athletics or they are inexperienced softball players.
E. Men’s Modified Pitch – Mandatory Reclassification/Restricted Classification
1. The top 2 finishers in the Class B state tournament shall be required to move up to Class A the following season provided they have a minimum of 5 players on their roster (including pick-up players) from the previous season.
2. Any team that wins at least 2 games in the Class A state tournament will not be allowed to compete in the Class B state tournament the following season provided they have a minimum of 5 players on their roster (including pick-up players) from the previous season.
F. 16 inch and 14 inch Slow Pitch.
Teams must compete in district competition to be able to compete in state tournament play. Teams will advance to the Major, A and B state tournaments based on their finish in the district tournament. The number of teams that advance from district play to state tournament play in each class shall be based on the number of teams competing in their district tournament. The Top 4 teams from Major 16” State tournament automatically qualify for Men’s Major 16” State Tournament the next year. The Top team from the Men’s 16” Class A State Tournament automatically qualifies for the 16” Men’s Major State Tournament the next year.
G. Men’s Fast Pitch.
Teams must compete in district competition to be able to compete in state tournament play. Teams will advance to the A, B and C state tournaments based on their finish in the district tournament. The number of teams that advance from district play to state tournament play in each class shall be based on the number of teams competing in their district tournament. Note: Any Men’s Fast Pitch team may declare that they want to play in the Major classification for the season. If a team declares that they want to play in the Major classification, they are eligible to enter the Major National Tournament without playing in District, State and Regional Tournaments.
H. Junior Olympic Fast Pitch Teams.
Teams may classify themselves to levels of competition, be classified by the JO District Commissioner where they are playing league(s), or be MANDATORY RECLASSIFIED based on the following: Note: Girl’s Class B Teams must be made up of players who participate in the same league. A player may participate as a regular rostered player on only one team within a division in championship play during a season. A team may register and participate in more than one division of play, but is limited to only one classification within national Championship Finals play. Exception: Girl’s Fast Pitch 8 & Under Coach Fast Pitch Players may also play in Girl’s 10 & Under Fast Pitch.
A team that wins two or more games, excluding forfeits, in a state tournament or regional tournament may not participate in a lower classification in their next ASA playing season. A team that plays in the same age division that has five or more players on a roster, including pick-ups, from such a team shall be considered the same team.
The top three (3) teams in Class B and Class C from the previous year that plays in the same age division will be classified to the next higher classification in their next ASA playing season if that team has five (5) or more players (including pick-ups) that participated with that team.
Example - If a team that plays in 10-Under Class B finishes in the top three places in the state or regional tournament and stays in the 10-Under age division in their next ASA playing season they must move up to class A. If the team moves up to the 12-Under age division they may play in either class A or Class B, but are not required to move up to Class A. A team that wins at least two games in a state or regional tournament may not move down a Class provided they stay in the same age division.
Each JO District Commissioner may classify teams in their District according to: a) past performance and current season roster based on a level of play where a team will be competitive b) classification changes made by the District Commissioner will be notified in writing to the affected teams no later than June 1st of the current year. Appeals of classification changes must be made in writing within five (5) days of notification, to the State Commissioner, whose decision is final. Note: Teams that are mandatory reclassified shall not be allowed to appeal their re-classification.
The following criteria may be used as guidelines when evaluating teams. The JO District Commissioner will have the final say as to what class your team will be placed in based on the level where your team will be competitive, unless your team is mandatory reclassified:
Class A Teams: Have numerous skilled players. Pitcher(s) are skilled and show above average control. Players are generally recruited or selected via tryouts. Teams play in five (5) or more Invitational Tournaments, occasionally traveling out of state or more than 60 miles to tournaments. Teams generally place in the upper half of the league or tournaments that they enter, occasionally winning a tournament. Teams may practice in the off-season.
Class B Teams: Have a few skilled players. Offense and Defense is limited in ability and inconsistent although Teams may play in invitational tournaments. Pitcher(s) do not control the game. All players who wish to play are welcome. Teams play in three (3) or more Invitational Tournaments, only traveling 60 miles or less to tournaments. Teams may participate in out-of-state tournaments if the location is within a 60-mile radius of the team’s origin. Teams generally place in the upper three-fourths of the league or tournaments that they enter. Teams may hold practices in the off-season. Play is mostly recreational in nature, allowing players to participate in other activities and may not devote a large amount of time to softball.
