What is Edina Girls Softball?

Edina Girls Softball is a volunteer, non-profit community based highly competitive traveling fastpitch softball program.  We offer area girls the opportunity to participate in the increasingly popular sport of fastpitch softball. A traveling summer program is available for girls looking for a relatively high level of skill and competition. The program helps players develop skills necessary to compete at the High School and University levels. The Association offers teams in the 6,  8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, and 14 and under. Players are placed on teams based on their ability, skill level, effort, enthusiasm, and number of registrants. The fees we charge for our league programs are priced to cover our costs. We have several fundraising efforts, that allow us to provide scholarships, reduced priced off season training, and top end equipment for teams. Registration does not guarantee playing time as in any highly competitive traveling sport.  Playing time is left up to the volunteer coaches of each respective team.  Players can prepare for placement by participating in a winter skills clinic, including Pitching, Catching, and Hitting.  These clinics are run by paid professionals and are designed to bring every player, from beginner to experienced, to the next level. The summer season begins in March and continues through the state tournaments in mid-July. The association also enters teams into a fall league that plays Sunday afternoons during August and September. The Association will schedule registration dates for each of its programs. Summer registration is in February and fall registration is in July. Winter clinic registration is in October, continuing throughout the winter months.

 

Is Edina Softball part of a league or some larger organization?

Age levels 10U and up are part of the Big West League, which is a sanctioned member of the Minnesota Softball. EGFA competes with local Twin Cities teams during regular season play and may compete with several out-state Fastpitch softball teams at tournaments we attend.

 

What is the difference between fastpitch and slowpitch softball?

Fastpitch and slowpitch softball are different sports. Fastpitch softball is the sport played at the high school and college levels. Girls who wish to play for the Edina High School Softball fastpitch team should choose to play fastpitch softball as the game of slowpitch softball is not a high school sanctioned sport.
Compared to slowpitch softball, fastpitch softball more closely resembles baseball and utilizes skills such as base stealing, sliding, bunting and advancing to first base on a dropped third strike. Fastpitch softball is a highly competitive, dynamic, fast-moving game which requires split second decision making and attention to the finer points of the game. The game changes on a pitch by pitch basis which makes for a high level of concentration and strategic thinking.
Fastpitch softball attracts talented, athletic girls who wish to compete in the sport at a high level. Girls who participate in the fast pitch softball program tend to develop softball skills more quickly than in slowpitch and become better prepared to play at high levels, including high school. The game is fast moving and our girls are trained in both the physical and situational aspects of the game. It is best to learn the mechanics and fundamentals of fastpitch early as it can become more difficult to transition from slowpitch as you get older.  EGFA is a strong supporter of our Edina Highshool Softball fastpitch team and have created a direct link from our homepage.

 

Why choose fastpitch softball?

Girls interested in playing softball in high school should play fastpitch softball because the game of slowpitch is not a high school sanctioned sport.  The high school program accepts girls as young as 7th grade. 

Should my daughter start by playing slowpitch softball?

Actually slowpitch softball is a completely different sport.  It is best to learn the mechanics and fundamentals of fastpitch softball early as it can become more difficult to transition from slowpitch softball at later ages.

 

Is my daughter too young to play fastpitch softball?

Absolutely not!  Fastpitch softball is for girls of all ages.  EGFA fields several 8U teams in the summer and fall season specifically for 6-8 year old girls.  For more information on the 8U program please reach out to the 8U Program Director.

 

My daughter has never played fastpitch softball how can we give it a try?

Fall Season and the Winter Clinics are an excellent time to try fastpitch softball.

 

How Do I Determine My Daughter’s Age Level?

How Age Levels are determined:
8U's   (age 8 or less on January 1st)
10U's (age 10 or less on January 1st)
12U's (age 12 or less on January 1st)
14U's (age 14 or less on January 1st)
16U's (age 16 or less on January 1st)

 

Playing Up?

Playing in ​another age group is not permitted except for circumstances approved by the EGFA Executive Board.

All players requisition to "play up" must still register and try out at their current age level (the youngest age group in which they qualify). 

To be considered for "playing up" to a higher age level, all the following must apply:

1. Player must be in the final year of their age group to be considered. 
2. EGFA must be notified by a parent or guardian of the request to play up prior to try-outs.
3. Players must try-out for both age levels and meet the following requirements: 
4. Must finish ranked in the top 5 in evaluation points/ranking of the higher age level tryout final totals.
   1. A position must be open at the higher level in order for a player to be moved up.  A new team will not necessarily be created in order to accommodate players at the higher age level.
   2. After evaluations (tryouts), the Board will take all information into consideration and make a final decision.  
   3. If players are needed at the next age level as a result of position play (i.e.: pitcher, catcher) or team size, the Board will identify player(s) to be invited to play up. Consideration will be made regarding impact to teams at the player’s actual age level.

