Q. Is experience necessary?
A. Not at all, the Spring recreation season is designed to be a mixture of competitive and instructional play with an emphasis on fun, while building on the skills needed for the next level. Teams are formed by distributing the girls based on experience and skill level. In this environment it doesn't take long for new players to make friends and have fun while getting good exercise and learning how to play the game.
Q. When does the Spring season start and finish?
A. Teams are formed in late January. Practices begin in early February. Games begin in early March and run through the middle of May. The exact dates will be posted when they are finalized.
Q. What division should my daughter play in?
A. We follow USA Softball age rules so players should register for the division appropriate for their age. Exceptions can be made with coach and board approval. Here is a link to USA Softball's age calculator.
Q. Where are practices and games played?
A. All regular season games and practices take place on the SSJSB FIELDS in South San Jose at Vista Park, Sakamoto, and Hayes Elementary Schools. There might be some travel involved to play against local leagues. Lastly, some divisions may participate in a mid-season tournament that may be played on one of our sister league's (Almaden, East Valley, West Valley) home fields.
Q. How are teams formed?
A. The 6U and 8U divisions are formed by the league. The 10U, 12U, and 16U teams are formed by an open draw process that distributes advanced, intermediate and beginning players among teams. Note: players in 8U and 6U divisions can request to be placed on a team with a friend or familiar coach.
Q. What will I need to play?
A. The league provides a jersey and socks. It is strongly recommended that you have cleats. Sliders and knee pads are recommended safety items for 9 to 16 year olds. You will also need a glove; make sure it is comfortable and easy to open/close. New gloves should be purchased a few months prior to the first practice and then follow the break-in directions. The league provides balls and catcher's gear to coaches. There is a pay it forward program where gloves, bats, and helmets can be provided to a player, the important part is that they get an opportunity to participate. Any questions about equipment can be directed to the LEAGUE EQUIPMENT MANAGER.
Q. How often will I practice?
A. Players 9 to 16 years old normally practice for 2 hours, twice a week. Players 5 to 8 normally practice for 1 to 1-1/2 hours twice a week before the season starts, then once a week during the regular season.
Q. Does SSJSB have a program for advanced competitive play?
A. Yes, SSJSB organizes a summer travel ball program called Quicksilver. All Spring participants are eligible and encouraged to try out for the Quicksilver program. The Quicksilver program begins after the Spring season ends and runs through summer. See the Quicksilver Page for details.
Q. What if I also plan to try-out for my high school team?
A. Just register for SSJSB as usual and inform the league that you hope to play on the high school team. Your application and check will be held until you are notified that you have made the team. At that time we will cancel your registration and return/destroy your check.
Q. What is your SSJSB's refund policy?
A. Refunds will be issued up until the teams are formed by contacting the league player agent prior to the date of the team draw. This date will be posted on the web site as soon as it is determined. Any money paid for candy fundraiser or sweatshirt purchase will not be refunded. The team draw triggers the league uniform order, after which no refunds will be given.
Q. I have additional questions; who can I contact?
A. The easiest way to get answers is to submit your question to the league. Your question will be forwarded to the appropriate person for a prompt response. You may also use the board member directory to contact league representatives directly.
Q. When are tryouts?
- An informational meeting is usually held at the end of April and tryouts are usually the first weekend of May.
Q. What do I need to know about tryouts?
- Please arrive 30 minutes early to register and warm up.
- When you arrive at the field, report to the registration booth to be assigned your tryout number.
- Wear your spring team jersey and bring your own glove, bat and cleats.
Q. Do I have to go to tryouts?
- YES! Tryouts are mandatory and missing tryouts without making prior arrangements will result in not being placed on a team. If you are unable to make it please contact the Player Agent.
Q. Who can tryout?
- All girls 16 year and under who played in the Spring 16u, 12u, 10u or 8u divisions are strongly encouraged to tryout.
- Former SSJSB players who currently play on their High School, Junior Varsity team and fall under the above age category may also qualify for placement.
Q. Does the league allow players to play up?
- We feel we will have more competitive teams if the girls play within their own age division.
Q. Does the league allow players to play down?
- No, USA Softball rules do not allow players to play in an age division younger than the one they qualify for.
Q. How long is the Summer Season?
- The Summer Season generally runs from Memorial Day weekend through July. Practices may start sooner but will not conflict with player commitments to their current Spring teams.
Q. What is the practice/game schedule?
- Practice and game schedules will vary be coach. Teams typically practice three days per week and play tournaments on the weekends. Most teams will play between 5-7 tournaments. The 8u teams will likely play 4-5.
Q. I have additional questions; who can I contact?
A. The easiest way to get answers is to submit your question to the league. Your question will be forwarded to the appropriate person for a prompt response. You may also use the board member directory to contact league representatives directly.