USA Softball cutoff date for age divisions (2024)

As far as I knew, for most if not all sanctions, the age division eligibility was based on the age of the player on December 31st, effectively the birth year is the only thing matter.

But I've been told that USA softball did change that recently, so now what matters is the age of the player on August 31st, which match the official start of the season.

I've been able to find the official rule/documents on the USA Softball website that actually define that. If I google it, all I find is info from local leagues that still use the birth year as the only determining factor.

So where is that officially defined ?

USA Softball Procedural Code Article 301 D 5 a i through vii:

i. 8-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2012 is ELIGIBLE.
ii. 10-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2010 is ELIGIBLE.
iii. 12-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2008 is ELIGIBLE.
iv. 14-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2006 is ELIGIBLE.
v. 16-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2004 is ELIGIBLE.
vi. 18-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2002 is ELIGIBLE.
vii. Players of younger age classification may play in older age classifications, but an older age classification player may not play in the younger age classification.

Source document is HERE

EdLovrich said:

USA Softball Procedural Code Article 301 D 5 a i through vii:

i. 8-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2012 is ELIGIBLE.
ii. 10-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2010 is ELIGIBLE.
iii. 12-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2008 is ELIGIBLE.
iv. 14-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2006 is ELIGIBLE.
v. 16-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2004 is ELIGIBLE.
vi. 18-Under Age Classification. A player born after December 31, 2002 is ELIGIBLE.
vii. Players of younger age classification may play in older age classifications, but an older age classification player may not play in the younger age classification.

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That is 2 years old. That said I haven’t heard anything about them changing…

pattar said:

That is 2 years old. That said I haven’t heard anything about them changing…

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That is right from the current (2022) procedure manual. I know the dates look funny so I will include the table they also have in the manual.....

https://gyazo.com/11c2ab53237690167056df9834f32be1

EdLovrich said:

That is right from the current (2022) procedure manual. I know the dates look funny so I will include the table they also have in the manual.....

https://gyazo.com/11c2ab53237690167056df9834f32be1

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Ok you are right, sorry. Although the change would be for the 2023 season but like I said I would be surprised if they did change (although if they did it would line up with grade level)

Here is what USA softball of Northern California sent out for what they are calling the 2022/2023 season.

Seems like the purpose of this is to force all fall ball teams to play their age as of Dec 31st for fall ball. So, the 2023 season starts September 1st. I think this makes sense for most players. Never understood why someone who would have to play 12u in 2023 would want to play 10u in the fall of 2022.

Dabears17 said:

Here is what USA softball of Northern California sent out for what they are calling the 2022/2023 season.

Seems like the purpose of this is to force all fall ball teams to play their age as of Dec 31st for fall ball. So, the 2023 season starts September 1st. I think this makes sense for most players. Never understood why someone who would have to play 12u in 2023 would want to play 10u in the fall of 2022.

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https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/4757-2749350/New_JO_Registration_Season_2022-07-30_00_45_51.pdf

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Seems like they weren't defining exactly when the "2022 Junior Olympic Playing Season" started/ended in the 2022 procedure manual, and are now clarifying this. No changes really, except I guess for tournaments that happened in the fall.

pattar said:

Ok you are right, sorry. Although the change would be for the 2023 season but like I said I would be surprised if they did change (although if they did it would line up with grade level)

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For the last few years in our school system, about 20% of age eligible kids have been 'redshirted' for kindergarten

clarity said:

For the last few years in our school system, about 20% of age eligible kids have been 'redshirted' for kindergarten

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Lots of Malcom Gladwell followers. The research on whether this is actually advantageous in the long run is mixed from what I have seen.