LADY SEAWOLVES FASTPITCH SOFTBALL TEAMS AGES 8U TO 18U

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For the 2024/2025 season, our ESC Jr SeaWolves team will be revamping the Lady SeaWolves softball program. The focus will be on quality over quantity. We will feature only one team per age group and will focus on quality coaching for each team. These teams will be built under the supervision of local college softball athletes and coaches and our Jr SeaWolves leadership team.

The structure of the Lady SeaWolves teams will be to provide a training ground for the committed athletes of their age that love softball and want to train consistently throughout the year in a positive and professional environment. 

The focus of these teams is teaching fundamentals, strength training, and softball IQ  in a fun environment. These teams practice all year at the Erie Sports Center facilities including throughout the winter on near full size fields in the ESC sports dome. As it gets warmer we move outside and play tournaments locally and regionally.

These teams have a consistent culture of teaching the fundamentals in a fun environment that incorporates station drills and team activities and scrimmages designed to each teams age group. Coaches work with directors to help provide the best pathway possible for the athlete.  Our program will also work with AHN and former MLB strength and conditioning coach Frank Velasquez to develop strength training programs specific to each age group.

Our youth team seasons will look similar to the following:

• July 27 and 28 - tryouts 
• August - mandatory team event
• September through October is down time but teams will still utilize optional cage or outdoor practices and strength training sessions. These are light workouts that allow players bodies to rest but still maintain muscle memory. 
• Some teams will have a fun fall tournament as a bonding experience at the end of October. 
• November teams will go to a mandatory 1 practice per week for athletes including dome sessions on Sunday's and scheduled team cage sessions on other days.  We provide several options for multi-sport athletes to attend 1 practice per week. Players not in another sport are expected to attend all practices.
• March becomes "in-season" and players are expected to attend as many practices as possible.
• April begins our spring training games and tournaments in the dome.
• In May we move outside and begin tournament season for the summer which lasts to end of July.

8U in this area is focused on coach pitch and playing tournaments locally.  This allows players to emphasize fielding and hitting at a young age while having fun in a competitive environment. For this age it is important to develop the outfield as much as the infield and also develop hitting. Players are taught how to throw to cut from the outfield and where to be in different defensive situations. 

These teams feature primarily parent coaches and team managers that have kids on the team that are consulted by the Lady SeaWolves staff coaches during the offseason. All coaches are required to have USA softball training and certs.

Includes:

-1 offseason practice per week in the dome + 1 practice in the ESC cages (Nov to end of April)

-2-3  in season practices per week  (depending on if there is game/tournament) (May to end of July) 

-4 local tournaments ($450 each)

-1 local or travel tournaments ($450 each)

-3 custom uniform tops, 1 visor, 2 pants, socks, helmet, belt, and bag, 

-1 white Jr SeaWolves arm sleeve

-Practice jersey and pants.

-White arm sleeve.

-2 Team banners. (1) hung at the ESC and (1) to travel with the team

-Local billboard with team banner photo run during June/July time frame

-End of the year team banquet

-Christmas banquet

Registration cost: $65/month (12 months) + 3x mandatory organizational fundraisers

Families will have the opportunity to offset cost through fundraising opportunities and sponsorships. Motivated families will have the opportunity to offset their full cost.

At the 10U level development of player pitching and catching becomes critical. At this age it is important to build a strong foundation of fundamentals and this done through consistent practice.  Our program starts training as soon as possible in the fall to start teaching pitchers, catchers fundamentals as well as players to understand the higher level game including leads, stealing, pick offs as well as fielding fundamentals and defensive positioning.

At this age we start to incorporate paid coaches working with the teams to help oversee parent coaches and team managers that have athletes on the team. This program focuses on all levels of training including the introduction of weight training, agility and increasing softball IQ. The paid coaches help set line ups and will consult with the parent coaches. All coaches are required to have USA softball training and certs. 

Games are played on 60' bases/35' pitching rubber. We recommend playing most tournaments locally while traveling to a few regional places to get experience in different settings.

