FAQ
1) WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Email kelsosoftball@gmail.com or contact one of the Board Members.
2) WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
The league supplies basic equipment assigned to coaches: batting helmets (upon request), bats, balls and catcher's gear however you may choose to purchase these on your own. Included in the registration fee are: uniform shirt, ASA registration, insurance, umpire fees, and basic equipment. Other items:
Softball Glove
Batting Helmet with Faceguard, and chin strap
Cleats
Sliding Shorts (recommended but not required for 10U+)
Knee Guards (sliders - recommended but not required for 8U+)
Socks according to coach
Shorts or Pants according to coach
NO METAL CLEATS OR SEEDS ON TURF!!!
3) WHERE, WHEN & WHAT DAYS ARE PRACTICES?
Your coach will call you as soon as teams are formed. If you have not received a phone call from your coach by March 15th please email kelsosoftball@gmail.com or call a Board Member.
4) WHERE & WHEN DO WE PLAY GAMES?
Games will be played at Tam O Shanter Park, 7th Avenue Park, Castle Rock Fields, and in Rainier.
5) KEY DATES
Jamboree will be TBD Pictures will be taken at this time rain or shine.
6) WHAT IF I WANT A REFUND?
Our goal is to be flexible and fair. Any reasonable situation which arises, we will respond to. We ask for you to understand our needs of a time frame wherein we can fairly respond. Once teams have been formed and uniforms ordered, barring highly unusual or unforeseen circumstances, refunds will not be issued.
7) Are there any SPECIAL TRAINING AND/OR CLINICS?
We attempt to host a pitching clinics, as well as general skills clinics. Information will be provided as they are available. You can also seek out individual training for your player (pitching, batting, catching). Ask your coach or a board member for more information or possible contacts.
8) HOW CAN I HELP OUT?
There are many ways! Each team needs volunteers and your support is key to ensuring a successful league for the team. Your fees do not pay any salaries - we are all volunteers! Here are positions you may consider:
Head Coach
Jamboree committee
Put up signs before season
Take down signs after season
Concession duty
Field work party
Team Mom
Team Scorekeeper
Assistant Coach
Information for players interested in playing on a Tournament Team.
9) How do I tryout for a tournament team and what all does it consist of?
If your daughter is athletic and wants to take her game to the next level she can tryout for a tournament team. Currently Kelso has tournament teams at every age level. Being on a tournament teams takes a commitment out of both player and parents. There will be some additional fee's and some traveling. If you would like to get into contact with a tournament coach you can email kelsogirlssoftball@gmail.com and we will try and get you connected with a coach.
10) I've heard that if you're a good softball player, the college coaches will recruit you. Is that true?
Any college coach or recruiter will tell you that being good doesn't automatically give a player an edge in being recruited or being offered a scholarship to play college softball. There are thousands of good softball players who go unnoticed and unrecruited every year.
The coach or recruiter first has to know about you to be able to recruit you. In addition to talent, coaches recruit players based on a number of important factors including experience, grades, work ethic, team needs, and the player's ability to adjust to the demands of college softball.
11) How Many Player Positions Are Available to Incoming Freshman?
On average, there are about 4 player positions per college team available to incoming freshman (and junior college transfers), or about 4000-4500 available positions on four-year college teams across the country every year.
12) How many players get "full-ride" scholarships?
Very few players get a "full ride" (100% of college costs). It's important for players and parents to know that colleges are allowed to divide scholarships. With an average roster of 18 players per team, there's not enough scholarship money for every player on the team to get a "full ride." Most college teams award half or three-quarter scholarships, in order to stretch their funds as far as possible and still be able to recruit quality players.
13) Which players get "full rides"?
When available, full-ride scholarships generally go to top-notch pitchers, catchers, and hitters. Prospective college softball players should expect that scholarship offers will range along these lines: pitchers, 80-100% of "full-ride"; catchers, 50-80%; infielders, 30-70%; outfielders, 20-50%. Versatility, hitting ability, and team needs can make a player more valuable, and a scholarship offer will be adjusted accordingly.
14) What are my chances of being awarded a four-year scholarship?
No matter what any player, parent, coach, or recruiter might tell you, there is simply no such thing as a "four-year scholarship" to play softball. Scholarships are awarded on a year-by-year basis only. The name of the game is performance. The best way to insure a "four-year scholarship" is to exceed expectations from each "one-year scholarship" to the next.
15) Will going to a recruiting camp or tournament guarantee that I'll get recruited?
Just attending a recruiting camp or tournament is no guarantee that you'll be recruited. A college coach might never recruit some of the better players at a recruiting camp, or even get a chance to watch them play.
16) How can I improve my chances of being recruited at one of these camps?
The best chance any player has of being noticed and possibly being recruited as a result of a recruiting camp is based on two important factors:
Parents and players must do their "homework" and marketing preparation, including letters, "Player Marketing Package"(described in detail in the book), phone calls, emails, and so on, to the coaches who are expected to be at the camp.
You must perform up to expectations while the college coach is looking at you.
Coaches don't just show up at these camps and tournaments looking for players to fill any old position on their rosters. They go to the camp with a list of names of players they want to evaluate, and a list of positions that they need to fill. The players on a coach's list are top-level players who are well known to coaches, players who the coach has seen before and wants to watch again, or players who have contacted them directly. Unless a coach knows about you, chances are that he/she won't be looking at you. The way to get a coach to look at you is, first, to tell them that you'll be there, and, secondly, to ask them to take a look at you.
17) When should I start my scholarship search?
Searching for a scholarship is only part of the college selection process. Your first goal should be to find a school that's a good match for your academic abilities and interests, and to find a team that's a good match for your softball skills. Then you can start thinking seriously about the scholarship search.