(FAQ)
1. Do I have to live in Pascagoula to participate?
2. How old do I have to be to participate?
3. How much does it cost to participate?
4. What if I have never played before?
5. Where do I register to participate?
6. Can I be on my friend’s/sister’s team?
7. I don’t want to be on the team that I was on last year. Can I change teams?
8. Where do teams practice?
9. Where do teams play, and what time are the games?
10. My team is playing at another league’s fields, who can take me?
11. How can I coach?
12. How can I be an umpire?
13. How can I be a scorekeeper?
14. Can I work in the concession stand?
15. Where can I find the playing rules?
16. How can I find more information about the league’s Board of Directors?
17. Doesn’t the City of Pascagoula fund the league?
18. Am I required to play weekend tournaments?
19. Why isn’t the complex landscaped like the baseball complex?
20. What if I have a complaint about a game or the league?
1. Do I have to live in Pascagoula to participate?
Players wishing to participate do not have to live within the city limits of Pascagoula. However, players living outside the City of Pascagoula must pay an additional "non-resident" fee to participate. See question number three (3) for more information regarding fees.
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2. How old do I have to be to participate?
Players must be at least four (4) years old, nor more than eighteen (18) years old, on or before June 1 of the year of participation. If the player won’t be at least four (4) before June 1, she can’t play until the following season. If the player will turn nineteen (19) before June 1, she has exceeded the age limit for participation.
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3. How much does it cost to participate?
Each registering player who meets residency requiredments for the City of Pascagoula is required to pay a $55 participation fee at the time of registration. However, for families that have more than one daughter participating, a family discount may apply. All players living outside of the City of Pascagoula are required to pay an additional "non-resident" fee of $25 for a total of $80 each. There is no family discount offered to participants who live outside of the City of Pascagoula. This additional fee is used to help defray the cost of reimbursement not obtained by the league from the City of Pascagoula for game officials. See question number sixteeen (16) for more information regarding reimbursement by the City of Pascagoula. You will need to contact a Board member for more information regarding the family discount, or read about it on the registration page of this website.
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4. What if I have never played before?
Then you are at the right place. All girls of all abilities that meet the residency and age requirements for the league are encouraged to participate. The league has had players as old as seventeen years old with no previous playing experience. This league is a recreation league, where everyone is welcome to participate.
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5. Where do I register to participate?
You may register with the league by various means: City of Pascagoula 12th Street Girls Softball Complex, located at 2401 12th Street, Pascagoula on registration dates; download the registration form from the website and mail it with the appropriate participation fee per player registering to Pascagoula Girls Softball, P.O. Box 1864, Pascagoula, MS 39568-1864 prior to March 5, 2011; pick up a registration form at the City of Pascagoula Parks and Recreation office located at the old Pascagoula High School gymnasium on Pascagoula Street in Pascagoula. See registration page on this website for more information.
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6. Can I be on my friend’s/sister’s team?
Teams are chosen by age brackets through a draft system. Players who have not participated the previous year, players desiring to change teams, and players moving into the next age bracket must attend a tryout consisting of throwing, catching, and running. Sisters in the same age bracket may elect to be selected for the same team. Under certain, limited circumstances, players not meeting the sister rule may request to participate on the same team. However, this must be upon application to and approval by the age bracket commissioner and Board of Directors.
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7. I don’t want to be on the team that I was on last year. Can I change teams?
While players who are not moving into the next age bracket are encourage to participate with their team from the previous year, this is not required. Players desiring to change teams may do so ONLY by submitting to the draft as described above.
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8. Where do teams practice?
The City of Pascagoula 12th Street Girls Softball Complex offers four fields for practice, and teams are provided a rotating schedule for practices at this complex. However, managers may use other facilities in the community and will provide directions to their teams for these practices.
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9. Where do teams play, and what time are the games?
Teams play sixteen (16) to twenty-four (24) games throughout the season. Game times are 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM at all locations at which teams may play. League games take place at the City of Pascagoula 12th Street Girls Softball Complex. At times, teams may play with neighboring leagues, such as Helena or Ocean Springs, at their complexes. Directions will be provided to teams playing at other complexes.
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10. My team is playing at another league’s fields, who can take me?
Pascagoula Girls Softball cannot provide transportation for players to any activity. Parents must make transportation arrangements for their children. Sometimes, coaches or other parents will provide transportation for other players, but are NOT required to do so.
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11. How can I coach?
Coaches are unpaid volunteers who provide their time to teach and encourage the players. Persons with quick temper, questionable coaching practices, or do not have the desire to learn about the game of softball, about the players, or about coaching, need not apply. Coaches must be at least twenty-one (21) years old; must be currently certified as or submit to a National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) certification course; successfully pass a detailed background check, including criminal inquiry and Department of Human services database checks; and submit an application to the Board of Directors prior to ANY participation with the league. For more information about coaching, contact the age bracket Commissioner in the age bracket in which you desire to coach.
