Fall Ball Anyone!

Mad River Mist is the travel division for Humboldt Fastpitch.  Mad River is actively seeking participants, ages 8 to 18, for the 2014 Fall season.  The Fall season essentially runs September to the beginning of November.  Here are the nuts and bolts for those who might be interested:

1. Registration Fees:   Fall ball participation will be $50 for new travel ball players.  Registration fees cover the costs of practice facilities, disposable equipment, and player registration.  
2. Tournament Fees:   Attendance to tournaments requires a $100 tournament fee per tournament unless other fundraising or financial arrangements have been made.  Tournament fees contribute toward tournament entry fees, miscellaneous tournament expenses,  and the travel expenses of our volunteer travel coaches who commit time, effort, and resources to the program.
3. Tournaments:  The goal is to attend one tournament in September, one tourney in October with the exception of the older players participating in the showcase, and we would like to attend a tourney in November.  Our tournament considerations are:

• September 13-14th:  Strike Out Cancer in Yuba City (http://www.eteamz.com/nsacalfp/news/index.cfm?id=5781609&cat=0) 
• September 27th-28th:  Summer Classic in Redding (http://www.nsacal.com/2014_Sept27.htm)
• October 11th-12th:  South Valley College Exposure in Medford for MIST players ages 14 and up (www.valleysouthinvite.com)
• October 18th-19th:  Halloween Bash in Sac (www.asatournaments.com)
• October 25-26th:  Monster Mash in Redding (www.allstartournaments.com)
• November 8-9th:  Fall Classic in Redding (http://www.eteamz.com/nsacalfp/news/index.cfm?id=5785037&cat=0)

Anyone interested may RSVP their participation by clicking the link below:
 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lBJ4cij7aXwGvcLy93h_mMum-OfokthER3_wZFjqACQ/viewform

 

4.  Practice:  Practice through the Fall will be on Sundays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Practices will bounce between Bartow Field at Rohner Park in Fortuna and the Arcata Sports Complex.   Arcata Sports Complex tentative practice dates include:   8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 10/5, and 10/19...unspecified Sundays will be at Bartow Field in Fortuna.  

5.  Questions:   Any questions can be directed via email to humboldtfastpitch@gmail.com or to our facebook pages:

Mad River Girls Softball:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/155033233999/

Humboldt Fastpitch:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/HumboldtFastpitchSoftball

Attention all ASA Softball Players

McK Little League is hosting an end-of-season party at Hiller Sports Complex this Sunday, June 15th starting at 1pm and has invited all ASA softball players to attend.  Hot dogs and Hamburgers will be provided by Little League and bbq’d on site!  Please bring your favorite side dishes or salads, drinks, or there will be beverages for sale from the snack bar.  We are sincerely hoping to have a LOT of people there!  They have made plans for a dunk tank, a bounce house, and hopefully a home run derby, and some parents vs. players friendly ball games, and who knows what else we might be doing that day!  We want to have a lot of fun and just get together as a big community/family and enjoy the day together!  Thank you Mck Little League for being such a wonderful partner! 

Updated SIngle Elimination Brackets Posted

Please check the Sunday Single Elimination Brackets very carefully!  Many changes have happened over the last 48 hours that have impacted the original brackets that were sent out.  The brackets are as follows:

10u Sunday  - June 2014 Ver 2

12u Sunday  - June 2014

14u Sunday  - June 2014

​
Good luck to all teams in the final stage of the weekend!  Additionally, please remember to bring an extra t-shirt for your player to change into.  Uniform collection will occur after the conclusion of your team's tournament.  Coaches, please return your uniforms and equipment to your respective locations.  There will be collection tables at Hiller near Hiller Big, the Spirit Wear table near the snack bar at the Sports Complex, and at Washington School, gear and uniforms can be given to Ageana Brett or Katrina Anderson. 

Thanks! 

End of Season Finale Tournament

Just as fast as the 2014 Humboldt Fastpitch softball season has started, it seems it comes
to a close with the FINALE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT.  Once again, 41 teams have been manipulated in locations throughout the county.  Some teams will again play Friday night in their respective "local" areas but then each age bracket will have a specific tournament location for the remainder of the tournament.  

As we close out our 2014 season, please be reminded that spectator sportsmanship is very important to role modeling of our youth.  Even though we invite elevated levels of competition with tournament play, please keep in mind that in the end, it is just a game...  this is a youth recreation program!  Lessons of good sportsmanship, new friendships, value of teamwork and exercising respect for officials far outweighs wins and losses in the development of our players.      

