Trevian Girls Softball Association
If you are a girl who wants to play high quality fastpitch softball, Trevian Girls Softball Association (TGSA) teams are for you! The TGSA is one of the top competitive girls softball programs in the Chicago area. At a time when girls have so many extracurricular activities to choose from, we have many players who join us when they are young and stay with the program all the way through high school. Some choose to play college ball. We feel this dedication to TGSA reflects the quality of the program and the fun that the girls have.
We have teams at five different age levels: 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14U, 16U, and 18U. Our main season, and the time when players’ time commitment is the heaviest, is in June and July. During these two months, we play league games, round robins, and weekend tournaments, and we have practices. We have conditioning, practices, scrimmages and some tournaments leading up to our summer season, and there are opportunities for “fall ball” at some age groups.
Each team’s schedule depends on the unique make-up and competitive level of the team for that year. The time commitment and competitive requirements for Green (B-level) and Silver (beginning) teams is less than that of our Blue (A-level) teams. The number of teams we host at each level varies from year to year.
Please take into account your daughter’s non-softball interests, camps, and family trips when deciding what team might be the best fit for her. Trevian girls don’t just play softball! They are well rounded, put school first, and enjoy a variety of activities. However, they are expected to meet their teams’ expectations for player commitment. Not doing so is frustrating for the player and her team.
Our main home fields are the new state-of-the art, lighted fields at Willow Park in Northfield. We also use fields throughout the New Trier Township. We host a 10U–14U tournament each year during Fathers Day Weekend. About 90 teams come from all over Illinois and from Wisconsin. It is truly a great sight to see so many sporty girls, involved parents, and great ball play.
Girls residing in New Trier Township are eligible to try out. In addition, girls from outside the Township may try out for 14U and older teams with special approval. Please contact us for more information about our out-of-district policy. (See the “Board” section of our website for the name of our president and the chairman of our Coaches Committee.)
10U Age Group
The 10U age group, for girls who are 10 and under as of January 1 of the season year, emphasizes developing skills, with plenty of guidance, patience and encouragement from both coaches and fellow teammates. During the 2008 season, the TGSA had three 10-U teams.
Some of the girls who are interested in trying out for 10U teams choose to participate in our winter indoor training program, which we call “TIP.” TIP is held November through January.
10U Green and Silver teams tend to practice indoors periodically during the winter. They usually practice or play games for a total of two or three times/week in May. During the summer season (June through July), there are about 4-5 days of softball activity per week, including 10-12 league games plus 2-4 weekend tournaments.
The 10U Blue team generally practices indoors about once/week during the winter. They usually practice or play games for a total of two or three times/week starting in April. During the summer season (June through July), there are about 4-5 days of softball activity per week, including about 12 league games, some round robins and scrimmages, plus 4-6 weekend tournaments. Some years, the 10U Blue also chooses to go to the Northern Nationals tournament held in late July/early August. This tournament and occasionally others require overnight hotel stay.
12U Age Group
This age group puts more emphasis on strategy and competition, and also involves a greater time commitment. During the 2008 season, the TGSA had three 12-U teams. Tryouts are held in August/September.
During the fall, the teams may practice once/week or may choose to do an occasional scrimmage, fall ball, or other competitive opportunity. During the winter, they may practice once/week indoors. Once the weather warms up and we can play outdoors, the time commitment increases. For example, during the summer season, teams in this age group play 12-14 league games on weekday evenings. The total number of tournaments and round robins for 12U teams during the summer season is: Silver, 3-5; Green, 4-6; and Blue, 5-7. Some years, the 12U Blue also chooses to go to the Northern Nationals tournament held in late July/early August. This tournament and occasionally others require overnight hotel stay.
14U Age Group
14U teams are typically a mix of junior high students and freshmen. The freshmen are often on high school teams. This program prepares the junior high players to compete at the high school level, while supplementing the school team experience of the high school-age players. IHSA rules prohibit high school team players from playing travel softball during their school team season.
Emphasis at the 14U level on competition is higher. During the winter, they usually practice once/week indoors. Once the weather warms up and we can play outdoors, the time commitment increases. During the summer season, teams in this age group play 12-14 league games on weekday evenings. The total number of tournaments and round robins for 14U teams during the summer season is: Silver, 3-6; Green, 6-8; and Blue, 6-8. Some years, the 14U Blue chooses to go to the Northern Nationals tournament held in late July/early August. This tournament and occasionally others require overnight hotel stay.
During 2008, we had a Blue team and a Green team.
16U and 18U Age Groups
The 16U and 18U programs prepare athletes to play at the varsity high school level and beyond. These age groups typically participate in a competitive summer season of weekday double-headers plus 6-8 weekend tournaments. During many of the past several seasons, our 16U and 18U teams have competed at National level tournaments after the regular season ended.
We provide players interested in college softball with opportunities to showcase their talents for college coaches, and we assist them with the recruiting process.
Tryouts for older age groups are held in August/September, after which the players take part in off-season conditioning, batting and pitching practice until the start of their spring school softball programs. The Trevian season begins at the end of the school season, and continues through about the first weekend in August.
Susan Quigley - TGSA President
847-256-4725 * E-mail: squigley@trevians.org
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