Home to the 2019 12u B PA State Champs, the 2018 14u B PA State Champs, the 2017 12u B National Champions, the 2017 14u B PA State Champs, the 2017 10u C PA State Champs, 2021 14u B Northeast FPN National Champs, 2023 USA Softball 12U PA States Champs & 2023 12u USSSA Central PA States!
Southern Chester County
S.W.A.T.
Fastpitch Softball Organization
Frequently Asked Questions
"Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine! Softball is amazing that way as a sport. Everyone on the field has a slightly different ability that makes them perfect for their position." Jennie Finch
1) What is travel fastpitch softball?
Travel teams are formed from players that want to play at a more competitive level than Little League and Rec league programs can provide. Depending on the interest and talent levels available some organizations field team’s from10U thru 23U Levels.
2) Age Determination.
Age qualifications for the various programs are set by the ASA, USSSA as outlined in the table below.
10u - Players born January 1, 2014 or later
11u - Players born January 1, 2013 or later
12u - Players born January 1, 2012 or later
14u - Players born January 1, 2010 or later​
16u - Players born January 1, 2008 or later​
18u - Players born January 1, 2006 or later
3) Where is the "base" location for S.W.A.T. Fastpitch?
Southern Chester County, PA – Avon Grove Area.
4) How and when are teams formed?
Girls must tryout each year for the teams. Any interested player is encouraged to come to tryouts. It is the goal of S.W.A.T. Fastpitch to field one team in each age group. Tryouts for each team are held late July to early August. Dates and times will always be posted on the home page of the website. The online registration is monitored year round and interested players are always encouraged to register.
5) Are there tryouts?
"Yes"; S.W.A.T. Fastpitch holds tryout sessions in late July / early August. Prospective team members will be evaluated by coaches and independent third parties. Prospective team members selected to an individual team will be invited to join the team by the coaching staff.
6) How long is the season, and how many games/tournaments will there be?
Travel Softball seasons typically run from August of the current year through July of the following year. Twice a week practices typically start in September and continue through the fall season. After the holidays the teams hold indoor winter workouts which run directly into the spring/summer season. Although it varies by team, S.W.A.T. Fastpitch teams will each play approximately in 6-8 tournaments, approx 30-40 games. S.W.A.T. Fastpitch teams will play in numerous scrimmage games in the fall and spring to prepare for the upcoming tournaments.
7) When is the first Tournament?
Most teams will play in 1 or 2 tournaments in the fall most likely in Oct. There may be scrimmage games in the fall as well. The first tournament in the spring is typically in March. The older teams spring season may start later to accommodate the High School and Middle School season. Tournament participation will be based on the team development and up to each team. S.W.A.T. Fastpitch will do it’s best to work with local Little Leagues to accommodate schedules for its players.
8) Can I play for the High School team and play for S.W.A.T Fastpitch?
Yes, high school practices and games take precedence over the travel ball team.
9) Can I play on a Little League / Recreational team and play for the S.W.A.T. Fastpitch?
Yes, team members that are still at the youth level are encouraged to represent their local Little Leagues / Rec teams. However players are still expected to attend as many practices as they can and ALL tournaments.
10) What type of commitment will be needed from a girl and her parents?
Travel Softball requires a large time commitment from the player AND her parents(s). There will usually be 1- 2 practices a week in the fall, winter and 1 or 2 practices in the Spring in addition to scrimmages or a tournament on weekends. When a tournament is not scheduled, a game(s) or scrimmage on Saturday and/or Sunday will usually be held locally. This level of play requires dedication to the game. Practice at home is also expected. This program will give a girl the opportunity to prepare through the years to possibly play at the High School level and beyond. Parents will be expected to help as requested by the coach at practices and games. Coaches, Parents and Players are always expected to follow the S.W.A.T. Fastpitch Code of Conduct
11) How important is it for my child to attend all practices and games?
