Club News: USA Softball and The Alliance Fastpitch Join Forces for 2021 JO Cup

In partnership with The Alliance Fastpitch, USA Softball has announced that the 2021 USA Softball Junior Olympic (JO) Cup will count as an official Alliance Points event.

Participating Alliance Teams will have the opportunity to earn points based on wins, losses and tournament finish, which will be used to determine their league standing and seeding for the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series.

“The USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup is one of the top Invitational Showcases in the country with athlete exposure being at an all-time high,” said USA Softball Event Manager, Julie Whiteaker.

“We are excited to join forces for this event in partnership with The Alliance Fastpitch and look forward to working together to provide the best possible experience for our JO Cup participants.”

USA Softball and The Alliance Fastpitch united in August 2020 with a partnership that offers national registration for athletes and coaches across the United States. Comprised of six member leagues, The Alliance provides oversight and guidance for the regional girls’ fast pitch league to create a sound infrastructure in the elite youth game.

Additionally, The Alliance drives athlete-centric programming and resources geared towards the continual development of elite athletes, coaches, parents and officials.

“The Southeastern Fastpitch League and The Alliance are so excited to partner with USA Softball’s Junior Olympic Cup,” said SEFL Commissioner, Jeremy Higdon.

“Many of the SEFL member teams and clubs have had great success and have great history with the JO Cup. To bring that event along as part of the road to the AFCS in the form of an Alliance points event is a win for all parties involved.”

The 2021 USA Softball JO Cup will be held in Columbus, Ga. June 19-25 with the 14-Under division kicking off the tournament at Idle Hour Sports Complex before joining the 16-Under and 18-Under divisions at South Commons Complex, where a 2021 Junior Olympic Champion will be crowned in their respective age divisions.

The event will include a total of 96 teams across the 14-Under, 16-Under and 18-Under divisions. It will feature a five-game guarantee with three pool play games and a double-elimination bracket into a single Championship Game per division.

A blind draw will be conducted for bracket play with protection given to the first and second-place finishers from the 2020 USA Softball JO Cup.

Click here for more information on the 2021 JO Cup.

Created in 2015, the USA Softball JO Cup serves as an opportunity for evaluation by the USA Softball coaching staff and the Women’s National Team Selection Committee (WNTSC).

The inaugural USA Softball JO Cup included a total of 32 teams competing in the 18-Under division and has since grown to include a 16-Under division the past five years (2016-2020) and 14-Under division the past three years (2018-2020).