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FAQ Categories:
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Who can play?
MVLAGS is open to girls from ages 5-16 living or
attending school in or near the Mountain View-Los Altos area. Can I join even if I have never played softball?
Absolutely! We encourage all skill levels to join.
Our league is built around girls playing with friends and having fun as well as
learning the game and improving skills. All girls, regardless of ability or
experience, will be able to play. How long is the season? How are the teams and age groups organized? Teams are organized in age divisions, determined by players' year of birth. Each division spans two years. When you hear someone say "8U," they are referring to the 8-and-younger division, and so on.
Age Divisions For 2011 Season:
What time commitment is necessary to play softball
and when/where do practices take place?
The chart gives specifics about the time commitment
and scheduling for each division:
What time commitment is necessary to play softball and when/where do practices take
place?
The chart gives specifics about the time commitment and scheduling for each division:
WEEKLY PRACTICE AND GAME GUIDELINES:
Game Times
Midweek games generally start at
5:30 p.m. Saturday games generally start between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Game Locations
Most games are played at
Stevenson Park in Mountain View, though some teams may play at other school
sites and fields in Mountain View. The 12U and above divisions also play
Interleague games throughout the local area. Check the individual
Field Locations
for more information.
Practice
Times/Locations
The practice times and locations
for the lower divisions (6U and 8U) generally take place where it is most
convenient for the team, as determined by the parents and staff at Team Meeting
Night. Since these divisions are school based, they usually practice on their
own school grounds or at a nearby park. Practices for the upper divisions (10U
and up) are at Stevenson Park or various local schools (e.g. Graham, Slater,
Oak). The practice times and locations for the upper divisions will be provided
to the team staff by the League’s Scheduler (scheduler@mvlags.org),
and are based on field availability.
What equipment does MVLAGS provide and what do I provide?
MVLAGS provides the uniforms
(including visors), fields, bases, batting helmets, bats, balls and catcher's
gear.
Each player must have her own
softball glove (please put her name on it!). Softball or soccer cleats (plastic
bottomed) are recommended in the 6U/8U divisions and are required at 10U and
above.
Sliding shorts (or pants) and
knee pads are recommended for girls at the 10U level and are required for any
player that slides.
If you choose to purchase
additional softball equipment:
Helmets must have a face mask and be NOCSAE-approved. We suggest an adjustable
helmet rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
Bats must be marked "ASA Softball
approved" with a date of 2004 or later.
Do check with a coach first if you are uncomfortable making a selection
(correct bat size is critical). Note that high-performance bats (i.e. composite,
titanium, or multi-walled) are NOT ALLOWED in MVLAGS play, though they may be
allowed when playing teams from other leagues (12U and up).
See the
Resources
page for suggestions on where you can purchase equipment.
How can I get ready for softball or start to practice? Will there be clinics?
MVLAGS hosts clinics both before
and during the season. Look
for more information in our periodic newsletters or on the ‘Events’ page of our
website.
What is expected of the parents?
MVLAGS is a 100% volunteer run
organization and requires each player’s family to help out in some volunteer
capacity. The specific positions available can be found on this website. You will have the opportunity to
specify your preferred role(s) during the registration process. In addition,
most Coaches and Managers appreciate any extra help they can get, so please
volunteer
to help at practices, games or in team support positions. Don’t worry if you
know nothing about softball-- every parent has something to offer.
We STRONGLY encourage you to
attend your daughter’s games. In
addition to lots of cheering and your wild enthusiastic support, your daughter
will appreciate and benefit enormously from your presence. Please note, for
safety reasons you MAY NOT DROP YOUR PLAYER OFF FOR A PRACTICE/GAME UNLESS YOU
EXPLICITLY WORK THIS OUT WITH THE CHAPERONE/MANAGER. FURTHER, YOUR PLAYER MUST BE PICKED
UP AFTER PRACTICE/GAMES.
In addition, MVLAGS has a code of
conduct and good neighbor policy by which all families are expected to abide.
This information will be provided to you as you register, and will be reviewed
with you by your Team’s Manager.
How are teams formed? Does my player have to try out?
In our recreational league,
everyone plays. There are no tryouts
to determine who makes or does not make the league. In the lower age divisions, teams are
formed based on the schools the players attend. For the upper divisions (10U and
above), we hold player skills evaluations in early January in order to help
create balanced teams. Again, this is not a try-out. Once these players are evaluated, we
use a draw system to balance skill level and age (see Age Divisions above). Pitchers and catchers are also
balanced across these teams. MVLAGS Player Agents make the final determination
of placement for any individual player. Players are only placed on teams by the
Player Agents, and not through any agreement made with coaches or managers. All
teams are formed after registration has closed.
My player is ready for the next level of softball. Can she "play up" despite her
age?
