There are announcements and then there are ANNOUNCEMENTS.

In a move that is could greatly impact the club world—particularly at the highest level of 18U play—ASA/USA Softball has announced that a major event will begin this year: the 2015 USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup scheduled for July 26-August 1 in Chino Hills, Calif.

Based on information provided by ASA/USA Softball as well as coaches who have received invites detailing the event specifics this week, the major implications are these:

• the JO Cup will be used by ASA/USA softball to evaluate players for the USA National teams including the Jr. National and the Women’s National teams,
• the event has a prize pool of over $100,000 and the winner could receive close to $45,000 if the Cup has 32 teams (the event is also considering 28 and 24 team fields),
• cash awards would go to the top eight teams,
• the entry fee is $6,000 per team,
• the JO Cup overlaps the PGF 18U Nationals and will force the teams invited to both events to choose between the two.

Perhaps the two most eyebrow-raising aspects of the new event, based on feedback from club coaches we’ve spoken to in the last 24 hours, are the cash payouts and also the conflict with PGF 18U Nationals running from July 24-31.

As word spreads throughout the softball community, the reaction seems to range from excitement to concern.

One email received by Full Count Softball encapsulates both sides: “Not sure how I feel about teams winning $, so much chance for abuse, but this shows that ASA isn’t going to go away and is looking to be innovative.”

Although the USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup won’t take place for another five months, there is an impending deadline the invited teams will soon face: the JO Cup has a March 1 deposit deadline of $2,000.

Interestingly, PGF reportedly has a March 1 deadline for hotel confirmations so the result is coaches will quickly have to decide which event they’ll attend.

Over 60 teams have been invited according to ASA/USA Softball based on nationwide ratings, Full Count Softball has been told, that include our FAB 50 Rankings and those of US Club Rankings. You can probably assume that the top teams on each and/or both lists were the ones invited to the JO Cup.

The teams that accept the invitation, according to ASA/USA Softball reps, for the new event will then “be placed into an additional ranking system that will determine the final brackets for the JO Cup.”

The format will be a straight-forward five-game guarantee including three pool play games and then double elimination. There will be a blind draw for pool and bracket play.

So what has the reaction been so far?

A sweep of about 8-10 top club teams across the nation reveals what would naturally be expected: some are seriously interested, some – especially those with connections to PGF – will not be participating and many are in “wait-and-see” mode over the next week or so and expect to talk to other club coaches to get a feel of what their peers will do.

From what we’ve been told, the JO Cup organizers will release the list of participating teams all at the same time when the field is finalized, meaning we won’t know who is in for a while.

A couple of coaches have said they have heard high profile teams from Florida and Texas are looking to play in the new event. Again, this is speculative and not confirmed… just the “word on the street” from those who have received invites.

While most coaches didn’t want to go on the record, one prominent coach who said he would was Mark Griggs of the Wichita Mustangs.  He says he’s seriously considering playing in the JO Cup for several reasons, particularly because of the ties to the developing Olympic softball situation.

“First, I like to see that there are many options, but the key for me is that ASA is the governing body of softball recognized by the U.S. Olympic committee,” he explains. “If they’re the only governing body and play is coming back into the Olympics, the decision abilities will come back to ASA/USA Softball and their words and events will have more impact.  It’s not just about club ball, ASA/USA Softball will now make decisions based on what’s best for United State Olympic Softball.”

Along those lines, Ken Eriksen, the USA Softball Women’s National Team Head Coach, says he and his staff will utilize the event to look at talent for deciding future elite teams to play internationally.

“What a great opportunity to have some of the best teams coming together to play in a tournament that has prestige and a prize,” Coach Eriksen said this week. “We will find out who the most competitive programs in the country are now!  The entire USA Softball Coaching Staff will be present also to evaluate these players for our future National Teams.”

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Full Count Softball contacted ASA/USA Softball’s Chris Sebren, Director of Championships, and below are his answers related to several topics concerning the JO Cup:

Full Count Softball: Explain the reasons for the event and what the goals are for it to be successful… and how will you gauge success?
Chris Sebren: Currently, this event has been established as a National Invitational Tournament (NIT). We wanted to put on an additional event to make sure that we were getting the best teams and kids in front of our USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Committee and National Team Coaching staff. We have sent invitations to over 60 of the best teams in the country and the most we will accept will be 32 entries. The success of the USA Softball JO Cup will not only be based on the number of teams who participate but also the conversations that come from the communication with the teams overall.

