March 21, 2023

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Classifying Teams & Pitchers

NAFA is the top organization in the world at classifying teams and pitchers. Our success can be directly measured by the high level of team loyalty expressed each year as teams have a great time and see by looking around with their eyeball test that our directors have properly placed each team and each pitcher in a class where you are competitive and you hear player after player saying, “those guys look just like we do”.


NAFA has 5 levels of play which basically offers a level of play for every talent level of player and pitcher:

“Open” Division
is any player of any level participating but many of the top pitchers in the world appear at this level. There are very few “super” level highly financed teams left so taking away the “OPEN” level pitching puts almost all but a few teams in the AA-Major Class of play as long as they use a pitcher from the AA-Major list as NO “Open” level pitchers are allow to pitch in any class below, “OPEN”. The “Open” World Series(which any team can attend) is held July 23-25 at Madison, Wisconsin in 2011 at the Bowling Green Sports Complex which is fastpitch only type facility with double high permanent fences at 240 feet making it a true fastpitch facility.

AA-Major Division
No “OPEN” pitchers allowed, only AA-Major and below pitchers may pitch. This is the highest intermediate level(considered semi-open by many) of play in the world and very similar to the former ISC2 level and the ASA “A” level(and upper “B” level). The AA-Major World Series is held August 19-21 in Rockford, Illinois at the beautiful 8 field Sportscore facility. The AA-Major division was established to be a bridge division for teams who had clearly shown they were dominant in the true intermediate “AA” division but were cleary not “OPEN” teams or clearly had no “OPEN” pitching.

“AA” Division
NAFA’s true intermediate division held on August 11-14 in Rockford, Illinois at the lush green Sportscore facility with 8 fields. Only “AA” pitchers and lower are allowed in this division. The division has been compared to the ASA “B” and the lower end of the ISC2. Teams that do well two years in a row or that have dominant pitching can be given a promotion to the next level the following year.

A-Major Division
One of NAFA’s best management decisions ever(see the chronology of NAFA Top Down Decision making since its origin in 1993 under the “ABOUT US” section). NAFA’s Decision in 2004 to break the ultra large “A” division into two with the more competitive teams in “A-Major”(referred to as Upper ASA “C” teams) and to allow the lower half remain in “A” (Middle to lower ASA :C: teams) was a great move that helped the entire sport survive and grow. Only pitchers who are A-major and lower may pitch in this division. This event is held in 2011 on August 11-14 in Rockford, Illinois along side the “AA” tournament and many teams play in both divisions using A-major pitchers in the lower division and “AA” pitchers in the “AA” division.

“A” Division
The lowest classification level of NAFA is also where over 90% of the players and pitchers fit in talent wise. This level is both for new teams, teams with lower velocity pitching, teams that have been together for along time and have aged and for teams that want to play as friends and not trade away good friends for talent. Only pitchers classified at “A” may pitch in the “A” Division. This event will have 64 teams in Rockford, Illinois on August 18-21 at the Sportscore Complex with 8 fields. It is played in conjunction with the 23-Under World Series and the AA-Major World Series and many players play in two or even all three divisions.

23-Under Division
Two 23-Under World Series events are held, the first with the Men’s “OPEN” World Series July 23-25 in Madision, Wisconsin and the second and traditional one at the World Series August 19-21 alongside the Men’s “A” and “AA-Major” Divisions. Both are 4 game guarantees and players are allowed to play in both events.

18-Under Division
The second annual 18-Under Division will be held alongside the 23-Under Division August 20-21, Saturday-Sunday in Rockford, Illinois.

Youth Divisions
Tim Hatten and Ray Richardson will host the NAFA Boys Fastpitch World Series near Rockford, Illinois at the Roscoe Softball Complex with the dates and classes below. The Entry fee is free for this event in an effort to promote our fine sport with our youth in an effort to provide long term development for our sport.
10-Under, August 11-12th(Thursday-Friday)
12-Under, August 11-12th(Thursday-Friday)
14-Under, August 12-13th(Friday-Saturday)
16-Under, August 13-14th(Friday-Saturday)

Masters Divisions

East July 1-3, Midwest Sept. 9-11, West Sept. 16-18

NAFA’s Masters Program is the largest in the World and is due to NAFA’s Director’s listening to the players and making changes that are requested of us.

  • 60-Over, Rockford, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 60 in this calendar year.
  • 55-Over, Rockford, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 55 in this calendar year.
  • 50-Over, Rockford, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 50 in this calendar year.
  • 45-Over, Rockford, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 45 in this calendar year.
  • 40-Over, Rockford, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 40 in this calendar year.
    35-Over, Rockford, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 35 in this calendar year.

Masters East World Series at Niagra Falls July 1-3, (fly to Buffalo, NY)

  • 50-Over, Niagra Falls, Ont., Kerr Park, July 1-3, 3 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 50 in this calendar year.
  • 45-Over, Niagra Falls, Ont., Kerr Park, July 1-3, 3 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 45 in this calendar year.
  • 40-Over, Niagra Falls, Ont., Kerr Park, July 1-3, 3 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 40 in this calendar year.

Masters MIDWEST World Series, September 9-11, Rockford, Illinois(fly to Chicago or Milwaukee)

  • 60-Over, Decatur, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 50 in this calendar year.
  • 55-Over, Decatur, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 50 in this calendar year.
  • 50-Over, Decatur, Illinois, Sept. 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 50 in this calendar year.
  • 45-Over, Decatur, Illinois, Sept. 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 45 in this calendar year.
  • 40-Over, Decatur, Illinois, Sept. 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 40 in this calendar year.
  • 35-Over, Decatur, Illinois, September 9-11, 4 Games Guaranteed. All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 35 in this calendar year.

Masters WEST World Series Sept. 16-18 in Carson City, Nevada(fly to Reno)

  • 50-Over, Carson City, Nevada, Sept. 16-18, 4 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 50 in this calendar year.
  • 45-Over, Carson City, Nevada, Sept. 16-18, 4 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 45 in this calendar year.
  • 40-Over, Carson City, Nevada, Sept. 16-18, 4 Games Guaranteed, All Players (but 3 non-pitchers 3 years too young) must be turning 40 in this calendar year.

Wood Bat Divisions
The Wood Bat World Series will be held August 28-29 in Anadarko, Oklahoma and will be overseen by Wood Bat Program Director, Dave Parker. It will be a 3 game guarantee and is being held for the first time in the lower midwest in an attempt to grow the division in 2011.

Modified Divisions
The Modified Fastpitch World Series is being bid out now and is looking for a host for 2012. Please contact the Executive Director if you are interested in hosting this event.

Native American Divisions
In 2012, we will host our first ever Native American World Series in the lower Midwest. Stay tuned for more details under the Native American World Series Page. If you are interested in helping host this event contact the executive director.