Marin Girls Softball: About Us
Marin Girls Softball is a volunteer-driven recreational league for youth fastpitch softball in Marin County. We are a recreational program - any age-eligible child can register and all registered kids play. We have financial options available for those unable to afford part or all of the registration fees. As a 501 (c) (3), we welcome your tax deductible donations* (* see below).
Our goals for our players are:
Have fun
Learn to play fastpitch softball
Develop friendships through teamwork
Honor the game, the officials, the volunteers, teammates and opponents through good sportsmanship and fair play.
Our players:
We have almost 1,000 players
They comprise more than 80 age-group teams, determined by age.
We serve players aged 4-15.
Minis serve girls age 6 and under
Rookies are 8 and under
Minors are age 10 and under
Majors are age 12 and under
Seniors are age 15 and under (high schoolers only if not playing on a high school team)
Our geography:
We have seven different Districts including San Rafael, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Twin Cities, Kentfield, San Anselmo, and San Francisco. For 2012, Bolinas, Marin City, and the older divisions from Novato Girls Softball will also be joining the league!
Players participate on teams located within and organized by the District where they live or where they attend school. See the individual District web pages on this website for player registration, District clinics and other administrative functions.
Our season:
2012 League play starts March 17 and ends in late May. Typically, a team plays one weeknight and one Saturday game each week. Minis and Rookies teams typically play only a Saturday game each week. League games are not played on Sundays except as make-up games and then by special arrangement and only by approval of both teams. See the "Schedule" web page on this MGS website for game dates, times and locations. The schedule will be posted around March 1, 2012. Teams will have pre-season practices through our March 17 Opening Day. See your District web page or your team coach for the practice schedule.
Player Registration and Team Formation:
Player registration is conducted by the districts in the November - January time frame. See your District page for their specific dates, forms and procedures (click on tabs at left). Players have the opportunity to participate in skills assessments administered by each District. See your District web page for dates and times. Teams are formed through drafts conducted by the coaches within each District. Teams are assembled based on many factors, as set by each District. The MGS goal is good team chemistry and reasonably equal skill levels between teams.
Post-Season Play-Offs:
There is a post-season tournament at the end of the league season for Minors/10u, Majors/12u and Seniors/15u. Rookies/8u and Minis/6u do not keep score and do not have play-offs. Play-offs will be completed by May 31, 2012. Details will be posted on the "Schedule" section of this website as the season progresses.
All-Stars:
The MGS "Fastpitch Series" includes District teams in three age groups: 15 and under, 12 and under, and 10 and under. The Fastpitch Series also includes teams from Sonoma, Napa or other leagues. The Fastpitch Series is played on a weekend in May. Fastpitch Series team selection is a District function. There is no post-season All-Stars program (see "Summer Softball" below). See the MGS Fastpitch Series web page for more information.
Clinics:
Teaching the game is a core value for MGS. We support our players and coaches with numerous clinics and other learning opportunities both during the pre-season and during the league play season. Most clinics require a moderate participation fee, but financial aid is available.
The MGS Winter Indoor Pitching Clinic runs from November through March on Sunday afternoons (except holiday weekends) at Bacich Community Center (School). All players through 8th grade are invited to learn this important skill. We also offer MGS batting instruction for all age groups outdoors on weekends from the end of February throught March. A college team-led clinic is offered annually, as will Catchers' Clinics. Additionally, local high schools offer clinics taught by their coaches and players. See the "Clinics" web page on this website for dates, times and details as they become available.
In addition to these all-MGS clinics, individual MGS Districts offer other player skill development clinics, including clinics specifically for Rookies in some Districts. Other topics include pitching and batting. These are typically offered outdoors during the league play season. Any District clinic is open to MGS players from other Districts on a space-available basis.
Last but not least, MGS coaches can participate in an evening clinic offered by the coaching staff of the Stanford University softball team in the winter. This clinic is offered at no cost and is also being made available to rec ball coaches from all Districts.
Summer Softball:
In addition to our league-play recreation program, we also manage a summer season competitive "B" program. These programs have teams in 10u, 12u, and 14u age groups. (We also run an intramural type 8u summer program). They play as ASA "B" level teams. Under B level rules, all players must come from the MGS recreation league. Under B level rules, teams cannot be formed until May of each year. Unlike the spring recreation season, summer softball is played as a series of weekend tournaments, not league play. These teams play in June, July and August. Unlike the spring recreation season, they select players through competitive try-outs. While the goal is to offer many players a summer softball experience, some players will not make the team. Most tournaments are played within the greater Bay Area at a moderate driving distance from Marin County. Some tournaments may require overnight stays.
The most highly motivated and highly skilled players may also try to earn a place on the roster of an ASA "A" level team. MGS has entered a partnership with the Marin Blue Angels to strengthen opportunities for MGS players to excel at the game, including the possibility of playing as collegiate athletes. ASA A level teams can operate year around and their players can be recruited from any location, so earning a place on such teams can be highly competitive. Many "A" programs have December or January try-outs, so check their websites for dates and locations.
If you are interested in additional information about competitive softball in Marin, please see the websites of the Blue Angels, the Smackers, or the Novato Heat.
Our Charter:
MGS operates under the sanction and rules of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). ASA sanctions recreation leagues like ours nationwide, provides the rules for high school and collegiate softball and sanctions competitive softball up to the level of the Olympic Games. We continue to strive to be the best possible organization for assisting any and all interested girls in enjoying the fantastic sport of fastpitch softball as well as serving as an active part of the larger softball community.
*How to Donate:
MGS is a non-profit 501( c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and your donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Donations can be through any district or through the parent organization. We glad accept gifts of stock. Please email lynettamatteo@comcast.net to facilitate stock transfer. Donations can be sent to Marin Girls Softball League, 145 Corte Madera Town Center, #131, Corte Madera, CA 94925. Public documents and copies of legal filings will be made available upon request.
Other Softball Information:
We have provided links to good and interesting resources where additional softball information and services can be found. Check out the "Great Softball Links" tab for additional information.
Contact Us:
Feel free to contact either Lynetta Matteo, Executive Director (lynettamatteo@comcast.net) or our Webmaster Lisa Scarsella scarsella@comcast.net) with suggestions or feedback, or for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
