FAQ
Learn more about what to expect when you join the GAL community! If you have a question that isn't answered here, send it to info@galsoftball.org and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
When does the season run?
The spring/summer softball season starts in April and lasts through June. The Firecracker season tournament ends the season the last week of June.
GAL also offers a short and sweet late summer/fall season August-September, which is typically a one-game-per-week commitment.
What are the GAL divisions and age brackets?
Spring/summer season:
| Division | Grades |
| Machine Pitch | Kindergarten - 2nd grade |
| 10u - Minors | 3rd - 4th grade |
| 13u - Majors | 5th - 7th grade |
| 19u - High School | 8th - 12th grade + 19-year-olds |
Fall season:
| Division | Grades |
| Major League | 3rd-6th grade (age 8-11) |
| Big League | 7th-12th grade (age 12-18) |
You can find division-specific and team information, including times and days of the week each division plays by selecting the desired division under Teams on the navigation panel.
Can I request to be on the same team as a friend?
Yes, you may add a friend request as part of the registration process. Friend requests are limited to one, as one of the goals of GAL softball is to encourage new friendships across the entire league.
What is the time commitment?
Spring/Summer season
| Division | Scheduled Days for Games |
| Machine Pitch | Sundays and Thursdays |
| 10u - Minors | Saturdays and Wednesdays |
| 13u - Majors | Saturdays and Tuesdays |
| 19u - High School | Sundays and Mondays |
Minors, Majors and High School teams will have one practice scheduled during the week that will be determined when the season starts based on field availability. Machine Pitch has an optional practice based on parent and coaches schedule.
Fall season
All teams have games once a week at Optimist Field during the fall season. For 2023, the younger division plays Sunday afternoons and the older division plays Sunday evenings. Practices will be held on Saturdays.
We understand families have other obligations and vacations during the season. Please communicate with your coach if your player will be absent for a game. This is a huge help to coaches when preparing lineups.
What equipment do I need?
All you truly need is a glove and some good athletic shoes to play!
Beyond that, here are a few helpful things to know:
- Metal spikes/cleats are not allowed.
- Face shields are highly recommended when playing infield positions. You can find these at sporting goods stores. There may be limited quantities available for community/team usage.
- If you have a batting helmet or softball bat you prefer, you can bring it with you. Otherwise, all gear is provided.
- Athletic shorts or softball shorts/pants are recommended.
How much does it cost to play?
Spring/summer season
- Machine pitch (K-2) is $165 per player.
- All other ages are $190 per player.
Your spring/summer season registration fee includes a softball jersey.
Multi-player discounts available for families registering 2+ kids for the summer season!
- Save $40 on your second player.
- Save $75 on your third player.
- Save $150 when you enroll 4+ players.
Fall season
$50 per player. Your registration fee includes a T-shirt.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes. If joining GAL is cost-prohibitive to your family, please contact us at president@galsoftball.org to obtain scholarship information. We believe all girls who want to play should be able to play, regardless of family income or any other factor.
Where are games and practices?
Games and practices are primarily hosted at Optimist Field in the Glen Lake area of Minnetonka and Legacy fields on the Minnetonka High School campus. At times and depending on availability, scheduling and construction, other nearby fields are used.
You can find information and directions to our fields on our facilities page.
What's the difference between slowpitch vs. fastpitch softball?
The key difference between these two sports is that slowpitch is a hitter's game, while fastpitch is a pitcher's game. Once the batter hits the ball, the games are essentially the same. In slowpitch, there's a lot more hitting so the games have much more action in the field and on the basepaths.
The higher level of hitting in slowpitch means that defense is a key part of the game. Slowpitch softball gives players a lot of experience fielding, throwing and positioning.
A common misconception is that the slowpitch game isn't very competitive or is played loosely. The GAL recreational (house) games are meant to strike a good balance between competitiveness and fun. You'll see the girls running hard, diving for fly balls and making incredible defensive plays. Come watch a high school game sometime and you'll see how competitive they are!
Why play slowpitch if the high school path is fastpitch softball?
Slowpitch softball players get a lot of experience in defensive and baserunning skills, so slowpitch is a great place to start playing ball and building skills before shifting to fastpitch, if that's their preference. In fact, a number of local varsity players got their start in GAL and switched to fastpitch in their junior high years.
Many slowpitch players stick with GAL throughout their high school years for the camaraderie they've built with teammates and the balance GAL offers to both players and families.
Does GAL have more competitive teams?
Yes. The GAL travel program offers a higher level of competition and skill building. GAL travel athletes play in local/regional tournaments and have additional practices and scrimmages with teams outside the normal GAL league. The travel season usually starts right after our regular season, culminating in the state tournament on July 31st. Participating in travel comes with a small additional expense to cover only GAL travel expenses, which is determined at the start of every season.
Travel teams are usually built from the best players available within each regional softball league. Based on this higher level of competition and tournament atmosphere, GAL travel teams have stricter requirements for participation. Coaches may select an 'All-Star' team of select players based on ability and position to create the best GAL team available per age group.
How can parents get involved?
At GAL, we encourage parents to be supportive of all athletes, coaches, umpires and organizers. Cheer loud, encourage the players, enjoy the games and be a role model for good sportsmanship.
We also rely on parent volunteers to coach, run concession stands during games, help out at GAL's social events and communicate with coaches about player absences. Please sign up for volunteer opportunities throughout the season.
If you're really passionate about the sport and the league, we want you to join the GAL board!
Parents can play many roles in sports: current or former athlete, coach, fan, motivator, role model or critic. A few studies have shown that family members may influence an athlete’s involvement and achievement in sport more than coaches. Parents also are the first and most critical agents at socializing sports.
