WAA Girl’s Softball Parent Information

1. WAA Girl’s Softball Parent Information

2. Topics of information • Board Members • WAA Leagues • What to expect • Where we Play • Fundraisers • Volunteer work needs of WAA

3. 2009 Board Members Tim Bour – President Carl Bellanca – Vice President Karen Serinis – Treasurer Tammy Hall – Secretary Tom Suhr – Commissioner/Registrar Kevin Hudson – Safety Commissioner Bob Bak – Equipment/Field Manager Dan DeLaus – Legal Counsel Mike Anne – Board Member/Umpires Robin Schmidt – Board Member/Parent Liaisons

4. WAA Girls Softball – League History • Formed in 1970 with less than 50 girls • Today there are over 600 girls in the program which is the largest girls youth softball in Western, NY and possibly New York State • Program offers both recreational and travel programs • Recreation program is the prime focus with 500 girls from ages 5-16 • Travel programs play tournaments throughout the summer teams: 23U, 18U, 16U, 14U, and 12U • W.A.A is based upon 100% full volunteerism • Ridge Park complex has 8 softball fields. 2 additional fields are located at Dewitt Rd school . • Town of Webster owns the fields but our organization funds improvements with fundraising efforts • Program philosophy is very simple: “we do this for the girls”

5. Leagues & Days of Play • Little Sluggers 5-6 years old play Saturday only. • Mini Minors 7-8 years old play Tuesday, Friday, Saturday. • Minor 9-10 years old play Monday, Wednesday, Saturday. • Majors 11-12 years old play Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. • Seniors 13-16 years old play Monday, Wednesday, Saturday. • ALL WILL PLAY OCCAISIONAL SATURDAYS • Everyone in the Major’s & Senior’s make the playoffs

6. Little Sluggers • Ages 5-6 years • Format is skill style stations for first 45 minutes with games in second half • The goal is to teach softball fundamentals through practice drills and practice games. • Season starts in May for 6 weeks ending in June • Every Saturday from 9-10:30 AM • 10 teams in the league with 7-8 girls per team • Focus is to keep team size small to pay extra attention • Do have room for growth • End of year awards with special guest

7. Mini Minors • Ages 7-8 years • Assigned days are Tuesday/Friday, Saturday. • Have 12 teams with average of 13 girls • Season begins with 2-weeks of practice • Focus of the league is to teach softball fundamentals along with providing a clear understanding of the game. • Offense - Coaches pitch, no walks, each batter receives 4-pitches…if she does not hit…then she will hit off the tee. Batter can only strike on missed swings. • Defense - Coaches will teach by being in the field with the players. • Score is not kept nor are there any standings

8. Minor League • Ages 9-10 years • Assigned days are Monday & Wednesdays, Saturday. • League has 12 teams with average of 13 players • Season begins with 2-weeks of practice • Score will be kept but no standings. • Focus of the league is fundamentals with clear game knowledge and strategy • All-Star voting and possible play after season • Offense – Girls pitch until batter hits or strikes out. If pitcher throws 4 balls, coach from offensive team comes in to pitch to batter until player gets a hit or strikes out. No walks.

9. Major League • Ages 11-12 years • Assigned days are Tuesday & Thursday, Saturday. • League has 8 teams with average of 13 players • Teams are chosen via organized draft • Season begins with 2-weeks of practice • This level becomes more competitive with standings, playoffs, and championship game • Players pitch, walk, stealing, and most standard rules apply • All-Star voting and possible play after season

10. Senior League • Ages 13-16 years • Assigned days are Monday & Wednesday, Saturday. • League has 6 teams with average of 15 players • Teams are chosen via organized draft • Season begins with 2-weeks of practice • This level becomes more competitive with standings, playoffs, and championship game • Players pitch, walk, stealing, and most standard rules apply • All-Star voting and possible play after season

11. All-Star Team Format • All Divisions (Except Little Sluggers & Mini Minors) will have All-Star Teams • Local tournaments, and possible town league format • All-Star candidates will be selected by votes from their coaches and teammates • All-Star tryouts will be conducted to select a team or teams for each division. • All-Star coaching candidates must apply and submit an application to the WAA • If there are no volunteers to coach, for a specific age group, then there will be no All-Star team. • Each team will consist of 14 girls • Girl’s will be provided with All-Star shirts

12. Xtreme League (Travel Ball) • Tryout based competitive league • Majority of girls consist of Webster residents but few may be from other districts • Play is primarily tournament play with also local weekly league • 5 age divisions: 23U, 18U, 16U, 14U, and 12U • Winter indoor practices • 12-14 girls per team • Players/parents must recognize commitment • Cost per Girl estimated at $300.00 +

13. What to Expect • Plan to get to Ridge Park 30 min. prior to a game • What WAA Provides • Shirt • Fields • Equipment ( balls and catcher’s equipment) • What your Daughter needs to provide • Glove • Softball pants or sliding shorts • Cleats recommended (non-metal) • No jewelry allowed • How to pick out your daughters equipment • Equipment sheet handout.

14. Where we Play • Ridge Park • Considered the finest softball complex in Monroe County • Dewitt Rd fields –mostly Mini Minors and Minors

15. Ridge Park Facility • History of Ridge Park Facility • 2003 - Four New Fields combined with the Four Existing Fields gave us one facility. • Fall 2005 - New Concession stand equipment shed • Batting Cages – installed 2008 season • New backstop at Gerling field • New outfield fences on quad fields

16. Ridge Park FacilityOperational Costs • All expenses paid through registration fees, fund raising activities, and snack bar • Costs include - Town of Webster user fees • Capital Improvements • Umpire Fees • Field maintenance • Infield mix • Lining material • Bases • Labor

17. Fundraisers • High School age Winter Clinics • 12U Winter Workout • Sponsorship Program • Red Wing Night • Xtreme Tournament • Golf Tournament

18. Webster Xtreme Tournament • Annual Tournament • 36 teams participated in 2008 • Revenues received are reinvested in Ridge Park Facility to improve quality of play for all Webster girls. • Teams from all over East Coast participate, fill up local hotels, bring income to our community • Considered as one of the best competitive travel tournaments – registration closed by January • We cannot have a successful tournament without Volunteer HELP.

19. WAA a 100%Volunteer Organization • Board Members • Head Coaches • Assistant Coaches • Team managers • Team Liaison • Parent Committee • Work Day Volunteers • Snack Bar • Xtreme Tournament

20. Parent Committee • 2003 1st year for the WAA Parent Committee • Their involvement in the league was a huge success • Involvement included • Organized all the help for both work days • Team liaison to the league commissioners • Ran the 50/50 raffle at all games • Organized all the help for the Xtreme Tournament

21. WAA Communication • WAA Hot Line 234-9486 • WAA Web Site • www.waasoftball.com • Schedules • Teams • Registration information • Teams standings • MANY USEFUL ONLINE DOCUMENTS!