Beginning in December of 2007 I would recommend getting your girls registered for 2008.  It takes a few weeks to get your cards, so if you register early, you won’t have any issues come January.

When you register, keep in mind that you will need a photo of each player without a visor and from the chest up.  You can also re-use the photo that was there last year, but if the girls want to change it, you’ll need to upload it before you register them.  If the girls are new to the VTD, you will also be required to submit a copy of their birth certificates.

In addition, all coaches who plan on being on the field or in the dugout are required to have a background check in order to be registered for the VTD.  This was a new rule in 2007 and it was enforced at all the qualifiers and nationals.

Click here to go to the VTD

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When:  Feb 2, 2008

Where: TBD

If you’ve never been to this, here’s how it works.

Once a year ASA holds a meeting for all travel ball managers.  It’s really a great way to network and meet other team managers and coaches.  There is new and updated information given out and opportunities for you to meet your age group coordinators. 

The meeting comes with a cost which is cheaper if you pre-register through the ASA website, but you can also just show up and pay at the door.

You will get your player agreements/rule book, etc at the meeting as well. 

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At the younger ages, the pin is one of they most important aspects about going to a national tournament and there is typically an event scheduled just for the girls to trade.  The girls/parents spend quite a bit of time trading and frankly, if your pin is cheap and cheesy, girls won’t want to trade with you so be prepared.  I’d advise investing at least $2.00 per pin if you can.  Anything less than that and girls may want you to trade 2 pins for their 1 pin.  I am serious, they really do that. 

So here’s a couple tips:

1) If you are on a budget, make sure you go for size before anything else or consider getting about 15 nice (impressive) pins and then get a cheaper version made as an alternate.  That way you only trade your expensive pins for other expensive pins, etc.

2) Blinky lights are popular.

3) Moving parts are very popular. 

4) If at all possible, plan ahead and get these done 6 weeks or more ahead of time.

5) If you have more than one age group in your club, try and get the same pin because most companies give volume discounts.

6) Triple check your final proof.

7) When picking a theme, think of what’s trendy.  For example, if I were designing a pin right now, I’d go for something like an iPhone or MySpace, etc.  Of course, you can always stick to the traditional softball related pins, those are also fantastic, but the unique ones tend to be popular albeit expensive.

Get a pin bag or something for the girls to keep their pins/on. (towel, sash) 

BTW-ASA is having a pin contest for 2008.  Click here for more information on that.

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The Turkey Tournament is extremely popular and is typically a good indicator as to who will be the top teams come summer time.  There are also always fantastic vendors there, so make sure and bring your checkbooks.

So here’s the deal.  This tournament fills up FAST!  If you wait to long, you may not get in. (Especially 12’s and 14’s)

So here’s the scoop… 

When: 11/23/07-11/25/07 

Where: Chino Hills Community park (Which by the way has moved down the street since last year.)

Cost: $375.00 per team

Hotel: Hampton Inn, Chino Hills 

Format: 4 Game Guarantee – Pool play and Single Elimination 

Side note:  This tournament occasionally gets rained out and the return a small portion of your registration if this happens.  Or you can opt to let them keep it since proceeds go to the ASA players Association Scholarship Fund which has given out about 30k in scholarships this year.

Click here to get the registration form.

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2008 Official Roster for the USA Softball Women’s National Team

• Monica Abbott
• Natasha Watley
• Laura Berg
• Jenny Topping
• Crystl Bustos
• Cat Osterman
• Andrea Duran
• Stacey Nuveman
• Jessica Mendoza
• Lisa Fernandez
• Caitlin Lowe
• Jennie Finch
• Taira Flowers
• Alicia Hollowell
• Vicky Galindo
• Lovieanne Jung
• Lauren Lappin
• Kelly Kretschman

Feel free to edit it to suit your team and remember that these are not a ‘legal’ documents.  Use them at your own risk.

Player Code of Conduct

Parent Code of Conduct

Cheers for Girls 12 and under

Here’s a few things that are somewhat standard protocol to keep in mind a few weeks before your showcase.

• Check the tournament website and see what colleges will be represented there.
• Determine if you have an interest in any of those colleges.
• Call or email the coaches and let them know you will be playing and invite them to come watch an inning or two of your game.
• Make sure you tell them what number you are and if you can, the position you play and the field you will be on.
• Create a player profile for yourself and attach it to the email.
• Let your coach know that you’ve invited this particular scout to watch this game and hopefully, he/she will put you in the line-up.
• If you see the scout out there and don’t have a chance to talk with them at the showcase, call them afterward and thank them for coming out.
• Remember, you may not get a call back depending on NCAA rules, but they will get the phone call and it will leave an impression.
• Oh and try not to be nervous.  Even if you get out there and strike out, they are also watching your attitude and your parents as well.

Side note: Some coaches are looking for more than just talent.  They are looking for girls who know the game. So, know the game ladies!

Good luck, play hard!!

Well, if you’re still willing to move forward, keep a few things in the back of your mind.

• You will never please everyone.  No matter what, at some point during the season, there will be a parent if not many parents ticked off at you (including your spouse).
• If your daughter is on the team, you will argue.  Please know that ahead of time.  Don’t take out what happened on the field at home.
• Communicate!  Build a website.  Build an email loop.  Tell your parents what’s going on often.  Nothing annoys people more than uncertainty.
• Keep records of all money that has been paid to you and how you spent it and COMMUNICATE it to your team.
• Involve your coaches in your thought process and decision making.  This isn’t a one man/woman show here. 
• Never guarantee playing time.  Creating favoritism like that will surely lead to resentment from others.

That’s enough for now, I’ll add more later. 

Before you pick a name, search for it on eteamz.com and on Google.  

There isn’t anything more annoying than a new team choosing the same name as another team.  It’s confusing for one.  At least make the effort to check it out ahead of time.

If you can’t come up with anything original and are forced to copy a name, please add the managers name to the end.  It’s really courteous to do that for all the other teams that share your name.  That way, everyone can figure out who’s having the try-out, who’s playing in what tournament, etc.  We all hate guessing games, so don’t be so mysterious.  If it’s your team, slap your name on the end of it.

Picking a Logo

This can be tough, but here are a few tips.  When you choose a logo, go for something with no more that 3 colors.  (2 is ideal)  The reason is that when it comes time to have this embroidered or silk screened, it is easier and will be cheaper for you and your team.  The more colors, the more complicated, etc. 

Make sure your logo is easy to read on the front of the jerseys and also easily identified on a left chest and on a hat.  When you are playing at tournaments, you want people to be able to identify you from a distance and not have to guess what team you are.

Last thing, (FYI) if your logo is too big and "heavy", avoid tackle twill on the front of the girls’ jerseys.  They won’t like the way it feels and it will be uncomfortable for them to play in.

Choosing Colors 

Keep in mind, your parents will have to wear this stuff too, so avoid obnoxious colors and you’ll be more likely to have parents wanting to wear your apparel and support the team.

Avoid the ‘optic yellow’.  It’s the same color as the ball and most umpires don’t like it when the pitcher wears the same color as the ball.

While some good teams wear pink, it’s not too popular.

Figure out what the main color will be and ask yourself if the girls will look good wearing it.  For example, if your main color is orange, will the girls look good in orange pants?  Probably not.  Get all of this planned out ahead of team and you could avoid issues later on.