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Frequently Asked Questions

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email info@nsgsl.com with general questions, or visit the Board Member Page to email an individual board member.

 
WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?

The league supplies basic equipment including bats, balls, and catcher’s gear.  However, you may choose to purchase these on your own.  Included in the registration fee are jersey, socks, USA Softball registration, insurance, umpire fees, basic equipment, skills clinics, and the standard picture package which includes a team picture and individual pictures. 

Players will need to provide:

  • Softball cleats
  • Softball glove
  • Softball pants (black)
  • Batting helmet with facemask (NOCSAE approved)
  • Pitching/infielder's mask (STRONGLY recommended for everyone; required for pitchers in all divisions; required for 1st and 3rd base in 8U/10U/12U/14U)
  • Slider Kneepad (optional but recommended for 8U+)
  • Sliding shorts (optional but recommended for 8U+)

Most players also have their own bat.  The bat MUST be a softball bat with an "ASA" or "USA Softball" mark of approval.

Uniforms are to be worn at all games with shirts tucked in.

If you have questions on the type of equipment your child needs, please contact us at info@nsgsl.com.

 
WHERE AND WHEN ARE PRACTICES AND GAMES?

Practices are held at various softball fields (CV Rec Center, Torrey Hills, Ocean Air, Solana Highlands, Carmel Del Mar, etc.) within the Carmel Valley area. 

Typically, the 6U Division practices one night per week as determined by the Manager and has one game on Saturday.  The 8U and 12U Divisions typically (but not always) play & practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  In 8U, the schedule is lighter before Daylight Saving Time.  The 10U Division typically (but not always) plays & practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.  The 14U Division plays an interleague schedule with games on various days throughout the week.  Once teams are solidified, the Team Manager will provide you with your designated field location and practice time(s). 

 
WHAT ARE THE KEY DATES?

Registration for the Spring 2023 Recreational Season opens in October.  Practices begin mid-January, with games starting in February and finishing at the end of April. The North Shore All-Star Season starts in May and typically runs through July.
 

WHAT IF I WANT A REFUND?

All refund requests must be submitted in writing to the Player Agent (playeragent@nsgsl.com).  The amount of refund depends on when the written request is received:

  • On or before December 31, 2022: full refund (less processing fee of $10).
  • Between January 1, 2023, and January 15, 2023: 50% refund (less processing fee of $10).
  • After January 15, 2023: No refund.

Refund requests due to documented injury will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

 
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL TRAINING AND/OR CLINICS?

North Shore Girls Softball works with area organizations and professional coaches to provide clinics and other training opportunities.  As these are organized, they will be announced to league families.

Typically there are several free 6U-specific clinics at the start of the season.

For 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U, we expect to provide free skills clinics on specific evenings, including pitching and catching group lessons.

 
HOW CAN I HELP OUT?

There are many ways!  Each team needs volunteers and your support is key to ensuring success.  Your fees do not pay any salaries – we are all volunteers!

Available volunteer opportunities you may consider:

  • Manager: Overall responsibility for the team, and typically also the "head coach".  The Manager is responsible for organizing and running the team.  The Manager selects (drafts) the team in Divisions 10U, 12U, and 14U and is responsible for all communications with the team's players and parents (but can be delegated to Team Parent).
  • Coach: Primary role is to teach the players and assist the Manager.  The Coach is responsible for training and skill-building of the team's players.
  • Team Parent: Administrative right arm of the Manager ensuring that non-operational tasks required are supported and that the league communication loop is open to all parents.
  • Concessions: Assist the concessions coordinator and the concessions committee with running the popular weekend snack shack at CV Rec Center.
  • Chaperone: Assist the Manager in the dugout area during games and ensure the welfare of the players.  Please note that the team chaperone must be female.  This responsibility is usually shared by parents of players on the team.
  • Scorekeeper: Maintain game records for the team and ensure that publicity provides recognition to both individual players as well as the team (training available).
  • Field Prep: Help drag and chalk the fields before games, as well as general upkeep of the fields.
 
DO I *HAVE* TO HELP OUT?

Every team is required to staff the snack shack (concession) stand at CV Rec Center for a short period of time one Saturday during the season.  Each Team Parent will ask for volunteers to staff the concession stand.  Players love helping in the snack shack and are encouraged to participate (with adult supervision).  Volunteers will receive training/instruction from a member of the Concession Committee (which you can also volunteer for!).

There may be additional short concession shifts required during the annual Recreational Tournament at the end of April, depending on schedule.
 

WHAT DIVISION WILL MY DAUGHTER PLAY?
Players are assigned to a Division based on their birth year.  For the 2023 Spring Recreational season, the age groups are:

  • 6U: birth year 2016 and 2017
  • 8U: birth year 2014 and 2015
  • 10U: birth year 2012 and 2013
  • 12U: birth year 2010 and 2011
  • 14U: birth year 2008 and 2009

Approval to play in a higher or lower division will be made by the Executive Board and Player Agent (playeragent@nsgsl.com).  Girls who "play down" are not eligible for reduced pricing or refund if there is a difference in the registration fee.

 
What is the cost?

For the 2023 Spring Recreational season, the fees are as follows by Division:

  • 6U:   $125
  • 8U:   $325
  • 10U: $325
  • 12U: $325
  • 14U: $325

*Fee Discount - Families with 2 or more players receive a 10% discount for each additional player when registering at the same time.

Included in your registration are jersey and socks, umpire fees, skills clinics, subsidized professional pitching lessons, awards, Opening Night festivities, team & individual pictures, and more.

For information about needs-based scholarship, please contact info@nsgsl.com.

 
CAN I SPONSOR MY DAUGHTER'S TEAM?

Of course!  The league relies quite heavily on the community for sponsorship.  We love our sponsors and recognize them throughout the season.  Proceeds donated by sponsors fund the free skills clinics, subsidized pitching lessons, and all the "extras" that make North Shore special.  In return, we do all we can to support our sponsors, well beyond the name on the banner and the back of the jersey.  See the Sponsorship page for more information.

 
HOW ARE THE RECREATIONAL TEAMS FORMED?

The 6U & 8U Division Coordinators attempt to place players on teams partially based upon the schools they attend or the areas in which they live.  Mutual "play with" requests for the 6U & 8U Divisions are also honored where possible.  In 8U, we strive for a balance between playing with friends and parity amongst teams.  Players in Divisions 10U, 12U, and 14U are selected via draft, facilitated by scoring assigned during evaluations (see below).  For Divisions 10U and higher, we do not accept requests to play on a specific team or with a particular player.  Placement from the waiting list is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Evaluations: Our league aims to form teams that are evenly matched, so all players in Divisions 10U and higher are required to attend Evaluation Day.  Each girl will be evaluated on speed, hitting, bunting, throwing, and fielding.  Players may also choose to be evaluated as a pitcher and/or catcher.

 
DOES THE LEAGUE GIVE AWARDS?

Champion and Finalist awards are given for the end-of-season Recreational Tournament in Divisions 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U. 

Participation trophies are not awarded but can be individually organized by the team.

The League has established a 4-Ship Award to recognize the special qualities of the four "-ship"s: sportsmanship, friendship, leadership, and citizenship.  This award is intended to honor one player from each recreational team in Divisions 10U, 12U, and 14U whom best exhibits these qualities that the league strives to develop.

 
CAN MY DAUGHtER TRYOUT FOR ALL-STARS?

All-Star teams are selected for Divisions 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U.  All-Star Managers are selected by the All-Star Committee.  In most Divisions, there is usually more than one All-Star team.  All players are encouraged and eligible to attend All-Star evaluations in early May with teams being announced shortly thereafter. 

 
WHAT ARE THE GAME RULES?

USA Softball rules are used, with individual NSGSL variances allowed.  Each Division has its own set of rules.  The rules are reviewed and revised by the Board of Directors on an annual basis and are provided to Managers before the season begins. The rules are available for reference on the Documents page.

 
HOW DO I SUBMIT PHOTOS TO BE FEATURED ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE NORTH SHORE WEBSITE?

We would love to see your North Shore photos!  You can email any photos to socialmedia@nsgsl.com or tag us @northshoregirlssoftball on social media.