Welcome to the Viking Softball Association 2023 season!  We look forward to partnering with you and your daughter this year.  In order to help our families know what is going on, we have compiled information for you below in one handy place.  If you still have questions after reading through this information, contact your daughter’s coach or the VSA President at vsavikingsoftball@gmail.com.  Use our online sign-up form once you are ready to sign your daughter up for the 2023 season. Also, consider attending our annual meeting on October 16th at 6:00 p.m. at Avon Automotive.  We will be electing officers for the year as well as going over what’s new for 2023!


Eligibility– VSA currently offers softball play to girls ages 7 to 16.  A player’s age for the season is their age on the first of the year.  Additionally, VSA was designed to be a feeder program for Cadillac High School Softball. Therefore, VSA play is open to students who attend CAPS schools or live in the CAPS schools boundaries.  If we have additional spots available after sign ups, which end on March 1st, we will offer a tryout for girls to move up a level or for girls outside the CAPS boundaries in order to fill those spots.


Cost–

The VSA program fee is $150 for the 2023 season.  Payment is due on sign-up.  The fee can be paid online, by money order, or by check.  We do not accept cash payment.  VSA membership does NOT cover Little League cost which is typically $50.  Players in 8U-14U must sign up their for Little League separately.  Even though all of our girls play Little League and our coaches coach it, it is a separate entity. The 14U level will play in the middle school club league and the 16U will play in the Lat League.
VSA Membership covers:

  • Indoor rental cost at the Wex. 
  • Team practice equipment.   
  • Jersey.  Players will receive a NEW Jersey at all age levels this year.  The jersey can be reused every year, until a player needs a new jersey.  When a girl needs a new size or if their jersey is not in good shape they will pay an additional $50 that season. Maximum yearly cost will be $200.

ALL tournaments are covered by sponsorships, NOT the VSA Membership. 


Expectations– The VSA Board established expectations for parents, players, and coaches.  Please read through the document and have a discussion with your daughter about them.


Practices– VSA offers optional offseason workouts that usually take place in late fall as well as in the winter after the new year.  See our calendar page for those dates. Once we are able to get outside, practices typically take place twice a week and will be held at Kysor Fields on the corner of Wright St. and Lesson St. in the industrial park area.  Outdoor practice times and dates will be communicated a few weeks after the March 1st sign up deadline.


Level Information–

VSA 8U 

Girls signed up for 8U will be developed primarily by: 

  • Indoor skill development practices starting in January. 
  • Weekly practices before and during Little League season. 
  • Playing different positions on the field. 
  • Playing Games in Cadillac Little League, LL district tournament and/or playing in 1-2 tournaments (NOTE: Tournaments are hard to find at this age) 
  • All VSA girls will participate in all tournaments at this age.
  • ALL players will be required to attend ALL team practices.   (No practice, no play) 
  • Attitude: Players are expected to have a good attitude
  • Effort:  Players should give their best effort in practices and games  

VSA 10U 

Girls signed up for 10U will be developed primarily by

  • Indoor Pitching and Hitting session in Oct-Dec. 
  • Indoor skill development practices starting in January.
  • Weekly practices before and during Little League season
  • Playing Games in Cadillac Little League, LL district tournament and/or playing in tournaments 
  • All players will play in at least 1 tournament.    
  • Girls that are in VSA, and who were regular participants in the VSA Off Season Program,  will play in the LL district tournament and/or play in 1-4 tournaments outside of LL districts. Only 12 players will be selected for the tournaments.   Every player is trying out for the tournament team, each week of practice and games. If additional girls are needed for 10U tournaments, the coach will pick the players based on position, ability, commitment to the offseason program, and attitude.  
  • Tournament players will play LL and be required to attend tournament team practices.   (No practice, no play)  
  • ALL players will be required to attend ALL team practices.   (No practice, no play) 
  • Attitude: Players are expected to have a good attitude
  • Effort:  Players should give their best effort in practices and games   

