FAQ
Divisions
What are the different Recreational Divisions?
When are practices and games held?
During our spring recreational season, we practice two weeknight evenings a week with a game on Saturday. For our competitive division, there are often 3-4 practices a week with games all weekend.
What is the difference between Recreational and Competitive divisions?
Our recreational softball plays in the spring and is for girls aged 6 through 14. Everyone plays and tryouts are helpful in balancing teams. In our younger divisions (6U, 8U) teams are mostly school based. For our competitive division, girls play in the summer and fall and tryout for these teams.
When are the Division seasons?
6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U - March through May
What are the different Competitive Divisions?
Competative Divisions
What is the time commitment for my division?
Practices are typically 90 minutes and games can range from 1-2 hours.
Registering
What is your withdrawal and refund policy?
Refunds for Spring Recreation season are only offered prior to January 7th.
When do I sign up?
Our spring recreational registration opens on November 1st for play beginning in March.
What do I need to do to register?
Registration is easy. Click on the 'register now' tab.
Equipment
What equipment does my daughter need?
-
a softball glove (please put her name on it!) - recommended minimum sizes - 10" glove for 6U and 11" glove for 8U. See below for additional glove information.
-
black pants required
-
softball or soccer cleats (plastic bottomed) are recommended in the 6U/8U divisions.
Players must provide:
-
a softball glove - 12" size glove is recommended minimum size -
softball cleats recommended, soccer cleats ok (plastic bottomed) -
black softball pants required -
sliding shorts and knee pads -- required for any player who slides
When does my daughter recieve her uniform?
For spring recreational division, uniforms are handed out prior to the first game.
What if I want to purchase additional softball equipment?
-
Helmets must have a face-mask and be NOCSAE-approved.
-
Bats must be marked "ASA Softball approved" with a 2004 date or newer. Check out the bat info below and talk 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.
-
Balls that are 10" (for 6U) and 10" (for 8U) and "soft compression" are what you want to practice with at home. Whiffle balls are also helpful.
-
Balls provided to 6U and 8U teams are soft compression balls:
-
6U -- Worth 10" FPX10SPY
-
8U -- 8u 10” low compression ball
-
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. Softball cleats perform best, but some players wear soccer shoes. Metal baseball cleats are not permitted.
Team Formation
How are teams formed?
6U and 8U
Teams meet for the first time at Team Meeting Night in mid-February Check the Calendar for info about the team meeting night for your daughter's division. You will get an email from your Team Manager ahead of the Team Meeting Night, letting you know you are on their team and inviting you to come to the team meeting night.
What's the buddy policy?
All girls in the recreation divisions 6U and up can request to play with a buddy. Please read our Buddy Policy for more information.
How do I play up or down?
Please refer to league info tab on home page.
Are there try outs?
Yes, for our competitive division, girls tryout to determine teams. For our recreational division, evaluations are conducted to determine skill level for balanced teams, and every girl is placed on a team.
When are the teams formed?
For our spring recreation division, teams are formed in January with games beginning in early March.
Game Rules
How are the games scored?
Please refer to rules for your childs division.
Fields
Where are the softball fields located?
How will I know if a field is rained out for a game or practice?
Field status will be updated on the homepage....
Volunteers
How can I volunteer?
MVLAGS is an all volunteer run organisation. During registration you will be required to choose your preferred team volunteer role. Non team leadership and project based positions are also available. Please email president@mvlags.org to volunteer.
What's a Field Agent?
The Field Agent is responsible for assessing our field conditions during our rainy season. Field closures will be updated on our home page.
Who are the coaches?
We rely on parents to help coach our teams and are all volunteer positions. We hold coaching clinics and a mentor program to assist coaches throughout the season. MVLAGS also offers various clinics throughout the year with seasoned providers to supplement parent coaching.
Who are the umpires?
MVLAGS hires professional umpires from Peninsula Youth Umpire Association as well as other experienced softball umpires for10U and above. For 6U and 8U teams, we have paid youth umpires that have been trained through the MVLAGS training program.
Who are the managers?
Team Managers are a volunteer female parent role.
Who are the scorekeepers?
Scorekeepers are volunteer parent roles.
What should the parents do?
Since MVLAGS is a volunteer run organization, all parents are required to volunteer in some capacity.
Can my daughter be an umpire?
Yes, our MVLAGS Youth Umpire Program has successfully trained and employed dozens of girls over the years. The younger girls love seeing the other girls out on the field and their presence encourages girls to imagine themselves playing softball for years to come.
Clinics
Do you offer clinics?
Yes, we offer a variety of clinics (pitching, catching, fielding, hitting) throughout the year. MVLAGS will host many of these clinics although some may require a nominal fee.
How will I know about upcoming clinics?
Please check our league calendar for upcoming clinics. MVLAGS will also send out emails to families that are registered.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Divisions
What are the different Recreational Divisions?
