Tampa Mustangs Girls Fastpitch Softball Organization

The Tampa Mustang Fastpitch Organization was organized in the summer of 1981 when we became aware that counties across Florida formed and supported travel teams out of the respective recreational leagues to play competitive ball after their recreational season. Our county Leaguerette and Little League programs did not, and still does not, support such a program. We formed our first team out of the North Tampa Leaguerettes. The interest was there and our "team" grew to an "organization" with representation from all over Hillsborough County.
Over the past 27 seasons Mustang teams have represented Florida in numerous National Championship Tournaments. With teams in each youth age group, from 10 to 18, we have won at least one National Title in each age group. The following Championships were accomplished since 1995 when the Mustangs converted to fastpitch.

21 National Championship Titles
2 Southern ASA National Championships
5 National Runner-Up
15 State Championship Titles
1 International Title - 2001 16U ISF Junior World Cup Champions

This phenomenal record on the playing field has attracted interest on the college level and has allowed us to showcase our players. To date, 200+ Mustang Players have received athletic scholarships from 50+ different schools totaling over 2.5 million dollars. No other youth organization in this state has achieved this kind of success.

The TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION is dedicated to instilling in its members a sense of fair play, good sportsmanship, and a commitment to creating an environment that will enhance player development and provide the framework to build a positive self-image as part of the athletic experience.

GOAL

The Tampa Mustangs Fastpitch Organization is a premier youth fastpitch organization who's main goal is to help create an organization of winners, especially in the game of life.

BYLAWS

Communication: Managers are responsible for communicating responsibilities, team activities, tournament information, and financial status to players and parents.

Conduct: Players, coaches, parents, and family members are responsible for maintaining the integrity and sportsmanship that exemplifies the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION. If undesirable conduct is observed during softball activities, the individual(s) will be asked to disassociate with the organization.

Eligibility: Any girl between the ages of 10 and 18, inclusive, will be eligible for tryout for their respective age division. The divisions are defined as 10 and under; 12 and under; 14 and under; 16 and under; and 18 and under, and not limited to one team per division. The age cut-off date for the age eligibility is consistent with the age eligibility cut-off dates of the softball organizations in which the teams play. E.G. ASA, NSA, ISA, AFA, AAU, USSSA and any other softball organization the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION elects to gain sanction.

Finances: Each team is responsible for its own funding for operational expenses, e.g. tournament fees, equipment, travel, uniforms, etc. Teams are encouraged to participate in mutual fund raising activities where the profits will be divided according to the team's participation, or where profits will be added to the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION'S general account for the purpose of funding mutual expenses. E.G. insurance, and organizational operating expenses. For the purpose of tax exemption and tax reporting, teams will deposit funds into the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION general account. Teams must maintain an income and expense sheet in order to balance against the general account. All deposits and expenditures must be reported to the director for accounting purposes. Teams are entitled to audit their respective balances held in the general account. In the event that a TAMPA MUSTANGS TEAM should disband, any funds solicited, collected, or earned under the auspices of the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION, shall remain in the general account of the organization.

Loyalty: A player is discouraged from playing for another travel team outside of the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION while on the roster of a TAMPA MUSTANGS TEAM.

Participation: The TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION encourages and expects parents of players to be actively supportive of their child; additionally, parents are expected to support the team, the coaching staff, and the organization. This includes participation in funding activities, team maintenance, and moral support.

Player Retention: Once a player has been selected for a TAMPA MUSTANGS TEAM, the player should remain on the roster from year to year assuming the player and parent(s) continue to support the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION'S Mission Statement and Bylaws. For the purpose of continuing to develop players within the organization, players should move up to the TAMPA MUSTANGS TEAM in the next age division as they become eligible for the next age division.

Playing Age: In order to maximize the success of the team and the player, and to best perpetuate the competitive nature of travel softball the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION expects players to play in their respective age division.

Registration Fee: The registration fee is to be paid before the first tournament in May (and/or September if the team is participating in the fall season). Where this requirement causes a hardship, confidential arrangements will be made.

Rosters: The maximum number of players on a roster will be 20. The organization does not support managers or coaches soliciting players from another TAMPA MUSTANG TEAM with the intention of adding that player to the permanent roster unless managers from both teams and the director are in agreement. The organization does not support solicitation of players from other organizations unless the player has expressed interest in playing for the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION.

Tournament Play: A TAMPA MUSTANG TEAM may play in tournaments of their choice assuming funds are available and when playing in the tournament is in the best interest of the players and the TAMPA MUSTANGS FASTPITCH ORGANIZATION.

Tryouts: Where tryouts are necessary, each candidate shall be given equal opportunity to 1) bat; 2) bunt; 3) field fly balls; 4) field ground balls; 5) throw; and 6) run in competition with candidates within the same age division. Managers are expected to communicate the results to all candidates. There will not be a tryout charge.