OKLAHOMA CITY  -  The Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball will hold an open tryout on December 30, 2016 for players hoping to make the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT) roster.  Held at Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater, Fla., eligible athletes have from now through December 1 to sign up through USASoftball.com for the open tryout, which will involve a series of softball related skill drills for each position, hitting and bunting. 

The top athletes from the open tryout will be selected to participate at the USA Softball JWNT Selection Camp December 31-January 1, where they will compete for a spot on the 17-athlete roster along with the list of invited athletes to be released at a later date.  Those athletes selected to the 2017 JWNT will compete at the World Cup of Softball XII in Oklahoma City, Okla. and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Junior Women's World Championship in Clearwater, Fla. July 24-30.

"We are excited to provide an open tryout opportunity for athletes wishing to make the 2017 USA Softball JWNT roster," said ASA/USA Softball Director of National Teams Ronnie Isham.  “As we head towards our preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, we want to provide as many opportunities for athletes to be seen by members of our USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Committee (WNTSC) and coaching pool.  With the success of the open tryout in 2015, in which four athletes from the open tryout made the 2015 USA Softball JWNT, we are hopeful for another successful turnout this December in Clearwater.” 

The open tryout is open to any female U.S. citizen born in 1998, 1999 or 2000 who can commit to a June – July, 2017 time period.  There is a $100, non-refundable registration fee for any ASA/USA registered athlete that includes a participant t-shirt and training from some of the top coaches in fast pitch softball.  There is a $115, non-refundable registration fee for athletes who are not registered through ASA/USA Softball that also includes a participant t-shirt, training from the top coaches in fast pitch softball and insurance coverage for the open tryout.  Participants are responsible for their own equipment and expenses to the tryouts.  Those athletes who advance from the open tryout and are selected to attend the JWNT Selection Camp will then have their expenses paid for by ASA/USA Softball.

Below are the minimum standards for athletes to register for the JWNT open tryouts:
Infielders/Outfielders (must meet each of the following)
Bat Speed - 50 mph minimum
Run (home to first) - 2.95 seconds maximum
Run (home to home) - 12.5 seconds maximum
Throwing Speed - 55 mph minimum
Pushups - 30 minimum
Pitchers (consistent speed for any three of the following)
Fastball - 63 mph minimum
Riseball - 60 mph minimum
Change up - 45 mph maximum or 18 mph slower than maximum pitch speed
Curveball - 60 mph minimum
Dropball - 63 mph minimum
Catchers (must meet each of the following)
Throw (home to second) - 2 second maximum
Throwing Speed - 55 mph minimum
Bat Speed - 50 mph minimum
Run (home to first) - 2.95 seconds maximum
Run (home to home) - 12.5 seconds max
Pushups - 30 minimum

Click here to register for the Open Tryout

Further information on the JWNT open tryout, including registration time and hotel information, will be relayed to registered athletes after the registration deadline. 

The 2017 USA Softball JWNT will compete in two international competitions in 2017, the World Cup of Softball XII in Oklahoma City, Okla. and the WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship in Clearwater, Fla.    

Information provided courtesy of ASA/USA Softball

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