All Testing will be done at Gordie Howe Indoor Sports Complex. 
  
  Saskatoon Zone 4 Phantoms are encouraging no spectators viewing the tryouts.  We have found in the past spectators can be a distraction to both the players and our evaluators. Parents may assist their player prior to the scheduled tryout session and will not be permitted on the turf or in caged areas. Parents/players may not approach any of the evaluators before or after the tryout sessions. 
  
   
  Player Evaluation Dates for U11, U13, U15 and U17 age divisions are as follows:

Tuesday, February 6^th, 2024  U11 & U13
Thursday, February 8^th, 2024  U15 & U17
 
Pitching and Catching Evaluations
Tuesday, February 13^th
 
The sessions will be between 6 and 9pm. 
 
** You must be registered by January 31st to take part in Evaluations ** 
 
Evaluations and a signed commitment letter are mandatory to be eligible to play on an A team. If for some reason you are not able to attend our evaluation dates, please contact us ASAP at zonecoordinator@saskatoonphantoms.com 
 
 
 
 
  Saskatoon Zone 4 Phantoms Evaluation and Team Formation Policy 
 
Fees 
Registration fees must be paid prior to evaluations.  Your child will not be allowed on the turf for evaluations until their full registration fee is paid in full. Fees may be paid by the following: 
 
Etransfer: 
Send to treasurer@saskatoonphantoms.com 
If you choose to send this way, please include child’s name and division.  This is an automatic deposit, so no need to set up a password etc. ie: Sara Smith – U13
  
Online with Credit Card: 
This option works best if you use a computer, not a smart phone.  Log back into your child’s GoalLine account.  Click on Transactions/Payment tab.  Select “make a payment” box.  Enter the amount owed in the box and Submit. Do NOT register your player. 
  
Cheque: 
If writing a cheque, please make it payable to: Phantoms Zone 4 Softball and include child’s name and division in the memo line. 
  
Cash is acceptable, however we’d like to reduce the amount of cash handling to a minimum where possible. 
 
Player Requirements 
Participants are required to bring their own glove, helmet, bat (there will be some bats on hand to use), infielders mask (if you have one) and indoor shoes (NO CLEATS will be allowed on the turf). If you are a catcher and have your own equipment, we recommend that you bring that as well. Please let the zone coordinator know if you require equipment.  
 
Evaluations 
The Phantoms Zone is committed to holding unbiased evaluations by obtaining third-party evaluators. Zone representatives will be present to ensure the process flows smoothly and all players are evaluated.  
 
Should a player have an illness or injury, or cannot attend evaluations/tryouts, immediately contact the Zone Commissioner or the Zone Coordinator to discuss the situation. 
 
For those players that have chosen NOT to be considered for an A team are still encouraged to attend evaluations so they can be properly evaluated based on their skill level which helps draft teams at the B level. If you have selected to “not tryout for A” but wish to attend evaluations, please contact the zone coordinator. 
 
The Zone makes every effort to ensure a fair, impartial, and balanced evaluation of players for our various teams. This is a difficult task that our association and evaluators undertake in any given season. 
 
Your Evaluators: This year, our evaluators will be the 222's, Keith Mackintosh, Dean Holoien, and their team of instructors for the 2024 Phantoms Evaluations. Click here for the 222's website.    
  The evaluations will be run as a circuit. It will comprise of 4 stations. Hitting, Infield, Outfield, and Key Indicators (arm strength velocity and exit speed). We will split each age division into 4 groups, and they will move through the circuit to complete all 4 stations. These 4 areas of the circuit will be running simultaneously to maximize time and space. 
 
SIGN-IN Required - when you arrive for evaluations, you will be required to sign in with the Phantom Executive. You will be assigned a Group Leader (an executive member) and you will be with that group for the entire evaluation process. This is to ensure that we stay on track, as well as keep things flowing properly. More importantly, this is to ensure that everyone gets through the circuit and is properly evaluated. 
 
Hitting – Each athlete will get 10 live pitches and 10 soft front toss pitches.  The athletes will be scored on contact, swing mechanics and power. 
 
 
Infield – Athletes will field a rolled ground ball from the shortstop position and throw the ball to first base.  The test is glove to glove time. Time starts when the rolled ball hits the athlete’s glove and stops when it reaches the coach’s glove at first base.  Points are also given for accuracy and mechanics and these points are combined to give a total score for the attempt. Each athlete will get 4 attempts.  
 
