Eligibility

ARTICLE I: INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

Section 1.1 Purpose. The Homeschool Softball World Series Association (HSWSA) exists to provide a national-level competitive platform for homeschool softball athletes, preserving the values and integrity of home education.

Section 1.2 Scope. This document outlines eligibility standards, definitions, and policies governing participation in HSWSA-sanctioned events.

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ARTICLE II: DEFINITION OF HOMESCHOOLING

Section 2.1 Homeschooling Defined. A student’s education is parent-directed when the parent assumes the role of principal or headmaster by: (a) Setting graduation requirements, (b) Selecting and/or approving course materials and study schedules, (c) Selecting tutors, correspondence courses, videos, computer courses, and similar resources, (d) Issuing the diploma upon graduation.

Section 2.2 Dual Enrollment. Students enrolled in dual-credit college courses as high school students are still considered homeschooled if they meet the criteria in 2.1.

Section 2.3 Cooperative/Umbrella Schools. In states where homeschoolers attend private or umbrella schools formed for legal compliance, such students qualify as homeschooled if parents maintain significant and direct involvement in education. Teams from such schools are eligible.

Section 2.4 Final Authority. The HSWSA Board of Directors reserves the right to make final eligibility determinations regarding homeschool status.

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ARTICLE III: STATE-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE

Section 3.1 General Rule.

Each state has its own legal structure for homeschooling, but not all align with HSWSA’s definition. Parent-led instruction must be verifiable, even in states with broad or flexible homeschool laws.

Section 3.2 State Examples.

Alabama – Students under church or private school cover must show parent-directed learning. Virtual charter students are not eligible.

Alaska – Independent homeschoolers typically qualify; students in the state’s "correspondence school" programs must prove parental oversight.

Arizona – Registered homeschoolers must provide affidavit and parental instruction; ESA-funded microschools must show parental control.

Arkansas – Notice of intent (NOI) homeschoolers qualify. Virtual or charter programs (e.g., ARVA) do not.

California – PSP (Private School Satellite Programs) and affidavit-based home schools qualify if parent-led. Charter-based programs must show oversight.

Colorado – NOI homeschoolers or independent umbrella schools generally qualify; public online programs may not.

Connecticut – Parent-led instruction is essential; participation in public school programs disqualifies.

Delaware – Homeschoolers registered as “single-family” or “multi-family” meet criteria. Virtual or public charter students do not.

Florida – Students registered with county homeschool office and directed by parents qualify. FLVS Full-Time or charter students typically do not.

Georgia – Declaration of Intent (DOI) students qualify; hybrid private schools require parent role validation.

Hawaii – Form 4140 homeschoolers qualify if parent-led. Charter school enrollees are ineligible.

Idaho – No formal registration; proof of parent-direction required. Students must not be enrolled in public or charter programs.

Illinois – Parent-led instruction is sufficient; students in public online options (e.g., K12) do not qualify.

Indiana – Homeschoolers classified as non-accredited private schools qualify if parent-directed.

Iowa – Independent Private Instruction (IPI) students typically qualify; dual-enrolled or public-supervised options do not.

Kansas – Non-accredited private schools run by parents qualify. Online public school students do not.

Kentucky – Homeschoolers functioning as private schools must show parent oversight. Public or virtual charter students are ineligible.

Louisiana – BESE-Approved Home Study students qualify; virtual charter or tuition-funded school students require case review.

Maine – Letter of Intent homeschoolers under parental control qualify; charter or virtual school students do not.

Maryland – Portfolio-based homeschoolers with parent-directed learning qualify. Umbrella students must demonstrate parental oversight.

Massachusetts – Approval by local superintendent is not sufficient alone; must be parent-led.

Michigan – Home education under non-public law qualifies if parent-directed. Online public or charter options are not eligible.

Minnesota – Registered homeschoolers qualify with proof of parent oversight. Public hybrid or charter participants are not eligible.

