NMAA coaching / participant policy regarding USSSA Baseball
13u/14u teams,
As the AAD/USSSA program has grown it has gained the attention of several school programs around the area as a tool to develop players and better prepare them for mid-school and high school competition. That interest has evolved and now several teams are direct feeder programs for specific schools. At this point it is critical to inform and protect the players and coaches as to the NMAA policy on USSSA club participation within baseball.
Pay particular attention to sections 7.3 and 7.4
A few specific questions that have come up lately –
1. Question - My son attends a NMAA governed Mid-School and plays baseball for that Mid School team. Can he play both Mid-School and USSSA during the schools baseball season?
Answer - Yes, he can play both. NMAA regulations restricting games played do not apply to Mid-School participants. In HS, the Varsity participant has a total of 26 games / scrimmages that he is eligible for during the HS baseball season. If he plays a USSSA game it will be deducted from his eligible HS games. In JV/C team the total number of games is 23 with the same rule regarding USSSA play.
Bottom Line – I highly discourage any HS baseball player (regardless of whether its varsity, JV or C team) from participating in the USSSA program in the league or tournament play until that players HS season (Feb 1st – End of school) has concluded.
2. Question – I am a baseball coach at a NMAA governed school; can I also coach a USSSA team in the spring league?
Answer – Yes, with very specific conditions – see the hand book. No baseball coach, at a NMAA school, is allowed to coach baseball outside of the baseball season. The NMAA baseball season is defined Feb 1st – the end of the state tournament.
This is not intended to be inclusive of all policies and each coach / participant is encouraged to contact the NMAA for the determination specific to their situation.
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