 

Thank you so much for your participation with Humboldt Fastpitch.  Upon conclusion of your daughter's tournament play, coaches have been requested to collect all Humboldt Fastpitch uniforms and equipment and check it in at designated equipment check in tables at each respective site.  Please have on hand an extra t-shirt for your player so that uniforms may be collected immediately for prompt return back to the organization. Yes, we want them even if they are dirty!  Uniforms will be cleaned, inventoried, and sorted for the 2015 season compliments of the Niles Family!  Finally, if you still happen to have a jersey (old or new) from previous years, it would be much appreciated if it was returned at the Finale Tournament.  Good luck to all teams!  Critical tournament information below:  

Tournament rules are as follows:

​

 Finale Tourney Rules.pdf

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in accordance with our Humboldt Fastpitch Tournament League Rules:

​

 League Rules.pdf

​

 

Specific tournament locations and brackets are as follows:

 

8u = Arcata Sports Complex

​

 8u 5-Team Pool Play-2014 Finale Tournament.pdf

​​​

10u = Hiller Park in McKinleyville

Pony Express Days is also this weekend so please be sure to leave plenty of time to navigate through the extra traffic and parade!  If anyone is interested in participating in the parade, please meet at the Bettendorf Trucking big rig on Murray Road, usually near the Baptist Church around 9:30am on Saturday, June 7th. Wear your jersey!

​​​ ​​​

 10U Pool Play VERSION #2.pdf

 ​

 10u Sunday Single Elim VERSION #2.pdf

​​

12u = Arcata Sports Complex​
 ​​​​

 12u Pool Play VERSION #2.pdf

​​

 12U Sunday Single Elim VERSION #2.pdf

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14u = Washington School in Eureka

​ ​​​​​

 14U Pool Play VERSION #2.pdf

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 14u Sunday Single Elimination-2014 Finale Tournament.pdf

 

Single Elimination Brackets Posted

Sorry all for the late post! This stuff takes time! Forty-one teams to factor, 4 sites to close down, and files and emails to prepare and coaches to contact. In spite of the delay, we hope you all enjoyed a beautiful day. Here is how the single elimination brackets fell out- check for game times and locations: 

 10u Single Elim.pdf

 12U SINGLE ELIM.pdf

​​

 14u Single Elim.pdf

Please, lets all be on our best of behavior for Sunday Play and set a proper example of sportsmanship to the youth of our community.  Try thanking an official for providing their services...  they do the best they can and for little reimbursement.  Most of all, remember...  This is YOUTH RECREATIONAL SOFTBALL - not the word series. The most important outcome of the day is not whether your team wins or loses, but HOW YOU HANDLE WINS and LOSSES.   Sportsmanship is Key!   
 

ON THE SPOT will be at BARTOW FIELD at Rohner Park in Fortuna tomorrow if you missed the chance to have a customized sweatshirt put together!  Don't forget you can also order online!  Click:  

 http://shop.onthespotsportswear.com/Softball_c23.htm

 

T-shirt designs:

 T-shirt Designs.pdf

Opening Tournament Schedules Posted

Thank you for your patience as we manipulate and negotiate 41 teams for this weekend's opening tournament!  Some teams will play Friday night (May 2nd) in their respective "local" areas, but then each age bracket will have a specific tournament location for the remainder of the tournament (Sat May 3rd and Sunday May 4th).  We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the players and parents with Redwood Fastpitch from Eureka that are joining us for our League's opening tournament. 
Tournament-specific rules are posted on this blog to the right, along with Humboldt Fastpitch League Rules.  Specific locations of games times for pool play for the various age groups are as follows:

8u = Fortuna High School

​

 '14 8u Pool Play.pdf

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10u = Bartow Fields at Rohner Park in Fortuna

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 '14 10u Pool Play.pdf

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 '14 10u Single Elimination.pdf

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12u = Washington School in Eureka

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 '14 12u Pool Play.pdf

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 '14 12u Single Elimination.pdf

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14/16u = Newburg Park in Fortuna

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 '14 14u Single Elimination.pdf

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 '14 14u Pool Play.pdf

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The Board and the Recreation Program Regional Representatives want to remind all participants, both players and parents, that this is RECREATIONAL YOUTH SOFTBALL.  Whether on the field or in the stands...  please be an example of good sportsmanship, fair play, and support and encourage  ALL players, regardless of which team they play on!  We also want to congratulate all the players for participating in this event!    

