Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the teams and age groups organized?

Teams are normally organized in five age divisions: six and under 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U. Usually, a player will play in her own age division. Depending upon enrollment, PAGS may divide the 12U Division into both a recreational and a competitive division. If these divisions are created, those who request a preference to play in the competitive division will be required to attend a February skills assessment clinic. (Exact date and location to be determined.) Players in this category will be notified by e-mail after registration closes informing them of the date and location for the skill assessment

The PAGS Registrar along with the relevent Division Commissioner will make the final determination of placement for an individual player.

How much time does each age group spend practicing?

Practice schedules are set by the coaches and managers of the teams at their convenience. For the younger divisions, they will practice once or twice a week and play one game on Saturday at Cubberley Fields. For the 3 older divisions, they will have 2 practices during the week before the season starts, and then one or two practices a week during the season when games are being played as well.

How often does each age group play?

The 6U, 8U, and 10U divisions all start out playing one game each week, on a Saturday. Saturday’s game time will vary during the season. Midway through the 10U season, one weekly practice session is replaced by a game for a total of two games per week. The 12U and 14U Divisions play two games a week, with one weekly practice, for the entire season. Some of these games will be inter-league, against teams from neighboring cities.

How do I sign my daughter up?

Check this web site (www.paloaltogirlssoftball.org) between December 7, 2007 and January 31, 2008 for on-line registration.

What equipment will the league provide, and what will my daughter need to provide?

PAGS provides the uniforms (including visors), fields, bases, batting helmets, bats, balls and catcher's gear. Players provide their own baseball/softball gloves and athletic shoes (baseball, softball, or soccer cleats are recommended, but not required). Sliding shorts (or pants) and a knee pad are required for 12U and 14U, and recommended for those 10U girls who want to give sliding a try.

Can my daughter request playing with a specific friend or coach?

Unless there is an exceptional situation, we do not honor a request for friends to be placed on the same team. Nor do we honor special requests to be placed with a particular coach. For players who have developed advanced softball skills, our first priority is to form balanced team. Therefore, we mix and match skills and abilities in order to form “balanced” teams for 10U, 12U, and 14U.

How do I become a coach or manager?

You can select to volunteer for either position on the online registration form. You will be contacted by PAGS regarding coaching and managing opportunities.

What are the basic rules of the game?

The rules differ by division. Choose the appropriate division from the list on the left side of the page.

Volunteers

With the exception of Umpires, who are paid, PAGS operates with all volunteers. We rely on the generosity and good will of many, many volunteers to organize our league, coach and manage our teams, and otherwise complete the many tasks that must be done before, during and after our softball season. We are presently looking for coaches, assistant coaches, managers, groundskeepers and people who can maintain and repair equipment such as pitching machines.

The Volunteer positions are listed on the registration form. If you are available to fill any of them, please indicate which one when you register. Volunteers are automatically given a $40 discount at the time of enrollment.

Exceptional Situations

If there is an exceptional situation for your player or your family, please let us know. There is a space on the forms for a brief description of special circumstances. If you need more space or wish to talk with PAGS board member, please email us at info@paloaltogirlssoftball.org. We will respond to your request as soon as possible.

Team Assignment Guidelines

The overall objective of team assignments is to make balanced teams. In the younger divisions (6U and 8U), we try to form teams with players from the same neighborhoods and schools. For the 10U, a bit more emphasis will be placed on balanced teams and less emphasis on neighborhoods and schools.

For players who have developed advanced softball skills, our first priority is to form balanced teams. Therefore, we mix and match skills and abilities in order to form "balanced" teams for the recreational 12U-R teams, and perform drafts for the competitive 12U-C and 14U teams. Unless there is an exceptional situation, we do not honor requests for friends to be placed on the same team. Nor do we honor special requests to be placed with a particular coach.

Teams are formed just prior to the start of the season in March. Girls in the older divisions will receive information regarding skill assessments at the beginning of February. Your coach will receive his/her roster at a meeting of the Coaches and Managers in late February. In turn, the Manager or the Coach will contact the team players and will decide on practice times.

