8U –
10U –
12U –
14U –
This program is designed for players interested in a higher level of competition. Teams are formed at the 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U levels. League games are played against other Big West communities. Teams typically meet two nights per week for games/practices. 8U will participate in two invitational tournaments, and a state tournament. 10U and 12U teams will participate in three invitational tournaments, a state qualifier tournament and if qualify, a state tournament. If invited, teams may participate in a and national tournament. The season runs from April - July.
8U is coach pitch from a machine that should be within 30-35 mph.
For those in K,1, 2 grades not ready for this level of play, see our K\1\2 program page.
The following are the program goals for competitive softball:
Provide effective, high quality training for players and coaches at all levels
Provide programs that are cooperative with and respected by other community programs.
Strive to create a fun and entertaining environment for the players, families, coaches and community.
Seek to maximize the potential of every player in the program.
Develop players and teams that are able to compete at a national level.
Encourage and foster player participation for the full length of a player's youth sports career
Foster the importance of teamwork and the understanding that all team members play an integral part in the success of the team.
Increase the number of District 112 girls participating in competitive sports
To promote skill development and create a positive self-esteem for every player.
The summer traveling season is for those individuals who desire a competitive softball experience in the main part of the season. Teams participate in a league and play a number of tournaments on the weekends (See Tournament section).
Practices usually start in April (on indoor fields when available) or outdoors early to mid-May. League games begin in early May and continue through the end of June. League games are typically played at sites throughout the Metro area (usually not more than 30 miles away).
8U games are played one night a week and the team will participate in 2-3 tournaments throughout the season. Historically, 8U practices/plays on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
10U games are played one night a week. This allows for more practice time with this age group to allow significant time for skill development. Teams will play 3-4 tournaments. Historically 10U practices/plays on Tuesday and Thursdays.
12U plays 2 times per week with about 3-4 tournaments in addition to state. Historically 12U plays/practices on Mondays and Wednesdays.
14U plays 2 times per week, beginning in late May. Will participate in 1-2 weekend tournaments, in addition to qualifiers, state, and NAFA Nationals.
For all Traveling teams post-season play includes a State Qualifying tournament in which they may qualify for their State tournament. Additionally, in some tournaments a team may earn a "bid" if they place high in that tournament which may qualify them for a National tournament.
Tournaments are generally not scheduled Memorial weekend or 4th of July without the consent of parents and lately the state tournament for 10s and 12s is the weekend after the 4th of July.
Practice will typically begin in April which is very dependent on weather and indoor field space. CYSA will so their best to secure indoor facilities to begin practices during times of inclement weather. Prior to the slate of league games and tournaments, it is very important to get pitchers and catchers practicing.
If your daughter will play for the high-school team, please let the Travel Director know. This shouldn’t be an issue unless playing for varsity and even still can be worked around. Once league games begin a typical week will consist of one or two practices each week. Potentially, practice days may vary week to week based on coaches availability.
Fees:
Fundraising may be used to help raise additional funds that benefit either the competitive program only or both the recreational and competitive programs. One or more fundraisers may be conducted during the year which will involve the participation of all members. In addition, businesses may be solicited for contributions.
Proceeds from fundraising are used to keep league fees lower, purchase new equipment, and provide players with training to further develop softball skills. Other projects funded in the past from fundraising dollars include field improvements, batting cages, bleachers, storage lockers, radar gun, equipment, pitching machine and coaches training.
In addition, individual teams may fundraise for special events (ie. add'l tournaments), but only with prior approval from the CYSA Board. Dependent on Board discretion and availability of funds, the Board has typically given a contribution out of general funds to teams qualifying for an ASA or other National Tournament to help offset expenses.
CYSA operates under the District 112 Boundaries for players that reside in the Chaska High School attendance area. Exceptions to this guideline include:
It is the intent of CYSA to provide for equal playing time for all players. This does not necessarily mean equal time at desired positions. Over the course of the season, coaches will assure that each player gets an ample amount of playing time, but not necessarily at the player's or parent's desired position. As the season progresses, players will "settle into" playing positions so that the team is competitive. The younger the age group, the more individual player development and equal playing time will be stressed. The older the age group the more team development and placing the most competitive team on the field is stressed. Playing time may be reduced at the discretion of the coach under certain circumstances as described below:
In the event a coach deems it appropriate to limit a players playing time the coach should have a discussion with the player and parent to provide an explanation for the reduction in playing time as well as to provide a solution of action needed to resume full playing time.
During summer league games when teams have double-header games CYSA teams will "roll" the batting line-up between games. "Rolling" the batting order is defined as starting the batting order in the second game of a double-header where the batting order ended in the first game. This is intended to allow for equal batting opportunities for the players in a given night.
Exceptions to playing time and batting order:
At the coaches discretion, playing time and the requirement to "roll" the batting order between games may be modified during tournament play. This includes weekend tournaments, state and national qualifiers and state and national tournaments. This exception is intended to provide for a more competitive team during tournament play.
All players interested in playing up an age level must submit a request to CYSA prior to registration.
Player development, depth of talent and skills at each position is extremely important. As a result, every player needs to receive numerous opportunities during games to learn to perform in all game situations. However, not all players have the attributes or training required to play certain positions (for example: pitcher, catcher or shortstop.) Therefore, not all players will be given the opportunity to play at her "favorite" position. Player development shall be encouraged at every age group. Coaches must continue to develop the skills of every player on the team.
