2025 USSSA Licensing Application

Purpose. To preserve the reputation, goodwill, and trustworthiness of USSSA, the USSSA certification marks and USSSA’s brand, USSSA requires certain attributes of each of its prospective licensees. These are requirements that must be satisfactorily proven to USSSA prior to USSSA providing any prospective licensee a copy of one of USSSA’s licensing agreements for review and execution. This application and its contents should not be confused with the requirements found in the licenses themselves which are, generally, more comprehensive. Nevertheless, some of those license agreement requirements are referenced in this application. See Section 6 of this Introduction.
Promotion of Fair Competition, Reducing Barriers to Entry, Increasing Competition and Enhancing Market Efficiency. Further to the purpose described above, as the owner of various certification marks, USSSA’s Licensing Programs help to:

2.1. Promote a Level Playing Field. By applying consistent standards and requirements to all licensees, USSSA’s licensing programs help create a level playing field for all manufacturers.

2.2. Reduce Unfair Advantages. USSSA’s licensing programs help prevent any single manufacturer from gaining an unfair advantage through lower quality, unsafe products or by circumventing operational requirements and best-practices capabilities. This, in turn, helps promote fair competition based on product merits.

2.3. Reduce Barriers to Entry. USSSA’s licensing programs assist smaller or newer manufacturers in demonstrating the compliant nature and quality of their products by proving-up the capabilities required under these programs. This eliminates uncertainty and guesswork and operates to help reduce barriers to entry in the market.

2.4. Increase Competition. By facilitating the promotion of a level playing field, and by reducing unfair advantages and barriers to entry, USSSA’s licensing programs help increase competition. These programs facilitate the entry and participation of more manufacturers into the market and facilitate a clear path to offer products to consumers. At the same time, these programs provide for consistent development, operations, testing and compliance framework across all manufacturers.

2.5. Enhance Market Efficiency. USSSA’s licensing programs help streamline product testing and approval processes by providing a transparent and clear set of instructions and required operational attributes. This, in turn, reduces the time and costs associated with the guesswork connected to bringing new products to market. Finally, this helps promote market efficiency and allows manufacturers to respond more quickly to changing consumer demands and competitive pressures.

2.6. Promote International Harmonization. Finally, to the extent that licensees operate internationally, USSSA’s licensing programs harmonize standards across different markets. This, in turn, helps reduce trade barriers and promotes fair competition by allowing manufacturers to sell their certified products in multiple countries without the need for additional testing or approvals.
Confidentiality.

3.1. Confidential Information. Under this Application, “Confidential Information” means the information USSSA has included in this form, and the information provided by applicant (the “Applicant”) in and together with this Application. As such, both the Applicant and USSSA will each be a disclosing party and a receiving party.

3.2. Obligation of Confidentiality. Each receiving Party, on behalf of itself and its employees, will only use a disclosing party’s confidential information for the purpose of Applicant applying for a USSSA license. During the application period, and for so long after that as any disclosed information remains Confidential Information, the receiving party will:

(a) not disclose to any person, or use for a purpose not permitted by this Application, the disclosing Party’s Confidential Information without the disclosing party’s prior written consent, and

(b) only provide the disclosing party’s Confidential Information to the receiving party’s employees and financial and legal advisors that:

(i) have a need to know such Confidential Information in the performance of their duties associated with Applicant’s application; and
(ii) are bound by written confidentiality obligations at least as stringent as those contained in this Application.

3.3. Degree of Care. The receiving party will maintain at least the same degree of diligence in protecting the disclosing party’s Confidential Information as the receiving party uses to protect its own proprietary information (but in no event less than reasonable care).
Completion of Application Does Not Mean the Applicant Will Be Granted a License. Completion and signature of this Application by the Applicant:

4.1. Does not mean the Applicant has a license;

4.2. Does not even mean the Applicant will be provided a license agreement to sign or that USSSA will permit the Applicant to participate in any of the USSSA’s license programs;

4.3. Only means that USSSA will consider the Applicant’s application for one or more of USSSA’s licensing programs. No license is provided until USSSA approves the Applicant’s application, Applicant satisfies all conditions precedent provided in the license (including those provided in Section 6 of this Application) and USSSA counter-signs the Applicant’s license (if any) and delivers a copy of the fully-executed license to the Applicant when appropriate.
Fair Consideration. Each application is reviewed by USSSA’s internal Licensing Committee. The decisions of USSSA’s internal Licensing Committee are USSSA’s decisions, and based on USSSA’s sole and absolute discretion. The decisions of USSSA’s internal Licensing Committee are not the decisions of any third party, nor are the Committee’s decisions influenced by third parties. Nevertheless, the Committee may consider publicly available information regarding the Applicant in addition to the information provided in this Application. USSSA will consider all applications fairly and equally. However, that does not mean that the outcomes of USSSA’s considerations will be the same. Not all applicants are similarly situated, similarly qualified, and not all applicants have the capabilities to satisfy USSSA’s requirements.
Summary of Requirements. In the spirit of transparency, and to reduce the likelihood of a prospective Applicant spending unnecessary time on the USSSA licensing process, please note that each USSSA license requires the following. Please note, however, that this requirements list is not exhaustive.