2014 Rec Program Schedules Released

We are pleased to share the 2014 Recreational Softball Schedules, and appreciate your patience as we've sorted through the 300 registrants, ordered necessary equipment to safely outfit our many girls, finalized team placements, developed and calendared practice schedules, began the process of issuing uniforms, and worked diligently to acquire fields, insurance, and assemble game schedules. The logistics of our county-wide program presents many challenges that takes time to coordinate among the volunteers that help run your rapidly expanding ASA Recreational Softball Program.  The game schedules for the 2014 season can be downloaded off this blog in the panel to the right.  Thank you to the many volunteers and coaches that provided feedback and necessary corrections to the schedules.  

 
As we begin the season, we also want to recognize the generosity of the Kiwanis of Fortuna, the Melvin F. & Grace McLean Foundation, Soroptimist International of Eel River Valley, and the generosity of last year’s Merv George Benefit Concert (thru the efforts of Poppy George) that helped to supply our girls with uniforms!   THANK YOU AGAIN.  To any parents and/or coaches that still have uniforms from last year, PLEASE return them to your daughter's coach so they can pass them back to your area’s Regional Rep.  Maintaining our uniform stock is essential to the well-being of your daughter's softball organization.   

If you have any questions as the season progresses, please don't hesitate to ask. We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable season.  NOW LETS PLAY BALL!

The Mad River-Humboldt Fastpitch Board
                         &
Recreation Division Executive Committee

Season Update

We wanted to let you know that all 300 players have been placed on teams and we are in the process of finalizing coaches for those teams.  Coaches should be notified in the next few days with rosters, if they haven't already, and parents should be hearing from coaches early next week!  We are optimistic that practices can start soon, but of coarse, that depends on the weather!  For now, it look like Mother Nature is going to continue to challenge the beginning of our 2014 softball season, but we remain hopeful the fields will dry out soon and facilities like the ASC will open for play! 

 

Just a few reminders:

1)  Spirit Wear is available for sale through April 23rd.  Orders can be placed through Sport and Cycle at: http://www.sportandcycleteamsales.com/PlayerPacks.aspx

Access code is fastpitch.  This year's logo is:

2)  Fortuna High School is running a softball clinic during Spring Break, April 21st through April 24th.  Attached is the clinic flyer.

 2014 FUHS Clinic.pdf

Pre-registration can be done online at:  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kkzaHihZr6Fvf6drckJ0kYg28Lc6XDJdio4we_oQPRk/viewform

We are looking forward to the start of the 2014 softball season!  If you have any questions, please be sure to contact us!  Have a great day!

 

~Mad River-Humboldt Fastpitch Board

  

Final Player Assessment Sunday March 16th

Humboldt Fastpitch requests that all players who participate in the organization's recreation program attend one of the two player assessments.  The first assessment happened last weekend at Fortuna High School and went very smoothly with the help of the many volunteers and the Arcata High Marketing Class students.  Thank you to all that helped and to the many parents that registered their players online. 

The second assessment will happen this Sunday, March 16th at McKinleyville High School and will occur Rain or Shine.   Unlike last weekend, the weather for the Sunday's assessment is looking fantastic!  Just in case, please have players equipped with both cleats and tennis shoes!  Additionally, if you are still have a softball  uniform, we desperately need you to return them!  Please bring any jerseys (old or new) you have to the registration table when you arrive on Sunday.  Your assistance would be much appreciated!

The Registration table will open at 10 a.m.  However, we encourage all Parents to register their Players ONLINE BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT using the link on this blog site!  It's simple, quick and will greatly speed up the process on Sunday.  If you prefer to pay by cash or by check, register online NOW and you can easily pay at this Sunday's assessment.  If you would like to petition your player up and age bracket, please have her attend the assessment you would like her to participate.  

 

The schedule is as follows:

10 a.m. = 10 and under (8 and under players only need to attend if they are choosing to petition up!)

11 a.m. = 12 and under

12 p.m. = 14 and over

 

If you are unclear as to which session your player should attend, consider the chart below.  For clarification of any information, please send an email to humboldtfastpitch@gmail.com. 

 

 We look forward to seeing you at assessments.  :)

 

Order Spirit Wear Online Now!!!