Includes:

-1 offseason practice per week in the dome + 1 practice in the ESC cages (Nov to end of April)

-2-3  in season practices per week  (depending on if there is game/tournament) (May to end of July) 

-Team session with AHN strength and conditioning and preventative maintenance plan and meetings 2x per month.

-ESC spring training games indoors in the dome

-5 local tournaments (within a 2 hr drive) ($450 each or equivalent)

-2 travel tournaments to standard cost tournaments (ie No Offseason) ($450 each)

-3 custom uniform tops, 1 visor, 2 pants, socks, helmet, belt, and bag, 

-1 white Jr SeaWolves arm sleeve.

-Practice jersey and pants.

-Level up arm sleeve program.

-2 Team banners. (1) hung at the ESC and (1) to travel with the team

-Local billboard with team banner photo run during June/July time frame

-End of the year team banquet

-Christmas banquet

Registration cost: $100/month (12 months) + 3x mandatory organizational fundraisers

Families will have the opportunity to offset cost through fundraising opportunities and sponsorships. Motivated families will have the opportunity to offset their full cost.

At the 12U level the game becomes more complicated with players learning signs, defenses and different pitches. As players and teams develop from 10U to 12U we continue to build on the knowledge base and skills in position specific drills, stations and team activities.  

12U ages increase practice to 1 x per week in the dome and 2x per week in cages in the offseason. These practices help focus skills, develop muscle memory and strength, and give multi-sport athletes the ability to attend at minimum one field practice per week. 

Our program starts cages once athletes are back to school and  settled. Then in late October we start our offseason program.  This program focuses on all levels of training including the introduction of weight training, agility and increasing softball IQ. This program is designed to maximize training while minimizing wear on the players arms. Most of our athletes will have over 100+ hours of training before March when our spring training sessions start. This minimizes in season injuries and allows athletes to play the game instead of worrying about the fundamentals in season.

12U Games are played on 60' bases/40' pitching rubber. 

At this age teams will play tournaments based on competition. As they improve the coaches will start to seek out the next level of teams to challenge the players.

Includes:

-Independent paid coach/supervisor that works with coaches and team managers that have kids on the team.

-1 offseason practices per week  in the dome + 1-2 practices in the ESC cages (Nov 1 to March 31)

-2-3 in season practices per week (depending on if there is game/tournament) (April to end of July)

-Team session with AHN strength and conditioning and preventative maintenance plan and meetings 2x per month.

-ESC spring training games indoors in the dome

-5 local tournaments (within a 2 hr drive) ($450 each or equivalent)

-2 travel tournaments to standard cost tournaments (ie No Offseason) ($450 each)

-1 travel tournament to Sportsforce or equivalent ($1295)

-3 custom uniform tops, 1 visor, 3 pants, socks, helmet, belt, and bag.

-Practice jersey and pants

-Level up arm sleeve program

-2 Team banners. (1) hung at the ESC and (1) to travel with the team

-Local billboard with team banner photo run during June/July time frame

-End of the year team banquet

-Christmas banquet

Registration cost: $125/month (12 months) + 3x mandatory organizational fundraisers 

Families will have the opportunity to offset cost through fundraising opportunities and sponsorships. Motivated families will have the opportunity to offset their full cost.

Middle School Team Ages: 14 U Team 

Note:  1 team per age group only

These teams are designed for committed, focused athletes that are looking to play at the high school level and have their sites set on playing at college. At these ages athletes start to focus on one sport.  These teams train year round and are designed to teach athletes what is expected at the next level. At this level there is a strong focus in the offseason on practice and strength training.  Weight training is introduced through a strength training program designed by former MLB strength and condition coach Frank Velasquez that is included in team memberships. This is in addition to offseason practices and cage time with coaches supervised by technical directors and paid coaches. 

We start teaching  athletes for how to conduct themselves for the next level where they will attend specific camps, clinics and tournaments for college showcase. These habits are very important to become recruitable. Coaching on how to market the athlete and working with recruiting coordinators at this age builds a foundation that can be critical in the college showcase ages.

