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Northern Virginia Girls' Softball Association: News and Information
Northern Virginia Girls' Softball Association

Thursday, October 2
Field Status for Games

Posted: Oct 3 @ 1:37 PM  --  Check here for field status updates.



Friday, September 5
Game Schedule

The game schedules have been posted.  All teams begin play on Saturday, September 13.

 8U Schedule    10U Schedule    12U Schedule    18U Schedule



Wednesday, October 8
10U Firebirds Win the NSA Prince William Fall Challenge and Receive an Automatic Berth to the NSA National Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee
On October 5, 2008, the 10U NVGSA Firebirds won the NSA Prince William Fall Challenge in Warrenton, Virginia – their second consecutive sanctioned Tournament Championship in the past two weeks.  This Championship also awards the 10U Firebirds with an automatic berth to play in the NSA National Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Just like all year long it was a total and complete team effort by every Firebird.  They went 5 and 1 during the two day tournament banging out 35 hits and scoring 56 runs as a team.  Their big hitters included Katherine Plescow who had 9 hits and an astronomical .643 batting average and Cara Yates who had the Firebirds second best batting average (.455) and on base percentage (.538) during the two days.  Erin Ginch had two big RBI producing doubles, Carley Kastner had 3 extra base hits and Jenna Spille scored 9 of the Firebird 56 runs.  The Firebird pitching continued to be nothing short of remarkable as they did not give up an earned run during the entire tournament.  Pitcher Riley Wilkerson led the team when she was pressed into extra duty due to one of the pitchers not being able to go due to an injury.  Riley pitched 10 innings, giving up only 2 hits while striking out 11 batters and was the winning pitcher in the Championship game on Sunday against the Loudoun Storm – who had given the Firebirds  their only loss the day before.  Madison “Mad Dog” Aker pitched 4 innings over two games and struck out a total of 9 batters.  And, Julia DeSalvo pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up just one hit, striking out 7 and getting the save in the Championship game.  Anne Merrill caught every inning and was awarded two MVP tags for her outstanding defensive play.  Great base running by Firebird speeders Elyssa Dunn, Jenna Edwards and Zoey Mansuer were key to some of these victories especially one of the runs scored by Elyssa late in the Championship game.  So, as you can see it was indeed a total team effort as everyone contributed one way or the other in this Championship.  No one can remember the last time a 10U Firebird Team won consecutive tournament Championships.  Below are the 10U Firebird players and coaches after being presented with their Championship Trophy and their individual plaques.   Way to go Firebirds – 2008 has been an unforgettable ride!!!!

 
10U FIREBIRDS WIN PRINCE WILLIAM CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP



Wednesday, October 8
The 10U Firebirds Outstanding Year of 2008 Continues With "Back 2 Back" Tournament Championships as They Win the NSA Prince William Fall Challenge

Last weekend the NVGSA 10U Firebirds claimed their second consecutive travel/select softball tournament of the 2008 fall season upon winning the 2008 NSA Prince William Fall Challenge in Warrenton, Virginia.  This Championship comes on the heels of their winning the 2008 Potomac River Clash in Sterling, Virginia the weekend before.  These "Back 2 Back" Tournament Championships means that the NVGSA 10U Firebirds now have automatic berths to play in both the USSSA World Series at Disney World in Orlando, Florida and the NSA National Tournament in Chatanooga, Tennessee.  Winning these two Championships "Back 2 Back" is clearly the crowning moments for the 2008 NVGSA 10U Firebirds in a year that also currently includes a remarkable overall win / loss record of 24 wins and 2 losses in the FCGSL Metro Select/Travel League with some of their wins coming against perennial favorites: the Vienna Stars, the Loudoun Storm, the Virginia Crushers and the SYA Xplosion.  Their outstanding year also includes numerous other accomplishments to include a second place finish in the Fauquier Freeze Summer Ice Down Softball Tournament in Warrenton, VA and a third place finish in the NSA Cash Bash Softball Tournament in Richmond, VA, as well as, four no hitters, numerous one hitters and two comeback from behind victories in their last at bat.  The USSSA currently ranks the 10U Firebirds 2nd in the state of Virginia while NSA currently ranks the Firebirds 7th in the state of Virginia.   Now that these two tournament Championships belong to the NVGSA 10U Firebirds, they will return to playing in the FCGSL Metro League for the next two weeks before returning to tournament play by participating in both the Halloween Classic Softball Tournament in Sterling, Virginia and the Powhatan Fall Classic in Richmond, Virginia before closing out their 2008 season.  After a short break they will begin to prepare to move up to the 12U Division starting with their participation as a team at the South County Secondary School Winter Softball Clinic.   Anyone wanting additional information about the NVGSA 10U Firebirds and a current opening should contact Co-Head Coach Randy Yates at (703)963-2450 or yatesmmf@aol.com.



