Smithtown Bulls
Travel Softball Program
TRAVEL SOFTBALL
Smithtown Bulls Softball Travel Program is designed to provide a positive experience for any player capable and interested in an advanced level of play. The travel program is available for players age 8 - 12 and is mostly made up of players from St. James-Smithtown Little League Softball League.
TRYOUTS
Tryouts are held at the end of the summer season for all existing teams. The coaches’ chosen for those travel teams and a panel of league Board members will conduct the tryouts.
TRAVEL POLICY
Travel softball is not for all players. Only those players serious enough to make the commitment should consider trying out for a team. The league is committed to improving the skills of all players to their maximum capability. The league also makes the commitment to the players that they will play as long as the player/parent lives up to the rules stated by the coaches at the beginning of the season (attending practices, proper attitude, on time for games and practices…) Playing time, and how it is distributed, is decided by the head coach.
MANDATORY TRAVEL SEASONS
A player that makes a team is strongly recommended to participate in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Once a player makes the travel team, she cannot be removed from that team until the following year’s tryouts. Extenuating circumstances may exist however, such as extraordinarily bad behavioral reasons on the part of the parent or player.
Summer
The summer travel season begins around the last week of June and runs to the first week of August with playoffs usually extending into the second or third week of August (the dates will vary slightly depending on the travel league your team has registered to play in). During the summer season teams can play a 10 game season usually playing three games per week. There is usually one mid-week game in the early evening and a doubleheader in the morning on the weekend. In addition to the games, the teams practice at least once per week. Game days and practice days will depend on the team, league and division entered and your coaches availability.
Fall
Similar to the spring season, the fall season runs from early September through the late part of October. Teams play an approximate 12 game season consisting of weekday and weekend games. Game days and practice days will depend on the team, league and division entered and your coaches availability.
The 10U age levels games consist of 6 innings and use an 11" ball during play.
Both 12U and 14U age level games consist of 7 innings and use a 12" ball during play.
FEES AND COSTS
Fees to play travel softball change from year to year. These fees include field practices, games, and umpire fees.
Additional fees not included in registration for players will include helmets, gloves, bats, and other personal equipment.
Uniforms consisting of shirt, shorts, sliding shorts, socks, visor, and helmet (required with chin strap and face guard).
ELIGIBILITY
Travel softball starts with the 8-year-old team. When playing softball we encourage players to play with their grade (with their classmates), however, given the universal birthday rule; when playing travel softball they must play with the team at their AGE. There may be some rare circumstances when a player may be able to play “up” with an older age group, but NEVER down” with a younger age.