Information

 

Program Structure and Philosophy
CAA In-house program is registered with the Little League International Softball program.  Little League Softball provides an outstanding foundation for program safety, coach & player training, and insurance.  The CAA In-house teams play their games as part of the 3CV League (Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria).  In-house divisions are set by current school grade: Grade 1/2, Grade 3/4, Grade 5/6, Grade 7/8, and Grade 9-12 High School.  Teams will typically have two activities per week with a combination of practices and games.  The culmination of the 3CV season is an end of season tournament.  Our Little League Softball program continues one more week with Little League All-Star selection and District to State play.
 
Storm Traveling Softball is offered for those individuals who are interested in competing at a higher level. It requires a greater commitment, in that each participant is expected to attend all practices and weekend tournaments. Teams will typically have two practices per week, and play in 30 or more games during the season.  The Chanhassen Storm Softball travelling program players are members in the Surburban League.
 
 
In ages 10-16, we offer a travelling program through the Suburban League.  A focus on competition and developing skills will be strongly emphasized. Traveling teams are formed of our best players to compete with the best players from other communities in the metro area. Our goals are improvement in team and individual skills, emphasizing teamwork, equitable participation required, and exemplary sportsmanship. If number of participants dictates, we form multiple teams per age level, with an A-B-C.
 
Tryouts 
Tryouts for Traveling Teams are held in conjunction with Chanhassen Softball evaluations.  Tryouts are mandatory.  We require that ALL players attend ALL rounds of travel tryouts unless an excuse is approved, IN ADVANCE, through the Travel Director. All teams are final once they are posted.  Players are assigned to a team based on the skill and performance level determined by the tryout staff and in evaluations from previous head coaches from traveling teams.  All decisions by the tryout staff are final. All players who try out may not be selected to a traveling team. We may need to cut players to obtain the proper roster size. Players cut will have the opportunity to play in-house program.
 
Grading players during tryouts is not a perfect science. Tryout grades are only a reflection of a player’s abilities on that day.  Coaches generally select players based upon tryout grades, filling positions for the team and personal knowledge of players. No system is perfect and we always look for ways to improve the process. If you have any suggestions or wish to help us in this effort, contact a Board member in writing or attend Board meetings.

Players who have registered for tryouts and cannot participate due to an injury or illness will be excused upon delivery of a doctor's note describing the player's limitations. Players excused due to injury or illness must present a signed doctor's release indicating that the player is medically fit before they will be allowed to participate in any Chanhassen Athletic Association activities. Players who miss the scheduled tryout sessions due to illness or injury will be assigned to a team in the lowest offered team. The tryout staff and the Chanhassen Athletic Association Baseball/Softball Board will determine this, with input from past coaches.
 
 
Teams
Recognizing that individuals will have different skills and needs, a positive environment will be created to foster contribution, accomplishment, confidence and a feeling of self-worth in all players. Each participant will be treated fairly and know they are an important part of the team. All contributions are valued. In turn, players must make the Chanhassen Baseball/Softball team they are placed on their sports priority for the season. Equal playing time is required and enforced, however coaches are afforded a degree of latitude to temporarily reduce time for players who display a distinct lack of commitment to the team. Coaches are required to communicate the specific reasons for time reduction to the player and parents in a respectful manner, and to work with the player to help rectify the situation quickly. Coaches must keep the respective Softball Director of Traveling informed of any reduced time situations.
 
Emphasis is on skill development, teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship and respect for others. Winning is not the primary focus, however, competing and striving to win are emphasized at a minimum the following travel team opportunities:
 
 
Travelling Association Policy
In order to remain a traveling baseball association in good standing in the state of Minnesota, Chanhassen Softball adheres to Suburban League. These guidelines can be found by visiting www.suburbanleaguemn.com/ .
 
Renegade Teams Policy
Chanhassen Baseball/Softball will not support Renegade Teams with equipment or field time, nor approve or support Renegade Teams in any State Tournament.  A Renegade Team as defined by Chanhassen Baseball/Softball is a person or team that did not initially try out for a Chanhassen Baseball/Softball Travelling Team, or is not playing on an In-House team. This policy pertains to participants in ages 10-16 for Softball.
 
