SOFTBALL TRYOUT DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATION

The exact schedule for teams will vary slightly as some teams may choose to do more than our organizations outline. We really put an emphasis on what we think is the correct amount of baseball for the age groups that we have today. We want kids to be able to explore fall and winter sports while still offering baseball and softball. When it comes to Spring, we chose a 2 tournament a month approach in order to give families weekends off and to reduce burnout for the kids.

The current organization outline is as follows for baseball (softball is still being finalized, but will follow the below fairly close with the exception of winter training as that team is planning to start winter training in November):

-FALL: 1x a week practice in September/October + a couple of scrimmages and at least one October tournament.

-WINTER: Indoor training 1x a week - Duration is Still TBD. Aiming for November - February.

-SPRING: 2x a week practice starting the middle of march with 2 tournaments per month April - June + 6-12 scrimmages per team. 

The cost per player is still being finalized, but you can expect the cost to range from $1,300-$1,600 + Uniforms. This covers all tournaments, practices, team equipment, insurance, sanctions, administrative duties, scrimmages, winter training, coach training incentives, etc. The reason for the range is that our winter training facility is still being determined.

If your player makes a team, half of the team cost will be due at time of commitment. The other half will be due in January. During the fall, we will have fundraising and sponsorship initiatives that will be available to reduce or eliminate the 2nd payment all together. 

Final costs will be posted on our website closer to the tryout dates.

*Training facility - there is a potential where we will have a 24/7 365 day dedicated facility we will share with another organization. We are still working out the details. If this doesn't work out, we will utilize other local indoor facilities for team practices only. 

We really have a goal of emphasizing player development, experience, and character development within Hype.

1) Player Development: We put development above winning. Yes, we want to win, but not at the sacrifice of player development. American sports culture is turning into more games than practices which hurts player development. We will have more practices than games. 

2) Player Experience: Coaches play such an important role in a young athletes experience with sports. Our coaches have a goal of keeping young athletes in sports and that starts with their experience with their coach. No coach is perfect, but ours put the players experience right there in line with player development. We have a goal of treating kids right and in a positive manner while still pushing them and holding them accountable.

3) Character Development: Baseball and Softball are amazing platform for young athletes to learn and grow. We look for areas to reinforce the learning of positive character traits. In addition, we find opportunities outside of baseball and softball for the young athletes to participate in as a group to help further this cause. Our current year's opportunity consists of organizational wide monthly clean ups of Flat Fork Creek.

Private lessons are not required, but they are never discouraged during the fall and winter months.