2024 Virginia USSSA Challenge Cup Information Release:
Welcome to the 2024 season! We are very excited to get the season started and excited for the new locations we will be expanding to this year!
The biggest questions we get every year are regarding what it takes to be nominated for the Challenge Cup and all things about Challenge Cup. Because we are making several changes to the process, we have decided to put everything in writing so that the new criteria and information are crystal clear and there can be no questions or claims anyone should have had the opportunity to play in the Challenge Cup when the requirements have not been met.
How Do I Get Considered for the Challenge Cup team for my division?
- First, and most important: You must “play” the program. As a player, you must play in at least 4 USSSA events in the 2024 season. This is not hard to accomplish, as we offer tournaments in various areas of the state. If you are on a roster of a team from another state (i.e. MD, NJ, PA, NC, WV) and have a Virginia Drivers License, you may play with your normal team and still meet the criteria.
- Secondly, you cannot have any serious code of conduct violations throughout the season. Players are considered and chosen from a large list of nominees, there is not a shortage of men and women willing and wanting to represent at the Challenge Cup. Sportsmanship, integrity, and conduct will be considered.
- Nominations – each coach will be allowed to nominate up to three (3) players from their roster who have met the requirements to be considered for making their respective division’s Challenge Cup team. In the spirit of trying to form the strongest team(s) we possibly can, each coach turning in nominations will also be required to nominate two (2) players from other teams who stood out to them as strong competitors and would be a good fit for making the team. Those nominations can be submitted by clicking here.
- Self-nominations – every year we get self-nominations from players whose coach may not have nominated anyone. We will be more than glad to take these nominations as well but will be referencing back to your coach for the year to get their input. Those nominations can be submitted by clicking here.
- Coaching requirements – one of the biggest changes we are making for the 2024 season is the process of choosing the coaching staff for each Challenge Cup team.
- Coaches from the previous Challenge Cup teams will be reviewed first and given the opportunity to return if both the coach and director(s) agree to coach again.
- Next step will be the winning coach(es) from the 2024 state tournaments (GSL and USSSA) being given first right of refusal for filling any open coaching positions for their division’s Challenge Cup team.
- If any spots remain available after that, we will move to self-nominations for additional coaching staff. Self nominations for Coaches can be submitted by clicking here.
Announcement Dates:
Following our State tournaments, we will begin the selection process for Coaches, and then teams.
- Coaches for Men’s Major, Men’s B, Men’s C, Men’s D, Women’s C, and Women’s D will be announced by August 15th.
- Co-ed, Men’s E, and Women’s E will be announced by September 1st.
- Preliminary team rosters will be announced by October 1st.
Team Fundraising:
In years past, fundraising has been left solely to the team(s), as attending Challenge Cup is not a requirement but rather an opportunity to highlight one’s own skill and talent, with the chance to represent their state.
Starting this year, any tournaments ran under the State Director, that follow the official announcement dates, will provide team’s an opportunity to fundraise. We will make vendor spaces available at no cost, and teams can sign up for space to sell/fundraise. More information to come later in the season.
Additionally, the end of each season will include a Challenge Cup Fundraiser tournament. All vendor spaces will be at the management of the Challenge Cup teams and all proceeds from such will go directly to the team running that space.
All proceeds from tournament entries (less field rentals/tournament expenses) will go toward the Challenge Cup fund to be distributed equally amongst the participating teams. (If a team chooses not to participate in the Fundraiser tournament, they are not eligible to receive funds from the event.) More information to come later in the season.
We look forward to an amazing 2024 Season. Thank you for playing VA USSSA.
