Important updates regarding our 2025 Summer Travel Program tryouts

After careful consideration and feedback from our coaches, players, and parents, we have decided to move our tryouts back to the late winter (Early February) for the 2025 summer. Last year, we experimented with holding tryouts in the fall, but we have concluded that a February tryout will better serve our younger players by allowing for more effective team construction and ensuring that each player is placed on a team that best suits their development needs. Last year we had to reset multiple teams as players moved into the community or moved away. 

We believe that shifting tryouts back to February will enhance our ability to evaluate players' growth and potential over the winter months, which is crucial for building balanced and competitive teams. This change will also allow us to better prepare and support our athletes throughout the year.

In addition to the shift in tryout timing, we will continue to offer a range of activities to support player development during the off-season. We are planning to provide open gyms, potential dome experiences, and training sessions similar to what we offered last year. These opportunities will help players stay active and continue to develop their skills in preparation for the tryouts.

Furthermore, we are committed to expanding our coaches' education and skills development programs. Our goal is to ensure that all our coaches are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques to support the growth and success of our players.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we make this transition. Our aim is to create the best possible environment for our athletes to thrive, and we believe these changes will contribute to a more effective and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to us. We are excited about the upcoming season and look forward to seeing all of our players continue to grow and succeed on and off the field.

Thank you for your continued support of CI Grand slammers

 

 

PHILOSOPHY

Girls are offered an opportunity to try out and play in a competitive traveling league.  Traveling softball requires a greater commitment for both players and parents.  Each participant is expected to attend all scheduled practices, league games and weekend tournaments during the season.  Emphasis is on skill development, teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship, and respect for others. 

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

A player’s age on September 1st of the current year determines the age classification at which the player is eligible to participate.   Depending on player registrations, we strive to field teams at 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, HS.

PLAYER REGISTRATION, PAYMENTS, AND REFUNDS

Player registration fees are due prior to a player participating in the current season.  

Fees for travelling are reviewed annually by the CIGS Board.  Fees for the current year can be found in the Summer Fastpitch informational brochure or on the website. 

Fees are used to cover the costs of league fees, umpire pay, team insurance, field maintenance, groundskeeper pay, team equipment and tournament fees.

Player registration refunds will be made to players if CIGS cannot field a team (due to insufficient number of player registrations), if the player is not placed on a team, or if a player withdraws from the program before the season begins Withdrawals from the program after January 1 will only be refunded for registration fees.  There will be no refund for uniform or equipment costs for the summer season after January 1.    Other than the exceptions just listed, there will be no refunds made once the season has begun.  Tryout fees are not refundable.

PLAYER TRYOUTS/EVALUATIONS

Our goal is to provide a tryout environment that is fair to all players and allows them to demonstrate their abilities to a group of well-qualified evaluators.  CIGS will engage outside evaluators for player assessment and scoring.  Each player is evaluated in the areas of hitting, bunting, fielding grounders, pop-fly’s and base running.

Tryouts follow a closed-door process. No parents are allowed present during tryouts. Board members will be present during tryouts to assist with set-up and players but will not be involved with assessments or scoring.  Tryouts are typically held in October for the summer season.  All players must participate in tryouts.

If a player will miss tryouts due to injury or being out of town, it will be to the discretion of the Board to make the final decision for which team the player will be on. Items taken into consideration will be the previous year’s tryout scores and team placement if the player participated.

Requests to join a CIGS team after tryouts and team placement have occurred will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Board.  The Board will determine player’s eligibility and if accommodations can be made based on current team rosters.  In these cases, the players will be placed on the lower team in the appropriate age bracket.

CIGS will accept players from outside of District 911 to register and participate in try-outs; however, they will only be placed on a team if room is available. No District 911 player will be cut in order to accommodate a player from outside of the district.

PLAYERS “PLAYING UP”

All players must register and tryout at their current age level (the youngest age group that they qualify for).  Players may request to play up and should do so at registration or before tryouts.  A move will not be made unless the board feels it is to the benefit of the player and the association as a whole.

TEAM FORMATION

CIGS will make every effort to place all registered players on a team.  In the event CIGS has no option except to limit the number of teams due to insufficient players, then the team roster decisions will be based on players try out scores, with no guarantee of placement on a team.

Our goal in establishing teams is to place players on a team that best positions each player to be successful as an individual, contribute to the team, and get maximum play time to learn and improve as a player.

There will be a maximum of thirteen (13) players on a team at the 8U, 10U and 12U level and a maximum of twelve (12) players at the 14U and HS levels.    Levels may be adjusted at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

Each girl must have a team uniform.  Sample uniforms are available at registration each year for players to try on.   Players are responsible for having a glove, fielders mask, helmet, and cleats.  The association does provide bats, balls and catching gear for each team. 

LENGTH OF SEASON

8U, 10U and 12U begin league play the end of April, or earlier if weather permits.  The season is done the second week of July. Optional tournaments may be played which would extend the season.

14U usually being their season towards the end of May.  The season is done mid-July.  Optional tournaments may be played which would extend the season.

HS typically start their season in early June and plays through July.  Optional tournaments may be played which would extend the season.

TRAVEL

All CIGS teams are travel teams and will be required to travel to different communities to participate in league games and tournaments.  Parents and players having conflicts in schedules or transportation should make arrangements with other parents or players to ensure that they will be able to participate.  Sometimes there may be tournaments that are out of town.  Any expense for lodging for these tournaments is the parent’s responsibility.

TOURNAMENTS

Each traveling team will participate in 5 weekend tournaments.  This includes the state qualifier, the state tournament (if the team qualifies), the Maddy Nelson Memorial Tournament, and two tournaments of the coaches choosing.  The fee for these tournaments is covered by CIGS.   If a team chooses to participate in an additional tournament, the parents will be responsible for the entry fee.

FUNDRAISING

Each player is expected to participate in CIGS fundraisers.  Participation helps raise much needed money for the program to help supplement equipment, field updates/maintenance and other costs to maintain our program.

At registration, families are requested to pay a fundraising fee of $100 in the form of a check.  If the family participates in the fundraiser and raises a minimum of $100 for the current year, their check will be destroyed upon completion of fundraiser.  However, if the family does not participate, their check will be cashed.

A full copy of the CIGS Fundraising Policy and Guidelines can be found on the CIGS website at https://www.cigrandslammers.com/

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Player development, depth of talent and skills at each position is extremely important.  As a result, coaches will try to ensure that every player receives numerous opportunities during games/practices 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, 1st base) therefore, not all players will be given the opportunity to play her “favorite” position during games but coaches will continue working with players during practice.  This will help ensure player development at every age group.  Safety first is a key consideration when making these decisions for all players on either the home or away team.  Players should be given opportunities to play at positions where they will be successful and to build player confidence. 

Team development shall consist of teaching teamwork and the concepts of working together towards a common team goal.  Care must be taken to make certain that every player is part of the team regardless of their position.  Positive reinforcement is an absolute necessity as new positions and skills are developed. 

PRACTICE/GAME EXPECTATIONS

Traveling softball is highly competitive play.  Practice is critical.  It is important that those registering to play summer fastpitch understand the commitment involved.  Players need to attend practices and games. 

Coaches are expected to play all teal members on doubleheader nights, but equal playing time is not guaranteed.  Playing time is at discretion of the head coach based on:

                *Players attendance at practices and games

                *Effort of the players in practice and game situations

                *Commitment of the player to improve her skills

                *Players overall skill level

During tournaments, playing time will be at the discretion of the head coach.