OKLAHOMA CITY - The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America/USA Softball will hold open tryouts on January 2, 2015 for players hoping to make the 2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT) roster. Held at Bill Barber Park in Irvine, Calif., eligible athletes have from now through December 5 to sign up through USASoftball.com for the open tryout, which will involve a series of softball related skill drills for each position, hitting and bunting. The top athletes from the open tryout will be selected to participate at the USA Softball JWNT Selection Camp January 3-4, where they will compete for a spot on the 17-athlete roster along with the list of invited athletes. Those athletes selected to the 2015 JWNT will compete at the World Cup of Softball X in Southern California and the International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women's World Championship in Oklahoma City, Okla.

"With the ISF Junior Women's World Championship being held at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, our goal is to maximize player opportunity and field the best team possible," said ASA/USA Softball Director of National Teams Ronnie Isham.

The open tryout is open to any female U.S. citizen born in 1996, 1997 or 1998 who can commit to a June - August, 2015 time period. There is a $100, non-refundable registration fee for any ASA/USA registered athlete that includes a participant t-shirt and training from some of the top coaches in fast pitch softball. There is a $115, non-refundable registration fee for athletes who are not registered through ASA/USA Softball that also includes a participant t-shirt, training from the top coaches in fast pitch softball and insurance coverage for the open tryout. Participants are responsible for their own equipment and expenses to the tryouts. Those athletes who advance from the open tryout and are selected to attend the JWNT Selection Camp will then have their expenses paid for by ASA/USA Softball.

Below is the minimum standards for athletes to register for the JWNT open tryouts:

Infielders/Outfielders (must meet each of the following)

• Bat Speed - 50 mph minimum
• Run (home to first) - 2.95 seconds maximum
• Run (home to home) - 12.5 seconds maximum
• Throwing Speed - 55 mph minimum
• Pushups - 30 minimum

Pitchers (consistent speed for any three of the following)

• Fastball - 63 mph minimum
• Riseball - 60 mph minimum
• Change up - 45 mph maximum or 18 mph slower than maximum pitch speed
• Curveball - 60 mph minimum
• Dropball - 63 mph minimum

Catchers (must meet each of the following)

• Throw (home to second) - 2 second maximum
• Throwing Speed - 55 mph minimum
• Bat Speed - 50 mph minimum
• Run (home to first) - 2.95 seconds maximum
• Run (home to home) - 12.5 seconds max
• Pushups - 30 minimum

Click here to register for the Open Tryout.

Further information on the JWNT open tryout, including registration time, hotel information, will be relayed to registered athletes after the registration deadline.

The 2015 JWNT will compete in two international competitions in 2015, including their first-ever appearance in the World Cup of Softball. The World Cup of Softball X will be held June 30-July 5 in Southern California while the ISF Junior Women's World Championship will be held August 9-15 in Oklahoma City, Okla. The JWNT is looking to reclaim the Gold after falling 4-0 to Japan at the last ISF Junior Women's World Championship in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Led by Head Coach Tairia Flowers (Tucson, Ariz./ head coach at Cal State Northridge), the complete coaching staff for the 2015 JWNT will be announced at a later date.

For updates on the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team and events throughout the 2015 season visit www.USASoftball.com.

-- Courtesy ASA/USA Softball