OKLAHOMA CITY (April 4, 2024) – USA Softball has unveiled the rosters for the highly-anticipated 2024 Border Battle and Slow Pitch Showdown, which will take place from July 25-27 at the Softball Capitol of the World®. The event will showcase the Men’s and Women’s Slow Pitch National Teams, as well as the Men’s Futures and Women’s Futures teams. Each team will have a 14-15 player roster, while 17 athletes will put on the Red, White and Blue for the first time in their careers.
The Border Battle is an annual international softball event that started in 2009, and this year’s event will mark its 14th season. The tournament is a highly competitive affair between the Canadian Slow Pitch National Teams and USA Softball. Taking place at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the 2024 edition will begin with exhibition contests, followed by the Slow Pitch Showdown, where the Men’s and Women’s Slow Pitch National Teams will take on their respective U.S. Futures teams. The tournament will conclude with the Men’s and Women’s Border Battle XIV competition between Team USA and Team Canada on Saturday, July 27, which is expected to draw a large audience of softball fans from around the world.
Overall, the event promises to be a thrilling and exciting affair, featuring some of the world’s best slow pitch softball players. With top-quality facilities, excellent organization, and a rich history of the tournament, the Border Battle and Slow Pitch Showdown is a must-watch event for all softball enthusiasts.
Click here for more information on Border Battle XIV »
The 2024 Women’s Slow Pitch National Team (WSPNT) is comprised of 14 elite athletes who hail from 10 different states. Out of these, 11 athletes are returning WSPNT veterans, while four fresh faces will join the squad after spending the 2023 season with the Women’s Futures. “We never take putting on the USA uniform lightly. It means so much to so many, and we are honored,” said Don Cooper (Wash.), who will lead the WSPNT for the seventh consecutive year. Cooper will be supported by returning assistant coaches Shannon Cooper (Wash.) and Tammy Higginbotham (Wash.), while Mandy Holeman (Pa.), a former WSPNT player, will join the coaching staff for the first time in her career. “It’s doubly exciting this year, with us returning to OKC, the field these young ladies grew up dreaming about,” added Cooper.
The Women’s Futures team welcomes seven new athletes to the squad, while six veterans will return to the field – forming a 15-player roster that represents 10 different states. The team is led by co-head coaches Ted Carter (Ky.) and Cara Coughenour (Iowa), who have previously led the Women’s Futures, along with assistant coach Shannon Ellingsworth. “This year, the Futures team will bring a lot of excitement to the Border Battle with the number of newcomers we have and going back to Oklahoma City,” said Coughenour. “We have a great mix on this team so expect to see some really good games,” she added.
Click here to view the 2023 USA Softball WSPNT & Futures rosters »
The 2024 MSPNT roster will feature 14 athletes from eight different states – 11 of which are MSPNT veterans – along with Jason Matusik who will be joining the team after competing on the Men’s Futures team last year. Two promising rookies, Heath Barnes and Jeff Roxby, will also be joining the team, debuting on the Border Battle stage this year. Brett Helmer (N.Y.), a National Softball Hall of Famer, will be returning for his sixth year as the MSPNT head coach, while Tim Barnes (Texas) will serve as the assistant coach for the seventh time in his career. “It looks like the voting committee did an outstanding job putting this team together,” said Helmer. “We have all the bases covered with this group. Speed, power, great defense, line-to-line hitters, experience, and heart. I can’t wait to get them on the field,” he added.
The Men’s Futures team is a combination of talent and experience from 10 different states with six veterans returning to the roster while eight rookies prepare for their first appearance in the Red, White, and Blue. “The honor and excitement to have this opportunity is the same for me today as it was in 2014. I never take this for granted,” said Rob Humphrey (Iowa), the head coach for the 2024 Men’s Futures team. Humphrey, who returns to the U.S. coaching staff for the ninth year in a row, will be joined by first-time assistant coach Nick Shaw (Neb.). “This year’s team has a lot of new faces, but we will be ready. I want to thank USA Softball, Brett Helmer and everyone involved for making Border Battle possible. I look forward to being back in OKC and The Hall of Fall Stadium,” added Humphrey.
Click here to view the 2023 USA Softball MSPNT & Futures rosters »
The U.S. Slow Pitch National Teams program provides an excellent opportunity for athletes to represent the United States and are selected based on grassroots participation. The USA Softball Men’s and Women’s Slow Pitch National Teams program gives athletes a chance to compete at the highest level and showcase their talent on an international stage.
To learn more about the U.S. Slow Pitch National Teams program and the history of Border Battle, please visit USASoftball.com.