Newbury Park Girls Softball: FAQ's

Thursday, January 1
Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE? 

The league supplies basic equipment including batting helmets, bats, balls and catcher’s gear however you may choose to purchase these on your own. Included in the registration fee are: uniform, socks, visor, ASA registration, insurance, umpire fees, basic equipment, and the standard picture package.  You will need to provide: 

  • Softball Glove                   
  • Cleats
  • Sliding Shorts (recommended for 6U+)
  • Knee Guards (sliders – recommended for 8U+)

Please visit the Equipment page for a detailed guide to purchasing softball equipment. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Players is division 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U and up must attend the Player’s Evaluation.  

DIV EVALUATION DATE MAKE-UP EVALUATION DATE
 8U  Sat, January 10, 2009 @ Borchard Park* Last Names A-L: 9:00-11:00 AM* Last Names M-Z: 11:00 -1:00 PM* Pitching/Catching Evals 1:00-2:00 PM   Sat, January 17, 2009 @ Borchard Park* All Players: 9:00-11:00 AM * Pitching/Catching Evals 11:00-12:00 PM
 10U  Sat, January 10, 2009 @ Borchard Park* Last Names A-L: 2:00–3:30 PM* Last Names M-Z: 3:30-5:00 PM * Pitching/Catching Evals 5:00-6:00 PM   Sat, January 17, 2009 @ Borchard Park* All Players: 12:00–2:00 PM * Pitching/Catching Evals 2:00-3:00 PM 
 12U  Sun, January 11, 2009 @ Borchard Park* All Players: 9:00–11:00 AM* Pitching/Catching Evals 11:00-12:00 PM   Sat, January 17, 2009 @ Borchard Park* All Players: 3:00–5:00 PM * Pitching/Catching Evals 5:00-6:00 PM
 14U   Sun, January 11, 2009 @ Borchard Park* All Players: 12:00–2:00 PM* Pitching/Catching Evals 2:00-3:00 PM   
 

All players should dress comfortably in gym-style or exercise clothes and bring a softball glove.

 

Girls interested in pitching in the 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions must participate in the Pitcher evaluation process in order to pitch more than 1 inning per game (times as listed above).

WHEN WILL I HEAR FROM MY TEAM’S MANAGER/COACH? 

Team assignments are announced after the draft/draw process on January 29, 2009.  

WHERE, WHEN & WHAT DAYS ARE PRACTICES?  

Practices are scheduled at one of these locations:

  • Borchard Park: 190 Reino Road
  • Peppertree Park: 3720 Old Conejo Road
  • Rancho Conejo Park: 950 N. Ventu Park Road

6U Division: Typically practices 2x a week on grassy areas of local parks or school grounds. Practices normally occur on 1 weekday early evening and on Saturdays lasting approximately 1 hour. During the regular season practice is usually 1 day a week early evening. 8U–14U Divisions: Pre-season practices occur 2-3x weekly, normally last 1½ to 2 hours, with one of these practices on Saturday.   

WHERE & WHEN DO WE PLAY GAMES?  

Games are played at Borchard Park on fields 1 and 2 Tuesday through Friday and fields 1, 2, and 3 on Saturdays. An alternate location may be Peppertree Park. Saturday games are scheduled from 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM with the youngest age division playing the earlier games. All teams will play on Saturday unless they have a “bye”.  Tuesday-Friday games run from 5:15 PM through 9:30 PM.  NPGS does not schedule Sunday games.  The game schedule is usually be available by mid?February.   

KEY DATES

  • Practices Start: On or after January 30th. You will be notified by your Manager/Coach.
  • Opening Day: Saturday, February 21st.
  • Closing Day: Saturday, May 9th 
DOES NPGS CONDUCT SPECIAL TRAINING AND/OR CLINICS?   
  • Coaches Clinic: 01/31/09 is free to all managers, coaches, and assistant coaches
  • ACE Clinic: TBA (required for all Managers--recommended for Coaches)
  • Player’s Clinic: 01/17/09 is free to all registered players
  • Scorekeeper Training: 02/08/09 is free to all those volunteering to be scorekeeper!
  • Field Prep Training: 02/08/09 is free to all those volunteering to help prep fields!
  • Other clinics for players will be offered throughout the season

WHAT IF I WANT A REFUND?

Our goal is to be flexible and fair.  We ask for you to understand our needs of a time frame wherein we can fairly respond.  Once teams have been formed and uniforms ordered, barring highly unusual/unforeseen circumstances, refunds will not be issued. 

HOW CAN I HELP OUT?  

