GSLW TRAVEL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Spring Travel: Mid-March to Late May
A Blend of the Summer and Fall Approach below. Teams are encouraged to compete to win while maximizing opportunities for development. Roster sizes may be expanded. Teams not otherwise required to roster bat may be encouraged to do so and coaches are instructed to focus on development of multiple pitchers and catchers. Coaches are also encouraged to rotate
players’ positions in the field with an eye towards placing players in positions where they can be successful.

The Spring commitment requires one practice and two games per week on the weekends. The GSLW typically does not enter teams into Spring tournaments.
When rostered on a Spring Travel Team, softball should be the players’ priority and players are expected to make a majority of the games and practices. Failure to do so could jeopardize a players’ roster spot in future seasons.

Summer Travel: Early June to End of July
Our most intense and competitive season. During the summer season roster sizes are typically adjusted to maximize playing opportunities and teams are encouraged to compete to win. Where not required, roster batting is discouraged. Coaches are less inclined to move players to positions where they have not played and/or had prior success.

Time commitment is significant with 2-3 games a week and typically 1-2 practices a week. Prior to the end of the school year, practice days are more limited. The GSLW aims to enter teams into 1-2 weekend tournaments in the summer with rostering for those tournaments to be reviewed on an as needed basis. If possible, the GSLW may look to retain paid, professional coaches for our top
teams at the 10U and 12U age levels unlike in the Fall and Spring seasons.
As it is our most competitive season, the expectation is that, when playing Summer travel, it is the priority sport for that season. Players are generally required to attend at least 75% of practices and games. Failure to do so could jeopardize a players’ roster spot in future seasons.

Fall Travel: Early September to Late October
Competitive but with a focus on opportunity and development. While still competing to win, the Fall Travel season is somewhat more focused on development, allowing for more rotation of
positions in the field, the progressive development of multiple pitchers and catchers, and the use of roster batting where appropriate. Roster sizes may be expanded.

The Fall commitment typically includes one practice and one-two games a week. The GSLW typically does not enter teams into Fall tournaments.
We understand that there are numerous competing activities in the Fall. However, if rostered, players are expected to make a majority of games and practices. Failure to do so could jeopardize a players’ roster spot in future seasons.
***

Notwithstanding the player eligibility/attendance requirements referenced above, the GSLW reserves the right to deviate from those requirements to the extent a deviation is believed to be
in the best interests of the GSLW Travel Program.

Further, in the event that there are extenuating circumstances which may preclude your daughter from meeting the attendance requirements referenced above, you are encouraged to contact the GSLW Travel director to specifically discuss those circumstances to ascertain whether an exception can made for your daughter.
***

Player Eligibility

• All Westfield residents are eligible.
• Eligibility for non-residents who attend a Westfield school is subject to approval by the directors of the players’ hometown league and the GSLW.
• Generally, travel players must register and play in at least 50% of the games in the GSLW Instructional Recreational League from mid-April – early June to be eligible to be rostered on travel team during that calendar year.
• Players may opt to register as a reserve. Reserves will be called upon based on the game-by-game need of the team as determined by the Head Coach.

Player Selection

• Travel players are selected, and teams are formed by the Travel Committee of the GSLW Board of Directors. 
• Selections are determined based upon various factors including but not limited to: registration totals, try-out results, player evaluations from previous seasons (if applicable), and player commitment/ availability.
• Teams are distinctly selected for each travel season within a given year (i.e., Summer and Fall team rosters may differ).
• Selection to a travel team does not guarantee selection to a team in any subsequent travel season.

The GSLW Travel Committee for the 2023 Calendar Year is comprised of the following individuals:
GSLW President – Rob Zerafa
GSLW Travel Director and 12U Coordinator – Anthony  Tessitore
GSLW Asst. Director of Travel and 10U Coordinator - Colleen Weiss
GSLW Direct of Player Development – Dennis Cariello
GSLW Travel 8U Liaison – Jillmarie Patterson

Interested in becoming a sponsor of Girls Softball League of Westfield?  Contact us today or e-mail - sponsorship@westfieldsoftball.org to find out more information on how you can support youth sports in the Westfield area.