6.1. Insurance. New licensees are required to maintain an effective General Liability policy that includes per occurrence coverage for bodily injury, property damage, products and completed operations, advertising injury and contractual liability. Carriers must be A.M. Best Rating of A or better. Prior to any license being effective (should one be granted), the prospective licensee must provide USSSA a Certificate of Insurance that complies with these and all other requirements of the license. Additionally, each licensee’s policy must:

(a) provide a minimum policy benefit of $15,000,000 USD (new licensees) or $10,000,000 USD (existing licensees);

(b) provide USSSA 30 days advanced written notice prior to any material change to, or cancellation of, the policy;

(c) include a Blanket Additional Insured Endorsement Form acceptable to USSSA; and

(d) be primary and not contributory to any insurance or self-insurance of USSSA.

6.2. Fees. Each licensee must pay USSSA a non-refundable Minimum Guaranteed licensing fee each year they are licensed. That fee:

(a) For new Licensees is $50,000 USD for the first year and $30,000 per year after the first year ($15,000 USD for the first year for Senior Slowpitch-only licensees and $10,000 per year after the first year for those licensees);

(b) Is $30,000 USD per year for existing licensees (should they be regranted a license) ($10,000 USD per year for existing Senior Slowpitch-only licensees, should they be regranted a license);

(c) For ball licensees, is:
(i) $5,000 (baseballs only);

(ii) $10,000 (fastpitch softballs only);

(iii) $10,000 (slowpitch softballs only);

(iv) $10,000 (for both fastpitch and slowpitch softballs);

(v) $15,000 (fastpitch softballs & baseballs);

(vi) $15,000 (slowpitch softballs & baseballs); and

(vii) $15,000 (fastpitch softballs, slowpitch softballs & baseballs)

(d) Is waived for any licensee (should they be regranted a license) that paid USSSA a National Sponsorship fee for the preceding year that (in total) exceeded $100,000 USD; and

(e) will be offset against royalties otherwise owed during that same year; provided, however, that if a licensee fails to accrue royalties greater than its Minimum Guaranteed licensing fee, no amount of the Minimum Guaranteed licensing fee will be refunded by USSSA; and

(f) is $15,000 USD if the licensee is only producing single wall aluminum (SWA) bats and is only $6,000 USD if the licensee is only producing wood bats.

6.3. Capability to Test for Compliance with Performance Standard. To become a licensee, a bat manufacturer must have the capability to test its production quantities for purposes of ensuring that those production quantities perform at or below the applicable USSSA bat performance standard.

6.4. General Compliance. To be a licensee, an Applicant must show, in a satisfactory fashion, that it can comply with all USSSA’s requirements during the Term of the license, and that its to-be-produced bats will comply with all of USSSA’s requirements throughout the bat’s lifespan.
IMPORTANT NOTES TO CONSIDER WHEN COMPLETING THIS APPLICATION.

7.1. Comprehensive Responses. Be detailed in your responses. The more detail you can provide in describing your capabilities and operations, the better USSSA’s Licensing Committee will be able to understand your qualifications.

7.2. Consequences for Providing Untruthful or Inaccurate Information. Your responses must be accurate. BY SIGNING THIS APPLICATION, YOU ARE PROMISING TO USSSA THAT YOUR RESPONSES AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS PROVIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS APPLICATION ARE TRUTHFUL. SHOULD YOU BE GRANTED A LICENSE, IF, AT ANY POINT, USSSA LEARNS YOUR RESPONSES ARE UNTRUTHFUL OR INACCURATE, USSSA MAY DECIDE, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION TO:

(a) NOT RENEW YOUR LICENSE UPON IS EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION; OR

(b) TERMINATE YOUR LICENSE MID-TERM.
Initials. By initialing this page by its authorized representative, Applicant confirms it understands:

8.1. all of the above provisions of this Introduction; and

8.2. Applicant’s responses to this Application are incorporated into its license, should one be granted; and

8.3. that, should a license be granted, a failure to conduct Applicant’s operations in a manner that does not meet the details provided in this Application is and will be a breach of Applicant’s license; and

8.4. Should USSSA grant a license for a given year, USSSA is under no obligation whatsoever to renew that license. Nonrenewal decisions are based on USSSA’s sole and absolute discretion

Applicant's Initials*

1.1. Which specific product(s) are you interested in licensing with USSSA. Please check all that apply.*

2.1. Applicant Name*

Business Entity

Applicant Email*

*The email address of the person filling out the application (example@example.com).