FCS: If this event is a feeder for the Nationals teams, how does this event tie in?
CS: As the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, it is our objective to make sure that our Women’s National Team Selection Committee and coaches have a chance the see the athletes who are members of ASA/USA Softball and come through our local ASA/USA programs in addition to those who come through our Allied and Affiliated members (NCAA, NFHS).

FCS: What is the format of the event and who is running it… is it all ASA or are you using outside help?
CS: Teams will be placed via blind draw into the brackets and pools. Southern California ASA will serve as the host and will provide the Tournament Director with support from the ASA/USA Softball National Office.

FCS: What was the genesis of the idea to do the event and how did it grow to become what it is today (how long has it been in development)?
CS: This event has been discussed over the last several years to us by travel ball coaches. We’ve received numerous requests to take the lead and establish a tournament that in addition to featuring these elite programs also helps to feed our National Team program. As everyone knows, the potential for softball/baseball to be added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Program is still an ongoing decision for the IOC. With the possibility of being reinstated into the Olympic Program, we want to ensure that our Women’s National Team Selection Committee has additional opportunities to identify more athletes who may not have been seen. With the success of the “Open Tryout” for the Junior Women’s National Team last month, we believe this will provide another great opportunity for these athletes. We’ve received great support and encouragement from several teams and programs and are ready to put on a great tournament that benefits the athletes and programs.

FCS: It’s an interesting, if somewhat unique, concept to pay winning teams… whenever money being paid is involved there are likely concerns… what are the thoughts here about the pros and cons of paying teams?
CS: Obviously the pressure that athletes can feel from this concept is understandable, however the pressure that these athletes receive throughout their recruitment process is very similar. For us, the cash donation back to the participating programs isn’t the biggest “pro” for the tournament, it’s the fact that these athletes have the opportunity to show what they’ve got to our Women’s National Team Selection Committee. Only a portion of the money is going to be used to cover tournament expenses with the remaining going back to these programs. All dollars spent will be invested back into the event and those teams who participate, which will only help to grow the concept.

FCS: How did you come up with the payout figures, based on anything in particular?
CS: We looked at the percentages based on the total donation package and created the figures based on what we believed would entice teams and programs to participate.

FCS: How were the teams chosen? what happens if you don’t get the needed 24 to 32, is there a back-up list?
CS: Teams were invited based on several prominent ranking systems that are already in place.   As I mentioned before we have looked at it from different team numbers from a minimum and maximum number. Thirty-two teams as the maximum has been mentioned to us for several years as being the ideal number for a competition.

FCS: When will the teams be announced?
CS: After our deadline has passed of March 1st we will review the entries, communicate with the teams and then the teams will be officially announced on our USAJOCup.com website.

FCS: What about sponsors, are there outside sponsors involved? How will their money be used assuming the entry fee covers event expenses?
CS: At this point we do not have any outside sponsors.   This event has been planned to be self-sufficient and cover all costs including award packages and staff, umpires, etc. If some sponsors wish to come on board, we will take into consideration what they can offer that will benefit the teams, players, and fans.

FCS: Perhaps the biggest controversy will be that the event is the same time as PGF Nationals… some will say this is an attempt to take away from their event. Explain your position on timing and scheduling…
CS: Several factors led to the decision to host the USA Softball JO Cup from July 27 – August 1. Most importantly, the timing is based on our ASA/USA Gold National Championships which is our highest level of JO Championship Play. We needed to schedule this event after our GOLD National Championship so that teams still had the opportunity to play both events. This also gives athletes the opportunity to participate in both while being evaluated by our Women’s National Team Selection Committee at the two tournaments. In addition, the school calendar across the country was taken into consideration.

FCS: Are there specific rules established on what teams can or can’t do… for example, can they add outside players for this week? Or do they need to have come up within the organization?
CS: The teams will have to submit a roster ahead of schedule just like any other ASA/USA tournament. We have never restricted where players can or can’t come from when submitting a roster during Non-Championship play. This is simply an invitational tournament, so they have some freedom when submitting their rosters.

FCS: Anything else you want to add? Such as the future of the events… will they rotate sites and how will that work?
CS: Our goal is to put on a world class NIT that continues the standard of excellence that ASA/USA Softball has established with our tournaments. Coaches, players and fans know that when they play ASA/USA Softball, they’re going to be playing with the most trained umpires out there while getting the experience and exposure to both collegiate and our National Team programs. With the possibility of softball returning to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the encouragement we’ve received from the softball community has helped us to put the concept together and help our National Team development.