MVLAGS requires all players to
play in their correct age division by birth year. The single exception to this
policy is outlined in the
2012 MVLAGS Playing Up or Down Policy.
Can my daughter play down a division?
MVLAGS requires all players to
play in their correct age division by birth year. Please see the
2012 MVLAGS Playing Up or Down Policy
for more information.
Can sisters play on the same team?
Sisters in the
same age division will automatically be put on the same team UNLESS the parent
requests otherwise or if the player submits a
buddy form naming a same age-division buddy instead. Note: having sisters of the
same age placed on different teams can be challenging on a parent's schedule and
is therefore not recommended.
Can my 6U/8U daughter play with her friends?
In the 6U/8U (players born in
2002 - 2006), divisions teams are school-based: to the extent possible, each
team is formed with girls from the same school. Nearby schools may be combined
if individual schools don’t have enough girls or coaches to form a complete
team. If your daughter would like to be placed with one specific friend, they
need to download, fill in, and postmark an official
Buddy Form
no later than December 15th 2011. Every effort will be made to
accommodate 6U or 8U Buddy Pairs from the same school wanting to play together. Buddy players from different schools
will be placed together IF POSSIBLE. We will not bump anyone from a school team
in order to accommodate a buddy from a different school, so keep in mind that if
you choose a buddy from a different school, one or both of you will most likely
not be playing with your own school classmates.
To request that your daughter play on another school’s team, please
indicate that during the registration process. Such requests will be honored IF
POSSIBLE, but are NOT GUARANTEED.
Can my 10U and older daughter play with her friends?
In the 10U (and above) divisions,
players may also make a buddy request to be placed with one specific friend or
relative who is in the same playing division.
Buddy requests must be made on the official
Buddy Form
and postmarked no later than December 15th, 2011. Please note that in the interest of
balancing skill level and coaching expertise across teams, buddies CANNOT both
be pitchers, both be catchers, or both be Nova or other Travel Ball players.
Priority is given to balancing the skills across the teams, so buddy requests
will be honored IF POSSIBLE, but are NOT GUARANTEED.
Can my daughter play with her sister and a buddy?
A player can request to be placed
on a team with a Buddy OR a Sister but not both.
How and when will I know what team my player is on?
Teams are formed just prior to
the start of the season by the League Player Agents. You will get a call or
email from your team manager just ahead of our Team Meeting Nights in
mid-February, to invite you to that event and let you know that you are on their
team. Check the ‘Events’ page for the date / location of your divisional Team
Meeting Night.
What position will my daughter play?
Many factors such as skill,
attitude, and participation in practices determine playing positions. While Team
Staff make the final decisions, many teams rotate players through a variety of
positions throughout the season to achieve this goal.
What are the pitching policies at various age levels?
6U: Coach pitch or players hit
from a batting tee. There are no strike-outs. All players hit every inning.
8U: Player/Coach pitch. Pitching
is introduced at this age level but is limited to keep up the pace of play. We
encourage players interested in pitching to try it in game situations.
10U: Mostly Player pitch with
some exceptions*. Pitchers are allowed to pitch a maximum of 6 innings per week.
12U: Player pitch only. Pitchers
are allowed to pitch a maximum of 6 innings per week. Pitchers are encouraged to
develop their pitching skills through focused practice and clinics.
14U+: Player pitch only. Pitchers
are allowed to pitch a maximum of 7 innings per week. Pitchers are encouraged to
develop their pitching skills through focused practice and clinics.
*
For more detailed information in division pitching rules, see
resources.
Do you offer more competitive play?
There are also opportunities through the MVLA NOVA Travel Ball Program for
players in 8U and above looking to play at a more competitive level. The Travel
Program takes place primarily in the summer at ASA B/C level tournaments. To be
eligible to participate in the NOVA Summer Travel Ball Program, a player must
have actively participated in the MVLAGS recreational league in the Spring.
Interested players and parents should check off the appropriate box during
registration and/or email the MVLAGS Travel Ball Coordinator at any time before
the early May 2012 tryouts, to let us know of your daughter's interest in
playing on an MVLAGS Summer Travel Ball team. More information will be available
on the website and in the MVLAGS newsletter closer to the start of the Travel
Ball season.
How and when do I sign my
daughter up?
Registration opens November 1st,
2011. Early bird discounts will apply until November 8th, 2011.
Registration closes December 15th, 2011. After December 15th,
one may still register but will go into a Wait Pool and is not guaranteed a
place on a team. The Wait Pool will be used to fill any spots in divisions where
there are drops or where the number of registered players on December 15th
is not sufficient to create viable numbers of teams.
To register, click:
Register Online.
Why do you ask for school attended?
In the 6U/8U divisions, teams are
'school based' meaning that to the extent possible each team is formed with
girls from the same school. In the older divisions, it helps us ensure players
attend school in an MVLA-area school or neighboring district.
