Irvine Girls Softball Association Mission Statement
IGSA is a non-profit youth sports organization dedicated to teaching softball fundamentals and life skills through good sportsmanship, leadership and positive coaching, peer and parent communication. These objectives guide the process of winning--they are not the product of winning.
It is our goal each and every season to prepare every girl to learn and play the game, regardless of skill level, in a fun, healthy, and safe environment. We will emphasize the importance of respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. In addition, we not only strive to teach individual and game skills, but skills in life and in lasting relationships with good friends.
We want every player's experience to lead her back to play year after year with IGSA.
2008 IGSA Season
The upper divisions (10U, 12U, 16U) start the year with evaluations in January. In late January/early February, teams are formed for all five divisions: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 16U. Practices begin in mid- February, and opening ceremonies are in mid-March.
The spring season culminates in closing ceremonies in mid-May, with all 6U, 8U teams playing their final games, and the 10U and 12U teams squaring off in a season championship tournament at IGSA's home fields, Col. Bill Barber Memorial Park.
All Stars are selected and begin practicing together in May, and play in tournaments in the weekends that follow the spring season. The Grand Finale is the Irvine Summertime Classic held in June (dates pending) at Irvine's incomparable Col. Bill Barber softball fields.
For those more skilled players who can't get enough softball, the league forms Fall Ball teams at the 8U, 10U, 12U and 16U/14U level to play similar teams from other cities around Orange County. You have to play in spring to be eligible in fall- players must be selected by their coach. Practices begin in August, and the season begins with a mid-September Fall Brawl Tournament, continues with weekly doubleheaders each of the following ten weekends, and ends with the Turkey Tournament on Thanksgiving weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I'm unsure about the correct Age Division for my child. How can I determine the appropriate division?
A:Age Divisionfor all games played during 2008 is determined based upon your child's age on January 1, 2008.
Q: I'd like my child to play in a lower Age division. Is this possible?
A: In general, No. League By Laws state, "A player may not register in a level in which the player's age is older than the oldest acceptable age for that level. Exceptions may be made due to medical reason, in which case a written request must be received and a vote of the BOD taken."
Q: I'd like my child to play "up," in a higher Age division. Is this possible?
A: Yes. League By Laws state, "Any player may play 'up' (that is, register, be evaluated, and drafted to play in an older division) with the Executive Board approval and parental permission, however, parents shall assume all responsibility for the player's safety."
Q: I'd like my child to play with school friends. Is this possible?
A: In the 6U and 8U divisions, yes. "Buddy Requests" can be made on the on-line registration form. In an effort to balance teams in the 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions, a draft is utilized, in which the coaches select players based upon player evaluations. Please see the Calendar section of the site for dates of player evaluations. You will also receive an emailinforming you of the date, and your player's specific time slot.
Q: What are the approximate times of and lengths of practices?
A: Thiswill vary from coach to coach. In general, practices may be held once or twice per week. Theywill typically last 1 to 1¼ hours at the 6U level, and 2 to 2½ hours at the 12U level.
Q: If I feel that a parent or coach is not acting in the best interest of a child, or is not adhering to the guidelines established by IGSA, who should I contact?
A: The Player Agent. Contact information for the Player Agent, as well as the other members of the IGSA Board may be found under the “Board” section. For more information, refer to the Disciplinary Guidelines under “Forms”: Guidelines
Q: How can I volunteer to coach, or fill another position within the IGSA?
A: The IGSA is a volunteer organization. When you register on-line, weask you to volunteer to help the league in some capacity.
Q: What are my registration fees used for?
A: While no IGSA board member or coach receives a salary, the cost of running the league is comprised of many items. League fees are used for uniforms, equipment, field improvement and maintenance, and umpires, to name just some of the expenses incurred by IGSA. Your support, in the form of both league fees and volunteer work, is vital to the success of the league!
