1. How much does it cost to play for the Grayslake Pride?
   The costs vary slightly for travel softball.  They range from $275 to $325.  New players are required to purchase a uniform as well and that ranges from $90-$115.  Other things you should consider when deciding if the Pride program is right for you are things such as equipment needs, dining out, travel, etc.

2. How does this compare to the cost of other travel softball and sports programs?
   Our costs are lower than what we have found with other programs.  Certain club teams charge $1,000 or more.

3. Do we have to purchase new uniforms every year?
   New players will have to purchase new uniforms.  Returning players may use their uniform from the previous year.  If a player is moving up a level and that number is already taken, a new uniform may have to be purchased.

4. Is equipment provided?
   Players are expected to provide their own spikes, glove, bat and batting helmet with chinstrap.  Other personal protective gear such as mouth guard, infielders face mask, sliding shorts, batting gloves, or sliding pad will also need to be provided by the player.  The team does provide softballs and catching gear.

1. What is the time commitment to play travel softball for the Pride?
   Our season typically involves some fall practices and possibly scrimmage games and then a shut down period that is generally November and December.  We begin indoor practices in January and that is limited to only 1 day per week, on Sunday evenings at Grayslake Central High School.  As the weather breaks, we move outdoors.

   The season runs from about mid April through July for 10U and 12U, including the tournaments they participate in.  As for the commitment level, expect 2-3 days per week in April and May and 3-4 days per week in June and July.  Each team will play about 20 games and 3-4 tournaments.

   The season for 14U and 16U are slightly different.  There will be practices in April and May, but because these teams have high school players, games will not begin until the high school season ends at the beginning of June.  June and July are quite busy for 14U and 16U with games and tournaments.  As for the commitment level, expect 2-3 days per week in April and May and 3-4 days per week in June and July.  14U plays about 16 league games and 4 or 5 tournaments.  16U plays about 6 tournaments and games as they can arrange them.

2. Is my daughter expected to spend extra time outside of the regularly scheduled practices/games to improve her skills?
   Yes, it would be expected that your daughter spend time on her skills outside of organized activities in order to give her the best opportunity to improve.

1. My daughter has never played travel softball, do you have to be an elite player to play for the Pride?
   While we do hold tryouts for our teams, players of all skill levels are encouraged to try out.

2. Should my daughter try out again, even if she didn’t make the team in the past?
   Absolutely.  No players are guaranteed spots on any of our teams year after year.  Our tryouts are held with independent evaluators so that everyone is given a fair shot at making a team.

3. My daughter would like to play softball in high school, should she play travel softball?
   Travel softball certainly offers advantages over an in-house program, primarily because your daughter will obtain far more practice time and closer to a year round approach.  The key to improvement is repetition of taught skills.  Our coaches can provide the players with knowledge necessary to improve and our travel program provides the opportunities to apply that knowledge.

1. Is the Grayslake Pride a “feeder” program for Grayslake Central and Grayslake North?
   Not directly, although we do have involvement from both of the town's high schools.

2. Does the Pride allow players to try out that live outside of the Grayslake Park District boundaries?
   Yes we do.  Because we are not bound by league or high school restrictions, players may play for our teams regardless of what town they live in.

3. How many teams does the Grayslake Pride have?
   We currently have teams at the 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U levels and when participation warrants it, we may form more than one team at any given level.

4. What age groups do the teams represent?
   Age is determined by your daughter's birth day on January 1st of that particular year.  For example, if your daughter is 12 years old on January 1st, she may play 12U even if she turns 13 on January 2nd.

5. Is my daughter guaranteed a spot on the team if she tries out?
   She must be selected after a tryout.  We hold our tryouts in August of each year for the following season.

6. Is my daughter guaranteed equal playing time or a minimum number of innings/starts?
   Playing time is not guaranteed at the travel level, however each of the coaches that we select will develop your daughter to best fit her needs as well as the needs of the team.  It should be understood that improvement will come through practice and how hard your daughter works outside of practice.  During regular league games where free substitution is allowed, every player will typically play in every game.  For tournament games that are played under more stringent substitution rules (e.g. ASA, USSSA), your coach may play the players he/she feels gives the team the best chance to win and be competitive.

7. How are the coaches selected for the Pride?
   Coaches are selected through an application process and are not selected until after tryouts are held.

8. How are the teams selected for the Pride?
   We holds tryouts in August of each year for the following season.  A group of independent evaluators as well as Park District staff preside over the tryouts and the Park District makes teams selections after the tryouts.

9. What if I want to be a coach, what can I do?
   You must apply at time of tryout registration to be a coach.  You will be subject to a background check and may have references checked.

10. Is the Grayslake Pride considered a “club” team?
    While we are not considered a club team, we feel that our program provides highly competitive teams similar to a club team.

11. Where do the Pride teams play their games?
    Our home games are played at Alleghany Park or the Aquatic Center.  This is a travel program and your team will travel to surrounding suburbs.

12. Does the Grayslake Pride play in a league?
    The Pride play in the North Suburban Fastpitch Pitch League (http://www.nsfpl.org).  There is no "league" for the 16U team.  In addition to the tournaments, the 16U team schedules weekday games with other 16U travel teams as well as local high school summer teams.

13. What level (A,B,C) do the Grayslake Pride teams compete at?
    That is a decision made by each team's coach based on the skill level of the team he/she is coaching.

If you have questions about the Grayslake Pride Travel Softball program, you may reach us at (847) 223-7529.