ASA Illinois Softball Teams

The Illinois Amateur Softball Association oversees programs for both youth and adult leagues in the state of Illinois. The leagues are broken down by classification as well as pitch speed. The Amateur Softball Association of America ranks or restricts adult players to a particular classifications for level playing fields. A team's coach or manager is responsible for registering their team, selecting the classification and declaring whether the team plays slow- or fast-pitch softball.

  1. Youth Teams

    • Youth slow-pitch softball teams are broken up into two different classifications: "A" and "B". A team with an "A" classification generally has a higher skill level. Teams in this class are considered to be primarily a traveling team. To remain in this class, teams should consistently finish in the top 75 percent of their entered tournaments. Failing to do so may result in a demotion to a class "B" designation. Teams in class "B" are essentially nontraveling teams that do have the option of participating in no more than two class "A" tournaments.

    Men's Slow-Pitch

    • Men's slow-pitch softball teams are broken up into five different classifications: "A," "B," "C," "D" and "E." Players on the ASA restricted list may only play on teams classified as "A." Teams in that class are limited to no more than two restricted players. Teams in the remaining classification may field no more than three players ranked in the classification above them. For example, class "B" teams can field no more than three players ranked in class "A", class "C" teams no more than three players ranked in class "B" and so on.

    Women's Slow-Pitch

    • Women's slow-pitch softball is broken up into three different classifications: "Open," "C" and "D." Any female player can compete in the "Open" class. Teams in class "C" can field no more than three female players from the "open" class, and teams in class "D" can field no more than three female players from class "C."

    Coed Slow-Pitch

    • Coed slow-pitch softball is broken up into three different classifications: "Open," "C" and "D." Any female player can compete in this class, but teams cannot field more than two male players from the ASA restricted list. Teams in class "C" cannot field any female players classified as "Open." They also cannot field any male players classified as "A" or "B." Teams in class "D" can field two female players ranked as class "C" and two male players ranked as class "C."

    Fast-Pitch

    • Fast-pitch softball is broken up into four different classifications: "Major," "A," "B" and "C." Like slow-pitch, fast-pitch players are ranked by classification, and there is a restricted list. Restricted players can only play on teams in the "Major" classification. Classes "A," "B" and "C" player designations are ruled like slow-pitch player designations.