USA Softball reveals Men’s and Women’s Slow Pitch National Team rosters set to compete in 2023 edition of Border Battle and Slow Pitch Showdown

OKLAHOMA CITY – USA Softball revealed today the rosters set to represent the U.S. at the 2023 edition of Border Battle and Slow Pitch Showdown this summer. Slated to take place July 28-30 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Men’s and Women’s Slow Pitch National Teams, along with the Men’s Futures and Women’s Futures, will each carry a 14-player roster with a total of 15 athletes putting on the Red, White and Blue for the first time in their careers.

Created in 2009, the annual Border Battle enters its 13^th season of international matchups between USA Softball and Canada Slow Pitch National Teams with this year’s event taking place at Brookside Park in Cleveland, Ohio. The action will kick off with exhibition contests ahead of the annual Slow Pitch Showdown where the Men’s Slow Pitch National Team (MSPNT) and Women’s Slow Pitch National Team (WSPNT) will face off against their respective U.S. Futures teams. Capping the weekend, Team USA will matchup against Team Canada for the Men’s and Women’s Border Battle XIII competition scheduled for Sunday, July 30.

Click here for more information on Border Battle XIII »

Comprised of 14 athletes from nine different states, the 2023 WSPNT is stacked with elite experience as 12 veteran athletes return to the Border Battle competition in addition to two rookies – Ashley Langoni (Colo.) and Tylia Sylestine (Tex.) – who join the squad for the first time in their careers. “It’s such a privilege to put on the USA uniform and coach these athletes,” said head coach Don Cooper (Wash.), who will lead the WSPNT for the sixth-straight year alongside returning assistant coaches Shannon Cooper (Wash.) and Tammy Higginbotham (Wash.). “This 2023 roster is a great combination of power, speed, defense and veteran leaders, and I can’t wait to get them on the field together,” added Cooper.

The Women’s Futures introduces five new athletes to the squad, while 9 veterans return to the field with the 14-player roster hailing from 11 different states. At the helm of the Women’s Futures team for the first time in his career is head coach Ted Carter (Ky.), after leading the squad as an assistant coach for the past two years. Joining Carter and completing the 2023 Women’s Futures coaching staff is assistant coach Shannon Ellingsworth (Ky.) who joins the staff for the first time. “These athletes are some of the best female softball players in the country, and to be able to coach them in the Border Battle will be an amazing experience,” said Carter.

Click here to view the 2023 USA Softball Women’s Slow Pitch and Futures Team rosters »

Returning to the 2023 MSPNT roster are 11 veterans from seven different states, while Joseph Bennett (Ga.) and Phil Matte (Ky.) add to the talent after competing on the Men’s Futures team last year. Also joining the roster is Bradley Jones (S.C.) who will put on the Red, White and Blue for the first time in his career. Leading the MSPNT is National Softball Hall of Famer, Brett Helmer (N.Y.), who will return for his fifth-straight year as the MSPNT head coach, while Tim Barnes (Minn.) will return as an assistant coach for the sixth time in his career. “I can’t wait to get this team on the field,” noted Helmer. “I feel this team has the most potential of any I have coached. We have multiple players that can play several positions at an elite level, as well as hit with power and line-to-line base hitting.”

The Men’s Futures team carries a mixture of talent and experience from nine different states as eight veterans return to the roster and six rookies prepare for their debut in the Red, White and Blue. “I want to thank USA Softball and Brett Helmer for trusting me with the honor of being part of the Border Battle again,” said 2023 Men’s Futures head coach, Rob Humphrey (Iowa), who returns to the U.S. coaching staff for the eighth-straight year. “It still gives me chills to wear USA across my chest. The Futures will have some new faces this year, but we will continue to play hard and with passion,” he added.

Click here to view the 2023 USA Softball Men’s Slow Pitch and Futures Team rosters »

Athletes are selected to represent the United States as a member of a Slow Pitch National Team roster based on grassroots participation. For more information on the USA Softball Men’s and Women’s Slow Pitch National Teams program and to learn about the history of the Border Battle, please visit USASoftball.com.