FAQ's

1. What does the registration fee pay for?

Generally, registration fees cover the costs of operating the program, including costs of uniforms, playing equipment and supplies, umpires, field maintenance and supplies, trophies, insurance premiums, utilities, administration expenses, etc. MCGSA will provide each player with a uniform they can keep at the end of the season. In addition, as was last year, the registration fee will include four tickets to Murphey Candler Day at a Braves game.

2. Tell me more about the Braves Game.

Typically, Murphey Candler Braves Day is the first Sunday in May. MCGSA will provide four general admission Braves tickets to each family registered to play softball. Therefore, if you have more than one child playing at MCGSA, you will only receive four tickets.

3. How much more money will I be asked to pay?

MCGSA will not ask for any additional money. However, the team on which your child is placed probably will ask you to contribute "team dues", which are usually about $20 per player. These dues are used by the team to pay for drinks or other treats for the children after games, coaches' gifts, a team party at the end of the season, etc. In addition, you will have the opportunity (but not the obligation) to buy team pictures.

4. What are my volunteer obligations?

You may be asked to assist with Picture Day, Opening Day, Scorekeeping or other activities. Please consider joining the Auxiliary Volunteer organization, this group will coordinate volunteer activities.

5. Does MCGSA provide uniforms?

MCGSA will provide uniforms for the girls:

• Girls age 12 and under: jersey, shorts, hat and socks.
• Age 13 and over: jersey, shorts, softball shirt and socks.

6. What equipment does my child need?

Your child will need to have a glove and appropriate shoes (rubber cleats are recommended) to play softball. You may purchase a bat for your daughter, but it is not required. For girls 10 and under, it is strongly suggested that you wait until the season starts and get a recommendation from your coach on length and weight of the bat.

Recommendation: For safety and head lice concerns, MCGSA strongly suggests girls supply their own batting helmets. A chinstrap is required and recommended by ASA, therefore, MCGSA requests a chinstrap be used. Some helmets come with facemasks. Batting helmets can be purchased at any sporting goods store, well under $20.

7. Does my child have to "try out" and "make the team?"

All players must attend player evaluations. Since everyone who registers will be placed on a team, these evaluations are not really "try outs." Instead, they are sessions at which MCGSA Board members, managers and coaches will evaluate your child's basic skills and playing ability. This is necessary for two reasons. First, the MCGSA board must determine the appropriate league in which your child should play. We have more than eight levels of play at MCGSA. These levels are based primarily on age, but also on playing ability, experience, size, maturity and other factors. Second, once your child has been placed in the appropriate league, she must be placed on a specific team. MCGSA attempts to assign players to teams in a manner that will result in parity of teams within the league.

8. Can my child play in a post- season tournament?

MCGSA selects and sponsors teams to play in various post-season tournaments. Tournament teams (also known as All-Stars) are selected in each age group "A" league and above.

Given the limited number of players on a tournament team, selecting the teams is a very difficult process. Players will be selected based on playing ability. Because the teams are selected late in the season, there is no way for MCGSA to know in advance who will be on a tournament team.

9. How many games and practices are there each week?

In most of our leagues, there are three events per week. During the pre-season, the three events consist of practices. Once the season starts, there are two games and one practice. Typically, one event is scheduled for Saturday. We have reduced the number of events in our T-Ball league to two (two practices per week in the pre-season, one game and one practice early in the season, and then two games and no practices later in the season). During the end-of-year Intra-league tournament, there may be more than three events during the last week of play. Game start times typically are around 6:00-6:30p.m. on weeknights for the lower leagues and no later than 8:00p.m for the upper leagues. Saturday games are usually completed by 3:00p.m.

10. Can I try out for Travel ball at MCGSA?

There are a number of travel softball teams associated with MCGSA. These teams require a registration fee, but tryouts are coordinated with the travel team coach. Travel teams are geared for those individuals wanting a more competitive level of play beyond a recreational league. Travel teams do not play in the recreational leagues, and have their own game schedule with other parks. All travel ball questions should be directed to the contacts for specific travel teams found on the home page under the Leagues section.