What is a C team? Does USSSA have a definition for it?
What is a C team? Does USSSA have a definition for it?
So you played in C so that you could get more game experience and game time. Perhaps the Trophy Hunters added this guest player so that they could get more game experience and game time. What's the difference? If it's illegal, then you have a point. Otherwise, aren't you and the Trophy Hunters' both doing the same thing, putting your team and players in a situation to give them more game experience and game time?
Granted, I have not been in an area where there are strict definitions of A, B and C. If I were in your area, I might see it differently. But I'm not concerned about the strength of individual players. It's about placing teams in groups that make sense. Sounds to me this team was in the right group.
I've lived and played in GA and NC and have never heard of this being illegal. Don't know the official USSSA rule, but I have never seen tournament directors in those stats take issue with this.
It never occured to me to ever check another teams roster. I was way too busy and focused on trying to get my team to do what they needed to do to get better. IMO, any energy spent doing anything else was wasted. I'm sure there are teams out there that check every little thing, and that is ok, I'm just saying I never had the time or desire. We showed up and played whomever was in the other dugout.
The C class here offers Rec level teams a chance to test the waters with travel ball. Our Rec seasons are usually May-mid June. The Rec season usually consists of around 10 games give or take depending on the number of teams in the league. They usually play two times a week. I like the concept of the C class as a way for Rec players to try travel ball. That's how we got our start.
I understand the OPs frustration, especially if the guest player is A level AND a pitcher playing in a C level tournament.
How truly dominant was this pitcher? Was she head and shoulders above all the other pitchers you faced? a 5-3 score does not seem like she was lights out. Did you lose any other games in the tourney?
I'm not the coach, I'm just the dad doing Gamechanger, so my responsibilities are minimal...and it's pretty easy to take 5 minutes at some point in the 1-2 days before pool play to type the rosters of the scheduled opponents from the USSSA site into the Gamerchanger site. Earlier this season one of our opponents played a girl who wasn't on their roster. We would have never caught it otherwise.