Each Athlete will also get 5 ground balls hit to them that they must field and throw to first base from the shortstop position.  The evaluator will give a score based on mechanics, body positioning and skill proficiency. This score will be added to the time testing score for an overall Infield score.    
 
Outfield – Athletes will field a ground ball rolled to them and then throw the ball to home plate. The test is glove to glove time.  Time starts once the tossed ball hits the athlete’s glove and time stops once the ball reaches the coach’s glove at home plate.  Points are also given for accuracy and these points are combined to give a total score for the attempt. Each athlete will get 4 attempts.  
Each Athlete will also get 5 fly balls thrown to them (from approx. 40ft) that they must attempt to track, catch and throw the ball back to the coach. The evaluator will give a score based on mechanics, body positioning and skill proficiency. This score will be added to the time testing score for an overall outfield score.  
 
Key Indicators 
Arm Strength Velocity – Each athlete will throw a ball into a bow net from 10ft away.  The speed of the throw will be recorded and athletes will be given points based on their ranking.  Each Athlete will be given 5 attempts. 
Bat Exit Speed Velocity – Each athlete will hit a ball into a bow net from 10ft away.  The speed in which the ball comes off the bat will be recorded and athletes will be given points based on their ranking.  Each Athlete will be given 5 attempts. 
 
Pitching and Catching Evaluations 
Pitching – Each Pitcher will be asked to throw a set number of pitches.  The evaluator will record speed, location and spin as well as assess mechanics. The number of pitches are determined by the age division. 

• U11 -  3 attempts of each pitch that they throw or a combined total of 9 pitches 
• U13 – 3 attempts of each pitch that they throw or a combined total of 9 pitches 
• U15 – 3 attempts of each pitch that they throw or a combined total of 12 pitches 
• U17 – 3 attempts of each pitch that they throw or a combined total of 15 pitches  

 
Catching – Each Catcher will be tested on the following items: 

• Test 1 - Each catcher will be tested on 3 attempted bunt throws to first base on a movement to glove time.  The catcher will start 4ft behind home plate in the squat position and field a bunt in three different locations in front of home plate and throw the ball to first base.  The bunts are timed as three separate attempts with time starting on the catcher's first movement and stopping when the ball reaches the coach’s glove at first base. Accuracy points will also be awarded for each attempt. 
• Test 2 – Pop Time – Glove to glove test on a throw from behind home plate to second base.  The catcher will receive a pitched ball from a coach and then make a throw to second base.  Time will start when the ball hits the catcher’s glove and stop when the ball reaches the coach’s glove at 2nd base.  Accuracy points will be awarded to complete the overall attempt score.  Each catcher will get 3 attempts. 
• Test 3 – Observations – Each catcher will catch 5 pitches thrown by a coach. The catchers are scored based on mechanics of stance, receiving, and framing. 

 
'A' Team Formation Methodology 
Based on the evaluation scores the top ranked 15 players will be eligible to be selected for an A team.   Should you be selected for the ‘A’ team, you will be expected to attend both the City and Provincial Championships, as well as Western Canadians/Nationals should the team be fortunate enough to advance to these Championships.
 
Teams are selected based on their evaluations scores and coach’s picks. The top 8 ranked players evaluated will have earned a spot on the A team roster for their age group (unless player indicated “B”). The remaining spots to complete the team will be selected based on the evaluations and coach’s picks. The final roster size will vary by team. 
 
 
Note: Pitchers and catchers are evaluated on general fielding and hitting skills in addition to their pitching or catching skills. Therefore, if the athlete does NOT rank in the top pitchers or top catchers, they can a) still be chosen based on top 8 ranked position players and/or b) selected in the remaining coach’s selections.   
 
'B' Teams Formation Methodology 
All remaining players, not placed on an A team, will be placed on a B team roster(s). When registration numbers support the formation of two B teams, players will be divided as appropriate.  Unfortunately, friend requests may NOT be considered. 
 
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either:

Derek McDonald Saskatoon Phantoms Commissioner commissioner@saskatoonphantoms.com 306-230-0807

Michelle Heggstrom Saskatoon Phantoms Coordinator zonecoordinator@saskatoonphantoms.com 306-380-1384