18 & Under Major Classification: Any 18 & under team with one or more player(s) who are considered collegiate athletes in the sport of softball must participate in the 18 & under Major Division. A college student will be considered a collegiate athlete if the softball team on which she participates is sanctioned by the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA or similar organizations. College students who participate on “club” softball teams or other non-sanctioned softball teams are not considered collegiate athletes for these purposes and may compete at the Major Division or any lower division. 18 & under Major teams will be allowed to play in 18 & under open tournaments at the discretion of tournament director, if they win a berth it would be to the 18 Major World Series only. All National and World Series Tournaments will offer an 18 & under Major division. If an 18 & under major team drops the college players from their roster, that team can register as an 18 & under “A”, “B”. They will be classified by the State Director. The pitching distance for the 18 & Under Major, shall be 43 feet.