North Bothell Little League Softball Travel Ball Program

Travel Ball is a Little League program that provides a select team experience for Little League players without the full cost of select clubs.  The Travel Ball season may run from September through the end of May.  The Travel Ball Season includes but is not limited to, travel tournaments, winter training, individual training, & scrimmages with local teams etc.  The Travel Ball program is multi-sport and obviously little league friendly program.

1. What are the Eligibility Requirements to try out for a NBLL Softball Travel Ball (aka: Boltz) team?

a. Players live or go to school in the NBLL boundary (unless there is a waiver on file or the team is a co-league with any of the
following Leagues, Northshore LL, North Lake LL or Woodinville LL)
b. Players that will be between the Little League ages of 8yrs – 14yrs (age cut off is Dec. 31st)
c. Players must play the Spring Little League Season (with their home league)
d. Be in good financial standing with NBLL or current league.

2. Do Returning Boltz players need to tryout?

a. Coaches may offer any returning Boltz player a roster spot on the following season team prior tryouts each year.  Those returning Boltz players will not be required to tryout. 

3. Can my player play-up a year?

a. Yes, all players (Boltz & new) may request to play-up a year at try-out registration.
b. Playing up will be based on the players skill.
c. All players (Boltz and New) who wish to tryout as a skill-based play-up must first register and tryout for their birth year division
and then must also attend the tryout session of the year older team. 
d. In order to qualify for a skill-based play-up within the Boltz program, a player must accomplish the following:
i. Be capable of being a starting player on the older team.
ii. Score in the top percentile of their current age group team. 
iii.  The NBLL Board and Director of the Boltz Program reserve the right to make final decisions regarding final approval of all play-up requests.

4. How many teams will the Boltz program have?

a. Our goal each season is to field the following teams:
i. 8U/9U
ii. 10U
iii. 11U
iv. 12U
v. 13/14U

5. What is the Boltz season dates?

a. The official Boltz Season is September through the end of May
b. If Boltz teams are able to field a team, they can also extend their season and play summer tournaments in June and July.
c. The Month of August would be an OFF Month for all Boltz Teams.

6. How often will teams practice?

a. In Sept. and Oct. Teams will have a (1) 2hr Field practice a week
b. Winter Training will be each Friday night for 2 hours starting the 1st Friday of October and will end the 2nd Friday of
February 9th - 14 weeks of training. 
c. Pitchers and Catchers will also have 1 hour of training every other Sunday starting the 1st Sunday of October
d. There will be no Winter training on the following weekends, 10/27, 11/24, 12/22, 12/29.
e. Spring Training, field practices, will be on Sundays for 2 hours starting the first Sunday of March and end at the end of May. 
f. There is no Spring training on either weekend of Spring Break or Memorial Day weekend. 

7. Where will the Winter Friday Night training be held?

a. The Natural Ball Player in Kirkland (Totem Lake)
b. Practice will be for 2 hours, 1 hour of infield and 1 hour of hitting/pitching practice.

8. Where will the Winter Sunday Training be held?

a. Catching will be at the Mariners Training Center - Woodinville with EeeBee Gochnour (NCHS Jr. Catcher) & Peyton Larson
b. Pitching will be at either Redmond MS or Perrigo Park with Erica Menninger

9. Do Boltz teams play in tournaments and/or play games?

a. Yes, Boltz teams do have the option to play in Fall Ball, tournaments & games. 
b. Tournaments will be select tournaments with either USA, USSSA or NSA.
c. The # of tournaments is team/coach dependent. 
d. At the little league district level, we are attempting to organize to set up games vs. other travel ball teams in our district during
the Spring. 
e. Coaches, team parent, may also seek out other teams to play against for scrimmages. 
f. All the above is coach/team dependent 

10. How many players will be on a Boltz roster?

a. 12-15 players, at the coach’s discretion

11. What uniform/equipment is required?

a. The below items will be part of the NBLL Registration Fee:
b. Boltz Helmet w/decals
c. Boltz Game Jersey
d. Purple long sleeved under shirt
e. Boltz Practice T-shirt
f. Boltz Hoodie
g. Purple Socks

12. What else will my player need to play?

a. Player will also need black softball pants – purple belt is optional
b. Players will need to supply their own bats & gloves.
c. If you are a catcher, your own catchers gear. 
d. Defensive Face Mask (purple, black or gray preferred) – are mandatory for infielders and optional for outfielders.
e. Bat Bag

13. When are tryouts?

a. Boltz Tryouts will be held each July
b. Register for Tryouts at NBLL.club – even if you are on the fence about trying out please register so you can get on our list so you
can be notified about tryouts as they get closer.
c. Tryouts will be about 1hr long, practice style.
d. If you are unable to make a tryout out date you can request a private tryout

14. What is the Cost of the Boltz season?

a. The cost for the Boltz Season for all divisions will be between $700 - $800.
b. This cost includes Training, Equipment, Facilities, & Uniform
c. Once players are selected to a team, a mandatory $200 - $300 deposit must be made. 
d. The remaining balance can either be paid in full or be set up with a payment plan that would start in October and be completed by February, unless other arrangements are made. 

15. Will I have to pay any other cost to play Boltz?

a. Yes, each team will set up their own team budget (slush fund) based on their plans for the season, i.e. tournament costs,
association fees, team insurance, team dinners, umpires, etc. 

16. What are other volunteer positions available on Boltz Teams?

a. Team Parent / Treasurer
b. Scorekeeper (2 or 3)

17. Do parents have to umpire?

a. Not for Boltz games.
b. Teams can hire or seek out umpires for their games or scrimmages.
c. Umpires are supplied for all tournaments.
d. Teams would need to add a line item in their team budget to cover paying of umpires for any scrimmages or games outside of tournaments

18. As a Boltz Program

a. We plan to have a Boltz kickoff event in September
b. We will do 1 fundraiser to help offset the cost of team fees
c. We plan to do a community service project at Christmas time 
d. We plan to do an End of Season Banquet in June. 

Reach out if you have any questions

Susan Tait
NBLL Softball 
Travel Ball Director
(Bothell Boltz FPC)
[email protected]
(425) 985-5536