Warren Township Girls Softball

All girls in grades 1 thru 10 at the start of the season are eligible. The divisions are as follows:

Instructional Division - Grades 1 & 2
Lower Division - Grades 3 & 4
Middle Division - Grades 5 & 6
Upper Division - Grades 7 thru 10

In general, games (and practices) are typically played on the following schedule:

Instructional & Upper Divisions: Tuesday & Friday nights                          

Lower & Middle Divisions: Monday & Wednesday nights

Depending on weather there is potential to have a make up game on another night of the week or on a Saturday.  These are exceptions, and usually occur only during the playoffs, or if the game will impact the seeding of teams for the playoffs.

No. We do have players that are out of district and we welcome players from all areas. However, the overwhelming majority of our participants are from within Warren Township. We are careful to ensure we are serving the Township community as our priority. The only time this is an issue is if we have a waitlist for any of the divisions, players within the Township area will receive first priority.

The general answer is no. The teams are chosen by a random draft using a player grading system to make sure various skill levels are distributed as evenly as possible for each team.

Generally, practices start the last week of April and games start the last week of May. The last playoff games end in mid-July.

Ball field status is controlled and updated by Warren Township, not by the Warren Township Girls Softball (WTGS) Board. The most up to date conditions can be viewed at the Warren Township website by clicking here.

Please click here to view the Thorguard policy stipulated by Warren Township.

As with any youth sports program, WTGS is dependant on the many parent volunteers to help support the program. We ask for 1 night of working the concession stand or to assist as a coach. Once a parent meets their volunteer obligation, their $100 check is returned un-cashed. The $100 fee is assessed to those parents who cannot, or choose not to participate as a volunteer. Please click here to review the WTGS volunteer policy on our website.

Registration for the 2010 Warren Township Girls Softball season will be held on January 24th from 10am - 3pm.  

Registration will be held at the Warren Township High School  Almond Campus, at 34090 Almond Road, Gurnee, IL. 60031

You will need to bring multiple checks for payment: one for the registration fee, one for the volunteer fee, and if you have two or more children in the program you will need an additional volunteer check. To speed the process on registration day it is recommended that you visit the WTGS website, print and fill out the registration form in advance and bring this with you on registration day in January.

To ensure that we fulfill the WTGS mission of creating a positive softball experience for all girls through the education of the sport, stressing on the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and fun, we have re-published the WTGS code of ethics for players, coaches, and parents. These policies ensure understanding of the program goals, and the appropriate conduct expected of those involved in the program. These policies may be accessed from our WTGS website (click your appropriate link:( parent, player, coach ) and will also be distributed during the registration event for the upcoming season.

If you cannot make the registration event, you should inform the WTGS Director of Registration through the website link. If this is done after February 15th, there will be a $25 late fee added to your registration fees.

Below are the rates that apply for the 2010 WTGS Fastpitch (In-House) Season.  The WTGS Board works hard to keep the program affordable, as our priority is to provide an opportunity for kids to play the game.  Our fees for 2010 remain the same as those for last season...

Instructional Division----------------------------------$ 90 dollars
Lower, Middle, Upper Divisions---------------------$110 dollars

Plus: Activity fee across all Divisions---------------$ 15 dollars
If applicable: Late Fee after 2/15/2010-----------$ 25 dollars

These fees include the team jersey, pants, visor, and socks, as well as field access for the practice season, game season, and season ending tournament.

The only item you need to provide is a glove. Softball cleats (with rubber spikes) and mouth guards are optional but recommended. Helmets and bats will be provided but you may use your own as well. If you choose to bring your own helmet it MUST have a face guard and be NOCSAE (National Operating Committee for Standards on Athletic Equipment) certified. Any softball bat is acceptable for the In-House league, but if your daughter may be playing on the All-Star team or Wave Travel team the bat must be 2004 or later ASA (Amateur Softball Association) Certified. All equipment you provide should have the players last name clearly marked on it.

In 2009 WTGS also enacted a defensive face mask policy for any player at the position of 1st base, 3rd base, or pitcher.  Any player in the game at these positions in required to wear a defensive face mask, no exceptions.  The masks are provided to each team as part of the issued equipment.  Some players may wish to purchase their own, and either the Gameface or Rip-It brands comply with the Policy.  If you have any questions please contact our Director of Equipment.

Even though pants will be provided by WTGS, the player has the option to wear her own shorts as long as they are grey. Grey shorts may be purchased through WTGS or bought separately as long as they are grey. If the player wears shorts it is MANDATORY that she also wear sliding shorts and a sliding pad. These items must be her own and may not be shared with another player.

No jewelry of any kind may be worn during games. Jewelry should not be worn during practice either.

The WTGS Fastpitch All-Star team brings together some of the top players from each Division to participate in a more competitive travel type program. Players tryout for the team and get a flavor of what more competitive softball is all about. This can be a way to further the players skills, and/or determine if the player has an interest in trying out for the Wave Travel program. The All-Star team is a higher commitment level than In-House, and players earn various positions through practice, skill and competency at that position, as well as effort in practice and in games. This is a great way for players to take their game to the next level, and determine if a more competitive softball experience is something they would enjoy. There is a Player Participation Fee for those that make the All-Star team, in past years it has been approximately $100 dollars. This amount will be finalized and communicated to the players/parents once the team is selected and the tournaments are scheduled.

Tryouts for the WTGS Fastpitch All-Star teams will be late May or early June.   An informational flyer will be provided to coaches and players at that time. You can also check the WTGS website homepage for location and time details.

At tryouts the player's skills will be evaluated in multiple phases of the game. Players will demonstrate the ability to catch pop-ups and throw from the outfield, infielding and throws to first base, bunting and hitting off of the pitching machine, and if applicable to the player there will also be pitching and catching skills evaluated as well.

The practice schedule will be set by the All-Star team coach for each level, lower, middle, and upper. Practices will most likely begin the week following try outs. The games are a round robin tournament format on Sundays, where each team plays three games. Games will begin toward the end of June and the last tournament is mid-July. More specific details will be provided by each coach after tryouts and team selection is completed.

The Wave Travel program conducts tryouts in August of each year (weather permitting). There will be informational flyers provided to coaches and players prior to the end of the In-House season. If your daughter has interest in the Travel program, the In-House All-Star program is a great place to start. This will give both players and parents a better understanding of the more competitive nature of travel softball, as well as the time commitment necessary. If you have any questions regarding the Wave program contact the Director of Travel through the WTGS website link.