2021 Rule Change Reminder: Out-of-Region Players Approved for AA, AAA, & Major Teams

Sept. 1, 2020

Reminder to all teams, for the 2021 season, AA, AAA, and Major teams will be allowed two (2) out-of-region players.

The rule change was announced back in April.

By Donna McGuire
SSUSA National Rules Chair

SACRAMENTO - The vast majority of Senior Softball USA teams will be able to add two out-of-area players to their rosters starting with the 2021 season under a new rule approved this month by the SSUSA National Rules Committee.

AA, AAA and Major teams that are NOT based in five (5) player-rich states will be allowed to add two players from any state located on the same side of the Mississippi River as the team’s home state, as long as those players meet all other roster eligibility rules.

The new rule does not apply to Major Plus teams, which already have unique roster composition rules - four (4) out-of-region players, same side of the river.

Also excluded are teams based in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon or Hawaii.  Under "neighboring state" eligibility rules, those five states already have the nation’s largest pools of available players. The new rule is designed to help teams in areas where fewer players live.

The change was prompted by a variety of manager requests. Some had asked for the ability to retain players who moved away from their area but had played on their team for years. Others requested adjustments to neighboring states rules, especially in areas with player shortages.

The National Rules Committee discussed the issue at the national SSUSA conference in December but tabled action until staff could gather data and survey managers.

The committee reconvened in a telephone conference call April 7. After discussing the data and requests, committee members approved the new rule as the most sensible solution available that also addressed as many of the issues as possible.

The rule change takes effect when the 2021 season officially begins in November.