The Rockets Select Softball (RSS) travel program is our most competitive travel softball team and offers our highest level of softball player development through extensive training and tournament playing experience. The RSS travel team includes winter practices and extends the softball season from the Spring softball leagues into the summer tournament season.
The RSS travel team is for interested and committed softball players offering highly competitive games against other club teams or town's tournament travel teams. Player participation on RSS travel team does not conflict with the Needham Softball Spring league games.
Age Divisions
We typically field 1 team in each age division: 16U, 14U, 12U, and 10U. In some seasons, we may field a 2nd team in an age division or add an 8U team when there is enough interest. Teams are formed based on the 2024 USA Softball Age Chart. For the 2024 playing season the following are birthdays in each the divisions:
- 16U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2006 – 8/31/2008
- 14U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2008 – 8/31/2010
- 12U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2010 – 8/31/2012
- 10U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2012 – 8/31/2014
- 8U eligible birthdays are 9/1/2014 – 8/31/2016
USA Softball Tournaments
The USA Softball tournament season runs from June 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 league. Our RSS travel team typically enter 3-4 tournaments over the course of June and July. Players are expected to be available for tournaments from mid June through mid July. Many tournaments are hosted within MA but there are tournament options in CT, NH, and RI. Most tournaments are played Friday nights and Saturdays for pool play games followed by single elimination playoffs on Sunday. Each tournament schedule varies and may or may not include a game on Friday night.
Player Selection Process
Tryouts are typically held late summer or fall. A limited number of players (approx. 13) will be selected to join the team through a tryout process. In some age divisions, players selected to RSS tournament teams are still required to play in the Needham Spring league due to USA Softball guidelines.
Tryout evaluation data and coach’s evaluations collected from spring, tournament, and fall seasons will be used to form the team. Player roster decisions and offers to join a RSS travel 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 to begin winter practices in December or January.
Player Registration Fee & Expenses
The fee for the RSS tournament team is reassessed for each playing season. Negotiations to rent facility space outside of Needham for indoor practices in Jan-Mar is typically completed by late Fall. Needham gym rentals will be used as well. A few other factors including the number of players per team, training/clinics, uniforms, tournament fees, umpire fees, insurance, and facility rental costs will determine the final player registration fee. Once teams are finalized, player fees will be shared to teams.
Coaches
Our older RSS teams are coached by a paid Head Coach along with other approved Coaches. All RSS Coaches are expected to pass Positive Coaching Alliance training, Safesport trainng, and CORI Background checks. Head Coaches must past annual USA Softball training courses and be approved by the NB&S Board.