Very Important! It is expected that all players will attend as many if not all games and practices. It is discouraging for a coach, and the other players, not to have all players attend a practice or a game. However, it is understood that children get sick, and that there are reasons they occasionally cannot attend a scheduled activity. Some conflicts with school functions and religious activities are unavoidable, and efforts will be made where possible to set training session times so that all can attend. We encourage girls to play other sports as it builds a well rounded athlete but your daughter is expected to make practice for her S.W.A.T. team. If your child cannot attend a practice or a game, you are asked to call/email the coach and let them know. However, if you anticipate that your daughter will not attend a significant number of practices/games, you may want to reconsider having her tryout for travel softball. It is not fair to the coach, the team or your daughter for her to consistently miss practices or games since she will not develop the skills the other players have developed and her play will suffer. Your daughter will only get out of it what she and you put into it. Her playing time may be reduced, and her status on the team may be jeopardized if she continually misses practices.
11) How much travel is there?
Depending on the team, most games and tournaments are within a daily driving range throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey – typically within 90 miles of Southern Chester County. Each team will decide which tournaments to play in and how far each team will travel. If a team is fortunate to qualify for a National tournament (Pony Nationals, USSSA World Series, ASA Nationals) further travel will be required. The decision to attend one of these tournaments will be decided by the players, coaches, and parents.
12) What will my costs be?
The team fees vary by team but can be anywhere from approximately $700 to $1,500. This covers, insurance, tournament fees, outdoor field usage, indoor practice facilities, uniforms, specialty coaches (conditioning / hitting), equipment, and most team expenses. The team fee does not include any travel costs. S.W.A.T. Fastpitch will hold numerous fund raising activities throughout the year to help reduce costs. S.W.A.T. may offer 1 or 2 organization fundraising activities, but a majority of the fundraising will be performed by individual teams. Team members are required to participate in fundraising. In addition, each player is encouraged to seek out sponsors and reduce the annual dues.
13) What equipment will my daughter need?
Before you buy any equipment please talk to your coach. Some of the equipment needed will be included in each team’s fee to the players – uniforms, helmet, and practice gear. You need to have a glove and softball cleats. Since sliding at this level is an ability that is expected of the players, sliding shorts and sliding pads should be worn. Players are expected to wear either baseball pants or wear sliding pads to every practice. Most players at this level have their own bats, (They must meet safety requirements). It’s highly recommended that all players have face masks especially pitchers and infielders and wear them at every practice and game. Team batting helmets will have safety cages as required by the sanctioning bodies ASA, USSSA, and, Pony.
14) How are the teams managed?
S.W.A.T. Fastpitch will choose from a pool of volunteer coaches with the best overall experience and skill levels available. In addition specialty coaches (hitting, pitching, and speed and agility) will be utilized. At the travel level it is our goal to field the best teams possible and win games (but not at all costs). Your daughter will be trained regularly, and encouraged by the coaches to play well with good sportsmanship. Winning is a product of training, conditioning, and good play. As your daughter moves into older age groups, winning does become more important, and player decisions will be made with winning in mind. A coach will attempt to provide as much playing time for each girl as possible so that all players get game experience and develop a love of the sport. There will be situations when in the coach’s opinion the best players will be in the game to give the team the best opportunity to win, while others may get less, or no playing time in a game. Additional time for the other players can be given when the situation of the game dictates it. Please rest assured that our goal and intention is to develop ALL of the players on the team. If you have any issues with the way a team is being run, talk to the player’s representative and express your concerns to him/her and discuss the situation in an adult manner. Any discussion about the team should be done in person face to face; e-mail is not an appropriate forum.
15) Will all team members play equal time?
No, playing time is earned and will be based on attitude, skill and hustle. However, during pool play on Saturday each girl that shows desire, initiative and comes to practice will play as much as the coaches deem possible and be given an opportunity to start a game. During bracket play (single game elimination) the best 9 players in the coach’s opinion that gives the team the best chance to win - will play. Sunday’s we are playing to WIN!
16) How can I help?
Please remember that the S.W.A.T. is a 100% volunteer organization. We are always looking for help! Step up to the plate and pitch in when requested or even better, volunteer before being asked. Feel free to let your head coach know of any issues or suggestions you may have.
Have additional questions? Info@swatfastpitch.com