Class C Teams: This division has no advancement and is set up for teams that are strictly recreational in nature. These tournaments are designed to give teams with little or no tournament experience a chance to participate in a state tournament. All players must be from the same league. Teams play in no more than 2 invitational tournaments. Players are less skilled and not as competitive as class B teams. Teams do not have a desire to advance to further levels of Regional or National play.
State Classification Board
1. Any team, including restricted or mandatory reclassified teams may appeal their classification or reclassification to the State Classification Committee. The State Classification Board will consist of members appointed to the Board by the State Commissioner. The appeal must be submitted to the State Commissioner using the appeal form provided by the Committee and must be fully and accurately submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of championship play. Appeals shall be ruled upon no later than two weeks prior to the start of championship play. If the appeal is granted, a roster shall be frozen for the remainder of the year with the exception of pick-up players pursuant to Article 503. Adding players to a team roster, except pick-up players, or misrepresentations on the appeal form, shall result in the appeal being nullified and the team will be reclassified to the next higher reclassification.
Classification Appeal Form (pdf) Classification Appeal Form (Word)
2. The primary factor in the decision making process of the state classification board shall be the players on their roster from the previous season and the players on their roster for the current season.
3. The decision of the classification board may be appealed to the State Commissioner, whose decision shall be final. The team must compete in the class that the classification board assigns the team during the next season that they compete in ASA championship play or an ASA sanctioned tournament. If the team skips a season of championship play, they will be required to play in the class that they were assigned for the previous season in ASA.
IMPORTANT DATES
1. The age that a Junior Olympic player age as of December 31st determines the age in
which the player is eligible to play the following year. Players of a younger age classification
may play in an older age classification, but an older age classification player may not play in
the younger age classification.
10-Under - A player born after December 31, 1997 is ELIGIBLE
12-Under - A player born after December 31, 1995 is ELIGIBLE
14-Under - A player born after December 31, 1993 is ELIGIBLE
16-Under - A player born after December 31, 1991 is ELIGIBLE
18-Under - A player born after December 31, 1989 is ELIGIBLE
2. The cutoff date for determining eligibility in Masters Divisions (35, 40, & 45 of age and over)
of play is DECEMBER 31ST
Uniforms: In accordance with Iowa ASA code, Article 206, team members for state tournaments are
required to wear the same (like) colored shirt with at least a six inch high Arabic numeral and
visible on the back of the uniform shirt. If your team qualifies for the national championship
tournament, all team members will be required to be in identical uniforms ASA Rule 3-6.
All Junior Olympic Fast Pitch batting helmets shall be equipped with a NOCSAE
approved face mask/guard.
An Official pick-up player form must be obtained from the Iowa ASA State Office. You may
pick up one, two or three players for after your first tournament has been completed in
championship play, with the exception of national Qualifiers. Your roster can have no more than 20
players at any one time. Players may be deleted to make room for pick-up players if your roster would
exceed 20 players. Please read the following information regarding pick-up players. The pick-up
player form must be signed by the State Commissioner and accompany the roster to the next level of play
for
each team.
In Youth Play, you may only pick-up players from your same or lower age group from a team
that is no longer eligible for championship play.. If you are a Class B team, you may only pick-
up players from other Class B teams that are no longer eligible for championship play. If you
are a Class A team, you may pick-up players from a Class A or a Class B team that is no
longer eligible for championship play.
In Adult Play, you may pick-up players from any team that is in your class or lower that is
no longer eligible for championship play. If you have already picked up a player or players
after district tournament play, you may drop one, two or three of those players and replace
them with one, two or three new players. You may not have more than three pick-up players
at any one time.
In youth and adult play, the players that you pick-up, must come from teams that are no
longer eligible for championship play and they must come from teams that are registered with
the Iowa ASA for the current season of play. Your roster is limited to a maximum of 20
players, including pick-up players.