Mississippi – Certificate of enrollment homeschoolers qualify. Students under virtual public schools are not eligible.

Missouri – Homeschoolers maintaining attendance logs and academic samples qualify. Public school enrollees do not.

Montana – Notification and parent-led instruction required. Online charter or virtual programs are not qualifying.

Nebraska – Rule 13 or Rule 14 homeschoolers qualify if parent-led. Virtual or charter school students are not eligible.

Nevada – NOI homeschoolers qualify. ESA-funded microschools must show parent curriculum control.

New Hampshire – Notification and evaluation systems apply. Parent-led education required. VLACS participants must show homeschooling status.

New Jersey – No formal process, but parents must demonstrate educational responsibility. Charter/virtual school students are ineligible.

New Mexico – NOI homeschoolers qualify if parent-led. State-supported online school students do not.

New York – IHIP and quarterly reports under parent instruction qualify. BOCES or online public school students are not eligible.

North Carolina – Registered NOI homeschoolers qualify. Charter school or NCVPS full-time enrollees are not eligible.

North Dakota – Parent-directed instruction with notification qualifies. Students in public alternatives are ineligible.

Ohio – Excused homeschoolers under parent instruction qualify. Students in public e-schools like OHVA are ineligible.

Oklahoma – Minimal oversight required. Proof of parent-led instruction is essential.

Oregon – Registered homeschoolers must complete testing. Parent-led education required. Charter programs are ineligible.

Pennsylvania – Home Education Program students qualify. Cyber-charter school students are not eligible.

Rhode Island – Local school committee-approved parent-led plans qualify. Public or virtual students do not.

South Carolina – Families under Option 1, 2, or 3 must verify parent-led instruction. Charter school enrollees are not eligible.

South Dakota – Notification homeschoolers qualify. Public or hybrid model students require review.

Tennessee – Category IV homeschoolers under parent direction qualify. Virtual public programs do not.

Texas – No state registration. Parent-led instruction and curriculum records must be demonstrated.

Utah – Affidavit-based homeschoolers qualify. MyTechHigh and similar students must show parent-led structure.

Vermont – Home Study Program students under parental oversight qualify. Public online students are not eligible.

Virginia – NOI or religious exemption homeschoolers qualify. Virtual Virginia enrollees are not eligible.

Washington – Declaration and parental instruction required. Virtual academies do not qualify.

West Virginia – Home instruction under approved notification qualifies. Virtual school enrollees are ineligible.

Wisconsin – Home-based private education under PI-1206 qualifies. Virtual charter students are not eligible.

Wyoming – Home education under W.S. 21-4-101(a)(v) must be parent-led. Online public students are not eligible.

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ARTICLE IV: TEAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Section 4.1 Team Criteria. Teams may participate if they: (a) Are invited and approved by HSWSA as conducting themselves in accordance with HSWSA's Purpose and Rules, (b) Confirm all players meet the homeschool definition, (c) Confirm all players are high school students aged 13–18 (see Article V), (d) Submit a compliant roster (see Section 4.2), and (e) Agree to HSWSA tournament and conduct rules.

Section 4.2 Roster Requirements. (a) Maximum of 18 active players and up to 3 alternates. (b) Coaches must certify eligibility before the tournament and note any alternates activated and players deactivated. (c) Alternates must be activated prior to tournament start; ineligible players cannot participate. (d) Awards will only be given to rostered players.

Section 4.3 Team Registration Limit. Only one team per program may register. JV and developmental squads are encouraged but cannot register separately.

Section 4.4 Division III Direct Option.

Teams finishing in 2nd place or lower in Division III the prior year may request “D3-Direct” status. These teams may skip pool play and be placed directly into the D3 bracket.

Optional Add-On:

D3-Direct teams may also request participation in non-bracket consolation pool play games for development and game experience, subject to scheduling availability.

Section 4.5 Final Authority. HSWSA reserves the right to make final decisions regarding team eligibility.

