The Rockets Select Softball (RSS) travel program is our most competitive softball team and offers our highest level of player development through extensive training and playing experience. RSS includes winter practices, the spring town recreation league, and the summer tournament season.
The RSS travel team is for committed softball players seeking highly competitive games against other towns’ travel teams or club programs. Player participation on RSS does not conflict with the Needham Softball Spring games but works in tandem.
Age Divisions
We typically field one team in each age division: 16U, 14U, 12U, and 10U. In some seasons, we may field a second team in an age division or add an 8U team when there is enough interest. Teams are formed based on the USA Softball Age Chart.
For the 2025 playing season, the following are birthdays in each of the divisions:
- 16U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2007 – 8/31/2009
- 14U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2009 – 8/31/2011
- 12U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2011 – 8/31/2013
- 10U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2013 – 8/31/2015
- 8U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2015 – 8/31/2017
USA Softball Tournaments
The USA Softball tournament season runs from May to early August each year. Rockets Select Softball will enter USA Softball “C” level tournaments which means the team must be formed with players selected from the spring recreation league. Players are expected to be available for tournaments Friday through Sunday. Tournament locations range from MA to RI, CT, and NH.
Player Selection Process
Tryouts for 16U, 14U, and 12U are held late in summer while 10U is Fall. A limited number of players (approx. 13) will be selected to join the team through a tryout process.
Tryout evaluation data and coach’s evaluations collected from the spring league, previous travel team, and fall seasons will be used to form the teams. Player roster decisions and offers to join an RSS team will be announced after the conclusion of all tryouts. Families will be asked to confirm their daughter’s commitment to the team shortly after teams are selected so team preparations can be made.
Player Registration Fee & Expenses
The fee for the RSS tournament team is reassessed for each playing season. Negotiations to rent facility space outside Needham for indoor winter practices in Jan-Mar are typically completed by late Fall. Needham gym rentals will be used as well. Other factors, including the number of players per team, training/clinics, uniforms, tournament fees, umpire fees, coach fees, insurance, field maintenance, and facility rental costs, will determine the final player registration fee. Once teams are finalized, player fees will be divided among the teams.
Coaches
A paid Head Coach coaches our older RSS teams. All RSS coaches must pass Positive Coaching Alliance training, Safesport training, and CORI background checks. Head Coaches must pass annual USA Softball training courses and be approved by the NB&S Board.