VSA 12U

Girls signed up for 12U will be developed primarily by

  • Indoor Pitching and Hitting session in Oct-Dec. 
  • Indoor skill development practices starting in January.
  • Weekly practices before and during Little League season
  • Playing Games in Cadillac Little League, LL district tournament and/or playing in tournaments 
  • All VSA players will play in at least 1 tournament.    
  • Girls that are in VSA, and who were regular participants in the VSA Off Season Program,  will play in the LL district tournament and/or play in 1-4 tournaments outside of LL districts. Only 12 players will be selected for the tournaments.   Every player is trying out for the tournament team, each week of practice and games. If additional girls are needed for 12U tournaments, the coach will pick the players based on position, ability, commitment to the offseason program, and attitude.  
  • Tournament players will play LL and be required to attend tournament team practices.   (No practice, no play)  
  • ALL players will be required to attend ALL team practices.   (No practice, no play) 
  • Attitude: Players are expected to have a good attitude
  • Effort:  Players should give their best effort in practices and games  

VSA 14U

Girls signed up for 14U will be developed primarily by

    • Indoor Pitching and Hitting session in Oct-Dec. 
    • Indoor skill development practices starting in January.
    • Weekly practices before and during the season
    • Playing Games in Middle School Club League and in tournaments 
    • All VSA players will play in at least 1 tournament.       
    • Girls that are in VSA, and who were regular participants in the VSA Off Season Program,  will play in 1-4 tournaments outside of MS league. Only 12 players will be selected for the tournaments.   Every player is trying out for the tournament team, each week of practice and games. If additional girls are needed for 14U tournaments, the coach will pick the players based on position, ability, commitment to the offseason program, and attitude.  
    • ALL players will be required to attend ALL team practices.   (No practice, no play) 
    • Attitude: Players are expected to have a good attitude 
    • Effort:  Players should give their best effort in practices and games 

VSA 16U 

Girls signed up for 16U will be developed primarily by

  • Indoor Pitching and Hitting session in Oct-Dec. 
  • Indoor skill development starting in January. 
  • Playing and practices during the High School Season (girls outside of the High school team can participate, if abilities and attitude seem coachable)  
  • Players will play in the Lat League (HS school Summer League) once a week with the HS team. 
  • Girls that are in VSA, and who were regular participants in the VSA Off Season Program,  will play in the 1-4 tournaments outside of HS season.  Every player is trying out for the tournament team, each week of practice and games. Tournament team coaches will pick the players based on position, ability, commitment to the offseason program, and attitude.  Not every player will play in tournaments.  Only 12 players will be selected pre team.  
  • ALL players will be required to attend ALL team practices.   (No practice, no play)  
  • Attitude: Players are expected to have a good attitude
  • Effort:  Players should give their best effort in practices and games  

Equipment– VSA does not provide equipment other than jerseys for players. In some cases, we may have some donated equipment, so feel free to teach out if your daughter is unable to get equipment.  We will be offering an equipment swap in the late fall.  Please read the information below on the equipment needed for your daughter. It is important for performance that girls have the right size equipment.

A. Batter’s Helmet

B. Cleats

C. Pants- Girls should wear softball pants to outdoor practice unless told otherwise. Practice pants can be any color.  For the 2023 season we are going to again wear charcoal pants for games.  One spot to purchase those pants is through Epic Sports.  Remember to choose charcoal.

D. Socks- Girls should wear navy socks.

E. Gloves- Girls provide their own glove.   Here is the sizing guide from sportsdepot.com.  Note, we do have catchers gloves and gear for our players, but they may want to purchase their own to use at home.


F. Bat- The chart below may help when selecting an appropriate bat size.  For quick reference, Dicks’ Sporting Goods bat sizing guide states “Place the bat knob at the center of your chest and extend the barrel out toward your fingertips. If you can touch the end of the bat with your fingertips, the bat should be an appropriate size.”

G. Fielders Mask- VSA asks that players wear a fielder’s mask while playing the infield for their safety.  Additionally, a lot of younger girls benefit from the protection and confidence they give while learning how to play catch.

H. Belt

I- Equipment Bag (optional)

J. Softballs- VSA provides softballs for practice.  If you are buying softballs for at home use, be sure to buy 11 inch softballs for players on 8u and 10U and 12 inch softballs for players on 12U and 14U.