Each team needs volunteers and your support is key to ensuring a successful league for the girls. Your fees do not pay any salaries – we are all volunteers! Here are positions you may consider: 

  • Manager: Total administrative and operational responsibility for your team. 
  • Head Coach or Assistant Coach - Primary role is to teach the girls and assist the Manager
  • Team Parent: Administrative right arm of the Manager ensuring that non-operational tasks required are supported and that the league communication loop is open to all parents. 
  • Chaperone: Assist the Manager in the dugout area during games and be responsible to ensure the welfare of the girls.
  • Scorekeeper: Maintain the game records for the team and ensure that the game publicity provides recognition to both individual girls as well as to the team (training available)
  • Field Prep: Drawing baselines and equipment set-up/storage (training available)
  • Sponsor: A fee of $250.00 for each team is needed to offset the expenses of the program not included in registration fees. You or your company can help by recruiting or being a sponsor.
 

REMEMBER IT’S FOR THE GIRLS, AND THIS MEANS… 

SOFTBALL IS A TEAM SPORT, AND THIS MEANS the other girls on the team need to be able to count on your player.  Please have your player arrive on time and attend each scheduled practice and game. Have the courtesy to notify Team Staff in advance if your child will be absent. 

NPGS HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF TEAMS AND FEW FIELDS, AND THIS MEANS that it is important that you be flexible regarding schedules for practices and games. The League Scheduler has an incredible task of organizing many games and practices with a small field availability. On rare occasions, a team may be asked to play more than one game in a day. However, as we saw last year, the schedule is subject to change due to rain & CRPD field management. 

NPGS USES FIELDS UNDER A CONEJO PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT PERMIT, AND THIS MEANS that all city ordinances must be closely followed for the safety and protection of our girls, families and our guests.  Please park in designated areas only.  Please do not block driveways or double-park when dropping of or picking up players.  Unauthorized parking in handicap spaces may result in Thousand Oaks parking citations. We also ask there be NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NO SMOKING, AND NO DOGS of any size (with the exception of service dogs) in the vicinity of the players at or around games, practices and scrimmages. NPGS assumes no responsibility for dogs brought to the field. 

THE COST OF THE PROGRAM EXCEEDS THE REGISTRATION FEES, AND THIS MEANS each team is required to recruit a sponsor(s) to donate a sponsor fee of $250.00 to help offset the minimum expenses. There can be more than one sponsor! For more information on sponsorship please contact a Board Member.  Your registration fee does not pay for ballpark lighting, field upkeep and maintenance, field equipment, equipment storage, office support, All Star team support, etc.  League Fundraisers such as apparel sales, restaurant nights and other fundraisers supply these funds. Your fees do not pay any salaries – we are all volunteers!  

REGISTRATION FEES DO NOT GO TO INDIVIDUAL TEAMS, AND THIS MEANS team fees are collected at the team level (usually by the Team Parent) and are used for the team banner, appreciation gifts, team party, names on the uniform, etc. Team Parents & Managers will estimate and manage this fund for your team. The average was $30 per player in 2008.   

NPGS PHILOSOPHY DICTATES THAT WE EQUALIZE THE TALENT ON EACH TEAM AS BEST WE CAN, AND THIS MEANS that we generally are unable to honor special requests to be placed on a specific team, to have a specific manager or coach, for carpooling issues, etc.  Should a special request be made, we will review the request and a decision will be made by the NPGS Executive Committee. Exceptions will be made in the 6U Division where a draft process for team selection is not utilized.  Overall we strongly discourage special requests.   

NPGS IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING OUR GIRLS’ SELF RESPECT AND THIS MEANS our primary goal is to build character in our girls.  Please understand that the league encourages cheering, excitement, and exuberance, but always express this in a positive manner.  All behavior should manifest the spirit of sportsmanship and cooperation that we are trying to encourage.   Players, managers, coaches, parents, and spectators of NPGS are expected to behave with the highest degree of decorum, sportsmanship, and respect for others including the umpires.  Derogatory remarks, abusive language, intimidating behavior and threats will not be tolerated.  Failure to comply with these rules may result in a manager/coach, player, parent, or guest being asked to leave our premises, and could result in forfeiture of the game.  Serious or repeated offenses could result in expulsion from the league. 

THE MANAGER AND COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE ON THE FIELD, AND THIS MEANS they may have specific signs, or prearranged scenarios to ask a player to do something. Please do not coach your child from the stands, interfere with the coaches instructions or distract them during the game! If you question a manager/coach’s decision-making or strategy please approach them after a game and away from the girls.