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Travel Program

softball game being played under the lights

GSLW TRAVEL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Please read the information below to learn more about our Travel program, including our philosophies for each season, player expectations, and team selection process.
 

Spring Travel: Early March to Late May

 

Spring Travel is a blend of the Summer and Fall approaches 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 the development of multiple pitchers and catchers. Coaches are also encouraged to rotate players’ positions in the field with an eye toward placing players in positions where they can be successful.

The Spring commitment typically requires 1-2 practices and two games per week on the weekends (often Sunday doubleheaders). Entry into spring tournaments is not guaranteed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis (level of competition and subsequent additional team fees will be considered).

When rostered on a Spring Travel Team, softball should be the player’s priority; players are expected to make the majority of the games and practices. Failure to do so could jeopardize a player’s roster spot in future seasons.

Summer Travel: Early June to End of July


Summer is our most intense and competitive 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 per week and typically two practices per 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 June and/or July 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 may impact a player’s playing time and could jeopardize a player’s roster spot in future seasons.

Fall Travel: Early September to Late October

 

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 1-2 games per week. As with the Spring season, entry into fall tournaments is not guaranteed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis (level of competition and subsequent additional team fees will be considered).

We understand that there are numerous competing activities in the fall. However, if rostered, players are expected to make the majority of games and practices. Failure to do so may impact a player’s playing time and could jeopardize a player’s 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 directors 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 player’s hometown league and the GSLW
  • Generally, 8U and 10U Travel players must register and play in at least 50% of the games in the GSLW Instructional Recreational League from mid-April to early June to be eligible to be rostered on the travel team during that calendar year
  • Players rostered on a 12U and 14U Travel team are not required to play in the GSLW Instructional Recreational League during the calendar year (in the spring or in the fall), but they may certainly participate if they wish to do so
  • Players may opt to register as a reserve. Reserves will be called upon based on the game-by-game needs 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, tryout 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

Girls Softball League of Westfield Sponsors

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.