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Summer Travel Registration

The objective of this league is to provide a fun opportunity for girls to learn the fundamentals of fastpitch softball (e.g. throwing, hitting, fielding, and the value of teamwork and sportsmanship).  A focus is made on ensuring that participants get equal playing time and exposure to a variety of positions during league play.

Structure

  • Season typically May – July
  • 3 outs or 5 run rule per inning
  • Practice will be determined by the coach’s schedule and field availability.  Practices are held in Elk River or Nowthen.
  • Games will be played with surrounding communities including Big Lake, Becker, Princeton, and Monticello.  Typically, 6:30 start time (but coach may require earlier arrival). Games are typically Tuesday (10U) or Monday/Wednesday (12U).
  • Games will consist of 7 innings or 70 mins (whichever is less).
  • All girls should get equal playing time during league play.
  • No jewelry is allowed during games or practices, except earring starter sets may be left in but must be covered by tape or a band-aid.

Equipment Needed

  • Association provides jersey, belt, and socks. Jersey fitting time is TBD and will be communicated via email.
  • Players should provide their own properly fitted helmets (with a required face mask and chin strap), glove, face mask (recommend Champro as they fit for multiple years), and tennis shoes or rubber cleats. Bats and catcher gear are provided but you are welcome to bring your own.
  • Teams are rostered under Big West (link: https://fastpitch.mnsoftball.com/bigwest)

Team Formation

  • Teams formed by ability during yearly tryouts.
  • Players will be notified by their coach after teams are formed.
  • Teams are coached by volunteers. A coach application form can be found under the ‘Registration’ tab.

Game Rules

  • Games will be played with 9 players on the field-can play as low as seven.
  • Every player bats in a continuous order.  
  • A half inning ends at the earliest of 3 outs or when 5 runs have scored.
  • Bases are to be set at 60 feet.
  • Pitching rubber is to be set at 35 feet (10U) and 40 feet (12U).
  • Stealing is allowed.
  • Only batter and batter on deck should be swinging bats inside the fence.
  • Collision avoidance is mandatory! Sliding is recommended but not required. An umpire may call a girl out if she could have avoided a collision.

Hitting Rules

  • Batters can advance on a dropped third strike if 1 st base is not occupied.
  • Batter may take first after getting hit by a pitch that does not bounce first, but to do so must have made an attempt to avoid the pitch (Umpire discretion).
  • Throwing of the bat results in a warning for the first offence and the next time it is an out. A bat is deemed thrown when the bat hits another player or if it flies eight feet or more.
  • If a batter runs through first base and turns right, they can return to bag regardless of any play that happened after they touched the bag. If the runner turns left after advancing through the bag, they can be considered out.    

Fielding Rules

  • When a ball is overthrown, base runners can advance all bases.
  • The infield fly rule applies (umpire discretion).

The Rules and Regulations above shall govern.  For all other rules of softball, ASA rules should be followed when possible.

VOLUNTEER FEE:

All travel players will be required to pay a volunteer fee of $250 per player or $300 per family. The volunteer fee must be in the form of a separate check from the Travel League Fee check and handed in before or at Tryouts!

We will sponsor softball tournaments during the summer. At that time, everyone will have an opportunity to volunteer 8 hours per player or 12 hours per family of their time to help with the tournament. Once your volunteer hours are met, your volunteer check will be returned to you. If you do not volunteer, your check will cashed. Volunteer sign up will be sent via email.

Practice will begin for most teams the first week of April. Coaches will determine what night/s of the week to practice. Games will begin the first week of May and run through the end of June. Post season play will be posted after the February league meeting.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Inherent to the success of the Elk River Youth Softball Traveling Program is the level of dedication and commitment of the participants. Participation in the Elk River Youth Softball Traveling Program DOES REQUIRE A GREATER LEVEL OF COMMITMENT than the Elk River Youth Softball House League. We strongly recommend both parents and potential players to consider their schedules and conflicts before trying out for traveling softball. If players and parents have a clear idea of the level of obligation the Traveling Program demands, and are able to plan ahead to meet those obligations, it alleviates the stress caused to both the player and the team when a player misses practices, games or even tournaments. Please keep in mind that attendance at practice is as important as tournament games.

Bracket Ages

Fee and Volunteer Schedule

Bracket Registration Fee Volunteer Hours Volunteer Check Fundraising
6U No Fee 4 hrs per player/12 hrs family max $100 per player / $300 family max
8U $200 4 hrs per player/12 hrs family max $100 per player / $300 family max 5 cards / $100 check
10U $375 8 hrs per player/12 hrs family max $250 per player / $300 family max 10 cards / $200 check
12U $375 8 hrs per player/12 hrs family max $250 per player / $300 family max 10 cards / $200 check
14U $375 8 hrs per player/12 hrs family max $250 per player / $300 family max 5 cards / $100 check
16U $375 8 hrs per player/12 hrs family max $250 per player / $300 family max 5 cards / $100 check Or $50 buy-out

Registration Fee

Player registration must be paid on or before try-outs to be eligible for team placement. This excludes players participating under a scholarship. Registration fee typically covers the cost of participation, two tournaments, and player's uniforms.

Scholarship Information

Player scholarships can be requested by contacting a board member. Scholarships are limited. Scholarships will be reviewed and approved by the board based on applicant need.  Scholarships cover all or a portion of registration fees only. Completion of volunteer hours is still expected. Scholarships are not distributed based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or genetic information.

Refund Policy

Registration fees may be refunded prior to first day of try-outs. Refunds will equal to the registration fee minus processing fees and a $25.00 service fee. After tryout begin date or clinic start dates, refunds will not be granted.

Non-Cleared Funds

All balances must be current prior to being placed on a team in the current year. Remaining balances from the current year will be collected the following year. A $25.00 service fee will be added to each non-cleared transaction.