Monday, September 29
10U Firebirds Take the Championship Crown at the Potomac River Clash in Sterling, Va & Receive a Berth at the USSSA World Series in Disney World
On September 28, 2008, the 10U NVGSA Firebirds were crowned Champions of the Potomac River Clash Select/Travel Softball Tournament in Sterling, VA following the two day event.  Once again it was a complete team effort by the Firebirds: defensive, offensive and with great pitching.  Defensively the 10U Firebirds made only two errors during the entire two day tournament and made great plays look easy.  Offensively they may have had their best day ever hitting as they won two games by slaughter rule.  But, once again it was their pitching that dominated the tournament.  In game one, the first Firebird pitcher pitched a 1 hit shutout (4 – 0) walking just one batter and striking out 10.   In game two, the second Firebird pitcher pitched also 1 hitter giving up just 1 run (6 – 1).  In game three, the third Firebird pitcher pitched a no-hitter (the first of her career) winning by a score of 13 - 0.  And in game 4, the fourth pitcher only gave up 4 hits and won by the score of 12 – 2.  But, it was once again a total team effort by the 10U Firebirds with all 13 players contributing in winning their first Championship of the year and the first for a 10U Firebird team in recent memory.  The 10U Firebird players and coaches were presented with a first place team plaque and individual medals for their accomplishments.  More importantly, by winning this Championship they received a berth to play in the USSSA World Series in Disney World in Orlando, FL.  The entire NVGSA family could not be any prouder of the NVGSA 10U Firebirds!

 
10U FIREBIRDS WIN POTOMAC RIVER CLASH CHAMPIONSHIP



Sunday, August 24
SELECT TEAM TRY-OUTS
Select tryouts have concluded.   Please direct all questions to Dave Neuhart at 703-965-0752. 
NVGSA Select Banner (Small)
Visit the NVGSA Select Website

Thursday, February 19
Why NVGSA? - What to look for in a softball organization.

  • Where is the organization's main focus?

  • Do they have enough players to have multiple teams at each age level?

  • What are their age groupings?

  • Do they offer developmental and select play?

  • What developmental offerings are there after the spring season?

  • Are there any hidden costs?

  • Do they have family discounts?

  • Are their fields close by?

  • What memories do they offer?

  • What other things do they do for the community?


    • NVGSA Answers Those Questions as follows:
    NVGSA focuses 100% on girls' softball
  • NVGSA does not divert fees to prop up other boys and girls sports. 100% of our effort and your fees are dedicated to softball. Thus, your daughter learns and progresses at the fastest rate possible, while having the maximum amount of fun :)

    • NVGSA has over 275 girls
  • While other leagues struggle to put together 2 teams in each of their age groups, NVGSA averages over 5 teams in each age group.

    • House development age groups 5-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-18
  • Why is age grouping important? Because not all children develop physically and emotionally at the same pace. By keeping the age groupings small. it allows girls of the same age and skill level to compete on a more even scale. This allows them to develop athletically and emotionally at a faster rate than organizations that throw 8 year olds in with 13 year olds. Our 5-8 year olds (8u) hit coach pitch. This allows the hitters to develop hand eye coordination at a faster pace than tee-ball leagues. Our 9-10 (10u) year olds begin to pitch. This allows the hitters to get accustom to a player pitching at an earlier age, while our pitchers begin to develop at an earlier age. Our 11-12 (12u) year old girls play 100% fast pitch softball. We even offer competitive fast pitch softball for girls 13-18 (18u), which many leagues do not offer! Although we recommend the girls playing in their own age level in the spring (age level based on age as of Jan. 1st), we do permit the more experienced girls to play up at the next level.

    • Developmental house and Select (tournament) teams
  • NVGSA offers two levels of play. The house development league teaches softball skills and provides a field of play for girls from novice to intermediate softball skills. Our select teams offer a forum for girls with a more competitive drive. Our select teams are a separately run organization and do not draw funds from the house development league. We have 2 levels of select teams with teams in the 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u age groups. Our 'A' level 'Firebirds' are nationally competative and travel out of state. Our 'B' level Dimensions offer a competative level of play while playing in local tournaments.
    Softball offerings all year long
  • NVGSA does not shut down after the spring! In the fall, when other softball organizations are dormant, NVGSA gears up again for a full fall season, with emphasis on developing skills. During the spring and fall seasons we have batting cage facilities in both our east and west divisions to enhance their batting skills. All year long our resident pitching coach, Don Maley, offers FREE pitching clinics, including indoors during the winter. During the winter, NVGSA's select Firebirds' organization sponsors hitting, fielding, catching, and pitching clinics. And, if you thought we left out the summer, we did not. There are hearty soles in our organization who put together ad-hoc teams and join the summer FCGSL 12 game/ 6 week program.