Players should be given opportunities to play at positions where they will be successful and to build player confidence. The younger the age group the more that playing time should be arranged to enhance the development of skills for every player at more than one position.
Team development shall consist of teaching teamwork and the concepts of working together towards a common goal. Care must be taken to make certain that every player is a part of the team.
Positive reinforcement is an absolute necessity as new positions and skills are developed. Coaches must strive to avoid negative reinforcement.
Registration for summer traveling softball is typically open January-February. Registrations can be completed online at www.cysafastpitch.com. It is the players and parents responsibility to seek out registration information, watch for announcements and/or advertisements through District 112 School, email notification or Facebook.
There is typically an "early bird" discount for those who register prior to mid February. Players must register prior to tryouts and it should not be anticipated that a registration will be accepted after tryouts. Teams will be formed quickly and uniforms will be ordered which is not conducive to adding players to a roster.
The registration fee covers the following expenses:
Additional expenses may include:
Scholarships/payment plans can be made available. Please see CYSA's Scholarship/Payment Plan policy.
The fees collected by the Association cover any invitational tournaments, state qualifier tournament and, if qualifying, state tournament. Fees are not reimbursed if not qualifying for the state tournament or electing to not play in the scheduled tournaments, unspent tournament money is the property of CYSA. Additional tournaments may be played at the players' expense if agreed upon by the coaches and families. Any team that qualifies for and participates in a National Tournament will in incur additional expenses. Teams may do their own fundraising to offset these expenses if they desire.
If numbers permit there will be more than one team at each age level. If there is only one team the Board will determine the classification of the team based on their assessment of the skill level of the players.
If there are multiple teams the Board will determine the make-up of the teams depending on the talent level involved based on the following guidelines:
Selection of players for a Gold team will be determined by the criteria established under the tryout section.
While not restricted to Gold teams, the Gold teams are more likely to play a heavier schedule of tournaments, play tougher competition, practice more often, attend out of town tournaments and potentially require a higher commitment of time. Players can elect on the registration form to not play on the Gold team regardless of the results of their tryouts if they prefer not have the higher commitment level that may be required on a Gold team.
Teams are created based on the following guidelines:
Team selection is the ultimate decision of the Board. A committee may be appointed to review tryouts and all other available information to select teams, subject to Board approval. The Team Selection Committee will be comprised of board members who are known to possess the knowledge necessary to evaluate a players skill at a particular level. The committee will always include at least one Board member who does not have a player of their own at that age group to ensure a fair process is followed for team selection. The evaluation scores and prior playing history will be the basis used by the team selection committee to select players for a traveling team.
NOTE: Any player who cannot play in the State Qualifying Tournament, State Tournament of other post season tournaments due to a conflict with any other sport will not be placed on a Gold level team. If a player misses any of these tournaments due to an unexcused absence she cannot play on a gold level team the following summer season. The Board requires a commitment form to be signed at which point known and potential conflicts need to be disclosed. The conflicts may or may not affect team placement depending on the needs of the team. Disclosure of potential conflicts will b e viewed upon more favorably by the Board than conflicts which were not disclosed.
Try Out Philosophy
There is no perfect method of determining teams. The CYSA has studied the team selection process of a number of similar associations and has come up with a try out methodology that, in the Board's opinion, offers all players a chance to be fairly evaluated. The team selection attempts to find a balance between:
Players will be evaluated on the skills of pitching, catching, fielding, throwing, hitting and bunting. In addition, game situations may be created and players will be evaluated on their game sense.
Participation:
Players must participate in tryouts unless an excused absence is granted by the CYSA. Parents/guardians should contact CYSA if they know their player will not be able to attend tryouts. Excused absences include: illness or injury, school functions, family vacations and games for in-season sports. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the tryout session. Players who are absent from tryouts without being excused:
Make-Up Tryouts:
Players who miss the scheduled tryout session due to an excused absence may be granted an alternate tryout session if a session is made available.
Seven players will be chosen from the tryout process exclusively:
The remaining players for the team are selected by a committee which evaluates:
The selection committee's decisions must be approved by the Board.
There will be 2-3 coaches per team.--one Head Coach, Assistant Coach and a Team Manager (if needed). Parents are invited to help as needed during practices. Starting 2021, only three adults are to be in the dugout with the players during games.
CYSA will require the head coach to complete a background check, ACE certification and concussion training before scheduling a practice. Assistant coaches shall complete the background check before the first practice.
Included in the registration is an area designated for a parent or guarding to indicate if they would be willing to coach as a Head Coach or an Assistant Coach. It is possible that a given team may not have anyone that has volunteered for a Head or Assistant coach. In these cases the Traveling Director will reach out to the parents of a team to solicit coaches. If attempts are unsuccessful then CYSA will attempt to find someone with coaching experience that is willing to coach as a paid position. This cost will be divided among the families of that team if they are willing to cover the cost.
Written Application
Anyone interested in coaching who has not yet coached in the CYSA program is encouraged to contact CYSA in advance to share their coaching background. An application is also available and can be found in the Coaches Resources section on the CYSA website.
Each candidate will be evaluated by members of the CYSA and selection criteria will include: