MGSA Fastpitch News
Check here frequently for the latest information of interest to all fastpitch players and families.
6U, 8U, 10U, 12U SPRING/SUMMER INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS were held TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND via zoom. Slide decks & recordings below.
6U - Slide deck: 2022 SPRING-SUMMER 6U Information Meeting
Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/B2-pdOBnB-S38kWZkE2TN7EMx2CgwstBt_C9JUQfgAtowO5VRNuMQuEQhpBpEotb.w5gMvHKe3s3v3bCL (Passcode: yK!Z81TU)
8U - Slide deck: 2022 SPRING-SUMMER 8U Information Meeting
Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xzmW021EU8gJO1-WBGxMIDz8uQ0Sz7XKHv334jnrJJ80x3xsfa1_VEAVsDkU1JPi.zd-9elzR6fnM7UEQ (Passcode: &9WQH+ad)
10U -Slide deck: 2022 SPRING-SUMMER 10U Information Meeting
Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/s3k9tgjSvwGRXuy4vBHJZoSr8OCpG78PfYiIaveqzyGzocDpEku0hWf4Tjz1ygql.T9WDG2JGZTcF3WS_ (Passcode: v82nx&QY)
12U -Slide deck: 2022 SPRING-SUMMER 12U Information Meeting
Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/X1liSLXL-gJzaxDcU1N2IQS0vtVCVajQFLD46TlQqBxT3X83bVHCjXCAFqH5wXiH.2w4-XNgl4pXL69wM (Passcode: LX..461Y)
8U, 10U, 12U SPRING/SUMMER TRYOUTS
Required Player Declaration forms due March 1ST!
All players at 8U, 10U, & 12U must fill out the player declaration form PRIOR to tryouts. This includes 8U players electing not to tryout and 10U/12U utility players.
2022 SPRING-SUMMER 8U PLAYER DECLARATION FORM
2022 SPRING-SUMMER 10U & 12U PLAYER DECLARATION FORM
Spring/Summer Fastpitch Tryouts Dates
6U - No tryouts
8U - March 13th ONLY - Tryouts required to make 8U A team, encouraged for all players to gain experience.
10U & 12U - March 13th & 19th - Both tryout dates required to attend.
MARCH 13TH TRYOUT TIMES *timeslots subject to change based on final registration #s
8U - 4:30PM-6:00PM *You will be assigned a group in this range (1.5hrs)
10U - 4:30PM-8:00PM *You will be assigned a group & timeslot in this range (Pitchers & Catchers 2.5hrs, Utilities 1.5hrs)
12U - 6:30PM-10:00PM *You will be assigned a group & timeslot in this range (Pitchers & Catchers 2.5hrs, Utilities 1.5hrs)
MARCH 19TH TRYOUT TIMES *timeslots subject to change based on final registration #s
10U - 8:30AM-12:15PM *You will be assigned a group & timeslot in this range (2.25hrs)
12U - 11:45AM-2:00PM *You will be assigned a group in this range (2.25hrs)
Tryout Process
All evaluations and scoring are done by independent expert evaluators @ FLEXX SOFTBALL. Results are then sent to the fastpitch committee for team formation based on the scores and selections on the tryout forms. Fastpitch tryouts consist of the following evaluations:
Day 1 (8U, 10U, 12U):
All Players:
Fielding
Hitting
Bunting (10U & 12U only)
Baserunning
Velocity
Pitchers Only: Pitching
Catchers Only: Catching
Day 2 (10U & 12U):
Controlled Situations: Fielding, Baserunning, Hitting
Live Scrimmages
Player Age Restrictions
MGSA does not support playing up to the next age level. A player's age on January 1 of the current year determines the age classification at which that player is eligible to participate.
For Fall 2021-Spring 2022:
Players with birth years of 2009 and 2010 will play 12U Fastpitch
Players with birth years of 2011 and 2012 will play 10U Fastpitch
Players with birth years of 2013 and 2014 will play 8U Fastpitch
Players with birth years of 2015 and 2016 will play 6U Fastpitch
*Players who play within their correct age level will be given precedence over any player wishing to play up. If an age division has enough players to fulfill all roster spots, the Fastpitch Committee will not consider any players wishing to play up. We encourage families to consider the benefits of staying within the correct age group. If numbers prove that we need players from younger age groups to play up, the committee will review tryout results and contact parents of those players.
Articles on the benefits of keeping your child playing at her age level.
USA Hockey Magazine: The Pros and Pitfalls of Playing Up
Youthletic: The Benefits of Playing Up
Who Can Play Tonka Fastpitch?
Age levels at and below 12U are not open divisions. If your daughter attends school or lives in the Minnetonka School District, she is eligible to play for Tonka Fastpitch. A player from another community will be able to play for Tonka if she receives a waiver from her current association. This exception must be communicated and agreed upon by both associations. If all conditions are met, the player can play for Tonka, but will not be eligible to make an A team until she has completed one spring/summer season with Tonka Fastpitch.
Player Equipment
Required Equipment
· Glove
· Black Softball Pants required 8U-12U. They are optional, but highly recommended for 6U.
· Fielder's Mask - MGSA requires the use of fielder's mask at all infielding & outfielding positions for 8U-12U. It is optional, but highly recommended for 6U.
· Batting Helmet with facemask and chinstrap (we request that all new batting helmets be purchased in either blue, black, white, or silver)
o Fastpitch players are required to provide their own helmet. Note that it must have a facemask stamped with approval from "NOCSAE" and also have a chinstrap to be legal in fastpitch league games and tournaments.
o RIP-IT Vision Pro featuring Blackout Technology
Recommended Equipment
· Batting gloves*
· Bat*
- The only bats allowed for use in USA Softball, Minnesota Softball, Big West, and Tri County are ASA or USA Softball stamped bats. These bats are also approved by MSHSL and NCAA.
· Sliding Shorts (to be worn under softball pants)
· Sliding Sleeve
· Cleats (Rubber cleats for 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U)
Updated 2/14/22