2.2. Applicant Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

2.3. Applicant Website*

www.yourwebsite.com

2.4. Applicant Social Media Accounts (please list all):

2.5. Year Established*

0000

2.6. Legal Structure*

(e.g., Corporation, LLC, Partnership)

2.7. State in which Applicant is organized:*

(e.g, NY, FL, SD)

2.8 Ownership. Briefly describe Applicant’s ownership structure. For private or closely held entities, please identify the entities that own the shares of the Applicant entity and continue “up” the Applicant’s organizational chart to the names of the individual persons that own 100% of Applicant’s shares.

2.9 Contact Information
The Primary Product Contact must be the name of the employee that is responsible for the Licensed Product, should Applicant be granted a license. The Primary Finance Contact must be the name of the employee that is responsible for the financial, reporting and insurance obligations under USSSA’s licensing program, should Applicant be granted a license.

Primary Product Contact First and Last Name: First Name   Last Name

Primary Product Contact Title: Title

Primary Product Contact Email: Email

Primary Product Contact Phone Number: Area Code Phone Number

Primary Finance Contact First and Last Name: First Name   Last Name

Primary Finance Contact Title: Title

Primary Finance Contact Email: Email

Primary Finance Contact Phone Number: Area Code  Phone Number

3.1. Briefly Describe Applicant's Business:

4.1. Products. Other than the prospective Licensed Products indicated above, what other products does the Applicant offer?

4.2. Sales Channels. Please comprehensively describe Applicant's sales and distribution channels.

4.3. Geographic Scope. Into which geographical areas does Applicant currently sell/market?

4.4. Other Existing Licensing Programs. Does the Applicant currently partner or maintain a license with any certification programs?

YesNo

4.4(a). If so, which associations/licensors/programs?

4.5. Compliance History. With regards to Applicant's response to Question 4.4, please describe Applicant's compliance history (i.e., Applicant's history of compliance with other standards, regulations or legal obligations as part of another certification or licensing program; please specifically provide whether or not Applicant has had any product decertified or if Applicant has ever conducted a recall, whether that recall was voluntary or required under a regulatory or statutory regime).

4.6. Assortment. How many models of bats or balls does Applicant currently carry? Please include specific product names, sizes and product types (i.e, BB bat, SP bat, FP bat, SB ball and BB ball) (if any):

5.1. Insurance - Does Applicant currently carry a GL policy as described in Introduction Section 6.1?

YesNo

5.1(a). Insurance - If Applicant Selected "NO" to Question 5.1a, is Applicant capable of securing such a policy quickly?

YesNo

5.2. Certification and License Fees. Is Applicant capable of paying the licensing fees described in Introduction Section 6.2?

YesNo

5.3. Financial Health. By signing this Application, Applicant represents and warrants that it is fiscally healthy, has a financially sustainable business and has adequate resources and capital to fulfill Applicant’s obligations under USSSA’s licensing programs; including, without limitation, paying all Minimum Guaranteed Royalties, all other royalties, all insurance premiums and deductibles for all insurance policies required and described under Section 5.1 of this Application, together with any and all fines or late payment fees that may occur to the extent Applicant becomes a Licensee.

6.1. Performance Testing. With regards to the prospective licensed products you have indicated above in Application Section 1, do you currently have the capabilities to conduct internal performance testing in accordance with USSSA standards at your own (owned or leased) domestic facilities? “Performance testing in accordance with USSSA standards” means bpf testing for bats and ASTM compression and COR testing for balls.

YesNo

6.1(a). Description of Domestic, Internal Performance Testing Capabilities. If Applicant indicated “YES” to Question 6.1, please describe Applicant’s domestic, internal performance testing capabilities. Please be as specific as possible and describe these testing capabilities in the context of the test apparatus, calibration, standardization, and conditioning capabilities as described in ASTM F2219 sections 5 through 7. Please also describe the location(s) of the equipment; the equipment details (cannon and light gate information); whether Applicant is capable of testing to ASTM standards and, if so, which standards; describe policies or procedures around use practices; and a brief description of operators’ experience, etc. These programs must have, and in its response, Applicant needs to describe its robust practices around maintenance of detailed testing records and other documentation.

