Summer Season Info

Download this Letter: 2010 Sting Summer Season (Adobe PDF)

Dear ABGSL players and Parents,

      My name is Paul Cerami, I have volunteered to coordinate, along with many other wonderful coaches and committee members, this years competitive summer/fall program, Sting. I am sure most of you have heard about the program but I want to give you more information so if you choose to tryout you will be well informed. I would also like to encourage ALL girls who think they might like to extend their playing time into the Summer and/or the Fall to come to tryouts.

      First, welcome to the 2010 ABGSL season. This is shaping up to be a fun year and the great coaching and support you receive during the recreational season can prepare you for a more competitive experience with Sting. Unlike the regular rec season Sting is an intensive 10 week program of practices and 4-5 weekend tournaments in different locales in the greater Bay Area. We might even make one or two overnight trips to Lake Tahoe or other venues that are further away. Our 2009 season was very successful for a variety of reasons. Both Sting teams did very well both seasons and a few trophies were awarded to both the 12U and 10U teams. I congratulate those teams and coaches. Thanks for great memories.

     There are two distinct seasons for the Sting players. The first is the Summer season which is from Mid May to the end of July, or possibly early August if your team makes it to Nationals. The second is the Fall season starting in September. NOTE: You can play in the Fall even if you aren't available to play in the Summer, but you have to attend the tryouts in May to be eligible for either team. There is lots of rearranging of teams in the Fall because girls and families have different time commitments at different times of the year.

If you decide that you might be interested in Sting here is some pertinent information;

#1 Sting teams. At this time our goal would to create Sting teams that are in both the U10 and U12 divisions.

#2 Tryouts. Just as we did last year, we will hold two equal tryouts on May 2nd during the day and May 7th in the early evening. All tryouts will be at Fielding Field and times and will be announced. Both divisions will be trying out on each day, and girls trying out will need to attend only one of the dates. To help us better organize we'll ask you to let us know which tryout you can attend if possible. You must attend a tryout to make a team, with extremely limited exceptions that are approved in advance by the Sting Commissioner (me), with consultation from a designated Board member. There are applications available on the ABGSL website. It would be helpful if you had that filled out and your summer and/or fall vacation schedule with you at the tryout. You can also mail in the applications sending them to the ABGSL mail box @1700 Shattuck Ave #28, Berkeley, CA 94709

#3 Team formation. Teams are formed based on the combination of girls that will make the best team. We need qualified girls in each position, and may choose a girl who fills a specific need over one who might be stronger in a particular skill, if we already have that skill covered. Unlike the rec season, girls usually play one or two positions in Sting and don't rotate through each position. Please be aware that it is possible that not all the players trying out will make a team. This is not meant to frighten any players but we want to be sure everyone understands how the selection works. Please know that we
want every girl who wants to play to make a team, but aren't always able to make that happen while building the most competitive team, and this result is not a reflection on them as players.
Team formation will be handled by Katie Vickers and her staff of coaches, along with any help they deem appropriate from me, but my job is mostly organizational. I don't decide who makes a team, and neither does any recreational coach or league staff, including the President. Team formation is hard and we will do our best to choose the best team possible within the Sting guidelines.
Also, as in the past there is a possibility that some girls from our sister leagues that are affiliated with the Oakland ASA may try out and be chosen for the Sting teams. At this time, on the advice of the competition committee, the ABGSL board has approved an increase in the minimum number of ABGSL players from 7 to 9.

#4 Commitment. This is very critical to the program. The goal of the program is have a solid committed team for the season, which runs from mid May to the end of July (or early August.) Our hope for the best team chemistry, competitiveness and solidarity is to have a team of players who are fully committed for the entire 10 weeks. If you are going to be gone more than one week it may be unlikely that you will be placed on the Summer team, but may be able to play in the Fall. Regardless of your summer schedule please come and tryout and you may be able to play. Participating in Sting also requires a financial commitment, with separate registration fees and travel expenses. Some registration fee scholarships may be available but all families are responsible for their child's travel expenses.
#5 Parent volunteers. As with ABGSL and its great volunteer spirit, Sting will also need volunteers to help. Here are some roles that will need filling:

Team manger
Team equipment manager
Team snack coordinator
Volunteer coach (if needed by the coaching staff)

We're looking forward to a very successful season where the girls can thrive and learn with a goal of making Sting a quality competitive program which in turn helps enhance the quality of all of ABGSL.

Please review the Sting guidelines at http://www.abgsl.org/sting/Sting_Guidelines_2009.pdf for a full description of the program. If you have any questions feel free to email me at Sting@abgsl.org.

Sincerely,

Paul Cerami Sting Commissioner