While it is an overwhelmingly rewarding experience, there is a time commitment  for both you and your daughter to participate on a competitive team to be sure. A typical season may look like the following: The season runs from August to July each year.  Coaches will typically end the season prior the end of June to allow for families to plan vacations and to help the team prepare for tryouts. On average, you an expect two 1 1/2  to 2 hour practices a week during the fall portion of the fall season. Depending on experience, your team may enroll in a fall league and/or tournaments.  The number of tournaments will vary based on the coach and discussions he/she has with their team, but 2-3 tournaments is pretty typical. Outdoor practices typically continue until it is too cold outside. typically late October/Early November). If your team chooses to purchase additional indoor hitting practice, these typically occur in December - February timeframe.  Your coach will discuss with the team and also communicate if these are optional or required.  We have seen teams that do not purchase any additional time and others that add up to 1 a week during this duration. The UGRA contracted indoor hitting practices typically begin in early February and last up through Spring Break. Typically they are once a week with an occasional twice a week practice.  Your coach will more than likely view these as required practices. Outdoor practices begin once the weather is warm enough to be outside.  Similar to the fall, teams are provided field usage for two practices a week. Some coaches may decide to book additional field time or hitting practice at the complex.  Each team will discuss what is considered optional vs. required. Typically you will play in anywhere from 4-8 tournaments in the Spring/Summer.  This will vary by team and be based on appetite to play, funding and team availability. Outside of practices and games you can also expect the following time commitments: Fundraising It will be vital for teams that wish to enhance their experience that all players do their part to help fundraise. Team Support Managing a team takes quite of bit of cooperation and support. You can help out in many ways to make it a successful season.  Items may include but are not limited to: Being a head coach Being an assistant coach available for all practices and games Keeping the scorebook or running the Game Changer App Helping with drills if a coach asks Planning social events for the team (e.g. places to eat after a hard fought tourney day Volunteering UGRA boasts one of the best complexes in the state.  We feel we are second to none and pride ourselves on our volunteer efforts to manage a best in class complex while keeping costs to a minimum.  In order or achieve this each year, we rely on everyone to do their part.  Volunteering takes form the following ways: Join the Board You can join the board as a chair of a committee.  In this role you will work with committee members to provide operational support to keep the program moving forward and thriving.  These are voting positions. You can also join as a committee member.  These are not voting positions, however just as vital to the success of the program. Ongoing maintenance  This includes day to day items such as weed-eating, picking up litter, mowing, emptying trash..…etc.  A lot of this work can be done while you're waiting for your daughter is at practice. It also includes opening and closing of the complex during the spring and late fall respectively. Tournament coverage UGRA hosts four tournaments each year that teams are responsible for covering.  This includes field prep prior to a tournament weekend, field crew during a tournament, concession and stand duty during a tournament.  Your coach will be involved in determining which tournament your team is expected to cover.  It is the responsibly of the team to ensure all shifts are covered, and as part of the team you will be expected to do your part. UGRA will also rent fields on various weekends as another revenue stream.  We have the same roles available in these tournaments on occasion, so we look to our UGRA families to help with this effort. All of these tournaments are the key source of revenue for the complex. The allow us to repair or purchase equipment, repair or replace won out complex items such as (batting cages netting, windscreens...etc.), and pay operational expenses such as water, electricity, garbage and all the other items associated with running the complex.