    • NO FUND RAISERS!
  • NVGSA's registration fee covers your whole house league obligations! There are no fund raisers to supplement the fees. There are no administrative fees tacked on to your registration fee. There are no participation fees to force parents to participate. None of your fees go to other sports or other organizations. Our select teams are completely autonomous from the house league and their fees.

    • Price breaks to families - Family Discounts
  • For families with more than one girl playing softball, we reduce the registration fee for the second child to $50 and $20 for three and more.

    • Field Locations Near You!
  • Fairfax County Rec Dept. controls the allocation of fields and does not guarantee any organization a field from season to season. But, with hundreds girls stretching over several zip codes, we play on a field near you. Because of our large size, we have two divisions, east and west. In the past, our West Division has played at Wakefield Forest Elementary School (Braddock Road / Route 236 area) while our East Division has played at Clermont Park and Wilton Woods Administrative Center (Franconia Road / Telegraph Road area). Our girls in both divisions get the thrill of playing under the lights at Wakefield Park.

    • Trophies, Pictures, Playoffs, and All Star Memories
  • The girls in the coach pitch (8u) division all receive memorabilia in the spring season. We also offer every parent an opportunity to have their child's picture taken in uniform. Each of the non coach pitch divisions participate in playoffs and all star games.

    • College Scolarships
  • To encourage scholastics in our girls and to give back to the community, NVGSA offers three $500 scholarships annually.


    • In conclusion, why choose NVGSA? Because we care as much about your daughter as you do. If you have any questions regarding registration or NVGSA in general, please contact us at NVGSAsoftball@yahoo.com.

    Sunday, August 10
    Frequently Asked Questions about NVGSA
    During spring and fall registrations, we frequently get asked many questions regarding girls' fast pitch softball and NVGSA specifically. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and our answers to them.

    Q: When does registration begin and end?
    A: Our spring registration begins during January and ends around the last Day of February. Our fall registration begins in June and ends in the last week of July

    Q: Is there late registration after the deadline?
    A: Yes, we will take late registration requests up until the beginning of the season. In the spring that is around the last week in March. In the fall, that will be around the 1st - 2nd week in September. Although we will accept late registrations, team placement is always based on space availability.

    Q: Do I have to mail in the registration form?
    A: During regular registration, you should mail your form into the address at the top of the registration form.

    Q: Once I send in my form, when can I expect to be contacted?
    A: Our coaches will receive their team list and equipment for the spring season around the 2nd weekend in March. For the fall season, they receive their rosters on the 2nd weekend in August. You should be contacted shortly after that.

    Q: What are your age levels?
    A: We group the girls as follows: Coach Pitch (8u) 5-8 yrs old, Pigtails (10u) 9-10 yrs old, Ponytails (12u) 11-12 yrs old, Seniors (18u) 13-18 yrs old.

    Q: If my daughter is more experienced, does she have to play at her age level?
    A: NVGSA is a developmental league. Girls who play many seasons will be more advanced than those who just start. With such tight age groups, we recognize that more experienced girls should play up the next level, with approval of the parent and the league.

    Q: When will the season start?
    A: In the spring, practice begin in mid March and games begin mid April. In the fall, practice begin mid August and the games start around the 2nd weekend in September.

    Q: How many practices a week will we have?
    A: Before the season begins, each team will be assigned up to 2 practice days and 1 batting cage time a week. It is up to the coach to decide how many of those to use. Although most coaches in the 10u, 12u, and 18u level hold as many practices as they can. Many of the coach pitch managers opt to have fewer practices during the pre and regular season.

    Q: How many games will we play?
    A: In the spring season, we play 12 games with a single or double elimination playoff at the end of the season for all but the coach pitch level. Post season games will vary based on the number of rain-outs we incur. In the fall, we will play between 8 - 12 games. As we emphasize development even more in the fall, we do not have fall playoffs or all-star games.

    Q: When does the season end?
    A: The spring season should end on or near the last weekend in May. The playoffs will end before the end of school. An all-star game will be played sometime near the end of the season. The fall softball season will end by the last weekend in October.