6.1(b). OEM Performance Testing. If Applicant indicated “NO” to Question 6.1, indicate if Applicant’s contract manufacturer has the capabilities to conduct the testing described in Sections 6.1 and 6.2.

YesNo

6.1(c). If Applicant indicated “YES” to Question 6.1(b), please describe the capabilities of Applicant’s contract manufacturer, using the prompts in Question 6.1.

6.1(d). Supporting Photographs. Please upload supporting photographs of the performance testing lab described in Section 6.1(a) or 6.1(c), as applicable.

6.1(e). Maintenance and Calibration. If Applicant responded “yes” to Question 6.1 or 6.1(b), please describe Applicant’s (or its contract manufacturer’s) policies and practices concerning equipment maintenance and calibration. Specifically, Applicant must describe its (or its contract manufacturer’s) regular maintenance and calibration programs that ensure ongoing accuracy and reliability.

6.2. General Information. USSSA’s licensing programs require a certain level of sophistication with regards to technical expertise, engineering resources, and equipment infrastructure to properly implement USSSA’s standards correctly and effectively. In narrative form, please describe Applicant’s technical expertise, engineering resources, and equipment infrastructure not otherwise already described above. Please note: (a) this question is seeking information regarding Applicant’s domestic capabilities and not the capabilities of Applicant’s contract manufacturer; (b) responses that simply state a conclusion will be rejected; (c) responses must be detailed, complete with evidence-based examples. Providing employee CVs that highlight relevant training, education and work experience is encouraged. The more information provided the better USSSA will be able to understand Applicant’s capabilities. Supporting documentation, if any, may be uploaded via the File Upload box below.

Any supporting documentation for question 6.2 above may be uploaded via the File Upload box below.

6.3. Quality Control. Describe Applicant’s controls that ensure product consistency and product quality.

6.4. Quality Assurance. Describe Applicant’s quality assurance program. This description should include details around Applicant’s quality management system, its regular internal audits or management reviews that ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement, together with Applicant’s practices and capabilities around maintaining quality assurance records, including incoming material inspections, in-process checks, and final product testing.

6.5. Traceability. Please describe Applicant’s policies or programs that ensure the maintenance of detailed records of Applicant’s manufacturing processes, raw material and component inputs (including sources, consistency of sources and consistency of materials). Responses must speak to Applicant’s “traceability” capabilities and practices, and its capabilities to conduct root cause analysis in the event of any issues or defects.

6.6. Design and Development Capabilities. Applicant must demonstrate proficiency in product design and development, including engineering capabilities, the ability to create and maintain detailed technical drawings, specifications, and other documentation, all of which are required under USSSA’s licensing programs. Please describe Applicant’s policies, capabilities and staff that are specific to these design and development requirements. Providing employee CVs that highlight relevant training, education and work experience is encouraged. Supporting documentation can be uploaded via the file upload link below.

Supporting documentation for question 6.6 can be uploaded from the file upload link below.

6.7. Process Controls. Applicant must have documented processes and procedures for all aspects of their manufacturing operations, including material handling, assembly, packaging, and shipping, to ensure consistency and compliance with the requirements of USSSA’s licensing programs. Please describe Applicant’s process controls that are distinct from the other information previously provided.

6.8. Training and Competency. Applicant must provide appropriate training to its personnel to ensure its personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of USSSA’s Licensing Programs. Please describe Applicant’s practices for training its employees and manufacturing vendors for all aspects of production, testing, and quality control. This description should include reference to Applicant’s regular training and education to keep personnel updated on all USSSA’s requirements; industry best practices; and a description of practices around maintenance of records of personnel qualifications, training, and performance.

6.9. Continuous Improvement. Applicant should have a culture of continuous improvement and a commitment to identifying and implementing opportunities for enhancing product quality, process efficiency, and conformance with the requirements of USSSA’s Licensing Programs. This program should include a strong focus on continuous improvement in Applicant’s manufacturing and engineering processes, using data and feedback from manufacturing, customers (i.e. warranty data), testing, and quality control to drive ongoing enhancements in product compliance and safety. Please describe Applicant’s continuous improvement efforts or programs.

6.10. Safety and Durability Testing. Applicant must have the ability to conduct thorough safety testing on its products to ensure they meet with the requirements of USSSA’s Licensing Programs and applicable laws and regulations for consumer safety (i.e., the Consumer Product Safety Act, 2021; and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, 2008). For example, testing for durability and longevity (which should ensure Applicant’s products can withstand foreseeable use and misuse, reasonable wear and tear) and consumer hazards. These programs must have robust practices around maintenance of detailed testing records and documentation. Please describe Applicant’s safety and durability testing programs.

