Team Selection

Hopkins Fastpitch team selection is performed by the Evaluation Committee. The Executive Board has commissioned this committee and appointed the members to create an objective process to evaluate and compare skill levels. The current committee is composed of coaches, parents, and board members. The entire process includes "Indoor evaluation", "Outdoor scrimmages" and "Team composition".

The "Indoor Evaluation" is used to evaluate players for the minimum skills required for participation in their age group. This process is typically scheduled in late February or early March. The second portion of the evaluation process occurs on the field in early April. The outdoor evaluations will be used to classify each players present abilities and assess future potential. Using the information acquired from the evaluations and other input, the Evaluation Committee will place each girl on a team.

It may not always be necessary to evaluate each age group. For example, if only 12 girls have signed up, then it is likely that all will be invited to play. Also at the younger age groups (10U and 12U), it may be decided that it is beneficial to the organization to keep certain groups of players together. We reserve the right to select teams as we deem necessary to benefit the girls and Hopkins Sports.

Indoor Evaluation

The indoor evaluation is broken up into offensive and defensive skills.

• Hitting - Each girl will be given three "at bats" in the batting cage.  The quality of each "at bat" will be assigned a value which will be recorded.  The pitch speeds will vary based on the age level.

• Bunting - Each girl will be given three "at bats" for bunting.  The ability to lay down the first pitch in fair territory will result a higher score than a second or third pitch.  On the last "at bat" the player will run to 1st base and the time from hitting the ball to getting to 1st base will be recorded.
  
  

• Fly Balls - A machine will throw fly balls to a given spot on the floor.  The girls will start at five different places on the floor.  Each catch and throw will be scored according to techniques, such as footwork, calling for the ball, and positioning. 

• Ground Balls - A machine will throw ground balls to a given spot on the floor. The player will start in one of three places on the floor.  Each grounder will be scored according to technique, such as ready position, receiving the ball and throws.  Each player will repeat this station two times.

Outdoor Evaluations   (The evaluation committee reserves the right to modify the format as needed)

Outdoor evaluations are also broken down into two categories, skills and scrimmages.  One or more sessions are scheduled for skills, and one or more sessions are scheduled for scrimmages. Playing outside will allow the girls the opportunity to take into account field conditions and interaction with other potential team members.  Here coaches will watch and evaluate skills based on drills, as well as scrimmages.  These evaluations will concentrate more on how the player deals with game situations and probably less than ideal playing conditions (this is Minnesota in April).

Attendance at all outdoor evaluation sessions is mandatory.  No individual make up sessions will be available.  One excused absence will be accepted as long as it is reasonable and notice is given in advance, except in the case of an illness.  More than one missed session will place the player at risk of not making the more competitive team.

An example of a skills session: A pitching machine will be used during batting and fielding drills.  Each girl will be given several at bats and asked to perform given hitting skills based on various situations.  The hit, base running and fielding will then be evaluated.  For example, a girl may be asked to bunt to advance a runner at first.  The quality of the bunt, and technique used will be scored, the speed at which she can get to first base, the fielding of the bunt, the throw, the covering of bases, the base runner's speed and technique will all be rated.  The number of situations evaluated will depend on time.

The scrimmages will divide the girls into two squads.  These games will have the girls pitching to batters.  Each girl will have the opportunity to bat in each inning.  Once again, the various skills, both hitting and fielding, will be rated.

Team Composition

The Evaluation Committee will meet to select teams after the final outdoor scrimmage.  Girls will be assigned to teams and coaches based on the scores and comments from the evaluations.  In addition, other data may be introduced which may affect team placement.  These may include, but are not limited to, past performance in game situations, playing in the Fall League, attendance at Sunday Clinic, as well as age/maturity appropriateness.  The willingness to participate in all games and tournaments through the end of post season as indicated on the registration form may also impact team placement.  It is the Committee's responsibility to ensure that each team has players in key areas such as pitching and catching.  Coaches also have the option of drafting specific players from within the age group.

The Executive Board must approve the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee before they become final. The final responsibility of the committee is to communicate the final team selection to the organization and its members.