ABOUT THE SMGS ALL-STAR PROGRAM...

The SMGS All-Star season runs from May through August and is a successful and competitive all-star program. All-Stars is a great opportunity to develop and experience a more competitive level of play. Being part of an All-Star Team exposes a player to an elevated level of knowledge and experience. The All-Star Season is geared toward the most dedicated 8u, 10u, 12u, and 14u players and their families.

All-star season starts immediately after the spring recreational season ends. Teams begin practicing in early May (on or about May 5th, 2025) and play in tournaments hosted by other local USA Softball Leagues every weekend from early May to Late June. The All-Star season culminates with USA Softball's North San Diego District finals in late June. 

From there, teams have an opportunity to qualify even further!

Based on their performance at districts, teams may qualify for the USA Softball state tournament in Lancaster, CA. SMGS has sent several qualifying teams to the state championship every year. If teams continue to compete at a high level during the state championship, they may qualify for a seed in the B-district Western National Tournament at the end of July. 

It's a commitment for most of your summer, but one that will offer your player a high-intensity season filled with community building, fun, and personal development. We hope to build leaders off and on the field, and summer all-stars is a great way to do that.

The anticipated schedule is below. 

Teams

We may field all-star teams at the Gold, Silver, or Bronze level in the 8U -12U Divisions. 14U division plays in what is a considered an open division. Teams are categorized by USA softball based on a variety of factors but teams are created based on skill level, the level of pitching and catching availability for each team, player attitude, and overall athletic ability in order to form the strongest team possible in each level. 

Players need to evaluate to be considered as an all-star player, as not all players interested will make a team. Teams are formed at the beginning of May (May 1st and 2nd) and families notified as soon as possible. Teams will have up to 11-13 players based on talent and skill level, ultimately decided on by the competitive directors and head coaches. 

How is All Stars Different from Rec Ball

The All Star team is selected through an evaluation process. Not all girls will make the team. The All Star teams play in weekly tournaments primarily in San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Positions and/or playing time are not guaranteed. 

The practice schedule is generally 2-3 hours, 3-5 days a week.

TRYOUTS/EVALUATIONS

May 1 - 8U & 10U (Time TBA)

May 2 - 12U & 14U (Time TBA)

May 3- Mandatory Parent Meeting & Team Meet @ 10:00 AM

Week of May 5th - Practices Begin

SELECTION PROCESS

Coaches

• Coaches are selected through an application and interview process as outlined by the SMGS Rules and Regulations.
• Coaches must submit a completed application no later than April 18, 2025.
• Interviews will take place on Sunday, April 27th. With announcements later in the evening. 

Teams

Please refer to the Rules and Regulations for an outline of the selection process. 

A note on "Playing Up"...

Players that have been playing in a division outside their age division, and wish to play in that division during All Stars will need to tryout in both division. In 2024 due to age changes players are eligible to play in the upper division on any team. After the 2025 All Star season rules will revert back and to play up your player would need to make the top team to play in an upper division. 

TOURNAMENTS

The All Star schedule is determined by a committee of Board Members lead by the Competitive Directors. The 2025 All Star Tournaments are listed in the provided table. 

How Tournaments Work

Tournaments generally run for 3 days, Friday-Sunday, but may vary by tournament. A commitment to All Stars assumes each player will be present for all days of a tournament. 

Each tournament is divided into two types of play:

• Pool Play
• Bracket Play

During pool play teams will play a minimum of 2 games to determine their ranking/seeding for bracket play. 

Bracket play begins the elimination phase of the tournament. Each game played will result in a teams continuation or elimination from the tournament. Generally bracket play is a single elimination, which means when a game is lost your team is out of the tournament. Depending on the pool play results, your team might  play 2+ games during bracket play. 

Rules for pool play are outline by the league hosting the tournament. These rules can often be found on the hosting leagues website or via Tourney machine. 

Your coach or team parent will also communicate notable rules or requirements for each tournament

ALL-STAR FEES

Players selected for an All Star Team will be required to pay the All Star fees. 

The fees cover 

• Tournament registration fees 
• Uniforms 
• League Gear 

Cost of Travel is not covered by SMGS.

We will offer fees to be paid in full or via a payment plan. The payment plan option will divide the payment into 3 monthly installments.

* League Cost: This Cost is covered by the 80% All Star Tournament, 10% Parent Gear Fundraiser, and 10% Hit a thon (which is 10 to 20% of funds raised)

Volunteer Commitment

All Star families will also need to volunteer a total of 4 hours per player. Volunteers will be needed in our Snack Bars, for field prep, and supervising registration tables. There will be two opportunities to volunteer:

• SMGS Summertime Warm Up (5/17/-5/18)
• USA Softball B Districts Tournament (6/20-6/22)

In an effort to keep All Star fees low, Volunteers are necessary to maintain operations of our facilities. If a players hours are not fulfilled a $200 additional fee will be billed to the players family.

Interested in Committing to the All Star Season?

Submit an LOI Here! 

Questions or Concerns?

Contact your division rep Here.