The HPP will consist of three levels: Regional Identifiers, Regional Invitational Events and National Selection Events. Athletes will begin by participating in a Regional Identifier where their skills will be evaluated and considered for the Regional Athlete Pool. Fifteen athletes from each age division and region will be selected to move on to the second phase: the Regional Invitational Event. Here, athletes will compete against other Regional Athlete Pools in a game-setting and be evaluated based on their play in competition. This stage of the HPP process will begin no earlier than June 6 and will conclude on or before September 11. The top athletes from each Regional Invitational Event will move on to the final stage of the HPP process – the National Selection Event where an 18-player roster for each age specific National Team will be announced at its conclusion. From these rosters, possible invitation for team participation in a USA Softball National Team trial, pool, or event will be extended based on World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) events for the following calendar year. "The High Performance Program provides a great opportunity for athletes across the U.S. to enter the pipeline to a USA Softball National Team Program for a chance to represent the U.S. on the international stage," said two-time Olympian and former USA Softball Women's National Team member, Kelly Kretschman. "We are excited to add the involvement of current and former Women's National Team members as HPP evaluators in effort of providing our participants with ratings and feedback from the best of the best. This program is a huge step in the right direction for our sport and we are excited to get things started for the 2022 season." |
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