New Player Letter

Things you need to know and what to expect:

We had 8 teams last year and will have 8 + this year; currently 12 is our maximum.

Teams usually consist of ten (10) men and three (3) women.

All correspondence will be done by emails. If you do not have an email account then you need to buddy up with someone that does.

How we assign players to teams.

We form new teams each season.

1. Anyone who played with us in the last summer league (Returning Players) will be on a team in the new year if they register by the deadline.

2. Next in line for placement are those players who did not play last summer but did play in our fall ball league but have played with us in the past (Former Players).

3. Next come all those who have never played in our league (New Players).

At this time it is impossible to say how many of the "Former" and "New" players we will be able to accommodate.

4. Immediate family will get preferences on team assignment, next will be carpoolers. There is no guarantee; your wishes may not be met due to the positions needs of each team.

When will you know if you will be placed on a team?

We may have an idea after the registration deadline in March.

Most likely, at that time, we will have "x" number of slots to be filled and "y" number of new players to fill them. The decision on who gets them will be made by our Team Assignment Committee. They will have to evaluate all the new players before they can make these decisions. Therefore, you may not know until just before the season starts in April. If you are not placed, your registration fee will be fully refunded.

What happens between now and then?

1. You will be asked to attend an evaluation session in March on a Saturday morning. (Laurel Recreation Area: 10301 Hungary Springs Rd. at 10:00) At this session, our team assignment committee will try you out at the primary position you play and maybe at a secondary position. They will also observe you batting and running. All our players are rated so we can try to make each team "equal" in talent to the others.

What happens if I can't be placed at the beginning of the season?

If you still want to play, we will be happy to put you on a waiting list.

Typically, each season we lose some players to season ending injuries, job changes or for other reasons. Last year we lost a player on the first night of play. When a vacancy occurs, we will take the "best" candidate to fill that position from the waiting list. Players starting several weeks after the season begins, pay a slightly reduced fee depending on how many weeks are left in the season.

What can I do to enhance my chances of being selected?

Practice and get in shape before the evaluation session.

Equipment:

- Our league does not provide equipment other than the balls and jerseys.

- We provide a team jersey to each player who begins the season with us.

- You may wear whatever pants or shorts you want to as long as they don't contain any printing or graphics that is considered offensive.

- You may not wear any type of shoes that have metal cleats or spikes.

- There are no team bats, each player should have his/her own. If you don't have a bat, please ask the owner before using someone else's. Some of these bats cost $300-$400 and crack rather easily under certain conditions. Players who have these type of bats generally don't want others to use them.

-Each player should have his/her own glove.

Keep up to date on what is happening in our league by frequently visiting our website at

https://sites.google.com/site/henricosoftball/home

Please feel free to contact me via email should you have any questions.

Again, thank you for wanting to be a part of our league.

Good luck!

Paul Sadler

paul.sadler6398@gmail.com

President - Henrico Senior Slow Pitch Softball League