The following pages are designed to tell you, the coach, what the Farmington Girls Fastpitch Association is all about: who we are, how to contact us, what programs we have and how we interact and support you as a coach and the players you coach.
The purpose of the Farmington Girls Faspitch Association (FGFA) shall be to promote the growth and development of the sport of fastpitch softball for girls residing within the boundary area of Independent School District 192. Deviation from the eligibility will require approval by the Board of Directors.
FGFA is made up of a Board of Directors, participants and their parents. Nominations and elections of all officers are held in September of each year at a time announced to all voting members. The family of each child participating in the softball program shall be granted one vote per participating child. FGFA holds announced meetings, in which any member of the Association may come and participate. Association decisions are made according to parliamentary procedure where motions are made and seconded, discussion held, votes recorded and minutes taken. We have written by-laws & Operations Handbook, which are available at www.fyaasports.org.
The Board of Directors is responsible for: organizing the Association; assigning coaches; representing the Association in meetings with the local community, the Tri-County League, County, State and National softball organizations; setting overall policy direction; managing the budget; developing the yearly calendar of events; acting as the final decision body for any issues; establishing a code of conduct for players, coaches and fans that is in the best interest of fair play and sportsmanship; and identifying the tactical objectives to achieve these strategic goals.
FGFA is affiliated with the Tri County Fastpitch League and is part of the MMFL.
Web Site And Other Communications
The primary source of communication for FGFA is publishing information on our website:
www.fyaasports.org; Each team will have its own team page for individual team notices and schedules. In addition, you will find contact information for Board members and Committee coordinators. You must register on the FYAA site first.
What Programs are Offered?
The Farmington Girls Fastpitch Association offers a complete program for girls to participate in Fastpitch Softball in both Traveling (10U thru 18U) and In-House (6U & 8U) Programs. The primary difference between the Traveling and In-House Program is the emphasis in the In-House program on early (6U & 8U) player development, recreation and fun
The traveling program requires a significant commitment by players and coaches. FGFA attempts to field teams in the 18U, 16U, 14U, 12U and 10-year old brackets. League age is determined by player’s age as of December 31 of the preceding year.
This program is open to players who are 8 years old or younger. The season begins in mid-May and continues through mid-August. A great deal of time and effort is invested by FGFA in this program to make it fun and develop players with a love for the game. The program is designed to gradually introduce players to the Amateur Softball Association's (ASA) rules of play. Players pitch and catch the ball. To keep the game moving and develop fielding skills, a batting T is used after 5 pitches (ie. no walks are awarded). Ideally a minimum of four teams of 12-14 players will be formed each season. There is one evening of games and one practice each week. Games & Practices are held at Farmington Elementary School.
Registration fees are used to: offset the costs of Tri County Fastpitch League and tournament fees; purchase and upgrade equipment and facilities; and provide skill clinics. No player shall be denied the right to participate due to financial hardship. Any parent claiming financial hardship may present their situation to the President and Treasurer for review. The President and Treasurer, after a review of the facts, may agree to reduce or waive participation fees for specific individuals based on hardship. Each situation shall be reviewed on its own merit. The President and Treasurer shall have the sole discretion to make this decision. All decisions shall be confidential.
Obviously, nine players are needed to cover all playing positions and a minimum of 8 players is required to start a State Tournament game. However, too many players on a team create the logistical problem of providing individual instruction at practices and getting everyone into a game. Team size is determined by the Board of Directors based on the number of registrations received.
Each year there are a number of key meetings and events. See this year's calendar at www.fyaasports.org for specific dates. The following timetable describes the normal sequence of events and meetings for the Association.
Summer Registration January-February
Player Tryout and Team Assignment March
Coaches Meeting/Clinic April-May
Practices begin Early April
Tri-County League Play Begins May-June
Farmington Frenzy Tournament June 4/5, 2011
Tri-County Tournament (10U/12) June 24-26, 2011
Tri-County Tournament (14U/16U) July 8-10, 2011
State Tournament Games (10U/12U) July 8-10, 2011
State Tournament Games (14U/16U) July 15-17, 2011
Fall Season Registration Early July
8U In-house Tournament July 16, 2011
Fall Season Begins Late August
Fall Season ends End of September
Election of Officers September
Pitching Clinics for Players Nov-Dec & Jan-Feb
From time to time, typically during the winter, we will conduct batting, hitting, fielding and base running clinics. Further, additional pitching clinics will be conducted, as demand requires and resources permit. Consult the website: www.fyaasports.org for clinic information.
FGFA not only provides opportunities to play softball but also to showcase our teams and playing facilities. As a result, we have organized a number of special tournaments that are designed to serve both of these goals and establish a “sense of community” among those in our Association. These events are:
Farmington Frenzy Tournament
FGFA will host this 10U, 12U & 14U tournament the first weekend in June. This is a fun, competitive weekend during which we get a chance to see just how our teams compare to some of the best. FGFA depends upon all FGFA coaches and parents to pitch in to help run this event.
Tri-County 14U Tournament
FGFA will host this tournament on July 9-11, 2011. As with the Farmington Frenzy tournament, FGFA depends upon all FGFA coaches and parents to pitch in to help run this event.
Fall Ball begins in late August and goes through the end of September. Games are usually once a week on the weekend. Fall Ball provides a more casual, developmental atmosphere for players wishing to develop their skills, play a new position, or just continue playing ball. Players are mixed and matched to form competitive play. Players are required to play in the League that they will play in the following spring. For example, this means that a player who played 12U in the spring, but will play 14U the next spring, will play 14U in the fall. This provides an excellent opportunity for both players and coaches who will move up, to experience the higher league in a more relaxed atmosphere.