What if my 6U/8U player wants to play for another school?
To request your player be placed
on another school team, please indicate this during registration or send a note
to our Player Agents. Please note
that this request may not be able to be honored.
How do I make a Buddy Request?
For all age divisions, players
may request that one friend OR one
sibling be placed on the same team with them, provided they are in the same age
division. The ability to make such Buddy Requests is intended to help with
carpooling issues, to inspire players to invite more friends to play softball
and/or to help newer players feel comfortable on their team.
For 6U & 8U (players born in
2003- 2006), priority is given to forming
school-based teams where possible. For these two divisions, every effort will be
made to accommodate Buddy Pairs from the same school wanting to play
together. Players from different schools may also request each other as a
Buddy and will be placed together IF POSSIBLE.
For 10U and up (players born in
2002 and before), teams are not school-based, but rather
distributed by skill and experience. In order to ensure balanced teams and
coaching staffs during the team formation process,
THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF BUDDY REQUESTS ARE UNABLE TO BE CONSIDERED:
Two primary or secondary pitchers
Two primary or secondary catchers
Two Nova or other Travel Team players
Although properly-made Buddy Requests will be
accommodated if possible, parents and players must please realize THEY ARE NOT
GUARANTEED since creating balanced teams still takes priority.
To be considered during the team
formation process, Buddy Requests must be made on the official Buddy Form which
can be downloaded
here. The Buddy
Form needs to be filled out and signed
by a parent or guardian of each Buddy, then returned in hard copy with a
postmark no later than December 15th,
2011 to:
Mountain View-Los Altos Girls
Softball League
Attn: Registrar
P.O. Box 4264
Mountain View, CA 94040
How do I request sisters be placed on the same team?
Sisters in the
same age division will automatically be put on the same team unless the parent
requests otherwise during registration, or if the player chooses to have a same
age division buddy on her team. To request sisters be placed on the same team,
name the sister in the "buddy or sister' section of the Buddy Form. Note: having
sisters of the same age placed on different teams can be challenging on a
parent's schedule and is therefore not recommended.
How do I sign my daughter up to be a pitcher or catcher?
If your daughter was a primary or
secondary pitcher or catcher on a team last season, check the Pitcher/Catcher
box on the registration form. If your player has not played the position but is
interested in learning, please inform the Coach at the first practice and watch
our newsletters and events page on the website for information about pitching
clinics.
What if my daughter would like to play in a higher (or lower) age division, or
just missed the cut-off for the next higher/lower division? Can she sign up for
the higher/lower division?
It is the league's policy that
all players play in their correct age division by birth year. The exceptions to
this policy are outlined in the
2012 MVLAGS Playing Up or Down Policy.
I missed the cutoff date for registration. Can I still sign my daughter up?
While registration is not
guaranteed if your registration is not received by December 15th, we
do have a Wait Pool and do our best to place players onto teams if at all
possible so by all means, please register your daughter into the Wait Pool if
she would still like to play.
How much does it cost?
The fee is based on the player's
age division (see Age Divisions above). The fees for the 2012 season are
outlined below.
The registration fee is based on the player's age division (see Age Divisions
below).
Division Early Bird Regular
(Nov. 1 – 8, 2011) (Nov. 9 – Dec. 15, 2011)
6U (born 2005-2006) $90 $110
8U and above (born 2004 or earlier) $140 $170
Do you offer a family discount?
Families with more than one
player receive a $10 discount for the 2nd and 3rd siblings and the 4th sibling
plays free.
Do you offer scholarships?
A limited number of scholarships
are available for families in need of assistance. Please
contact our Player Agent (agents@mvlags.org) with
your request.
What is your refund policy?
6U & 8U REFUND & WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
If a player has registered and
then decides not to play, we will refund fees according to the following
schedule:
�
Until 1/23/2012: Full registration fee refund less $35
�
1/24/2012 – 2/19/2012: 50% of registration fee
�
On or after 2/20/2012: No refund
10U, 12U & 14/16U REFUND & WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
If a player has registered and
then decides not to play, we will refund fees according to the following
schedule:
�
Until 1/23/2012: Full registration fee refund less $35
�
After 1/23/2012: No refund
Please
email
our Player Agent immediately if your player decides to withdraw from softball.
MVLAGS relies completely on the
generosity and good will of many, many volunteers to organize our league and
complete the numerous tasks that must be done throughout and even after our
softball season. Opportunities are available at the Team, League and Board level
with a wide range of time commitments. Because of this model, parents are
expected to volunteer in some fashion during the season to support the league
and enable a positive softball experience for their daughter(s). You will be given the opportunity to
specify what role you’d like to take on for your daughter’s team during
registration.
I'm new to MVLAGS -- What should I volunteer for?
