2022/23 Eclipse Information

There are some changes coming this year to the Eclipse program and because of these changes there have been a lot of questions from families.  I am going to try and answer and supply information related to questions I have received.

1. Indoor Practice Facility: New to us this winter will be an indoor practice facility.  We will be splitting time 50/50 with Little League in this facility.  The facility is not yet built but the contract for the building have been signed by the owner and construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.  At that time, we will have to install the turf and netting but it is anticipated we will be in the facility before the end of the year.  We will be entering into a lease agreement for the use of the facility with the building owner.  The lease will be in the 3-5 year range which will allow both sides the opportunity to see if this is something we wish to continue with.  With the nature of our volunteer board and the length of the typical term, this option seemed more prudent than building or purchasing our own facility.
2. 2022/23 Prices: With the addition of the indoor practice facility, there is just no way we can keep the fees the same as we have in the past.  There were several options discussed at our board meetings and this is what was decided.  We will be keeping our team fees the same this year at $300 per player in the 10U, 12U 14U and 16U and $150 for 8U.  This will include entry into at least 4 away tournaments and 1 home tournament (fewer for 8U) two uniform top and 2 pairs of socks. We are adding an additional $300 facility fee for each player as part of a raffle.  This means that at time of registration each player will be charged the $300 facility fee but will then receive 30 raffle tickets valued at $10 each.  The parent will then have the choice of selling these tickets to recover all their facility fee or put their own name on the tickets and try to win the raffle prizes.  It will be up to each individual to decide what amount of facility fee they wish to recover.  The tickets will be ordered quickly after the registration so that people can start selling and recovering their money.  In the future we are hoping to establish other fundraising options to cover the facility costs without passing it on to the players.
3. Playing in a recreational league:  WGSA believes strongly that our Eclipse program and players benefit greatly from playing in rec league.  This allows and teaches the Eclipse players to be leaders and be an example to the rec league players which in turn strengthens our entire association.  The requirement for 8U, 10U and 12U Eclipse players to participate in rec league will continue.  The only change to this requirement is that out-of-town players will be allowed to play in a different rec league than WGSA.  Waupun girls will still play in our rec league but for example, if a girl from Beaver Dam wants to play in their rec league she will be allowed to.  We will however be requiring verification that they participated in the entire season.  The rec league will continue to have a separate fee and separate volunteer requirements.  The player must participate in the entire season, or they will be removed from the Eclipse program.
4. Coaching staff: We have selected our coaching staff for most of the teams for the 2022/23 season.  In 8U: we have a strong candidate who has coaching experience.  We are just waiting for him to make a final decision.  Again, 8U will not hold a tryout unless we have too many girls to have on 1 team and not enough girls to form 2 teams. In 10U: Kevin Faeh will be our coach.  We have a volunteer for a second coach if one is needed.  In 12U: we are anticipating 2 teams, Derrick Standke and Amanda Hopp will be coaching. In 14U: Liz Rudd will be coaching and again we have other candidates if we have enough players for a second team.  In 16U: Justin Landaal will be the head coach. 
5. Tryouts: August 2nd= 14U and 16U tryouts.  August 3rd= 10U and 12U tryouts.  Check in time for both dates will be at 5:00 PM with tryouts immediately after the check in.  Please get yourself warmed up and ready to go immediately after you check in.  Warm ups are not part of the tryouts! If you can not make it, please contact Stephanie Starker at 920-382-4236 to ask about a make up tryout.  Players that do not live in Waupun are welcome.

I hope this document will be able to answer most of the questions you may have.  However, if you do have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to myself at 920-210-5140 or Steph at 920-382-4236 or email wgasinc@gmail.com

Jason Westphal-  WGSA President