This year Spirit Wear is moving online and is up, running and ready to take orders!  The website is live and will remain open until April 13th!   All orders must be placed via the web store.  We will not be carrying any excess 2014 spirit wear this year. All items will be ordered at the close of the site.  The items will be shipped to and distributed by Humboldt Fastpitch approximately two weeks after the site closes. The online process is very easy!  Just follow the link below and order what you want!  Steps to order include:

 

Go to Web store located at:    http://www.sportandcycleteamsales.com/

1. Click on the Player Pack Tab located in the top left corner.
2. Type in the access code:   fastpitch

Thank you to Sport and Cycle for partnering with us so that we may offer this online service!

Lets Play Ball - Register Online ASAP !!!

We made a few changes to the online registration site this past weekend to simplify it, with a few minor debugs finalized on Wednesday morning. We're hopeful these changes will make it easier for you to register your player using the Association's new online registration system.  Also please note that if you do run into problems, try registering using a different web browser.  Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers have been shown to be very compatible with the online registration system, whereas Internet Explorer has occasionally been known to result in a system error. 

A few other points about the online system: 

• Parents can register online, but pay later with a check or with cash.  That will work just fine!  
• You can mail your payment by check if you prefer. 
• Parents can also pay by credit card on the secure site when registering, if they choose to do so.   
• Please fill out the entire form as it will prevent errors and helps us greatly to register players with ASA and in conducting player assessments.

The registration period will remain open until Feb 28, after which late registration will commence.  Given the "newness" of the organization's secure online registration process,  the late registration fee has been waived and the site will remain open until March 16th.   However, we encourage parents to sign up players early.  Late registration closes on March 16, 2014, after which parents must contact Regional Rec Program Representatives or the Board of Directors to be added to a waitlist, and will be notified and allowed to register late if space is available.

We greatly appreciate parents' taking the time to fill out the online registration form and encourage all to do so ASAP!   THANK YOU!  Last season it was very challenging for volunteers to enter data from some 400 plus hand-written registration forms into a spreadsheet, as needed by the League to form teams and as required by ASA for insurance purposes. So again...  THANK YOU for registering online as early as possible!  If you have any problems with the system, please send us an email so we can work to correct it.  Looking forward to seeing you all on the fields very soon! 

Mad River/Humboldt Fastpitch Board 

Online Registration Goes Live!

We are pleased to announce that registration for the 2014 Season of Humboldt Fastpitch, the Recreation Division of Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball, has gone online!  

The registration period will remain open until Feb 28, after which late registration will commence.  Given the "newness" of the organization's secure online registration process, we are waiving the late registration fee.  However, we encourage players to sign up early as it will help to organize and schedule the 2014 Recreation season.  Late registration closes on March 16, 2014, after which parents must contact Regional Rec Program Representatives or the Board of Directors to be added to a waitlist, and will be notified and allowed to register late if space is available.

RECREATION DIVISION softball skill assessments are tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 9th at Fortuna High School and Sunday, March 16th at McKinleyville High School and will run from 10 am to 1 pm.  Please note players 8 years old and under do not need to attend. If an 8-year old wishes to play up, however, they must attend one of the skills assessments. Specific times for assessments for each age group are as follows:  Age 10 and under at 10:30 am, Age 12 and under at 11:30 am, and Age 14 and older at 12:30.  Please plan to arrive prior to your specific assessment time to allow time to warm up!  We need to stress the importance of player attendance at assessments as player evaluations will allow effective distribution of players to teams.

For more information about the Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association, Its Recreational Program Humboldt Fastpitch, or its Competitive Travel Program, the Mad River Mist, check out posts on this website, our organization's fact sheet, browse our facebook site, or click the Questions link at the bottom of the online registration intro page! 

Pitching & Catching Clinics Being Offered

It's not too late to sign your player up for the clinic series at College of the Redwoods this month!  Players may pick and choose their clinic participation or may sign up for all clinic sessions. Sessions start February 2nd, and continue February 9th, February 23rd, and finish March 2nd.  For more information regarding the sessions being offered:

