Tournament softball is a higher level of competitiveness than recreational softball. Any players new to the sport that are considering joining a tournament team should be made aware of the following:

• Participation on a tournament team is yearly.

• Tournament softball is more expensive than recreational.

• Tournament teams are responsible for funding their teams with support from the association when financially able.

• Equal playing time is not guaranteed. 

• Tryouts are necessary to join a team.  

• An invite with bid(s) will be sent from the association at the conclusion of tryouts. The family will accept or decline the bid(s). Exception is 8U. 

• Placement on a team is not guaranteed.

Some  teams may still be looking for players to fill spots, please contact DCGSA Communications to inquire as a private assessment may be available.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

DCGSA board members and existing tournament team coaches evaluate. A sampling of specific assessment tests and drills may be seen, at each level, below. These are subject to change.

8U Assessment 

10U Assessment 

 
 
12U / 14U Assessment 

Uniform Information

Two jersey's (red and white), pants, socks, and belt are available to order in addition to association dues.

Tournament Team Fees

• $200 fee per girl due to DCGSA 

• All additional fees owed to each team manager will be at the discretion of the team.  Fees will differ by team depending on if they will participate in a league and how many tournaments they will participate in each fall and spring.  

• Team fundraising is allowed and determined by each team based on needs.

Tournament Team Details & Fine Print

COACHES: All parents (especially any who have played or coached softball or baseball competitively) are strongly encouraged to volunteer as coaches for DCGSA tournament teams.   Anyone interested in interviewing to be a coach should email communications.dcg.softball@gmail.com prior to tryouts (June of each year). 

AGE REQUIREMENTS: A player’s age level is determined by her age as of January 1st in the year after the team is created. Tournament teams are currently set up based on two year age increments (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U).  

TRYOUTS: Tryouts are held by DCGSA for tournament teams at the end of June, early July each year.  New and existing coaches and DCG board members will evaluate the girls.

The players are evaluated on (1) infield play; (2) outfield play; and (3) hitting (including bunting).  

10U/12U/14U Pitchers and catchers are also evaluated (separately, but on the same night).  

Players can attend tryouts to “play up” (i.e. at an age higher than they otherwise qualify for).  If so, there is no guarantee they will be placed on a team at the higher age level and, in any event, a player who tries out to “play up” must also assess at her age level.

TEAM CREATION: 

8U Teams

• Team formation and selection is determined by the DCGSA board after tryouts.  Our goal is to equally divide girls amongst all the teams to ensure development of the girls within our organization.  

10U/12U/14U Teams

• New team formation: If there are enough girls who attend tryouts that are not picked up by an existing team; DCGSA will attempt to form a new team if there are enough players (including players for skilled positions of pitching and catching) and a coach can be determined.

• Team formation typically occurs during 8U. 

• Each year teams can decide to stay together or attend tryouts.  

• Tryouts are not required each year, if the head coach decides to stay the coach for the following year (exception is if the head coach leaves and an existing assistant coach steps up to coach the team).  

• Coaches will have the option to come to tryouts to evaluate those who are trying out.

• Existing player tryouts:  

  • If already on a tournament team, trying out each year is optional unless the team decides not to stay together and does not guarantee a spot on their current team or another team.  

  • If a player attends tryouts, it gives the current coach an option of filling the spot vacated by that player or offering an invite to the existing player.

• Selection process:

  • Existing coaches and DCGSA board members evaluate all girls at tryouts.

  • An invite with bid(s) will be sent from the association at the conclusion of tryouts.

  • Families will have 24 hours to accept or decline bid(s).

  • If a girl does not receive a bid email, a DCGSA board member will reach out for next steps.

SCHEDULE: Tournament teams play a fall season and a spring/summer season. How much each team plays and practices is decided by the coaches and the parents of the players on a team-by-team basis. DCGSA provides practice field availability for each team 2 times per week.

COST: Is determined yearly by the DCSGA board of directors.

REGISTRATION: Families will be asked to pre-register for the tournament team tryouts.  Details about the registration process will be provided by DCGSA.

QUESTIONS: Please email communications.dcg.softball@gmail.com.

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