Organization of Divisions and Fees

To simplify the Registration Fees schedule, the fee is based on a player's birth date by calendar year.

Division	DOB	Fee	Focus / Pitching / Catcher	Level of Play
6U	2001 - 2002	85	Fun Tee / Coach / No	Just fun
8U	1999 - 2000	85	Fun / Coach or Player/ Tee Optional	Just fun
10U	1997 - 1998	120	Fun / Player (coach) / Developing	Recreational
12U-R^*	1995 - 1996	150	Fun / Player / Important	Recreational
12U-C^*	1995 - 1996	150	Competitive / Player /Very Important	Competitive
14U	1993 - 1994	150	Competitive / Player / Very Important	Competitive

* Anticipated structure

Practice and Game Schedules

Practice schedules are set by the coaches and managers of the teams at their convenience. For the younger divisions, they will practice once or twice a week and play one game on Saturday at Cubberley Fields. For the older divisions, there will be 2-3 team activities a week, comprised of some combination of practices and/or games. For the younger divisions, all games will be played in Palo Alto. This will probably include most, if not all, 12U-R games. The 12U-C and 14U divisions will play both local and inter-league games. Please read below for more specific guidelines.

Division	Suggested Practice Schedule
14U	Before the season starts, generally there will be two practices per week. Once the season starts, there will be one practice and two games per week.
12U-C and 12U-R	Before the season starts, generally there will be two practices per week. Once the season starts, there will be one practice and two games per week.
10U	Before the season starts, there will be two practices per week. Once the season starts, there will also be a game during the week. Halfway through the season, there will be two games and only one practice per week. The number of weekly practices is partly at the discretion of the coach.
8U	One practice per week scheduled by team coach - one game per week on Saturday
6U	One practice per week scheduled by team coach - one game per week on Saturday

Team Formation & Skills Assessment

Division	Method of Team Formation
14U	Players may be asked to attend a skill evaluation during February. Players are then drafted by the league's coaches. Typically there are two to four teams at this level. These are not standing teams but are re-created every season.
12U-C	Interested players must attend a skill evaluation during February. Players are then drafted by the league's coaches. We hope to form two to four teams at this level depending upon level of enrollment. These are not standing teams but are re-created every season. Pitchers and catchers will be drafted first in order to ensure an even distribution among the teams
12U-R	We anticipate four to six teams at this level. Teams are re-created every season. After registration is closed, teams will be formed by the Division Commissioner with a focus on balancing skill level and age factors with schools and location. We attempt to balance pitchers and catchers across the teams as well.
10U	After registration is closed, teams will be formed by the Division Commissioner with a focus on balancing schools, location, age and, where feasible, skill level.
8U	As the focus of this league is purely recreational and skill development, the teams will be formed after registration has closed based upon a variety of factors. The Division Commissioner will attempt to balance school, location and coach preference as much as is possible.
6U	As the focus of this league is purely recreational and skill development, the teams will be formed after registration has closed based upon a variety of factors. The Division Commissioner will attempt to balance school, location and coach preference as much as is possible.

Scholarship Assistance

For low income families, scholarship aid is available. We want all interested players to play even if their families cannot afford the fees. Call our message line at (650) 361-0743 or send us an email. The Registrar will contact you.

Overscheduled Players

Each year, some players find they cannot handle all their commitments and drop out. We ask our players to meet 2-3 times per week for practice and games. If your child is playing other sports, has other activities or has lots of homework, please consider carefully before you sign her up for softball.

Refunds

If a player has registered and then decides to not play, we will refund fees according to the following schedule:

Before February 1, 2008:
We will refund the full amount less $10 to cover our costs.

On or after February 1, 2008:
We will refund 50% of the registration fee.

On or after March 1, 2008:
There are no refunds.

Please email us if your player decides to withdraw from softball.