Tournament Softball is a competitive program for girls in grades 1-9. The program's main focus is on the Summer season with tournament and league play, but league-play and clinics are optional additional programs in the fall, winter and spring for player development.
Eligibility: Players in grades 1 through 9 must be registered in our current spring recreation program to participate in our tournament softball program. Eligibility is based mostly on age (see chart below). Players can tryout at their age level, and up to one level above their age eligibility level. For example: Date of birth is March 1, 1998 - on December 31st, 2008 that player was 10yrs old, and has the option of trying out at 10U and 12U.
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Age Group
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Tournament Softball Team Eligibility
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8U
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8 years old or younger on December 31, 2008
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10U
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10 years old or younger on December 31, 2008
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12U
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12 years old or younger on December 31, 2008
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14U
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14 years old or younger on December 31, 2008
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16U
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9th Grade or higher
16 years old or younger on December 31, 2008
Must be Bridgewater-Raritan High School Student
Freshmen and JV players receive an automatic spot on the team
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Fee: The fee for summer tournament softball is based on the number of tournaments the team attends. The fee includes Tournament Softball Uniform.
Registration: Interested players must pre-register on-line for tournament team tryouts. Once the teams are selected, you will be guided through the registration and payment process. To register for tryouts, click on the "Registration" tab on the left menu bar.
Team Formation: Players are evaluated at tryouts, and the top 12 or 13 are placed on the "A" team. The next tier of 12 or 13 players will play on the "B" team. The number of teams at every age level will be determined by the total number of players who tryout, with the consideration that there needs to be enough pitching and catching talent to support all the teams.
Tryouts: Players must participate on scheduled tryout days for their age group. If a player cannot make the tryout you must contact the coordinator for the age group in advance. Players who are going to tryout for more than one age group, must attend tryouts for both age groups. Should that player make a team at both levels, they may only play on one team, and will need to make the decision immediately once notified about team placement. In Tournament Softball, not all players will make the team, some players will be cut. Players will be rated objectively at the tryouts by a team of assessors agreed upon by the Tournament Softball Committee.
16U Tryouts: In order to be eligible to tryout at 16U players must be a student at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. Players from the Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity High School teams will be invited to join this team.
2009 TRYOUT SCHEDULE
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Age Group
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Days
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Dates
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Times
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Location
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Age Group Contact
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10U
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Tuesday
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March 31, 2009
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7:00-9:00pm
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BRMS
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Chris Zinn
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12U
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Saturday
Sunday
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October 18, 2008
October 19, 2008
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2:00-4:00pm
8:00-10:00am
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North Bridge #1
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Gene DeStefano
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14U
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Saturday
Sunday
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October 18, 2008
October 19, 2008
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4:00-6:00pm
10:00am-12:00pm
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North Bridge #1
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Dominick Gonnella
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16U
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TBA
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Spring 2009
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TBA
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TBA
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Commitment: The tournament program is competitive-level Softball which requires a commitment from both the player and the player's family. Practice is based on field availability during the Spring Recreation season, and then 1-2 times per week, in addition to the game schedule during the summer season. Tournaments usually begin at the conclusion of the school year, and generally conclude by the end of July. From mid-May through the end of July, players and families should expect to practice or play games multiple times during the week and multiple games on the weekends. Some teams may choose to practice twice a week then attend weekend tournaments, while other teams may play league games twice a week and attend weekend tournaments. We try to be flexible and work with other spring activities, but Spring/Summer Softball should be the primary emphasis over other extra-curricular commitments.
While vacations are not out of the question, absences are discouraged during the 7-week summer tournament season, as the team and players depend on each other to be there through multiple tournaments and practices. Rosters are kept to a minimum to maximize playing time during every game. A player and their family are expected to make a full-time commitment to the program.
Remember, if you do plan on playing tournament softball and also taking vacations during the tournament season, your child could be taking a roster spot away from a player who is willing to make a 100% commitment to the program. Missing games due to vacation or other activities could result in less playing time. The intensity of the program depends on the coach and the collective intentions of the team's parents. You should expect the "A" team to be a highly competitive and stricter in its approach to the commitment, while you would expect lesser intensity on a "B" team.
Tournaments: Bridgewater Softball Tournament teams will participate in tournaments and the Midstate Girls Softball League (MSGSL) at the manager's discretion. In addition, our more competitive "A" teams will also participate in the Cal Ripken District League, a progressive competition which could lead to State and Regional level tournaments. Most tournaments play 4-5 games each weekend including playoff/championship roundsl In a typical tournament season, teams will play between 25 and 35 games during the seven-week period from early-June through the end of July.
Sample Schedule of Tournaments and League Games
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Tournaments & League Games
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Dates
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No. of Games
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West Jersey Challenge
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June 21st & 22nd
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3 games + playoffs
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South Plainfield Fastpitch
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July 18, 19 & 20th
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3 games + playoffs
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Readington No Fear
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July 26th & 27th
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3 games + playoffs
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MidState Girls Softball League (MSGSL)
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June 9 - July 25
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10 season games + playoffs
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Cal Ripken District League
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TBA
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TBA
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Geography: Teams usually travel only as far as surrounding counties (Somerset, Hunterdon, Union and Middlesex).
Managers: Team managers are selected after the results of the tryouts, and are approved by the Board of Directors. If you are interested in managing or assisting please contact your age group's coordinator. Any additional questions, please contact age group coordinators.
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