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12. How can I be an umpire?
Umpires are paid officials who must be impartial, have good judgment, and maintain good people skills. Umpires must be at least twenty-one (21) years old; must be currently certified as or submit to a Dixie Softball Umpire certification course; successfully pass a detailed background check, including criminal inquiry and Department of Human services database checks; and submit an application to the Board of Directors prior to ANY participation with the league. For more information about being an umpire, contact the league President.
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13. How can I be a scorekeeper?
Scorekeepers are paid officials who provide valuable information to the league regarding scores, strikes, balls, outs, and other statistics. Scorekeepers must be at least sixteen (16) years old; must be able to follow the game, keeping detailed statistics, and announcing players; and must submit an application to the Board of Directors prior to ANY participation with the league. For more information about scorekeeping, contact the Scorekeeper/Scheduler.
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14. Can I work in the concession stand?
The concession stand replies on parent volunteers to operate. However, from time to time, the concession stand offers employment opportunities. Each shift consists of one game time (6:00 PM to 7:30 PM or 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM) and pays $6 per shift. Concession workers must be at least thirteen (13) years old, be of trustworthy character, and be able to work without a break for the shift. For more information about working in the concession stand, contact the league’s Concession Chair.
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15. Where can I find the playing rules?
Pascagoula Girls Softball is a self governing athletic league that abides by a set of Bylaws created and amended by the general membership of the league. You may obtain a copy of the Bylaws on the Rules and Regs section of the website or at the concession stand for $3. Game play is governed by Amateur Softball Association (ASA) game rules and regulations for inter-league and tournament play. You may obtain a copy of the rules at www.softball.org or at the concession stand for nominal fee. Additional rules, restrictions, or limitations upon the games are enforced through a series of Standing Rules. All teams in play at fields operated by Pascagoula Girls Softball are subject to these standing rules. You may obtain a copy of the Standing Rules on the Rules and Regs section of this website or at the concession stand for $3.
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16. How can I find more information about the league’s Board of Directors?
You may find more information about the Board of Directors on the League Officials section of the website, or by calling 228-769-1544.
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17. Doesn’t the City of Pascagoula fund the league?
The City of Pascagoula Parks and Recreation Department maintains the grounds and facilities at the 12th Street Softball Complex, including grounds keeping. Additionally, the league receives a $16.50 reimbursement per game from the City to help defray the cost of officials. However, each game costs approximately $55 each to operate. Additionally, uniforms, equipment, insurance and the remainder of operational costs must be paid for by the league. This is why there is a registration fee, non-resident fee, and why the league operates the concession stand.
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18. Am I required to play weekend tournaments?
The league is associated with Amateur Softball Association (ASA) which offers invitational "C Class" tournaments just about every weekend throughout the season. Participation in "C Class" invitational tournaments, which are sponsored by other leagues in Mississippi ASA District 1, are not required for individual teams or players. However, the league is required to have teams participate in various tournaments for eligibility for ASA C Class District Tournaments, commonly called "All-Star" tournaments, that take place at the end of the season. This participation requirement is satisfied by coaches and players who volunteer to participate, rather than being required from each coach or player of the league.
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19. Why isn’t the complex landscaped like the baseball complex?
The Anola Club, Keep Pascagoula Beautiful movement and the City of Pascagoula Beautification Department implemented and maintain the landscaping at the Dixie Youth Baseball complex in Pascagoula. The City of Pascagoula Parks and Recreation Department contract lawn maintenance at the 12th Street Girls Softball Complex, and do not budget additional funding for landscaping and beautification. You may contact your Pascagoula City Councilman at www.cityofpascagoula.com to voice your concerns over this issue. Or, you can volunteer your services and help us beautify the complex on our own.
In 2005, the City of Pascagoula Department of Parks and Recreation has budgeted to allow for proper lawn maintenance on the fields and has taken steps to begin beautifying our complex. Furthermore, in June 2005 a motel/hotel tax increase was passed during the municipal elections, allowing for additional monies to be raised for parks and recreation facilities in Pascagoula. The league has been assured that construction of a new softball complex replete with 5 fields and a central concession/meeting area will be constructed north of the current soccer complex on Tillman Road. The Parks and Recreation Commission has made the construction of the softball complex a priority over any other capital improvements in the Parks and Recreation system.
You should take the time to thank them by sending a letter to ritae@cityofpascagoula.com.
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20. What if I have a complaint about a game or the league?
If you have a concern over a rule or call in a specific game, you may contact the following, in order: Coach, age bracket Commissioner, Vice-President, President. Any contact out of order will result in your being redirected to the proper person in the chain of command and possibly cause a preliminary bias to your complaint. If you have a complaint about the league, contact a Commissioner or other Board Member directly, or address the issue properly in a General Membership meeting. Amateur Softball Association directors have no control over non-game league operation, and the City of Pascagoula has limited control.
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