When are practices and games held?
During our spring recreational season, we practice two weeknight evenings a week with a game on Saturday. For our competitive division, there are often 3-4 practices a week with games all weekend.
What is the difference between Recreational and Competitive divisions?
Our recreational softball plays in the spring and is for girls aged 6 through 14. Everyone plays and tryouts are helpful in balancing teams. In our younger divisions (6U, 8U) teams are mostly school based. For our competitive division, girls play in the summer and fall and tryout for these teams.
When are the Division seasons?
6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U - March through May
What are the different Competitive Divisions?
Competative Divisions
What is the time commitment for my division?
Practices are typically 90 minutes and games can range from 1-2 hours.
Registering
What is your withdrawal and refund policy?
Refunds for Spring Recreation season are only offered prior to January 7th.
When do I sign up?
Our spring recreational registration opens on November 1st for play beginning in March.
What do I need to do to register?
Registration is easy. Click on the 'register now' tab.
Equipment
What equipment does my daughter need?
-
a softball glove (please put her name on it!) - recommended minimum sizes - 10" glove for 6U and 11" glove for 8U. See below for additional glove information.
-
black pants required
-
softball or soccer cleats (plastic bottomed) are recommended in the 6U/8U divisions.
Players must provide:
-
a softball glove - 12" size glove is recommended minimum size -
softball cleats recommended, soccer cleats ok (plastic bottomed) -
black softball pants required -
sliding shorts and knee pads -- required for any player who slides
When does my daughter recieve her uniform?
For spring recreational division, uniforms are handed out prior to the first game.
What if I want to purchase additional softball equipment?
-
Helmets must have a face-mask and be NOCSAE-approved.
-
Bats must be marked "ASA Softball approved" with a 2004 date or newer. Check out the bat info below and talk 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.
-
Balls that are 10" (for 6U) and 10" (for 8U) and "soft compression" are what you want to practice with at home. Whiffle balls are also helpful.
-
Balls provided to 6U and 8U teams are soft compression balls:
-
6U -- Worth 10" FPX10SPY
-
8U -- 8u 10” low compression ball
-
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. Softball cleats perform best, but some players wear soccer shoes. Metal baseball cleats are not permitted.
Team Formation
How are teams formed?
6U and 8U
Teams meet for the first time at Team Meeting Night in mid-February Check the Calendar for info about the team meeting night for your daughter's division. You will get an email from your Team Manager ahead of the Team Meeting Night, letting you know you are on their team and inviting you to come to the team meeting night.
What's the buddy policy?
All girls in the recreation divisions 6U and up can request to play with a buddy. Please read our Buddy Policy for more information.
How do I play up or down?
Please refer to league info tab on home page.
Are there try outs?
Yes, for our competitive division, girls tryout to determine teams. For our recreational division, evaluations are conducted to determine skill level for balanced teams, and every girl is placed on a team.
When are the teams formed?
For our spring recreation division, teams are formed in January with games beginning in early March.
Game Rules
How are the games scored?
Please refer to rules for your childs division.
Fields
Where are the softball fields located?
How will I know if a field is rained out for a game or practice?
Field status will be updated on the homepage....
Volunteers
How can I volunteer?
MVLAGS is an all volunteer run organisation. During registration you will be required to choose your preferred team volunteer role. Non team leadership and project based positions are also available. Please email president@mvlags.org to volunteer.
What's a Field Agent?
The Field Agent is responsible for assessing our field conditions during our rainy season. Field closures will be updated on our home page.
Who are the coaches?
We rely on parents to help coach our teams and are all volunteer positions. We hold coaching clinics and a mentor program to assist coaches throughout the season. MVLAGS also offers various clinics throughout the year with seasoned providers to supplement parent coaching.
Who are the umpires?
MVLAGS hires professional umpires from Peninsula Youth Umpire Association as well as other experienced softball umpires for10U and above. For 6U and 8U teams, we have paid youth umpires that have been trained through the MVLAGS training program.
Who are the managers?
Team Managers are a volunteer female parent role.
Who are the scorekeepers?
Scorekeepers are volunteer parent roles.
What should the parents do?
Since MVLAGS is a volunteer run organization, all parents are required to volunteer in some capacity.
Can my daughter be an umpire?
Yes, our MVLAGS Youth Umpire Program has successfully trained and employed dozens of girls over the years. The younger girls love seeing the other girls out on the field and their presence encourages girls to imagine themselves playing softball for years to come.
Clinics
Do you offer clinics?
Yes, we offer a variety of clinics (pitching, catching, fielding, hitting) throughout the year. MVLAGS will host many of these clinics although some may require a nominal fee.
How will I know about upcoming clinics?
Please check our league calendar for upcoming clinics. MVLAGS will also send out emails to families that are registered.