The 2015 USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup roster of 24 teams has been announced for the tournament to take place July 26 – August 1, 2015 in Chino Hills, Calif.

Currently there are 24 teams who are in the event, but word is that eight more could be added. According to the ASA/USA Softball event organizers, over 60 teams were invited based on nationwide rankings.

Here is the list of teams:

Team Name	Coach	Hometown
Aces Express	David McCorkle	Manville, Texas
California Raiders	Phil Bruder	Winchester, Calif.
DeMarini Athletics	Keith Householder	Tempe, Ariz.
Diamond Girls	Danielle Olsen	Tulsa, Okla.
East Cobb Bullets	Greg Schnute	Marietta, Ga.
Gametime Stars	Rusty Fisher	Oklahoma City, Okla.
Gold Coast Hurricanes	Marty Cooper	Plantation, Fla.
Houston Power	Jeff Korioth	Bellville, Texas
Indiana Magic	Kim Clay	Fort Wayne, Ind.
LA Voodoo	Jesse Barksdale	River Ridge, La.
Louisville Sluggers	Don Dobina	Boaz, Ky.
Michigan Finesse	Donny Dreher	Southfield, Mich.
New Lenox Lightning	Jim Abbott	New Lenox, Ill.
Ohio Outlaws	Dave Blashinsky	Ashtabula, Ohio
Rock Gold - Waye	Rick Waye	Southampton, Penn.
San Jose Sting	Bob Perales	San Jose, Calif.
Storm - Shepherd	Jerry Shepherd	Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
Texas Blaze Gold	JB Slimp	Round Rock, Texas
Texas Bombers	Scott Smith	New Brunsfields, Texas
Texas Storm	Joe Wymer	Hockley, Texas
Texas Sudden Impact	Tim Dutton	Spring, Texas
TXFC - May	Connie May	Spring, Texas
Wagner's Gold - Reese	Reese Kiple	Safety Harbor, Fla.
Wichita Mustangs	Mark Griggs	Wichita, Kan.

“We are excited about the response we received from the invitations that were sent out earlier this year,” said Chris Sebren, Director of Championships for ASA/USA Softball.  “We have 24 quality teams with some very talented players that are participating in our first year and it should prove to be a very competitive event.”

The teams will compete for a prize pool with the Top 12 finishers receiving a cash donation award back to their program.

One of the team’s confirmed to play is Texas Sudden Impact coached by Tim Dutton.

“We’ve always enjoyed being part of ASA as well as playing PGF and Triple Crown,” he stated this afternoon when asked why he was interested in playing in the JO Cup. We like the fact that ASA is putting together a select field of top talent; this was one of the things that really enticed us to look at this.”

He also said the chance to recoup costs was a major draw.

“One thing that’s a benefit,” Dutton continued, “is that, as expensive as things are getting with travelling and going to showcases and qualifiers, being able to have the opportunity to be awarded prize money and be awarded something based on previous year’s results was something we saw as beneficial to us. We had a ninth place finish at ASU GOLD Nationals and like that we’ll save money not having to chase a qualifier.”

“We are very honored to be a part of the inaugural USA Softball JO Cup,” said Mark Griggs, Head Coach of the Wichita Mustangs.  “We are excited for our players as they will be able to showcase their talents in front of the USA Softball National Team coaches.  This type of event has been talked about for years and ASA/USA Softball listened and made it happen.”

“It is a privilege that we were invited to compete in this new USA Softball JO Cup,” said Rock Gold Head Coach Rick Waye.  “ROCK 18 Gold has only played in ASA/USA GOLD Nationals since our inception and we’re excited about this new tournament.”

“With ASA/USA Softball evaluating all teams and players in this event, nothing could be more thrilling to our players, parents and coaching staff.  We can’t wait to travel to California and we look forward to competing with some of the most competitive teams in the country.”

Hosted by the Southern California ASA/USA, invitations for the USA Softball JO Cup were sent out based on prominent ranking systems.

Scheduled to take place following the 2015 ASA/USA GOLD National Championships, the USA Softball JO Cup will be a five-game guarantee National Invitational Tournament (NIT) that will follow standard ASA/USA play.

Teams will participate in three pool play games to be followed by a double-elimination bracket.  Teams will be seeded into both pool and bracket play through a blind-draw.

Once teams complete pool play, they will enter into bracket play to compete for a prize pool of over $70,000 with the Top 12 finishers receiving a cash donation award back to their respective 501c3 program (see NCAA Bylaw 12.1.2.1.5 for information on payment based on performance).

“We believe that the Junior Olympic Cup provides a great opportunity for our young ladies to exhibit their fast pitch skills for the USA Softball National Team Coaching Staff,” said Greg Schnute with the East Cobb Bullets.  “We are excited to play in the first-ever USA Softball JO Cup.”