The travel softball program is designed to provide a higher level of training and competition to those players that have a desire to develop their skills beyond what the recreational level allows. This program requires significant parental and player time commitment. These teams are different from the All Stars in that these girls tend to play travel only. Girls must live within the Hamilton Southeastern School district in order to be eligible to tryout. Girls that are age 18 and under are eligible to try out. Independent, knowledgeable evaluators will conduct open tryouts and evaluations in the fall. The Travel Commissioner is in charge of this evaluation process. The Head Coach will select the team based on the evaluation scores provided by the League and his or her personal knowledge of the player’s ability. The Travel Commissioner will work with Travel Head Coaches to assure top scoring girls are named to the team.
Cats Travel Information
The Cats travel teams are competitive travel teams whose focus is playing softball at a high level. Players have the option of playing in the Rec league; however, that becomes more difficult at the older age groups. Teams will normally play 8 – 12 tournaments. Most tournaments are played within the region; however, there is the potential for overnight trips outside of the Indianapolis area. The league will attempt to form as many teams as possible in each of the age groups (10U, 12U, and 14U) based upon player and coach interest, as well as the ability for the team to be reasonably competitive. There may also be a travel team in the 16U or 18U age groups; however, those age groups will be governed by a separate policy. Games will typically be played from April through July. Tryouts and team selection for the 2023-2024 season will take place the week f July 24th - July 28th. In order to maintain skills throughout the off-season, a light off-season schedule may occur. These are optional and other “in-season” extracurricular activities shall take precedent during the off-season. During the season (March – July) players are expected to focus on playing softball. Other athletic endeavors that conflict with tournaments and practices create a hardship on the team, players, and coaches.
Funding
Travel teams are self-funded. The League will support the effort through allocation of resources, i.e. fields, equipment, league insurance and direction. The teams will raise the funds necessary through Player/Parent contribution, sponsorship, fundraising (Please note our bylaws do not allow players to solicit funds door to door!) or any other board approved means. Players will be assessed an amount based on the projected budget, which is established by each team. Fees typically range from $250 to $350 for the entire season. This may increase or decrease depending on the games played and team fund raising or sponsorship contributions, and do not include the cost of the uniforms.
Tournaments
Mudsock Youth Softball hosts several tournaments throughout the spring and summer. This year we will host tournaments in April, May, June and July. Cats teams are expected to participate in these tournaments.
Cannot Attend Tryouts for either Cats Travel or Cats All Stars
If a player is not physically capable of attending the scheduled tryout and makeup dates due to injury or illness prior to the selection of the team, the player’s parent(s) can petition in writing to the Travel Commissioner to consider their child for the Travel team. Once the Head Coach is named, they will use all information available, including but not limited to past coaches, past performance or and individual workout to assess