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Slammers
Youth Softball Development
| Slammers News and Events |
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SLAMMERS NEW WEBSITE:url.d219.org/slammers
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| Slammers |
Slammers are the official feeder team for School District 219 and were founded in 2000. They play competitive softball and prepare girls to play at the high school level. The organization is supported by, and under the broad supervision of the high school Athletic Directors, although it is managed by a volunteer board.
Slammers relies on the cooperation of local recreational and instructional leagues to indentify district players that are able to play competitive softball and who are committed athletes. They also rely heavily on the support of the high school athletic departments for resources needed to develop players. Slammers, in turn, develops players that are ready to contribute positively to their high school programs upon their arrival as freshmen. This enables Niles North and Niles West varsity teams to field competitive softball teams in two of the most challenging conferences in our state.
District Residency Slammers seeks to fill all roster openings with players who reside in Niles Township and have a goal of 100%. Currently they depend on players from outside our district to complete rosters. They continue to look for ways to improve their organization while reaching out to more players in our district.
Coaching In 2011, Slammers will field teams at the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age levels. They are coached by experienced softball folks who enjoy softball and coaching young ladies. Coaches (parents and non parents) are students of the game and continually advance their knowledge of softball by attending various clinics where the latest instruction strategies and techniques are presented. The coaches are dedicated to making competitive softball a fun, challenging and rewarding activity for the players. It is their goal to help each player reach their potential and individual goals while providing a positive environment where team play and sportsmanship are the most important achievement.
The Season Slammers’ 10U, 12U and 14U teams play in the North Shore Fast-Pitch League and in local tournaments. This provides an opportunity to play against the best teams in the area while staying relatively close to home. Our 12U, 14U and 16U teams will play in sanctioned tournaments such as ASA and USSSA and seek to earn a berth into regional and state tournaments. Our 16U and 18U teams will play in College Exposure tournaments in order to showcase our player’s talents.
Tryouts & Team Formation Slammers holds open tryouts in August. Tryouts are published in local print publications, on the internet and by distributing flyers into sender schools. Rosters are typically set by late August and teams begin practicing and playing on weekends; this is dependent on player availability since softball is out of season in the fall.
Cost The total fee per player varies by team and it ranges from $400 to $650. There are two parts to the payment process. When a player accepts the invitation to join Slammers, they pay $200 immediately to secure their roster spot. This is non-refundable. The balance is due by the end of March and this is typically donated by a business sponsor found by the player. Sponsor materials are provided for families beginning in January. Players are required to participate in all team and organizational fundraising. Fundraising is done to defray travel expenses or to support the organization. Families of players are also expected to contribute nominally to our annual organizational fundraiser, the “Slammers Splash” tournament.
Slammers Splash Player fees do not cover the entire cost of running the program, and therefore, the organization holds an annual tournament, the “Slammers Splash” to raise additional funds that make up the difference. Between 40 and 50 teams (10U through 16U) participate in the tournament which is held at parks in Skokie and Morton Grove. This is a fun tournament that is held in mid-July that has become one of the best of its kind in our area. The tournament draws teams from the greater Chicago area and is a tradition for many of them.
Former Slammers in Action!
District 219 Youth Softball Development wishes to recognize the following former SLAMMERS who now play softball at the collegiate level. These players represented our district with distinction and pride and now represent their respective schools:
Darcy Foreman - Jr. (SS/OF) University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI Rosie Glaser - So. (IF/OF) Denison University, Granville, OH Kim Griseto - Jr. (P/IF) Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA Claire Prosperi - Fr. (1B/3B) Trinity College, Hartford, CT Julie Schwenk - Fr. (P/OF) Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL Beth Seebacher - Sr. (OF) North Park University, Chicago, IL Kate Seebacher - Sr. (P/1B) North Park University, Chicago, IL
We wish them continued SUCCESS this spring!!!
For more information on tryouts and to catch up on Slammers teams and events, please visit them at:
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