Program Comparison

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Plymouth Wayzata Youth Softball Association

Program Comparison

Summer Travel vs Recreation (2024)

	Travel Summer Season	Recreation Summer Season
Goals	Develop and play softball with players of similar skill sets against similar skilled competition. Higher level of time commitment connected with more reps through practices and games. Some travel required for league games and tournaments.	Develop and play softball with friends with little travel.
Registration Dates	Jan 2 - Feb 2	Jan 2 - March 22
Age Tiers & Costs	8U: Sept 2014-Aug 2016: $275 10U: Sept 2012-Aug 2014: $475 12U: Sept 2010-Aug 2012; $525 14U: Sept 2008-Aug 2010: $850 HS: Sept 2004-Aug 2008: $850	6U: Sept 2016 -Aug 2018 - $135 8U: Sept 2014-Aug 2016; $225 10U: Sept 2012-Aug 2014: $225 12U: Sept 2010-Aug 2012; $225 14U: Sept 2008-Aug 2010 $225 16U: Sept 2004-Aug 2008; $225
Level of Commitment	Softball should be a players primary summer sport and are expected at practices and games	Players should attend as many practice and games as possible. If girls are in another activity that conflicts with softball, please indicate on registration.
Uniforms	Uniforms can be used for multiple years and individual pieces can be purchased separately.	Jersey's and socks included in registration fee; optional jacket ($35), belt ($5), visor ($15)
Length of Season	March - July (Tryouts Feb 10th or 13th)	End of April - July March Pitching (optional)
Level of Play	Travel Tiers (A, B, C)	Recreation
Team Formation	Leverage tryout scores & past coaches evals to form teams of like-skilled athletes creating tiered teams (A, B, C) for competitive play	Anyone can play; teams formed by friend requests where possible, school; some adjustments for parity
Players per Team	Goal: 11-12	Goal: 10-12
Coaching	Parent Volunteers via interview process, some paid coaches for A teams	Parent Volunteers
Practices	1-2 per week	1 per week through season Optional Skills or Pitching sessions
League Games	8U: 1 per week (Wednesdays) 10U: 1-2 days of double headers (2-4 games) 12U: 2 days of double headers (4 games) *~50/50 split of home vs. away games	1-2 days per week Occasional double header if schedules require it
# of League Games	8U: 10-12 10U: 16-18 12U: 18-20	8-15 in season 3-5 at End of Season Tournament
Tournaments	8U: 3 Total (2 Invitationals + State) 10U: 5 Total (3 Invitationals + State Qualifier + State) 12U: 6 Total (4 Invitationals + State Qualifier + State) *Teams may opt to play in add'l tournaments, such as Nationals at end of July. This will be up to individual teams.	1 End of Season (8U-18U) Potential for add'l tournament for certain levels
Total Games	8U: 20-25 10U: 40-45 12U: 45-50	11-18

Fall Travel vs Recreation (2023)

	Travel Fall Ball	Recreation Fall Ball
Goals	Guiding Principles of Travel Fall Program: Focus on player development and preparation at the travel level, with a specific intent to developing Pitchers and Catchers. Teams are formed based on player skill sets & abilities, leveraging tryouts and summer player evaluations. The Travel Director, with support, creates teams that provide an optimum learning environment with players of similar skills to compete at a specific level in travel.	The goal for the fall recreation season is to work on development of softball skills and learn the game of softball with the ability to compete on a Recreation league level. Teams are formed by player requests and then by schools.
Ages	Fall ball is divided into age groups that players will be in the following summer. For Fall 2023, age brackets are: 8U: 9/1/2014 -8/31/2017 10U: 9/1/2012-12/31/2014 12U: 9/1/2010-12/31-2012 14U: 9/1/2008-12/31/2010 High School: 9/1/2004-12/31/2008	Fall Ball is divided into age groups that players will be in the following summer. For Fall 2022, their birth years are as follows: 8U: 9/1/2014-8/31/2016 10U: 9/1/2012-8/31/2014
Location	Practices will be on Plymouth/Wayzata fields. Games will be at sites across the West Metro. Teams should be prepared to travel 20-60 minutes.	Practice will be at a PWYSA site. Games will be played with PWYSA and OMGAA (Maple Grove). Therefore, games will be in one of these cities.
Practices	Practice 2 times per week. 8U/12U/HS - Mondays/Wednesday 10U/14U - Tuesday/Thursday	Practices will be 2 days a week in August and September. Days of the week are selected on registration.
Games	Games will be played on Saturdays (8U & 10U) and Sundays (12U & 14U) Fall ball state tournament is on Saturday, Sept. 23th (8U/10U) or Sunday, Sept. 24th (12U/14U).	Games will be Sunday afternoons around 4pm. With the exception of one weekday game in August & 1 in Sept. Games will be in either Plymouth or Maple Grove.
Cost	Cost is $155.00 This includes a jersey and socks.	Cost is $125.00
Season	Practice will start the week of August 7th, there are 5 weekends of play (not Labor Day weekend), concluding with State Tournament 9/24 & 9/25.	Season will start August 1st. Season will end with an end of season tournament on Sept 24th or 25th.