USA HPP PROGRAM
ABOUT THE USA SOFTBALL HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM (HPP)?
According to usasoftball.com, the USA SB HPP Program is The Pipeline to the Women’s National Team. Identifiers (tryouts) will be held in each region to identify a pool of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball through domestic and international competition. This program focuses on providing an equal opportunity for players all around the country to show their talent while growing the game of softball in the United States and remaining inclusive to all who wish to participate and develop their skills.
HOW DOES HPP WORK?
Regional Identifiers are the first step in moving athletes through the USA Softball "pipeline". Team USA players visit each region and serve as IDENTIFIERS, choosing an unspecified number of athletes to move through to the annual National Selection Event using a national standard they have developed to evaluate players. The list of those chosen last year can be found HERE. Participation in regional identifiers does not ensure an opportunity to "try-out" for the National Team for a player's age group. Athletes for each National Team (15u, 17u, etc.) are selected by Team USA coaches at the National Selection Event. This event DOES NOT include competition between regions.
WHO CAN ATTEND THE IDENTIFIER?
Participation in the REGION 2 Identifier on February 10, 2024, at Kent State University's Field House is presented for athletes living in Ohio and West Virginia. However, athletes from any region can attend identifiers outside of their home regions. Athletes outside of OH and WV are encouraged to participate in identifiers held by their home state's region to keep selection regional (see a regional map HERE). Identifiers are held at different times of the year throughout the country based on each Region's program calendar.
WHAT IF I LIVE OUTSIDE OF OHIO OR WEST VIRGINIA?
At this time, no other identifiers are listed at usasoftball.com, but identifiers will be held in each region. Check out THIS LIST of athletes chosen to attend this year's National Selection Event and find your region and its representatives! If you see your region represented, we encourage you to wait to attend your home region's tryout. If you do not live in Ohio or West Virginia, please contact hpp@usasoftball.com for more information about your region's identifier dates and locations. This will help you determine which identifier is best for you.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE IDENTIFIER?
After athletes participate in the Region 2 Identifier, one of three outcomes will occur. 1) They will receive a “Direct Invite” to participate in the National Selection Event and are automatically included in all Region 2 events as noted below. 2) They will receive an invite to participate in the Region 2 HPP Events (see below). 3) They will not receive a National or Regional Invite at this time. Note: Invites are based on each player’s evaluation score as determined by the USA National Team Players serving as evaluators at the Region 2 Identifier, using the HPP Identifier national standard, and are not chosen by Region 2 volunteers/coaches
WHAT ARE REGIONAL EVENTS?
The Regional HPP events are monthly events managed by USA Softball Region 2 volunteers, led by former Division I coach, Julie Jones. Region 2 HPP events focus on continued skill development, providing players and their families college recruiting information, introduction to mental performance training, mentoring, and preparing them for the next annual Regional Identifier. Monthly events include but are not limited to, skill skill-based practices, seminars, “mock” identifiers and specific identifier information and drills to prepare athletes for the National Event and next Regional Identifier. There is a one-time fee of $100 to participate in Region 2 HPP that pays for a USA Softball practice shirt and facility rental fees and college coach compensation for participation in monthly events. Once an athlete accepts an invite to the Regional HPP events, she is encouraged to attend as many events as her schedule allows. Attendance is not mandatory and athletes are encouraged to participate in other sports and remain committed to activities with their travel programs.
