Why is registration in January?
Many associations have registration and tryouts in August – October right after the regular season concludes so they can have outdoor assessments.
League registrations for Tri-County Fastpitch are due March 1 and rosters are due 3/31. January registration allows us to have open gyms, evaluations, and team formation meetings while meeting these deadlines.
What are the Registration fees?
Registration fees are published before registration each year. Fastpitch Softball fees cover longer seasons, tournament fees, and professional Umpires, which make Fastpitch Registration fees higher than Introductory/6U and 8U fees. Successful fundraising helps keep St. Anthony with typically some of the lowest Registration fees in the area.
What do the Registration Fees cover?
Registration fees cover:
What if my player decides not to play after registration? Can I still get a refund?
A small portion of the Registration Fee is non-refundable, as it is not possible for SABSA to obtain a refund from the website operator, and some expenses begin before the seasons, based on registration numbers. Refunds are not offered after the Friday before Evaluations/Tryouts weekend.
What about Uniforms?
SABSA has two Uniform Jersey styles. Intro/6U and 8U Players wear a ‘T-shirt style’ Jersey. Fastpitch (10U/12U/14U) Players wear a racerback jersey, black pants with royal and white piping, blue socks, and a blue belt. SABSA purchases each player a full uniform kit (jersey, pants, socks, and belt). Uniform sizes will be entered during online registration, size charts will be posted.
What Equipment does SABSA provide?
SABSA provides team bats, some helmets, Catcher’s gear, and at least one Defensive Mask per team. (SABSA requires ALL Pitchers to wear a defensive mask, and strongly encourages 3rd & 1st Basemen to wear a Defensive Mask).
What other equipment will my player need?
When does the season run?
Please see the Tri County Fastpitch league for regular season, state qualifier, and state tournament dates for your player’s age level. Coaches usually register teams for 3 or more additional tournaments, and will announce those dates to teams at the parent meeting.
Who will be my child’s Coach?
All Coaches are volunteers. If you are interested in being a Head Coach or Assistant, please note your interest on your Player’s registration form. Coaches are required to pass Background Checks and submit an application. The Coach Selection Committee makes their recommendation to the SABSA Board, who has final authority on the decision.
When are teams determined?
Teams selections are recommended to the SABSA Board by the Evaluations Committee, shortly after Evaluations have finished. The SABSA Board makes the final decision on all team selections.
How are teams formed?
SABSA stresses forming teams within the natural age group and according to ability, which gives the best chance of similarly-abled players improving individually and collectively. We believe that the most fun, satisfaction, and progression happen among the more similarly-abled players on each team.
After the natural age group, ability is the most strongly considered element in deciding the level at which a player should compete. Unlike some sports, Softball age groups change every 2 years; because of this, teammates often change from year to year. Players may be asked to play with an older age group to fill out rosters and avoid cuts.
Levels of play and roster recommendations are determined by an independent evaluations committee, made p of High School coaching staff, Huskies Diamond Club board members, and a SABSA board representative.
Can my Player request to play with a friend?
Only 1 friend/sibling, and only at 8U. These “friend requests” can be made via a separate, written request while registration is open. Requests are not guaranteed, though every effort is made to place siblings of the same natural age on the same team.
How often do teams practice?
Teams usually have at least two practices per week prior to the season starting. Once the season starts, practice days and times may vary. Practice will normally last 1 ½ - 2 hours each session.
How often are the games, and how far do we travel?
For Fastpitch, St. Anthony participates in the Tri County League, which sets up the game schedule for the season. Tri County spans from Rush City to Farmington, and New Richmond, WI to Lakeville. We usually play closer to home than that. The league makes every effort to create divisions based upon a team’s geographical location.
What about Tournaments?
For fastpitch teams, tournaments vary by team. Your Registration fee pays for three (3) in-season weekend tournaments, and your child’s team may choose to participate in more, at team expense.
There are 1-, 2-, and 3-day tournament options. Depending on the tournament, teams are usually guaranteed at least 3-5 games. Your coach will communicate her/his decisions at the parent meeting.
The Fastpitch Qualifier and State Tournaments are held once the regular season has concluded. These tournaments follow a double-elimination format. The Qualifier determines which teams will advance to the State Tournament. The Qualifier and State Tournaments are also included in the Registration fee.
8U Teams usually participate in the Roseville Rumble (typically the first weekend of June) and an end-of-season tournament hosted at Lexington Memorial Park in Circle Pines at the end of June.