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ARTICLE V: PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Section 5.1 Eligibility Criteria. (a) Must meet the homeschool definition and have done so since Jan 1 of tournament year. (b) Must be between ages 13–18 as of August 1 prior to the tournament (e.g., for 2026, birthdates between Aug 2, 2006 – Aug 1, 2012). (c) Must be in athletic grade levels 8–12. (d) Must live with legal guardian or in guardian-approved arrangement. (e) Must not have been expelled from any school during current academic year. (f) Must be in good academic standing per parental instruction. (g) Must meet character expectations per parents, coaches, and law. (h) Must have completed a signed registration form with birth certificate scan. (i) May only compete for one team per school-season. (j) Must participate in a majority of spring team events (>50%). (k) Must not have played for another HSWSA team the prior year unless:

Prior team is not returning (requires admin confirmation), or

Family has relocated and new team is geographically closer, or

Former team relocated farther from player's home, or

New team is first-time participant with a new organization, or

Played for Team USA the prior year.

Section 5.2 Clarification. Ineligible players may participate in regular-season play for a team but not in the HSWSA tournament.

Section 5.3 Final Authority. HSWSA Executive Board retains authority over all player eligibility rulings.

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ARTICLE VI: TRANSFER POLICY

Section 6.1 Documentation. Players transferring must provide eligibility documentation.

Section 6.2 Valid Transfers. Must reflect genuine relocation or change in educational arrangement.

Section 6.3 In-Season Transfers. Prohibited unless specifically approved by HSWSA.

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ARTICLE VII: WAIVERS AND EXCEPTIONS

Section 7.1 Team Waivers. May be granted for: (a) New/developing programs (b) Rural or low-participation areas (c) Documented hardship

Section 7.2 Individual Waivers. May be granted when: (a) Student takes <50% instruction via public/private school (b) Signed parent statement confirms homeschool oversight

Section 7.3 Waiver Process. Written request due 30 days before registration deadline, including: (a) Roster (b) Enrollment info (c) Justification

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ARTICLE VIII: APPEALS PROCESS

Section 8.1 Filing. Written appeals must be submitted within 7 days of ruling.

Section 8.2 Final Decision. Appeals decided by HSWSA Executive Committee.

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ARTICLE IX: COMPLIANCE AND PENALTIES

Section 9.1 Violations. Ineligible players may result in: (a) Game forfeitures (b) Disqualification (c) Future suspension

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ARTICLE X: POLICY REVIEW AND MODIFICATION

Section 10.1 Annual Review. Policies are reviewed annually by the HSWSA Board.

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ARTICLE XI: PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

Section 11.1 PII Protection. Personal data is securely stored and used solely for eligibility verification.

Section 11.2 Limited Access. Only HSWSA-authorized personnel may access data.

Section 11.3 Retention. Non-essential data may be deleted post-season upon request.

Section 11.4 Consent. Submission of documentation implies consent to use data for tournament administration.

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ARTICLE XII: DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

Section 12.1 Homeschooler. Parent-directed education outside of traditional school systems.

Section 12.2 Umbrella School. Supportive legal entity not replacing parental oversight.

Section 12.3 University-Model. Hybrid structure with parental academic control.

Section 12.4 Dual Enrollment. College courses taken concurrently by homeschoolers.

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ARTICLE XIII: PROGRAM DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION

Section 13.1 Certification. Each team director must sign off that: (a) All players meet eligibility requirements (b) The roster meets 80% homeschool rule (c) All waivers are submitted and accurate

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ARTICLE XIV: REQUIRED FORMS

Section 14.1 Forms Provided: (a) Team Roster Eligibility Form (b) Individual Player Waiver Request (c) Team Waiver Request Form

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ARTICLE XV: RULES ADOPTION RECORD

Section 15.1 Log of Adoption. The initial version of these rules was adopted by the HSWSA Executive Board of Directors at the 1st quarter board meeting of FY26.