Try-Outs and Team Draft Rules

If at all possible, each player shall be rated by her coach at the end of the current season. Only unrated players shall have try-outs. If a player needs to tryout, the following suggested tryout procedure has been found to be reasonably successful. Modifications can be made at the time of the tryouts if agreed by all coaches present and approved by the Softball Board member in charge.

1. Tryouts may be held after registration is complete or during registration at the discretion of the Softball Board. A specific time and place will be announced by the Softball Board.
2. Each player must provide her own glove and shoes. The Softball Board will furnish other equipment (i.e., balls, bat, catcher’s equipment, etc.).
3. One or more Softball Board members and all coaches requested by the Softball Board or who wish to attend will be present at the tryouts for each division. Coaches who miss the tryouts will waive their votes. The Softball Board member or members and Coaches, if any, will rate the players in the following categories on a 10-point scale, with 10 being the highest:
   A. Hitting
   B.Fielding
   C.Throwing
   D. Pitching (If the player wants to pitch)
   E. Running (fast, medium, slow)
   F. Catching (optional and generally not recommended)
4. The Softball Board member in charge will collect the ratings. A player “score” will be tabulated for each player. Scores will be given to the Coaches of each respective Division prior to the draft.
5. Every effort will be made by the Softball Board to obtain a score for each girl that misses the tryout.
6. A minimum of two Softball Board members shall determine a ranking for a Coach’s daughter. This ranking will be used to determine the round in which each Coach must draft their daughter.

1. League rules may require a division to be split into two or more leagues depending upon league affiliates. Each league may have to have approximately an equal number of girls of each age in a division.
2. At the discretion of the Softball Board, each division will hold a draft after tryouts are completed. The Softball Board will arrange a time and place for the draft as soon as possible and will inform the Coaches.
3. The object of the draft is to try, in the most objective manner, to establish an equitable balance of teams within each division in order to provide a desirable competitive situation for the benefit and enjoyment of the players and Coaches. Only in exceptional circumstances and with full approval of the Softball Board may a coach select an assistant coach, prior to the draft. In any event, no such selection should be allowed without first seeking the advice and consent of the other coaches in the affected league.
4. The Softball Board may prepare for the draft in the following manner or in any manner it, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances:
   A. Based on the total number of players, determine the number of teams. A desirable number of players per team is 11 or 12. The maximum allowed is 14.
   B. Provide each coach with a list of pitchers.
   C. Provide each coach with a list of catchers.
   D. Drafting rotation is established by draw. The last team in the first round is the first team in the second round. This last/first order repeats until all players have been drafted.
   E. Each team shall draft (a) VHGSA travel ball team member in the 1st round.  Any remaining travel ball players not chosen in the 1st round will be included in the general draft and are available to be chosen at any time during the draft.
   F . Players may not be swapped without the approval of the Softball Board and a consensus of the Coaches. It shall be a policy of the Softball Board to discourage swaps without the express advice and consent of the coaches in the affected league. Except in extenuating circumstances, no swaps will be allowed after the completion of the draft.
   G . Every effort shall be made to consider balance by player ages. However, balancing the overall ability of the teams within the league is the primary purpose of the draft.
   H . Each coach shall be provided a copy of the listing of all players as totaled from the evaluation or tryout scores before the draft.
   I. A parent may request a pass on only one coach provided this information is presented to the president prior to the draft.
5. No girls will be allowed to participate once the draft begins. After the conclusion of the draft, the teams are set and no further trading or player changes will be allowed.
6. Team colors and names should be selected by the reverse order of the draw. Coaches may trade colors.
7. Coaches will draft by player names. Drafting rotation is determined by draw or as otherwise provided herein. The ranking for Coach’s daughter(s), as determined by the Softball Board members, will determine the round in which each Coach must draft their daughter.
8. The Board shall use its discretion in determining if one round of draft picks should be limited for pitchers or catchers only. The Board’s purpose in such a decision shall be to provide a better quality and equal level of play.

Bylaws & Duties | Try-Outs & Team Draft | All-Star | General
Pigtail | Angel | Southern | Ponytail | Belles | Travel Leagues

*New rules are highlighted in red*