    Q: What days do you play your games on and at what times?
    A: We try to split the number of games in half and play half or more of of the games on Saturday and the remaining games on a weekday. Our weekday games typically start at 6pm. Weekday games which are scheduled for a field with lights will begin around 6:30pm. There may be an occasional Sunday game. When the county assigns field space, they consider Sunday as a playing day and use that in their formula for assigning fields.

    Q: Will you practice during the season too?
    A: Yes, besides the 1-2 games a week, each coach will be assigned 1 practice day and 1 batting cage day (if he/she chooses to use it). Some coach pitch managers choose not to practice during weeks with weekday games.

    Q: Where do you play your games?
    A: Fairfax County Rec Dept. determines the fields for all sports organizations, and no team is guaranteed a field from season to season. In the past seasons, our main fields have been at Wakefield Forest Elementary School (Route 236/Braddock Road area near NVCC Annandale campus), Wakefield Park Rec Center (Braddock road), South Run Park (Ffx. Cnty Prkwy), Clermont Park and Wilton Woods Administrative Center (Franconia / Lee District).

    Q: With so many fields, where can I expect to play?
    A: We separated our teams into 2 divisions (areas), east and west. The eastern division practices/plays at Clermont Park and Wilton Woods Administrative Center (Franconia / Lee District / Telegraph Road). The western division practices/plays at Wakefield Forest Elementary School (near Annandale NVCC). Both divisions will have games under the lights at Wakefield Park Rec Center (Braddock Rd & 495) and South Run Park Rec Center (Ffx Co Pkwy & Reservation Dr). Choose the division to play in based on which field is easiest for you to get on week nights and weekends.

    Q: If my daughter plays for the High School JV team, can she play NVGSA?
    A: Yes! High School varsity and A level select team players are permitted to play only with special permission from the league.

    Q: Does the house league conflict with High School JV softball?
    A: Yes, for a few weeks their seasons will overlap in the spring.

    Q: If my daughter plays JV, should we sign her up to play in the house league too?
    A: Yes! All the area High School coaches recommend to continue playing softball after the school season ends. They encourage the girls to play on select teams or local house league teams. NVGSA coaches understand that there will be a conflict or 2 in the beginning of the season, but that occurs with Girl Scouts, Band, Drama, and other school activities. Ultimately, you need to decide if you want to play softball into mid June or not.

    Q: Should JV players wait to sign up until the end of the JV season?
    A: No! Do NOT wait to sign up. Our teams may be filled and space may not be available. So, sign up early.

    If you have any questions regarding NVGSA, please send an email to NVGSAsoftball@yahoo.com .

    Friday, August 8
    Spring 2008 Parent Survey

    The Parent Survey & Coach's Comment Questionnaire has closed.  A summary of the responses will be posted in a few weeks.  Thank you to everyone who participated.

    Questions?  Send us an email at NVGSAsoftball@yahoo.com



    Tuesday, August 26
    Important Dates
    Fall 2008 Calendar
    • July 13 - August 4, Registration
    • First weeks of August, teams formed
    • Last weeks of August, pre-season practices
    • September 8, Season Starts
    • September 28, Team Pictures (at Wilton Woods)
    • October 25, Season Ends


    Dates subject to change

    Spring 2008 Calendar
    • March 8 - 29, pre-season practices
    • March (third week), teams formed
    • April 12 Saturday, Opening Day
    • April 27 Sunday, Picture Day
    • May 24 Saturday, Last Day of Regular Season
    • May 26 Monday, Post-Season Tournaments begin
    • June 7 Saturday, NVGSA All-Star Games
    • June 14-15 Sat/Sun, FCGSL County All-Star Tournament


    Monday, June 16
    12U All-Stars Win 2008 FCGSL House All-Star Tournament

    On June 15, 2008, the 12U NVGSA House All-Star Team won the 2008 FCGSL House All-Star Tournament played at Wakefield Park.  The team was made up of All-stars from the Silver Storm, Orange Crush, Irish Ladies, Glory and Fireballs.  The team went undefeated through the two day tournament beating All-Star Teams from Vienna (7 to 3), Ashburn (8 to 1), Fort Hunt (5 - 4) and Chantilly in the Championship game (15 - 4).  The four victories were nothing short of a total team effort with all 13 players contributing in the wins with timely hitting, great defense and awesome pitching by 4 different pitchers.  It is the first championship in the FCGSL House All-Star Tournament for a NVGSA team of any age group within recent memory.  Below is a team picture of the 2008 12U FCGSL House All-Star Championship team from NVGSA!

