The phrase "UTrip" is short for USSSA, or the United States Specialty Sports Association. The USSSA was founded as the United States Slow-Pitch Softball Association in 1968. It has evolved into one of softball's major national sanctioning bodies for both the slowpitch and fastpitch game. It stages local, regional and national tournaments for various age groups across the country.
USSSA-Sanctioned Sports
The USSSA touts itself as the largest multi-sport athletic association in the world. In addition to staging fastpitch and slowpitch competition, it sanctions teams and athletes in baseball, basketball, 3-on-3 basketball, flag football, junior golf, high school golf, karate, lacrosse, soccer, taekwondo, volleyball and wrestling. Roughly 3.5 million athletes participate in the USSSA's 13 primary sports.
Maximizing Fastpitch Tournament Opportunities
The USSSA has gained popularity in fastpitch softball because of its extensive schedule. In 2011 it scheduled tournaments ranging from its coach-pitch tee ball national tourney for girls 6 years old and under to its Women's Fastpitch World Series. Unlike several other major softball sanctioning bodies, the USSSA holds regional and national events for the "in-between" age groups: 7U, 9U, 11U, 13U and 15U. It also stages national events for teams in the recreational "C" category in addition to the usual "A" and "B" tournaments for select teams.
Slowpitch Softball
The USSSA sanctions local, regional and national events for boys, girls, men's, women's and co-ed teams at a variety of competitive levels. The age groups range from 6 years old and under to 50 and older. Team categories include corporate, church league and military. The marquee slowpitch event, the USSSA Men's Major World Series, is hosted by ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Disney World.
USSSA Pride Softball Team
The USSSA sponsors the reigning championship team in the National Pro Fastpitch League. The Pride's player roster features several veterans of international play, including pitchers Cat Osterman and Danielle Lawrie, shortstop Natasha Watley and outfielder Jessica Mendoza. The team plays its home games at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex at Disney World.
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