Tryouts

Travel Team Selection Process

Hopkins Fastpitch travel 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.

In 2011, Evaluation Days for the Travel program are as follows:

• Saturday, March 12th, 12U: 12-1:30 - 14U: 2-3:30 - Eisenhower Gym - ALL PLAYERS (10U players are NOT evaluated)
• Sunday, March 13th, 3-5pm, Hopkins North JHS - PITCHERS AND CATCHERS
• Tuesday, March 15th, 7-9pm, Eisenhower gymansium - MAKE-UP DAY for any player, pitcher or catcher

It may not always be necessary to evaluate each age group. For example, if only 12 girls have signed up for a particular age group, then it is likely that all will be invited to play. We reserve the right to select teams as we deem necessary to benefit the girls and the Hopkins Fastpitch program.

Evaluations

The evaluation is broken up into offensive and defensive skills.

Offensive Skills   (The evaluation committee reserves the right to modify the format as needed)

• Hitting - Each girl will be given  "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  "at bats" for bunting.
• Running - Each girl will be timed for running speed. 

Defensive Skills

• 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.

Team Composition

The Evaluation Committee will meet to select travel teams after the make-up Evaluations.  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 clinics, 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.