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Thank you for your interest in the Ridge Youth Softball Travel program. This program is a great opportunity for girls who want to continue to play softball beyond the spring rec season. To help you get a better understanding of the program, we've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions not covered here or if you need additional clarification, please reach out to travel@ridgeyouthsoftball.com.
What is Travel softball?
Travel softball presents a significantly more competitive aspect of the sport compared to recreational leagues. Unlike in recreational softball, players do not have guaranteed roster spots on travel teams. All players must undergo tryouts to earn their place.
Does my player have to live in Basking Ridge to be on the team?
While the travel softball program primarily caters to residents of Basking Ridge and Far Hills. Players from other areas are welcome to try out, especially if their hometown lacks a travel softball program.
Does my player also have to play in the recreation league?
Players participating in the Spring and Summer travel program must play in our Spring rec league unless exempted by the Recreation and Travel Director.
Players who play on the middle school team are exempt from this rule but are still welcomed to participate. If the middle school player chooses to participate, they must make reasonable effort to attend games and practices.
Schedules for Spring travel will be light to accommodate the rec schedule.
Fall travel players DO NOT have to play in the Fall rec league.
What does the Travel program schedule look like?
Our Spring season start end of March to end of May. Games and practices will not conflict with the rec league. Typically, teams will participate in 1 or 2 one-day tournaments and play 4 to 5 friendly scrimmages. Some teams may opt in for travel-league play at the discretion of the head coach.
Our Summer season starts June to the end of July. Teams typically play in games and/or practice 3 days a week. Most teams will participate in around 3 tournaments. All teams will participate in a league. Our teams have typically played in either the Parkway League or the Central Jersey Softball league.
During the Fall season, which spans from September to October, teams in the travel softball program frequently participate in the Long Hill Fall League. The regular season comprises eight games and commences in the second week of September. Following the regular season, the playoffs take place in mid to late October. Games are typically scheduled twice a week, including weeknights and weekends. Game days are subject to change. Teams may also enroll in tournaments that typically happen on Saturday or Sunday depending on the Fall League schedule.
What age group does my daughter belong to?
The travel softball program organizes players into age groups based on two-year increments, such as 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U. Previously, a player's age group was determined by their age at the beginning of the year. However, USA Softball, the governing body for the leagues and tournaments most of our teams participate in, has recently implemented a rule change. Starting from Fall 2023, the following age groups apply:
14U: Players born between September 1st, 2009, and August 31st, 2011.
12U: Players born between September 1st, 2011, and August 31st, 2013.
10U: Players born between September 1st, 2013, and August 31st, 2015.
8U: Players born on or after September 1st, 2015.
Can my daughter play up?
To ensure teams are properly balanced, some players with Fall birthdays may be asked to play in the next age group, even if they are eligible for the younger age group. Any decision regarding playing up will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and parental consent will be sought. Unless instructed otherwise, please register your daughter for the tryout age group corresponding to the aforementioned dates.
The rules for playing up in the next age group is as follows:
Player must make the A-level team with a tryout score that puts her in the top 3 of the lowest eligible age group
Player must have a tryout score that puts her in the top 6 of the requested age group's A-level team
Players on a B-level team is not eligible to play in the next age group.
What happens at the tryout?
The evaluation process for players will be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner. Evaluators, who will be RYS coaches from a different age group, will assess players' hitting, fielding, and throwing abilities. Coaches from the same age group may assist with the tryout process but will not participate in the evaluation.
How are players selected?
Player selection will be based on a combination of evaluation scores, team requirements (such as the player's primary defensive positions), and input from the head coach regarding the player's performance in previous seasons, level of commitment (including regular attendance at games/practices and participation in all four seasons), and overall attitude. It's important to note that prior participation in the travel program does not guarantee a spot on the roster.
Typically, team rosters consist of 11-12 players. However, if there is sufficient interest from players and an ample number of committed coaches, it is possible to form multiple teams within a particular age group. These teams are usually organized based on skill levels, providing players with the best opportunity to compete against peers of similar abilities and ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.
Will my daughter get to play in different positions?
At younger age groups, every player will have the chance to experience batting and play various defensive positions, allowing them to explore their preferences and strengths. However, unlike the recreation program, playing time in travel games for specific positions and lineup slots will be earned based on ability, effort, and attitude demonstrated.
Coaches retain the authority to restrict playing time if a player demonstrates a lack of commitment to the team. This could be due to frequent absences from practices or games, or engaging in unsportsmanlike or inappropriate behavior.
What are call-ups and how does it work?
Call-ups is a term for when a player from a younger age group or on a lower-level team is invited to play in a older age group or higher-level team. Call-ups are temporary and the player is still considered rostered on their original team. A call-up player cannot miss their rostered teams games under any condition. A call-up player may miss practices with approval from the rostered team's head coach. Which player gets called up is at the discretion of the rostered team's head coach. It is recommended that call-up players are rotated from game to game with all of the players that are capable of trying the higher level. Coaches retain the authority to make the determination.
How do you handle roster vacancies?
Teams are formed after the Spring and Fall tryouts. It is possible that a team is formed with less than the required 12 players. If that situation occurs, it is up to the discretion of the head coach to bring in additional players from within the RYS recreational program or from out-of-town program to supplement. Similarly, if a team starts the season with a completed roster but loses a player, it is up the discretion of the head coach to bring in additional players from the RYS or out-of-town programs for the open roster spot. Call-ups can be a possibility for temporary and short-term replacement. However, it is not recommended that players be moved from an established team to a new team mid-season as it destabilizes the established team.
Out-of-town players joining our program will be treated equitably and will be afforded the same opportunity to be placed on a team and play in positions that is appropriate to their skill level as was provided to other in-town players in our program.
What is the cost of travel?
Tryout is free of charge.
Ridge Youth Softball operates under RYSI, a non-profit organization run by volunteers. To cover various expenses, teams collectively contribute towards costs such as league and tournament registration fees, equipment (including softballs), umpires, insurance, utilities, and field usage costs. These expenses are divided equally among the team members.
The overall cost for the Spring/Summer season is to be determined but typically the cost is around $600-800. The overall cost for the Fall season is approximately $300-400.
As of Spring 2024, we are on a new 2-year cycle of uniforms. All players selected for the travel team will have to purchase new uniforms this year.
Uniform cost will be approximately $150, and includes 2 jerseys (home and away), 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of socks, and 1 belt.
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