Program Goals
• Provide effective, high quality training for players and coaches at all levels.
• Provide programs that are cooperative with, and respected by, other community programs.
• Strive to create a fun and entertaining environment for the players, families, coaches and community.
• Seek to maximize the potential of every player in the program.
• Develop players and teams that are able to compete at a top level.
• Encourage and foster player participation for the full length of a player's youth sports career.
• Foster the importance of teamwork and the understanding that all team members play an integral part in the success of the team.
• Promote skill development and create a positive self-esteem for every player.
• Display exemplary sportsmanship always.
 
Extra Player
If a team needs an extra player due to a schedule conflict, sickness or injury, the player must come from within the Chanhassen Softball Association. The head coach has the option to select the player, pending the approval of the Director of Traveling and Director of Softball. The coach will select from the next level down in the same age group. If no one is available, they are then allowed to proceed to the next age group down, or to Chanhassen Softball In-House.  The Chanhassen Baseball/Softball Board must be notified when any use of this policy is put in place.
 
Fees & Expenses
The registration fee is $315 for traveling. It must be paid in full before trying out for a team in the spring. A refund will be made if you do not make a team. Additional expenses may include extra tournament fees, and travel costs to and from games.
 
Registration
Registration for youth baseball is held between December and March. The preferred registration method is online at www.chanhassenathleticassociation.com.  Flyers are available through the schools and the Chanhassen Recreation Center.
 
Refunds
Refunds if necessary can be obtained by contacting the program coordinator.
• Full refund prior to first tryout.
• If you attend any or all of the tryouts and then decide not to participate, you will be charged a $30 administrative fee.
• No refunds if program has started (once tryouts are completed and teams are posted), due to uniform and administration costs.
 
Travelling Coach Selection Process
Anyone interested in coaching a team must check the appropriate area on the registration form. In the event that there are multiple people interested in being the head coach, the CAA Baseball/Softball Board will evaluate the candidates on their commitment to coaching, previous coaching experience, knowledge of the game, and coaching philosophy to select the head coach. The head coach and Chanhassen Baseball/Softball Board will select assistant coaches based on the same criteria. Selection criteria includes at a minimum the following items:
 

• Previous youth coaching experience, including feedback from prior seasons.
• Knowledge of the game of Softball
• Ability to teach players of all skill levels
• Attendance and active participation in coach and player clinics.
• Ability to represent CAA with the utmost respect and sportsmanship.
• Ability to provide positive reinforcement to players in both practices and game  situations.
• This must be the coaches’ top priority and only traveling team.
 

Fall Fastpitch Softball Information
CAA teams for Fall Softball play in the Minn Metro Fastpitch League (MMFL). The season runs from mid-Aug to the end of Sept. Schedules will be determined first by the team ability level and then by location.  Fall league provides an opportunity for your players to learn about the game and gain experience playing fastpitch.  It is an excellent introduction to the "travel" team environment at a higher level of play.  Teams will have 2-3 practices per week.  Schedules are posted on the team web pages. This is a season for continued play, but without a hard core practice or game schedule.  ASA/NAFA rules apply.  It is Fall ball, we play rain, snow or shine.  Games are scheduled at noon, 1:30, 3:00, and 4:30 pm on Sundays.
 
West Metro Thunder 16U Girls Fastpitch Softball Information
The West Metro Thunder is a softball partnership between Chanhassen, Chaska, and Minnetonka community softball organizations.  Our goal is to create an opportunity for girls to play competitive fastpitch softball but without the year long expense and time commitment of club teams.  We will form as many teams as possible based on number of interested players.
Player Eligibility 
All players from any community are welcome with the majority of the players expected to come from the 3 community areas.
Team Formation/Tryouts
Tryouts are held in Oct.  Team selection is determined by the tryout results and coach/committee input.
West Metro Thunder Q&A => click for document link