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Team Reclassifications

The entire foundation of reclassification is the honor system; meaning teams are expected to follow their assigned starting classification with minimal oversight. However, a small percentage of teams will try to manipulate the rules by changing their team name or manager name. Others will attempt to add players beyond the scope of the rules. And still others will just be unethical. It takes a cooperative effort by the State Office and ALL teams to supervise classifications / reclassifications. If you see a team on USSSA.com that’s classification doesn’t match this report or has pulled the team name / team manager switch-a-roo, email the State Office. If you see a team on USSSA.com that has added to many players from a higher classification, email the State Office. If you are aware of any team not following the “spirit of the rules”, email the State Office. Together, we all can make a positive impact in the development of the participants.

Trophy Hunting and Sandbagging shall not be tolerated in USSSA Baseball. Prevention of both acts is a TOP PRIORITY! It is the responsibility of EVERY team to monitor all other teams in their classification and report any possible violators to the State Office. Emails may be sent anonymously to ga.baseball@usssa.com. The State Office NEVER shares anonymous email information with anyone outside staff.

Classification Basics

One of the many responsibilities of the State Office is the enforcement of USSSA Rules with regards to classification and reclassification of teams (i.e.; leveling the playing field) and annually this remains our most difficult task. Additionally, year after year, the single largest misconception still persists that teams choose their classification…nothing could be further from the truth. To facilitate the continued success of the USSSA multi-tiered classification system, teams must play at their “Performance Level”, not their “Convenience Level”. A team’s classification IS NOT determined by the team manager, or by the team’s geographical location or community size, or by what World Series the team wants to attend. Simply stated, a team’s starting classification is determined by the team’s ability and performance on the field within a classification the previous season.

Classification Notes

The statistical data used in the classification / reclassification process is based on a team’s nucleus remaining intact. Obviously team rosters will change somewhat from year to year requiring the need for the following additional guidelines to also apply:

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1.

A team with six (6) or more players from the same frozen 2012 roster or a combination of six (6) or more players from the same frozen 2012 classification regardless of previous or current Team Name(s), and / or previous or current Manager Name(s) must begin the 2013 season at the highest classification assigned to any of the 2012 teams.

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2.
A team shall be limited to rostering not more than three (3) drop down players to their unfrozen and / or frozen Official Online Roster. Any team rostering more than three (3) drop down players shall be reclassified to the next higher classification.

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Note:
A drop down player is defined as any player whom the previous season, regardless of age division, was at any time frozen to an Official Online Roster End Year Classified or End Year Reclassified higher than his current season team. Drop down players shall only participate one (1) classification below their End Year Classification or End Year Reclassification from the previous season.

Because all statistics are relative, the following “Rule of Thumb” shall apply with an acceptable variance of +/- 10% in any given age division and / or classification. The Major classification shall consist of the top 15% - 20% of teams in the state. The AAA (Triple-A) classification shall consist of the next 25% - 30% of teams in the state. The AA (Double-A) classification shall consist of the next 25% - 30% of teams in the state. The A (Single-A) classification shall consist of the next 25% - 30% of teams in the state.

Newly formed teams may not begin play in the A (Single-A) classification. Newly formed teams must start in at least the AA (Double-A) classification (depending on roster makeup) and first prove on the field that they are unable to be competitive at that level PRIOR to being moved to A.

Special circumstances exist in the 4U – 8U age divisions due to the smaller quantity of teams playing travel baseball and variances in the style of play across the state. For these reasons, the 4U, 5U and 6U teams all play within one (1) classification in each age division. For the 4 year old and 5 year old divisions, these are simply designated as 4U and 5U. For the 6 year old division, teams are all designated as AAA. All 7U & 8U teams start in the AAA classification in each age division and by mid-spring are split into AA & AAA based on performance.

Since every team's ability is subjective, the State Office reserves the right pursuant to USSSA Rules to reclassify a team up or down AT ANY TIME which demonstrates a skill level and ability, which in the sole discretion of and / or sole opinion of the State Office, is over or under qualified for a specific classification of play.

Classification Appeals

Teams that oppose their assigned 2013 starting classification have the right to file an appeal with the State Office. All appeals MUST be sent to the State Office via email by the Team Manager of Record ONLY (the person listed as the “Team Manager” in the USSSA.com system).

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A.
Teams appealing to be moved UP to a higher classification may do so by following the above email procedures for an immediate modification.

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B.
Teams appealing to be moved DOWN to a lower classification who have fewer than six (6) returning players from the same frozen 2012 roster should contact the State Office for a Roster Review to determine their proper 2013 starting classification.

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Note:
A team granted a variance DOWN in starting classification will have its Official Online Roster locked (not frozen) prohibiting player additions. Any addition to a locked roster must be done by the State Office. This is done to prevent teams from filing an appeal, undergoing a Roster Review then after the appeals process, loading their roster with different players.

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C.
Teams appealing to be moved DOWN to a lower classification who have six (6) or more returning players or a combination of six (6) or more players from the same frozen 2012 classification regardless of previous or current Teams Name(s), and / or previous or current Manager Name(s) may only do so AFTER competing in a minimum of six (6) games against teams in their ASSIGNED 2013 STARTING CLASSIFICATION.

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1.
Games must be played in Georgia USSSA Baseball sanctioned events.

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2.
Games played outside the authority of Georgia USSSA Baseball (in another state or in another association) ABSOLUTELY will not be assessed.

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3.
Until the above minimum of six (6) games requirement is met an appeal will not be considered or adjudged.

Reclassification Report

The Reclassification Report arrangement is formatted from the 2012 season age divisions and classifications. To research a specific team, look for the team’s 2012 age division, classification and team name.

To view and / or download the 2013 Reclassification Report, click here.