The Board can make exceptions to the above on a case-by-case basis. Any changes must be approved by the EGFA Executive Board (excluding any Board member parent of the player) and the team formation committee. 

 

When and how do we sign up for Fastpitch softball?

Registration dates for fastpitch softball are in February (summer season) and late July (fall season).

EGFA conducts registration events for both the summer and fall seasons. For more information on registration dates and locations go to the Registration tab and Home page.

 

Are there space limitations in the fastpitch softball program?

EGFA will make every effort to place all registered Edina players on a team, however, at age level 10U and up the number of teams formed will be limited to the extent there are sufficient pitchers, catchers and coaches to support a team. 

 

Can we sign up for Edina Girls Fastpitch softball if we don’t live in Edina?

League regulations classify age levels 12U and below as Closed Community Based Divisions.  If you can answer Yes to the list of criteria points below then you will need prior approval from your local community association and the league to register for EGFA.

• Your daughter is 12 or under on January 1

• You do not live in or attend school in Edina school district 273

• Your local community or school district has a fastpitch softball program

This approval is required each season you wish to register with EGFA.  The 14U, 16U, and 18U age levels are classified by the league as Open Divisions allowing girls to play outside their local community based association.  If you have any question please feel free to email info@edinafastpitch.org.

 

What do you offer for training?

Outside of our in-season training fastpitch players are made during the off-season.  Because the development of the pitcher, catcher, and other positional players is fundamental to the overall success of the EGFA softball program, EGFA is offering to assist families in the offsetting some of the cost of the specialized training required.  In partnership with TC Fastpitch Academy EGFA will be reimbursing families for each athlete (assuming the player meets the eligibility requirements described in winter training registration) for the following approved TC Fastpitch Academy training (Note: The cost of these programs is established by the service provider and will be reviewed on a yearly basis by the EGFA board as well as reimbursement schedule.):

Pitching

Catching

Hitting

Skills Training 

 

My daughter would like to become a Pitcher?

Pitching requires commitment from both the Player and the Parents.  Pitching is supplemented by EGFA.  Please read the following Player/Parent commitment as it relates to Pitching: 

• Pitching clinics are supplemented by EGFA and I understand that Pitchers should attend all Clinics and will let the coaches know if my daughter is unable to attend a session.
• I understand that I am committing to catch for my daughter and if my daughter shows up without a catcher she will not be allowed to pitch. One parent for 2 pitchers is not allowed (unless they are your daughters).
• I understand that my daughter will need to come 15 minutes prior to clinic start time and be ready to pitch.  EGFA invests a lot of money in the pitching coach and we need the girls ready to pitch!
• I am committed to having my daughter pitch at least 3-4 days (300-400 pitches) a week outside of clinics during the season or when space is available.  
• I understand that my daughter will not improve going to one clinic a week, my daughter will improve by working on pitching outside of her scheduled clinics.  
• I understand pitching clinics are meant to work on and refine mechanics. 
• I will not ciriticize my daughter when she pitches to me or try to give her instruction.  My job is to just catch (just count the number of pitches).  She will learn how to pitch from the instructor.
• I will encourage my daughter and be a positive role model.  
• I understand that my daughter plans on attending tryouts as a pitcher for spring/summer or fall and she will be placed on a team as a pitcher where she will have the best opportunity to play as a pitcher. This may mean she may not be on the higher skilled team.
• I understand typically each team has 2-3 pitchers/catchers where the #1 and #2 get 80-90% of the innings. 

Pitching requires time and commitment and if you're committed to Pitching  EGFA is committed to you.

 

What is the financial commitment for EGFA?

Registration Fees:  Please see the Summer Season and Fall Season registration tab for current year registration fees.  Player registration fees cover the cost of the League team registration fee, participation in league games, fees for tournament play, League membership (10U and up), field rental from Edina Park and Rec and player insurance.

Other Costs: EGFA provides some but not all equipment.  You will need to purchase any personal equipment your daughter needs, but does not already have. 

 

What equipment is needed?

Must haves are softball glove, cleats (metal cleats can only be worn by 14U and up), batting helmet with face cage and chin strip, fielding mask (8U-12U required to play any infield position). 

Good to have but not required are; bat, batting gloves, knee pad for sliding, sliding shorts, bat/equipment bag.  

The coaches’ bag stocked by EGFA includes team balls, catcher equipment and a variety of bats. Many girls prefer their own bat, but it is not a requirement. If you would like assistance in choosing a bat for your child, please talk to the coaches at practice. They can assess your child’s strength, size and bat swing speed and give you a recommendation.

 

Choosing a Glove

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