For a complete list of volunteer
opportunities and estimated time requirements, please visit the
Volunteer
area of our website. You may either volunteer for a position during registration
or you may
email
us at any time. You will be contacted as soon as possible. Note that softball
skills are not a requirement for many volunteer opportunities within the League.
How do I become a Coach or Manager?
You may volunteer for either
position during registration or
email
us at any time. You will be contacted as soon as possible. All Manager and Coach
positions require Board approval.
How else can I contribute?
Consider having your business
sponsor a team, or make a
donation.
Where can I get softball equipment?
Check the
Resources
area of this website.
What size glove should I buy my daughter?
Suggested sizes:
6U: 10-10.5 inches
8U and 10U: 11-11.5 inches
12U, 14U, and 16U: 12-12.5 inches
What do I need to know before buying a glove?
Buy all-leather. The glove is
worn on the left hand for players who throw with their right hand (known as a
right-hand throw glove), and vice-versa for left-handers. Look for a hinged
design, without extra padding in the palm, to make it easier for your daughter
to close the glove. Don't buy a glove that feels too stiff. When buying a youth
glove, remember softballs are bigger than baseballs; test how well the ball fits
in the glove.
How do I break in a new glove?
Apply a small amount of mink oil
or lanolin shaving cream in the pocket and spread it outward around the glove.
Put a ball in the pocket, close the glove evenly on the ball, and tie it closed
with a strip of cloth. Then, slide it under a mattress for a day or two. Use the
glove to play catch; gloves break in naturally as they are used.
What are sliding shorts?
Sliding shorts are tight-fitting
compression shorts similar to bike shorts worn under uniform shorts for extra
sliding protection. They have a non-slip grip on the hem of each leg to keep
them in place while the player is sliding. Some versions come with padding these
are recommended, particularly for players new to sliding
What are knee guards?
Knee guards are long knee pads
that protect a player's knee and calf sliding. Most players choose to wear knee
guards on both legs. Buy the extended length model that protects both the knee
and lower leg.
Does my player really need to wear cleats?
Cleats will greatly improve your
daughter's traction on the dirt infields and grass outfields. In the interest of
safety, players in the upper divisions (10U-16U) are required to wear cleats.
Some players wear soccer shoes with success, but softball cleats perform better.
Metal baseball cleats are not permitted.
Should my player have her own batting helmet?
Although team helmets are
provided, personal batting helmets are highly recommended to ensure personalized
fit and cleanliness. Helmet must be NOCSAE-approved and have both a facemask and
a chin strap.
What purposes do the chin strap and face guard serve?
The chin strap keeps the helmet
from bouncing off the player's head when running or sliding and is required
equipment.
The face mask protects the
batter's face from foul tips and is required for 8U and above. Face masks are
not advised for girls in 6U.
What size bat should I buy?
For fast pitch softball, choose a
light bat with at least a 9 oz drop marked "official softball ASA Approved"
(2-1/4-inch diameter or less) and a 2004-or-later certification. "Drop" refers
to the difference between the bat length in inches and its weight in ounces.
Popular sizes are 25"/16 oz. for 6U, 26/17 for 8U, 28/19 for 10U, 30/20 for 12U,
and 32/22 for 14U. Note: The Batter's Box website has a bat sizing chart for
youths by player height and weight (http://www.aluminumbats.com/bat_chart.htm).
As a rule of thumb, the knob of the bat should come to the player's wrist when
bat is stood upright on the floor and player's arms are hanging loosely at her
sides. As for bat weight, the player should be able to hold the bat with one arm
outstretched for 10 seconds. Drops higher than 10 are becoming increasingly
available at affordable prices, and it is generally better to err on the side of
getting a bat that is too light than one that is too heavy. Buying a bat that a
player can grow into is a common mistake, as they generally perform poorly while
the bat is too heavy and the player doesn’t have fun as a result.
Note that certain bats, though ASA-certified, are prohibited for play in MVLAGS
intraleague games (played in Division 12U and above). Composite, titanium, or
multi-walled bats are not allowed.
What size ball should I buy?
6U - Easton IncrediBall SoftTouch
11" Optic Yellow.
8U - Wilson A9317 11" Optic
Yellow Soft Compression.
10U - Wilson A9317 11" Optic
Yellow Soft Compression. Note: 10U ASA-Sanctioned MVLA Nova uses a Worth Dream
Seam which is a raised seam compared to the A9306BASA-Low which has a standard
seam. The Worth Dream Seam is a harder ball than the soft compression ball used
during rec season.
12U - Wilson 9106BASA-Low 12"
Optic Yellow
14/16U - Wilson A9016 BSST NFHS
12" Optic Yellow with a Super Seam
What are the basic rules of the game?
We follow the rules of the
Amateur Softball Association. The rules differ by division. Please visit the
Resources
area for more detailed information.
How can I sponsor a team?
For details please visit the
Sponsor
area of this website. |
