Frequently Asked Questions

When does the season start?
For 10U, 12U and 14U teams, the season normally begins in early-mid May, with practices starting early-mid April, weather permitting. The 16U and 18U season start in early June.

How are teams formed?
See the Team Selection Process.

How are the players evaluated?
See the Evaluation Process.

How do I become a coach? How are they selected?
Coaches are selected by the organization's Evaluation Committee and approved by the Board. Hopkins Sports looks for coaching candidates with experience and the ability to deal with the demands of coaching. If you're interested in coaching, the best way to begin is by assisting your daughter's head coach. There are also coaching clinics available locally http://www.fastsports.com and coaching instructional materials available from the Hopkins Sports Library.

I don't want to coach, but I'm happy to help out. Who do I contact?
Contact your team's head coach or one of the Hopkins Sports board members. You may also indicate your interest on your daughter's registration form. Please give any indication of how you can or would like to help, and an idea of what you can commit to. Even just being an "extra pair of hands" at practice can be an enormous help.

Are all the games in tournaments? How many are there?
Most games during the season are not in tournaments. Teams normally enter in 2-4 tournaments, plus the State Qualifier and State Championship tournaments. Tournaments typically cover 2-3 days and consist of 4-6 games. League games are played weekday evenings. These are doubleheaders, and there are typically 2 game nights per week for 12U-18U and one game night per week for the 10U age group.

How long is the season?
The first games for 10U-14U are in early May and the State Championship Tournament concludes around mid-July. 16U-18U starts in June and concludes in late July. Our calendar will contain the important dates as they become available.

How many practices are there? How long do they last?
Teams normally have two, sometimes three practices per week. Practices normally last 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Is Hopkins Fastpitch a part of a league or some larger organization?
The Hopkins Sports traveling teams are part of the Suburban League, which consists of roughly 270 teams in the Twin Cities metro. In the fall, we play in the MMFL Fall League, which draws from the entire Twin Cities area.

What are the "national tournaments"? How do teams qualify for them?
By winning or placing in various local and state tournaments during the season teams may qualify to play in national tournaments, which are normally held in late July or early August. The location of these tournaments varies from year to year. National tournaments attract dozens, even hundreds of teams from several states.

How much "traveling" is there? Are there any "out of town" games?
At 10U, all tournaments are in the metro area. At 12U and higher, however, teams will normally participate in at least one out-of-town tournament (e.g., the Ringneck tournament in Sioux Falls). 14U-18U may play more than one tournament out of the metro area. Regular "league" games are generally in the west metro, closer to home.

My daughter is just starting out and I'm concerned this might be too "competitive" for her. How "competitive" is traveling softball and how much emphasis is given to instruction and participation?
As with other "traveling" sports, traveling softball involves more games, more practices and a greater commitment from the athlete. It's the best opportunity for girls who like to play the game and learn new skills. It is inherently a more competitive game, but Hopkins Sports puts particular stress on giving girls a solid foundation in the fundamentals and gives everyone a chance to play and improve.

What kind of equipment will my daughter need?
"Must haves" are cleats (rubber baseball or soccer-style), a glove (preferably a softball glove; a small baseball glove will not do), "sliders" (special shorts for sliding), and a knee pad (also for sliding). Sliders and knee pads may be purchased through Hopkins Sports at the beginning of the season.

"Good to haves" are a bat, batting gloves, a visor or cap, and an equipment bag.

What can I do to help my daughter become a better player?
Just playing catch is probably the easiest and most enjoyable way to help your daughter. Good throws and good catches are central to playing the game well and having fun!

Talk to your daughter's coach about what your daughter needs to work on to improve and how you can help her. Her coach may recommend some simple drills or exercises.

Hopkins Sports houses a small library of instructional books, videos and DVDs to help players and coaches become better players. Library items may be borrowed by player families any time of the year.

Hopkins Sports conducts clinics on Sunday throughout the winter ("Winter Gym") for batting, fielding and pitching. Clinics normally consist of two sessions, beginning in early November and lasting into late March. Notices of upcoming clinic opportunities are sent out via email to player families as well as announced on our website.

There are also many other clinics, schools and instructor services available throughout the metro area. More information about these can be found at: http://www.fastsports.com