2024-2025 WAGS SELECT Program - Frequently Asked Questions
What is SELECT?
SELECT is a supplemental program organized through the WAGS organization. SELECT is intended to provide additional practice and play time for players throughout the year. SELECT is not recreation softball. SELECT operates alongside the recreation season as a chance for players to practice and play with and against girls who have a more advanced skill set than beginners or less experienced players. SELECT consists of practices, friendlies (games) and tournaments.
What does Select offer?
SELECT allows players an opportunity to practice and play at a more advanced level than a typical recreational offering. The teams will be comprised of girls who have played softball before and have a more advanced skill set than a beginner or first year player. They will be playing against similar teams which will expose them to a more competitive brand of softball than you might experience at the recreational level.
When does SELECT start?
SELECT may begin as soon as teams are formed. Tournaments take place from November 1 through April 1. Practices will coincide with the tournament schedule.
When does SELECT end?
Following USA Softball guidelines, SELECT must end on April 1, 2025.
What are other USA guidelines that must be followed?
USA Softball limits the number of organized events that a team is allowed to participate in after January 1, 2025. Based on USA Softball rules, SELECT teams may only participate in one event each week. An event includes practices, friendlies and tournaments. For example, if there is a tournament on the weekend the team will not be able to practice the week prior to the tournament.
Where are games?
Games, also known as friendlies, may be organized with other organizations in the local community or other locations in SoCal.
Where are tournaments?
Tournaments are organized throughout Southern California. There is some travel involved for certain tournaments. Several tournaments are within the Conejo or San Fernando Valleys.When are tournaments?
The number of tournaments played throughout the season is determined by the manager. Tournaments are played on the weekends. To accommodate the USA Softball rule, some tournaments may run two weekends in a row - with pool play the first weekend and elimination play the following weekend.
What is the competitive level of tournaments?
During SELECT tournaments, organizations present some of their more advanced players to compete. Therefore, the competitive level is higher than a typical recreational season and similar to what you may see in an All-Star tournament.
Travel teams are not permitted to compete in USA Softball tournaments.
When is practice?
Practice will be organized by each manager. The practice schedule is up to the discretion of the manager. As a reminder, after January 1, 2025, SELECT teams may only participate in one event each week. After this date, the maximum number of practices each week would be one.
Where is practice?
Practices will be provided by the WAGS organization and located within the Westlake Village or Agoura Hills neighborhoods.
Who are the SELECT players?
Evaluations are conducted to select the top players of each division. If enough players and coaches are selected and available, we will have two teams per division. One for the first years and one for the second years. If we do not have enough players or coaches, we will likely have a roster of 18 total players which will include only 12 Tournament players.
How does an 18/12 roster work?
While up to 18 girls will qualify for each division's SELECT team, not all girls will be participating in every tournament. All 18 girls will be required to practice together and based on performance, skill level, and team needs the manager of each SELECT team will then choose 12 girls to represent WAGS at SELECT Tournaments. The tournament roster may change from tournament to tournament based on the manager's discretion. Six players will not be required to travel or attend the tournament. While some players may not compete in a tournament throughout the SELECT season, these players will benefit greatly from practicing with more advanced players, learning the game strategy involved at that level and developing the fundamentals necessary to compete.
Is my daughter a candidate for the select program?
SELECT is a fantastic opportunity for top level players within our organization to develop their skills at a faster pace while working on more complicated game strategies. SELECT provides mid level players an opportunity to participate in games and practices with players who have a more advanced skill set. The opportunity to have extra reps at practices and games will help them to push their skill set to new heights. If your daughter is new to softball or is just beginning to develop her skills, SELECT may or may not be the best fit for your player. While additional game play will give players better experience, there can be a level of discouragement if they are competing outside of their abilities.
Should my daughter try out?
If your daughter loves softball and has shown a skill set above the beginner level, she should try out. Whether your child is looking for competition above the traditional recreational experience, additional practice, to play with friends, or just cannot get enough softball, she should try out.
Will all players who evaluate make the SELECT team?
No. Based on the players who evaluate, the top players will be selected for the team.
Who will coach the select team?
SELECT managers are chosen by the Board of Directors. Coaches will then be chosen by said manager.