Fastpitch softball is a competitive form of softball and is the same sport you see in high school and college competition. Fastpitch softball differs from slowpitch softball in that the pitchers deliver the ball with a speedy windmill motion as opposed to a slow, looping motion. Slowpitch softball is offered in some youth programs and also adult leagues but fastpitch is the competitive sport girls advance to as they get older.

Many players start by playing in-house softball at a young age. If you are unsure of whether to start with in-house softball or a traveling program, there are numerous options for getting started:

1. Explore this website. This site contains information besides what is on this page, and you can get a small flavor of the differences in rules and atmosphere in the different programs.
2. Read the Handbook. The EVAA Fastpitch Softball Handbook has detailed information about both the In-house and Traveling programs. The Handbook is available on the front page of both the In-house and Traveling sites.
3. Talk to a Board Member or other program participant. This is a great way to learn more. You can contact a Board Member by accessing the "Board" page on this site and clicking a link to email a Board Member.
4. Attend the winter skills clinic. The winter skills clinic is to help players develop their skills and to assist them in choosing which level of play they are interested in.
5. Start with Fall Ball. Fall Traveling Softball is a low-pressure option to give traveling a try. The season is short (games on weekends only during a season that lasts slightly more than one month) and is focused on player development. (~Sept)
6. Consider League Only Traveling. League-only is a program for 9-10 year old players and allows you to "travel" to neighboring communities to play league games without participating in weekend tournaments, other than the season-ending State qualifier and State Tournament.  (Summer season)

Traveling Fastpitch Softball (link) serves girls from age 8-18. Traveling Softball includes league games and practices on weeknights and tournaments on weekends. The Summer season runs from April through July.  Traveling program involves competition against the better players in the South Metro and beyond. Teams are formed on the basis of tryouts and girls are grouped based upon their age as of January 1 of the current year.

Traveling Fastpitch levels: 10U (10 and under), 12U (11-12 years old), 14U (13-14 years old) and High School (15-18 years old).

League-only (LO) Traveling Softball (link) serves girls age 8-10 with a summer season running from May through July. League-only differs from full Traveling Softball in that LO teams generally don't participate in weekend tournaments so the time commitment is moderate. At 10U, girls do the pitching, and LO involves competition generally one tier lower than full Traveling.

League Only Traveling levels: 10U (9-10 years old).

K-1 Coach Pitch Softball (link) serves girls age 5-7 (Pre-K/Kindergarten through 1st grade) with a summer season running from late April through June. Teams generally play two games per week. At the youngest ages, coaches pitch. The In-house program is focused on both fun and skill development. Teams are formed, when possible, by placing girls with other players from their school or neighborhood.