Danes Fastpitch Softball Program -- Over 12 Years of Excellence
The Danes Travel Softball Association are the most highly regarded travel fastpitch softball program in Wisconsin. With over twelve years of experience and consistency, the Danes have documented successes built from a strong foundation of softball coaching and development and a system of recruiting strong student athletes with the potential to improve from that strong foundation of coaching. A family atmosphere and strong loyalty from those in the program create a healthy environment where players develop to the level of college softball while having fun and making strong relationships.
Prospects
The Danes use a myriad of methods to find potential players. Often we will use all conference and all state selections looking for freshman and sophomores who have had success in high school softball. We also count on the strong alumni who serve as scouts and ambassadors to our program. We also will contact college freshman for our 18U team using the rosters and online information from college websites. We also will use the Fastsports.com Clearinghouse as a strong method for finding interested players.
We then provide those prospects with this prospectus and then if the player feels they might benefit from the experience continue with our recruiting process which includes conversations with our coaching staff, current players and the player and their parents.
Roster
The Danes use the college roster approach, carrying 16 players and 3 to 4 coaches on each team. We will generally carry 4+ pitchers and then additional positions players with a focus on strong athletes. We ensure proper playing time using pool play games to ensure all players get starting opportunities and then use that pool play to determine lineups during elimination play. Generally, with numerous pinch hitters, pinch runners and defensive replacements, players will be playing a key role in most games. Playing time has not been an issue for players in the history of the Danes.
We prefer versatile players and expect players to either offer a strong speed bias (sub 3.3 home to first speed) or strong power bias (ability to hit ball over 200 foot fences). Strong candidates will have academic success, strong ability to learn and develop new ideas and techniques, and strong leadership within their own peer groups.
Danes players are generally elite athlets working to prepare the skills and mechanics needed for success at the college softball level.
Schedule
The Danes are a travel softball team and do not require play in weekday games due to the large recruiting area and hope that players use the week to properly create work/school/family balance. We play the majority of our games on Friday-Sunday in Wisconsin, Minnesota or Illinois.
We do offer an 18U team playing in the suburban league for any MN based players who want opportunities to get additional reps through league play. This team is often a combination of 14U, 16U and 18U players facing some of the top competition in MN.
We start our season with a Wed-Friday pre-season clinic. This is our only “true” practice and all players are required to attend. Our season then will consist of five weekend tournaments and our season generally completes with a week long trip to a National tournament.
Players are expected to attend all events although we do realize there maybe one event that due to family commitments (weddings, reunions etc) may create a one week conflict. This should be discussed early in the recruitment process and before any offer is accepted.
Costs
The reality of our schedule and youth sports, it is expensive. The Danes rely on player fees and fundraising to cover hotel, entry fee, insurance, equipment, uniform and other travel expenses. The Danes summer fees are under $1000 and cover the hotel rooms for all players throughout the season. Players also engaged in fundraising activities. We realize that these costs can be difficult and we work to ensure that they are minimized as much as possible to ensure that all interested recruits can be a part of our program.
Travel and Logistics
Players are responsible for their own travel to and from the Danes events, however often players will work to car pool and are able to find rides if needed. Once players arrive at events, a detailed hour by hour schedule is followed including meals, lights out and other supervised activities. Players are under adult supervision throughout the weekend with the focus being on softball and softball preparation. We generally have team meals that are open to all players, coaches and families/fans on Saturday night (as our schedule allows).
Players stay in team rooms which include 4 players to each hotel room and are supervised by female coaches. Players are expected to be respectful of others and the hotels.
Why the Danes
- Proven ability to develop players for success in the college softball ranks
- Opportunity to play with teammates who are as focused and talented as you
- The top coaching in the Midwest
- A family atmosphere with tremendous social benefits
- Strong competition without the huge budget of air travel for "exposure" events which offer exposure to schools that you wouldn't/couldn't attend
- Non-biased coaching where all players are expected to play key contributions to the team's success throughout the season