Pitching:  The pitching clinic is designed for pitchers who are looking for a warm up routine that will assist in strengthening pitching mechanics for the sake of preventing injury as well as assist them with increased pitch accuracy and speed. When attending only one clinic, the area of focus for that particular pitcher will be the evaluation of her motion to determine the weakness that when corrected will provide the greatest amount of impact on her mechanics and pitch.  By attending all clinic series, pitchers will have developed a solid foundation of drills that will carry them forward in their pitching career as they develop and practice on their own.  Pitching sessions run 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Catching:  The catching clinic is designed for catchers looking to elevate their skill to the next level.  Catching stances will be evaluated, discussed, and practiced along with skill areas including but not limited to:  pitch calling, framing, blocking, throwing mechanics for stealing baserunners, as well as the development of communication and leadership.  Catchers truly are facilitators of the plays and should be encouraged to take a leadership role on the field for the sake of directing traffic.  Catchers will be taken through a series of drills to assist them in improving in their areas of weakness as well as exercises that will develop their strength, conditioning, and coordination.  Catchers ages 7 to 11 run 12:30 to 2 p.m. and catchers ages 12-15 run 2:30 to 4 p.m.

 

Registration for all sessions will start 20 minutes prior to clinic time.  It is encouraged that players bring cleats AND tennis shoes!  In some cases, players may start inside and then move outside or vice versa!  If you have yet to pre-register, please do so at:

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wzzgClDUGPxBitaNZUZf87_Gtf_rSV8R5W0wOeujdFg/viewform

If you have any questions, please let us know!

~Mad River-Humboldt Fastpitch Board

Happy 2014! The Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association’s Recreation League, Humboldt Fastpitch, is looking forward to another action-packed season of softball… and we hope you are too! We are pleased to kick off the year by announcing some exciting program updates!

1. REGISTRATION:
 Registration for Humboldt Fastpitch is going online! At the end of the January, Humboldt Fastpitch will be rolling out its new online registration website! VERY COOL! Watch our website for details.

2. SAVE THE DATES! (*Dates and Locations Subject to Change)
      • February 1st: Online Registration Opens • February 28th: Registration Closes (Late Fee
          Incurred After This Date)
     • Player Assessments on March 9th at Fortuna High School and March 16th at McKinleyville
         High School. (Attendance Highly Encouraged)
     • April 1st: Season Kicks Off • May 3rd/4th: Opening Tourney (Location: TBA)
     • June 7th/8th: Finale Tourney (Location: TBA)

3. CLINICS:
Humboldt Fastpitch is committed to identifying and promoting clinics and camps that may be of interest to our local players. Participation in these events is a great way to tune-up and improve a player’s softball skills. Upcoming clinics in our local area include:

  •  January 25th-26th: Humboldt State University For more information:   http://hsujacks.com/sports/2011/12/20/SB_1220115344.aspx?path=softball

  •  February 2nd, 9th, 23rd, and March 3: For Pitchers and Catchers For More Information: See Attached. Space is Limited. To Pre-Register a Spot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wzzgClDUGPxBitaNZUZf87_Gtf_rSV8R5W0wOeujdFg/viewform

  •  April 21st-April 24th: Fortuna High School Tune Up Clinic
     For More Information: Email: ehelms@fuhsdistrict.org

  •  Other Clinics on the Horizon:
         - Eureka High School Tune Up Clinic
         - St. Bernard's
         - Summer Tune Up Clinic

More information to come as it evolves....

4. TRAVEL SOFTBALL:
In addition to hosting the Humboldt Fastpitch Recreational Program, the Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association runs a competitive travel ASA Softball Program, the Mad River Mist. The travel program will be actively recruiting players ranging in age from 10u to 18u. If any of you are interested in receiving travel program information, along with practice times and location, please email us with player name, age, and phone number.

5. Call for Help!
Humboldt Fastpitch expanded far faster than it ever expected! Last year, over 400 players participated in our league. We need volunteers to help facilitate the nature of the work! If you have any interest in volunteering, whether it be coaching, field prep/maintenance, snack bar, fundraising or serving on the Humboldt Fastpitch Rec Program Committee, we could use the help! Please email us or contact one of your regional representative to express your interest in helping us to improve the 2014 softball season for our youth and the betterment of our communities! Regional Reps include:
  • Frank Gonsalves, North County
  • Jennifer Pinard, North County
  • Ageana Brett, South County
  • Rick Todd, South County
  • Robb Foley, South County
  • Ryan Colegrove, East County

6. Board Meeting:
 January 28th, 6:30 p.m. Cal Courts Conference Room Cal Court Members… Next time you enter the facility, please take a moment to thank the staff for allowing us to use their conference room at no cost to our local youth softball program. Thank you Agatha and Larry Nord!

   ~Mad River-Humboldt Fastpitch Board