1. Who are the Maryland STARS?
2. Where are the Maryland STARS based?
3. Why is STARS spelled with all capital letters?
4. Where do players come from to play for the STARS?
5. How long have the STARS fielded teams?
6. How does a player become a member of the STARS?
7. What are some of the benefits to STARS players?
8. What do the STARS do to promote their players? How do the STARS assist their players with college recruiting?
9. What type of clinics do the STARS provide access to for their players?
10. How do STARS players fair at the high school and college level?
11. Are STARS players able to play other sports and participate in other activities?
12. What is the STARS player retention rate?
13. How much do the STARS charge for a player to play on a team?
14. How many and what kind of fundraisers do the STARS do to raise money for their teams?
15. How many tournaments do STARS teams play during the season?
16. Where are most of the tournaments located that the STARS play in?
17. Do the STARS play in any National level tournaments?
18. How have STARS teams faired in state, regional and national tournaments?
19. Do the STARS have a web page?
20. Where can I find out more about current and previous STARS teams?
21. How does one become a coach in the STARS organization?
22. How do the STARS select a trading pin?
23. How can I acquire a STARS trading pin?
24. How does one become a sponsor of the Maryland STARS?
25. Are the STARS a non-profit organization and are contributions to the STARS tax deductible?
26. Where can I find more information about the STARS sponsorship program?

1. Who are the Maryland STARS?
The Maryland STARS Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament Team Program is an organization featuring teams at 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18&under and an adult women’s team. These teams play in fastpitch tournament throughout the region and focus on player development and fun.

The STARS are a non-profit organization (501 c) and part of the Winfield Youth Softball Organization, Winfield Recreation Council and Carroll County Department of Enterprise.

2. Where are the Maryland STARS based?
The Maryland STARS home is in southern Carroll County, Maryland. The closest town is Winfield, MD and closest town on most maps is Sykesville, MD. The STARS practice and play home games at Mayeski Park, South Carroll High School and Century High School.

3. Why is STARS spelled with all capital letters?
STARS is an acronym.

S is for Skills
T is for Teamwork.
A is for Attitude.
R is for Respect.
S is for Success.

This forms the philosophy of the program. The program’s philosophy can be found at http://www.marylandstars.org/pages/common/philos.htm.

4. Where do players come from to play for the STARS?
Most of the STARS players come from Carroll, Howard, Baltimore, Frederick, Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties in Maryland. Some players have come from as far away as West Virginia and York, PA.

5. How long have the STARS fielded teams?
The STARS have fielded teams since 1997. The first year featured teams at the 14 and 16&under age groups. The program has steadily grown to feature all age groups and has included two 16&under teams in 2002 and 2003.

6. How does a player become a member of the STARS?
The STARS hold team tryouts in August and September for the following year. In addition the STARS hold individual tryouts to fill any openings on the teams not filled during the regular team tryouts. Please check the STARS web site, www.marylandstars.org, for details about tryouts and roster openings.

STARS players are selected on ability, athleticism, attitude, and potential. Since the STARS are based in an area with mostly emerging fastpitch programs, the STARS are looking for players that are willing to learn and work to become the best player they can be.

7. What are some of the benefits to STARS players?
The STARS host clinics and bring in experts in their fields to provide top coaching to the players. STARS players have first access to these clinics and normally at reduced rates.

STARS coaches regularly attend coaches clinics to keep abreast of the latest techniques and teaching methods used in girls softball. Thus they are able to pass along this information to their players.

The STARS are a program that focuses on player development and fun. Players can enter the program at an early age and play throughout their entire eligibility unlike many organizations that have only a couple of teams or teams that are effectively independent of one and other.

Because the STARS stress player development over winning and the STARS coaches are trained, STARS players develop correct fundamentals that translate into them reaching their potential to be the best player they can be.

8. What do the STARS do to promote their players? How do the STARS assist their players with college recruiting?
The STARS play top level tournaments to include showcase tournaments for their 16U and 18U teams thereby allowing their players to demonstrate their skills to college coaches. The STARS program has developed connections with many colleges and is routinely probed by college coaches for talent in the STARS program. STARS coaches and the STARS director provide letters of recommendation for players when requested. The STARS provide information about their teams and players via their web site for all to access. STARS coaches at the 16U and 18U level maintain detailed statistics of their players for use by players to use as information for college coaches. The STARS program provides for the development of a player recruiting tape for high school players.

9. What type of clinics do the STARS provide access to for their players?
The STARS provide pitching, hitting and general skills clinics for players in their program and other local players. The instructors at these clinics are experts in the field, former college players, and experienced coaches.