     
    NVGSA 12U All-Stars & First Place Trophies
       
       


    Monday, June 16
    10U Firebirds Place Second in the Faquier Freeze Summer Ice Down Tournament in Warrenton, Va

    On June 8, 2008, the 10U Firebirds placed second in the Faquier Freeze Summer Ice Down Softball Tournament in Warrenton, VA.   It was an incredibly hot one day / four game tournament but the 10U Firebirds were even hotter.  It was once again a total team effort with great defense, hitting and pitching to include a no-hitter by one pitcher in the first game and a 10 strike out (5 inning) performance by another pitcher in game 2.  By games 3 and 4 the hitting took over by the entire lineup.  The 10U Firebirds were presented with a second place / runner up crystal trophy to commemorate their accomplishments.



    Tuesday, May 20
    10U Firebirds Place Third in the NSA Cash Bash Tournament in Richmond, VA

    The 10U Firebirds played in the NSA Cash Bash Tournament in Colonial Heights, VA over the weekend of May 17th and 18th, 2008.  Due in part to their outstanding pitching, defense and timely big hits, they placed third taking home yet another plaque/trophy as they proudly represented NVGSA.  The entire NVGSA family again congratulates the Spring 2008 10U Firebirds!!!


    200810Firebirds3rdPlace

    Wednesday, May 28
    Coach Yates' Teams Night

    On May 2, 2008, South County High School held their annual Coach Yates' Teams Night for all the players who are on NVGSA house and select teams coached by Randy Yates.  In attendance were some of the players coached by Coach Yates from the NVGSA 8U Silver Storm, the NVGSA 12U Silver Storm, the NVGSA 10U Firebirds and the South County Stallions.  Besides coaching the three NVGSA teams, Coach Yates is also an assistant varsity softball coach at South County High School.  What a night it was!!

     
    Coach Yates & the NVGSA Girls with the South County Stallions Softball Team & Coaches
       
     
    NVGSA Girls & Parents watching the game    		  
    The girls & Coach Yates in the outfield after the game
       


    Monday, April 14
    Opening Day Ceremony a Huge Success!

    The NVGSA Spring 2008 Opening Day Ceremony was a huge success.  Specials thanks goes out to Val Neuhart for organizing the day's events.  If you have pictures you would like to share with the league, please send them to Michael Wagner (MichaelWagner_VA@hotmail.com).

     18U Fever
    18U Fever show off their 'Crazy Hats'    		  12U Fireballs
    12U Fireballs - Winner of a $50 gift certificate
       



    Wednesday, May 3
    Inclement Weather Policy
    In case of inclement weather please follow the steps below:
    1: It is the home team coach's responsibility to call the game due to weather. This should be done in time for notification to be made AT LEAST 1 HOUR prior to game time.
    2:    Check the county hotline for fields other than WFES. The # is 703-324-5264.You may have to physically check the fields at WFES unless it is obvious that play is not possible. Every field drains differently and even with light rain is still playable.
    3:    Notify Michael Wagner (or his alternate) so that the umpires can be cancelled. DO NOT call the umpires directly unless asked to do so by Michael.
    4:    Notify the opposing teams coach.
    5:    Notify your team.

    Friday, August 24
    Coaches Corner
    Here are links to some of the documents that you may find useful.


    2008 Board Members
  • President - Gary Rose 
  • VP-House - Michael Wagner
  • VP-Select - Dave Neuhart (acting)
  • Secretary - John Sommer
  • Treasurer - Tom Boynton
  • Registrar - Sara Clements
  • Fields - Don Maley
  • 8U commissioner - Randy Yates
  • 10U commissioner - Val Neuhart
  • 12U commissioner - Bernard Coyle
  • 18U commissioner - Margie Urano (acting)

    • Also, congratulations and thanks to our committee chairperson volunteers:

  • Equipment - Tish Wirth
  • Uniforms - Joy Denhert
  • Web Master - Maura Harrington
  • Scheduler - Michael Wagner
  • Training - Merrill Magner
  • Volunteer Coordinator - vacant
  • 10U Umpire Scheduler - vacant
  • Publicity & Media Liason - vacant
  • Pictures & Trophies - vacant


    • Now, the only way these fine parents are going to be successful at their job is to have lots of volunteers to assist them. If you volunteer an hour a month, you will save them hours a week. Pleae contact us to volunteer on any of the following committees and tasks:

     Registration Fliers, Registration Poster & Signs, Registration Table Sitting, Newsletter, Trophies, Pictures, Field Maintenance, Scheduling, Training, Equipment, Uniforms and probably a hand full of other tasks that I have not listed.




    		 
     
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