Updated - November 2023

Registration Q&A

Q: How do I register to play GFSO softball?

You may register online. Players new to the GFSO are required provide a copy of their birth certificate. Registration takes place from November through early January for the Spring season - other seasons have other registration dates as announced. The Registration page of our website will carry details concerning the registration process as well as the forms required to be completed. If you have difficulty with this process, please email [email protected] 

Q: What if my daughter hasn’t played before?

No problem! That’s what our recreation league is all about—learning to play. The GFSO spring recreation season is open to all girls, regardless of experience. The season is designed to be instructional, challenging, and fun! All age levels, every year, we have players that are new to fast pitch softball—even within 12-and-under (12U) and 14-and-under (14U) age groups. Each year the teams are created from  using a skills assessment and drafting system aimed at balancing the teams in abilities. Every team has a mix of new players and experienced ones.

Q: Can players live outside of Oceanside and still play in the GFSO?

Yes, absolutely. There are no geographical restrictions to playing in the GFSO. You may live anywhere and still be eligible to play in our league.

Q: What division will my daughter be in?

The USA Softball association, with which the GFSO is affiliated, determines “league age.” The  new USA softball association age requirements for each division are now organized by school year and no longer the calendar year. Please refer to the 2024 USA Softball age chart 

Q: What if my daughter drops out after I have already registered?

Refunds are subject to the current Rules & Regulations applicable to the season you are registering for. There will be NO refunds after assessments. After assessments, the Executive Board may elect to provide a prorated refund upon receipt of a written request and explanation from the player's parent/guardian. 

We don’t want your child to miss out, so please email [email protected], with any registration questions you might have

Team Forming Q&A

Q: Can my daughter play on her friend’s team?

In Tee Ball, we generally can accommodate special requests for putting girls on their friend's team.

In Rookies through Division III (ages 7 and up) we cannot guarantee any two girls will be drafted by the same team. GFSO strives very hard to balance the teams competitively so all players can grow and be challenged—we want to avoid one or two teams dominating the others. To achieve this, we have a skills assessment in January, where the managers see the girls go through throwing, hitting, fielding, and running drills. Afterwards, the managers hold a draft meeting where players are selected to form teams.

Q: When are the skill assessments?

You will be alerted of the assessment date during the registration process as well as by email prior to the date. There is no skill assessment required for the Tee Ball division.

Coaching / Volunteering Q&A

Q: I might be interested in being a Head or Assistant coach, but I’ve never coached before, or I’m not very experienced at softball. Is this a problem?

No problem! If you have patience, integrity, love kids, and want to help the community, those are the qualifications we’re looking for! We can teach you how to organize a practice and how to instruct softball skills. That’s the easy stuff. Please contact the appropriate Division Representative above to learn more about applying for a coaching opportunity.

Q: Does GFSO offer player and coaching instruction?

Yes! We offer a number of clinics and instructional classes for both players and coaches. Some are free of charge, while others require a modest fee to offset costs. Coaches are required to attend a clinic before the season starts, and have the option of attending an ASA sponsored clinic as well.

Players have a number of softball skills clinics available, including pitching, hitting, and fielding clinics. 

Q: How can I help? What volunteer positions are still needed to help out teams?

Our league is made up entirely of volunteers and we could use as much help as you are willing to lend. At the first team meeting, your manager will be asking for volunteers to help as “Team Parent”, scorekeeper, and other duties as needed. Please step forward and help out. All families, on all teams will have a time during the season where they will help on a 3 hour shift at the concessions stand per player. At least one member of a family is expected to participate, but sometimes whole families choose to run a shift!

Q: What does a Team Parent do?

The team parent is the liaison between the manager and the other parents. The Team Parent helps with the distribution and coordination of uniforms when they arrive and coordinates the making of the team banner. The Team Parent also makes scheduling arrangements for parents to take turns bringing post-game refreshments. In addition, the manager may make other requests, such as asking the Team Parent to make phone calls to remind players of practice times, etc.

Q: How else can I help?

Show your support by attending as many games as possible and by helping out during practices, if you can. Keep in mind that these are young children out on the field and they need lots of encouragement. Don't yell at them when they make a mistake; they will feel bad enough already! Be positive!

We appreciate and welcome criticism of a constructive nature. But keep in mind that there are many different ways of doing things; don't criticize a manager or coach simply for doing things differently than you would. If you have a legitimate complaint or suggestion, we do want to hear from you.

The only way to make things get done your way is to do them yourself, i.e., become a coach. Every year we need coaches. This is a fun and rewarding experience. Coaching takes time, but it is time spent that can have a significant impact on the lives of a number of young people. We require that all of our coaches attend a GFSO coaching clinic. If you are interested in coaching let us know right away.

If you are interested in helping even more, and can invest a little more time and want to have more responsibility, we have a way! Our league is run by a small, hard-working group of volunteers. Every year we need new members for the board of directors. If you are interested, talk to one of the current board members.

Equipment / Uniform Q&A

Q: What equipment should my daughter have?

The players need to provide their own glove and softball cleats. Personal bats, helmets, and balls are optional; league bats, helmets, and balls are provided to each team by GFSO. If you do choose to buy your child equipment, please familiarize yourself with the information on the Equipment guidelines page of our site.

As part of your registration fee, the league provides the uniform jersey and socks, and the girls may keep these items.

Q: Do I get to keep my uniform?

Yes you do! GFSO takes pride in providing our athletes with new, comfortable, and stylish uniform designs every Spring softball season. GFSO uniforms are especially attractive and are not the plain t-shirt type. Athletes that look good, play even better!

Sponsorship / Miscellaneous Q&A

Q: I am interested in becoming a league sponsor. What should I do?

As a non-profit organization, the GFSO depends greatly on the generous contributions of sponsors. We have a number of sponsorship programs and benefits, and you will find them by selecting our Sponsors tab. If you are ready to sign up as a sponsor or if you have additional sponsorship questions, please see the Sponsors page on our site or email [email protected] for more information. GFSO sponsorship is great for the girls, great for the league, and provides our businesses valuable community recognition and visibility throughout the year. GFSO takes great pride in being able to share the reach our league has on social media platforms and through our website for the generous sponsors that support us!

Q: Who do I call if I have problems with my manager, coach, uniform, umpire, etc.?

We encourage you to talk to your team manager first. Communication is very important! They should pass the issue on to the Division Representative, who will communicate with the rest of the board, if necessary. If you feel you cannot talk with the team manager, or if you do not achieve satisfaction by that route, then please contact the GFSO Player Agent, Babette Aguilera, at [email protected] or you may contact any board member to forward the problem to the appropriate party.