Games are played on 60' bases/43' pitching rubber and teams are coached or supervised by independent paid head coaches. 

The middle school team focuses on playing in tournaments in the tri-state area that will challenge their skill level and start to prepare them for playing at a level that gets them comfortable playing at a college showcase level. This will be at the coaches discretion and dependent on development of the athletes.

The following is included throughout the year:

-Independent paid coach/supervisor that works with coaches and team managers that have athletes on the team.

-1 offseason dome practice per week including + 1-2 cage session (Nov 1 to March 31). Private lessons can be purchased separately with our private instructors or coaches.

-3-4 inseason practices per week (depending on if there is game/tournament) (May to end of August)

-Team session with AHN strength and conditioning and preventative maintenance 1x per week. Additional sessions can be purchased separately through AHN.

-5 local tournaments (within a 2 hr drive) ($550 each or equivalent)

-2 travel tournaments to standard cost tournaments (ie No Offseason) (roughly $700 each)

-1 travel tournament to Sportsforce or equivalent (roughly $1,100)

Tournaments will be selected to push the players at the level they are at with the purpose of developing them towards the college showcase level.

-3 custom uniform tops, 1 visor, 3 pants, socks, 1 helmet, 1 belt and 1 bag.

-Practice jersey and pants.

-Showcase Level up arm sleeve program

-2 Team banners. (1) hung at the ESC and (1) to travel with the team

-Local billboard with team banner photo run during June/July time frame

-End of the year team banquet

-Christmas banquet

Registration cost: $150/month (12 months) + 3x mandatory organizational fundraisers

Families will have the opportunity to offset cost through fundraising opportunities and sponsorships. Motivated families will have the opportunity to offset their full cost.

High School Team Ages: 

16 U  team

18 U team 

Note:  1 team per age group only

These teams are designed for committed, focused athletes that want to play at the college level. At these ages athletes start to focus on one sport and our program starts to help find a pathway to the college level for the athletes.  These teams train year round and are designed to teach athletes what is expected at the next level. At this level there is a strong focus in the offseason on practice and strength training.  These are high-level programs with professional coaches and a strength training program designed by former MLB strength and condition coach Frank Velasquez. This environment conditions the athlete mentally and physically to prepare for practicing and playing at higher levels of the sport. 

We also work with recruiting coordinators to help develop the athlete for specific camps, clinics and tournaments to understand speaking points and how to conduct themselves to be recruitable. Coaching on how to market the athlete and working with recruiting coordinators is very important in these ages.

Games are played on 60' bases/43' pitching rubber and teams are coached by independent paid head coaches. 

These teams will start to play in state level tournaments to challenge other high-level organizations in the tri-state region. As the teams improve they may start to seek national competition. This will be at the coaches discretion and dependent on development of the athletes.

The following is included throughout the year:

-Independent paid head coach that works with assistant coaches and team managers that have athletes on the team.

-1 offseason dome practice per week including + 1-2 cage session (Nov 1 to March 31). Private lessons can be purchased separately with our private instructors or coaches.

-3-4 inseason practices per week (depending on if there is game/tournament) (May to end of August)

-Team session with AHN strength and conditioning and preventative maintenance 1x per week. Additional sessions can be purchased separately through AHN.

-8 tournaments (Average $1,150 each) these will be selected to give the players recognition and also challenge their skill level where the team is developed.

-3 custom uniform tops, 1 visor, 3 pants, socks, 1 helmet, 1 belt and 1 bag.

-Practice jersey and pants.

-Showcase Level up arm sleeve program

-2 Team banners. (1) hung at the ESC and (1) to travel with the team

-Local billboard with team banner photo run during June/July time frame

-End of the year team banquet

-Christmas banquet

Registration cost: $175/month (12 months) + 3x mandatory organizational fundraisers

Families will have the opportunity to offset cost through fundraising opportunities and sponsorships. Motivated families will have the opportunity to offset their full cost.