Elite Teams Information
Forest Lake Ranger Elite Teams
The FLAFA Elite program was established with the purpose of allowing Forest Lake area athletes to play together at a high level of competition. Elite teams can compete at the 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u and 18u levels, depending on the numbers of players and overall skill. The number of Elite teams each season will be determined at the discretion of the FLAFA board. 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u and 18u teams at the Elite level are referred to as “Ranger Elite.”
Teams will be formed in the late summer/early fall, train together in the winter, and then compete at the ‘A’ level next summer. The training and early team formation is what makes this an elite program. Athletes are not created overnight. Working together throughout the year will help create strong individual players who will play together as a strong team. The elite program is a tool to help the association teams get stronger, by retaining the highest-level athletes, with the intention of maintaining a strong high school program.
Objective of the program
To provide an opportunity to girls interested in playing softball at a consistently high level, giving them the needed challenge, experience, knowledge, and exposure to achieve their goals. The goal is to teach players how to play at a high-level, based on physical, mental, and emotional instruction in a challenging, competitive, committed, and educational atmosphere.
Coaches
Opportunities for 10U, 12U, 14U, 16u and 18u TBD prior to evaluations. Coaches are to fill out our coach application and then interview with the coaches committee from our FLAFA board. Decisions will be made in time for the coach to attend the Elite try outs that will be held on different dates from the regular season try outs.
League
Elite teams may continue playing an “A” tri-county schedule or choose to find teams to scrimmage during the week. All tournaments will be based on coaches' discretion, with the older age levels (12u-18u) entering tournaments with the highest competition level. An option to play in extra tournaments is open to all elite coaches at costs above and beyond the standard association fee.
Tryouts (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Evaluations are open to all those eligible to play 10U/12U/14U/16U/18U softball. Attend the tryout of the age you wish to play.
Pre-registration will be required through the FLAFA website.
If your child does not make an elite team, You will need to register and try out for the regular traveling Fall Ball Season, and or the next coming Spring/Summer season at the appointed time.
Team Selection
Up to twelve (12) athletes will be placed on the roster of each Ranger Elite team. The board will ensure that at least two Elite level pitchers/catchers are placed on each team. In addition, the board will allow coach selections to complete a team roster.
ROSTERS WILL BE FORMED BASED ON 11 PLAYERS AT THE 14/16/18U LEVELS WITH HAVING 4 SCORE LOCKS AND 7 COACH PICKS.
AT THE 12U LEVEL, THE TEAM WILL BE FORMED WITH 6 SCORE LOCKS AND 5 COACH PICKS.
AT THE 10U LEVEL, THE TEAM WILL BE FORMED WITH 7 SCORE LOCKS AND 4 COACH PICKS.
ALL PICKS WILL ULTIMATELY APPROVED BY BOARD DISCRETION BASED ON SCORES, GAME PLAY, AND TEAM NEEDS.
The elite coaches will be allowed into tryouts to make notes to help with player picks. Elite coaches will NOT be allowed in the closed team forming meeting but will be notified of their locks and allowed up to 24 hours to select their remaining players.
Elite teams League Play and Tournaments:
Elite teams may participate in the league with the highest level of competition available. League games will take place on weeknights. In addition, coaches may elect to set up weeknight play dates with other Elite teams who are non-members of Tri County. Elite teams will play tournaments based on the coach’s discretion. The coach will determine the tournaments that best fit the competition level of the team and could include multiple out-of-town/state tournaments. These tournaments may involve additional travel time and costs as described below.
Elite Teams Additional Costs:
Elite level teams will have much higher costs, as the tournaments at this level are much more expensive. Expect to pay between 800-1400 dollars at the elite level. The team budget for these items should be determined and set before the beginning of the season. Teams may sponsor their own fundraising activities to help cover these additional costs.
IF A PLAYER IS OFFERED A SPOT ON ONE OF OUR ELITE TEAMS, THE REGISTRATION FEE BECOMES NON-REFUNDABLE. ACCORDINGLY, IF YOUR PLAYER CHOOSES TO PLAY UP AN AGE DIVISION, THE BOARD WILL ASSUME THAT THE PLAYER WANTS TO PLAY AT THE HIGHEST AGE LEVEL THAT THEY ARE TRYING OUT FOR.
Teams will be selected after assessments are completed. Players will be notified within a few days after tryouts and will have 24 hours to accept placement on a team. After which time, the offer will be null and void and we will move to the next player on the list. All players that participated in the elite team assessments will receive an email to confirm final decisions.
All rosters must be approved by the FLAFA board.
If a player is not placed on an elite team, they must then re-tryout for regular season softball. Regular season being Fall Ball through Tri County, and again when the summer 2026 tryouts are announced. As always if you would like to be considered to “Play up” an age level you must try out for your current level as well as the age level you wish to play.
Playing time and Positions
Elite level playing time will be earned and may not be equal. Playing time and positioning will be solely at the discretion of the coaching staff. DP/flex and/or a 9-player lineup may be used at any time rules allow (14u and beyond). Each tournament has different rules, and some tourneys state you have to bat your roster and others don’t. Make sure you read the tournament rules before registering if you do not want to follow the roster rules.
Commitment
By accepting a roster spot on an elite team, you will be expected to make this your priority regarding sports participation. You will be expected to attend all scheduled practices and games during the regular season (May – August). You will be expected to attend all winter games and practices that do not conflict with a winter sport that you may be playing. As is always the case, participation with Family, School, and religious commitments take priority and can be worked out with your coach.
The commitment from players in the off season is dependent upon availability with any conflicting sports. We encourage our girls to participate in multiple sports/athletics. We do not encourage specialization of a sport. We believe in developing well-rounded athletes. Off-season practices will be flexible to schedules as best as possible. We will have multiple opportunities for players to get in some practice time outside of their seasonal sport schedule.
Tentative Schedule – will vary depending on age group and coach’s preference
Schedules may follow MN Softball League play for the age level. Tournaments will be decided by the head coach or coaching staff and discussed with the team before making final decisions. You should expect to play in more tournaments/game with higher levels of competition at the 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u age levels.
Tournament Dates
The tournament schedule will mostly be finalized over the off season. Players should expect to commit to a competitive schedule which may consist of several in-town and possibly one out-of-town tournament.
Players should plan to attend an in town and/or out of town National Tournament near the end of July or early August.
Participation Fee
Estimated cost: $800 - $1400 before any fundraising or donations. Lower costs for 10U, higher for 14U/16U/18U teams as the tournaments have a higher price tag to them.
Fundraising
Players will have additional fundraising opportunities above and beyond the FLAFA fundraiser at the start of the spring/summer season. The team can decide to fundraise or to contact local organizations for donations to their team. This will be a coach by coach and team by team decision.
Payment Schedule
A $200 down payment will be required to tryout. If a player attends evaluations and is not selected for an elite team, all but $25 will be refunded. If a player is selected, the remaining $175 will go towards the overall registration cost.
Upon accepting a spot on an elite team, during the first week of August, an additional non-refundable payment of $300 will be required.
The remaining balance must be paid by the spring of that season you are playing in. Payment plans can be established and mirror registration payments that FLAFA has had for the last several years. As always if there is a need for financial assistance, please contact a board member to discuss options.
If a player does not make an elite team, they will be expected to come back for the regular fall season try out date. Failure to try out for a team will result in team placement at the board's discretion. Sometimes this means the lower teams, as we have no score to place you with.