SMGSL League FAQs

• What ages are able to play in league at SMGSL?
  • SMGSL offers league play to female softball players between the ages of 3-18.  We have the following age divisions:
    • Blast Ball - 3-4 (Open to Boys and Girls)
    • 6U - 5 and 6 year olds
    • 8U - 7 and 8 year olds
    • 10U - 9 and 10 year olds
    • 12U - 11 and 12 year olds
    • MX - (Mixed) - 13 through 18 year olds
    • Eligibility criteria for each age group is set by USA Softball.  Players will be eligible for a division based on their age on September 1, and will maintain eligibility for that division for the Fall and Spring seasons.

• My child has never played before.  Is this ok and is there a certain age where it is too late for her to start?
  • League play is designed to provide an avenue to the sport regardless of skill level.  Any player between the ages of 3-18 can register during regular registration periods to begin playing the sport at any time.

• When are the seasons and how many games can I expect to play per season?
  • SMGSL offers a Fall and Spring Season.  The Fall season is meant to be more instructional and emphasizes player development over winning.  The Fall season typically runs from August to November with approximately 10 games.  The Spring season is also instructional, but more competitive.  The Spring season normally runs from February to April and is also approximately 10 games. Makeup games for cancellations due to weather or other causes are assessed based on availability of fields and umpires, but are not guaranteed.
  • Each Fall and Spring Season concludes with an End-of-Season Tournament. The tournament is played in a double elimination format, and is seeded by random draw in the Fall and by regular season standings in the Spring. Teams that do not meet fundraising or sponsorship requirements for the season are automatically seeded last in their division. The tournament is tentatively scheduled to be played all day Saturday, but may also include Friday night games and/or Sunday games depending on the number of teams and availability of umpires.  
  • SMGSL also offers a summer All-Star season that begins immediately after the Spring season concludes.  All-Star teams are formed exclusively from players who registered and participated in the preceding Spring season and are selected via a tryout.  All-Star teams participate in local and regional tournaments in May and June (typically 4-6 tournaments in total). All-Star teams are only formed for 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions.

• How often do teams practice?
  • 6U-MX teams are assigned one weekday practice and one Sunday practice.  Practice slots are 90 minutes long. The practice days and times for your team are not decided until the the league draft is complete; these are chosen by the team's head coach.

• When and where are games played?
  • Games are typically played on Saturdays. Games may be played during the week due to rainouts or if alternative scheduling is required.
  • All games are expected to be played at the SMGSL fields located at 1080 Pruitt Rd. in The Woodlands

• How are teams formed?
  • All teams are formed via drafts. Every child that is registered will be placed on a team during Fall and Spring seasons. Tryouts are only used as a skill assessment to help keep teams relatively equal in skill level.

• What is the price of registration?
  • Prices can vary from season to season, but the following is a good guideline (Fall and Spring seasons are typically the same price):
    • Blast Ball - $60
    • 6U - $200 (+$25 late fee after regular registration period)
    • 8U - $220 (+$25 late fee after regular registration period)
    • 10U - $220 (+$25 late fee after regular registration period)
    • 12U - $220 (+$25 late fee after regular registration period)
    •  MX - $220 (+$25 late fee after regular registration period)
• What other costs should I expect outside of registration?
  • Each season, every team will be required to provide a team sponsorship (typically $500). Most teams are easily able to find a willing local business to provide this sponsorship with minimal effort, but the team is responsible for the cost of this sponsorship if they are unable to find one. 
  • Fundraisers will be held each season to help raise funds for field improvements beyond standard maintenance.  All players (except Blast Ball) are required to participate in league fundraising efforts, with a typical individual minimum commitment of $50 or less.  Details for the fundraiser each season will be shared with families as quickly as possible at the beginning of the season.
  • Individual teams may also coordinate additional fees for matching uniform components (socks, belts, hairbows), team banner, team events, etc. that will vary in cost for each team.  These costs will be coordinated by the head coach and the team parent once each team is formed.
    
  
  
• What is your refund policy?
  • Please review our refund policy on our website
    

• What is included with my registration fees? 
  • 1 player team jersey
  • Umpire Fees
  • Insurance
  • End-Of-Season Tournament
  • Customized Team Website
  • An iPhone/ iPad / Android App for mobile device access to schedules, scores, standings, contacts and rosters is available through the App Store or Google Play Store.

• What equipment do I need to purchase and what is the approximate cost range?
  • Helmet
  • Bat
  • Glove
    
  • Fielding Mask (required through 12U)
  • Equipment Bag/Backpack
  • Cleats
    

  The following items will be discussed and organized by your head coach and/or team parent each season:

  • Pants
  • Socks
  • Belt

  If you have specific questions about what equipment is suitable, please contact the SMGSL equipment manager.

• What if I can't afford the cost of the equipment? Do you offer assistance?
  • While we can't guarantee availability, we do receive donated equipment from time to time.  Please check with the equipment manager listed on the Board Members page of the website to see if there is any donated equipment available.