6.11. Regulatory Compliance. Applicant must be able to demonstrate its ability to comply with all applicable government regulations and standards for consumer products, such as those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (i.e., the Consumer Product Safety Act, 2021; and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, 2008). Please describe Applicant’s regulatory compliance programs to the extent not provided above.

6.12. Recall Management. Applicant must have a robust system in place for managing product recalls (be those voluntary or required by license or regulatory regime), including the ability to quickly identify and trace affected products, communicate with customers and stakeholders, and implement corrective actions. These programs should also have policies, practices, and systems for receiving, investigating, and resolving customer complaints related to certified licensed products. Please describe Applicant’s recall management programs.

6.13. Manufacturing Processes. To the extent not provided above, please describe Applicant’s manufacturing processes and include a description of Applicant’s implementation of process controls and monitoring to ensure consistent product quality and compliance characteristics, together with Applicant’s processes around maintaining detailed production records, including batch numbers, production dates, and traceability information.

6.14. Marking and Labeling. Please describe Applicant’s practices regarding adhering to its use of third-party marks in accordance with the third party’s guidelines in product marking, product packaging, advertising, and promotional materials, and details around practices of maintaining records of third-party mark usage and labeling. This response should include a description of how Applicant “codes” products for purposes of capturing, reporting and paying royalties, including all quality checks associated with such “coding” practices.

6.15. General Record-keeping and Reporting. Please describe Applicant’s practices around maintaining detailed records of all aspects of production, testing, and certification activities; capabilities and programs in place to provide regular reporting to USSSA (or other licensors) on production volumes and testing results; and programs for cooperating with licensor (or other third party) audits and investigations to verify ongoing compliance and issue resolution, to the extent not covered above.

7.1 Reference 1:
(a) Entity Name:Entity Name
(b) Entity Contact Name: First Name   Last Name
(c) Entity Contact Phone Number:Area Code   Phone Number
(d) Entity Contact Email Address: Email
(e) Describe Nature of Relationship:Relationship

7.2 Reference 2:
(a) Entity Name:Entity Name
(b) Entity Contact Name: First Name   Last Name
(c) Entity Contact Phone Number:Area Code   Phone Number
(d) Entity Contact Email Address: Email
(e) Describe Nature of Relationship:Relationship

7.3 Reference 3:
(a) Entity Name:Entity Name
(b) Entity Contact Name: First Name   Last Name
(c) Entity Contact Phone Number:Area Code   Phone Number
(d) Entity Contact Email Address: Email
(e) Describe Nature of Relationship:Relationship

8.1. If Applicant responded “yes” to Question 4.4, please describe and provide the applicable certifications or regulatory standards, together with Applicant’s documentation associated with compliance (i.e., testing reports, compliance programs, internal or third-party audit reports, etc.).

NOTE - if Applicant indicated "no" on 4.4, this Section 8.1 is not applicable. Please move to Section 9.

9.1. Does Applicant make or sell any products that are subject to any other certifications or regulatory standards not already disclosed in Sections 4.4 and 8. (Please consider the requirements of Prop 65 and the CPSA and CPSIA when responding)?

YesNo

9.1(a). Supporting Documentation for section 9 question 9.1. If Applicant responded “yes” to question 9.1., please provide the applicable certifications or regulatory standards, together with Applicant’s documentation associated with compliance (i.e., testing reports, compliance programs, internal or third-party audit reports, etc.). Supporting documentation can be uploaded below.

By signing this document, I declare I am a lawful representative of the Applicant, I have authority to execute documents relating to the information provided in this Application, and that the responses provided in this Application are complete, comprehensive, true and correct. I understand there are stringent and serious consequences to providing any false statements or information, or for failing to provide responsive information in this Application. Those consequences include terminating the Applicant’s license (should it be granted one), immediate decertification of all models certified or approved under any prospective license (if any) and a permanent ban from being eligible for any USSSA licensing programs.

Applicant (Entity) Name: Name*
By: By*
Its: Its*
Date: Date*

Signature*

2025 USSSA Licensing Application Form

Introduction

Application Questions and Required Information

1. Product Type

2. General Application Information

3. Business Information

4. Product, Sales and Distribution Information.

5. Financial Information

6. Operational Capabilities

7. Business References

8. Information Concerning Other, Existing Licensing Programs

9. Products Subject to Other Certification or Regulatory Standards

10. Declaration and Signature