10. How do STARS players fair at the high school and college level?
Most STARS players excel at the high school level. Many make their varsity teams as freshman and almost all as sophomores. Many of the STARS players make all county and all conference teams and often a STARS player is named Player of the Year at one level or another. Over 20 STARS players have played college softball after just 3 years of having an 18U team.

11. Are STARS players able to play other sports and participate in other activities?
The STARS do not require players to give up other sports and dedicate entirely to softball. The STARS typically practice once a week in the gym from January through March. Then they practice twice a week from April through end of July. Each team plays 8 to 10 tournaments. Players are required to attend practices and make 80% of the practices and tournaments. Many STARS players play spring soccer or club volleyball in the spring.

12. What is the STARS player retention rate?
The STARS program features one of the highest retention rates for their players of the organizations in the state and region. In many years it has exceeded 90%.

Because of the STARS goals of player development and fun, players and parents find the organization as one they want to be a part of. Also because the organization operates for the good of the players and the organization as a whole (not for one team or coach), the STARS provide continuity from year to year and team to team.

13. How much do the STARS charge for a player to play on a team?
The average team in Maryland charges approximately $750-$1000 to play for one season and parents and players are additionally required to bring in a sum of money (typically $500 or more) via sponsors and fundraisers.

The STARS historically have charged much less than this. In 2003 the STARS charged each player $300 and required that the players and parents assist with two fundraisers and tournaments.

The STARS have been able to provide a quality program despite the lower fee because of sponsors, hosting of tournaments, and reducing cost by working as a whole organization versus individual teams.

14. How many and what kind of fundraisers do the STARS do to raise money for their teams?
The STARS typically require the players and parents to assist with a few fundraisers each year. These have included lottery tickets, raffles, bingos, dances, hosting tournaments, etc. In most cases the fundraisers require a minimal amount of time on the part of the players and parents, but provide much needed revenues to keep the program operating successfully.

15. How many tournaments do STARS teams play during the season?
The average STARS team plays 8 to 10 tournaments from middle of April through the end of July.

16. Where are most of the tournaments located that the STARS play in?
Most of these tournaments are local (driving distance each day), but one or two each season requires an over-night stay. Typically one is to the beach (Ocean City, Virginia Beach, etc.) and the other to a National (PONY, NSA, ASA, USSSA, AFA, etc.).

17. Do the STARS play in any National level tournaments?
Yes, STARS teams have participated in at least one National level tournament since their existence. In most cases the STARS teams play in the PONY Nationals or the NSA World Series.

18. How have STARS teams faired in state, regional and national tournaments?
STARS teams have finished as high as 2nd place in the NSA State Championships and have taken 1st and 2nd place in the USSSA State Championships. STARS teams have also finished in the top twenty of teams in the NSA World Series three times. STARS teams have won numerous trophies and medals. See http://www.marylandstars.org/pages/common/trophies.htm for a list of trophies and medals STARS teams have won.

STARS teams routinely finish near the top of the tournaments they play in and the program has made a name for itself as fielding teams to be reckoned with.

19. Do the STARS have a web page?
Yes, go to www.marylandstars.org. This web page has information about current events, history of the program, contacts, clinics, pictures, tournaments the STARS host, results and schedules, rosters, links, guestbook, archives, and more.

20. Where can I find out more about current and previous STARS teams?
Almost anything you may want to know about current and previous STARS teams (2001 and onward) can be found at the STARS Web site.

21. How does one become a coach in the STARS organization?
The STARS select coaches from volunteers. Although experienced coaches are desired, the STARS are happy to provide training for new coaches, send them to coaches’ clinics, and provide assistance throughout the year from their more experienced coaches and players.

All persons desiring to be a head coach of a team are interviewed by the STARS and must allow a background check if thought necessary.

22. How do the STARS select a trading pin?
The STARS hold a contest each year where players, coaches, parents, etc. can submit drawings, sketches, and diagrams of proposed pins. Then each player votes to determine the winner. The winning entry is then submitted to the artist of the select vendor and finalized. Each player is given a number of pins to trade and also the opportunity to purchase more at cost.

23. How can I acquire a STARS trading pin?
If you want to trade pins you can contact Glen Warholic at pins@marylandstars.org. If you want to purchase one, cost is about $5.

24. How does one become a sponsor of the Maryland STARS?
The STARS rely heavily on the charity of others, individuals and businesses, to act as sponsors for the program. Sponsorships can be made to the program in the form of goods, services, or money. Since the STARS are a non-profit organization, any donation to the program may be tax deductible and the sponsors can be assured that their donation is going to a good cause.

More information about the Maryland STARS Sponsorship Program can be found at http://www.marylandstars.org/pages/sponsors/sponsors.htm.

25. Are the STARS a non-profit organization and are contributions to the STARS tax deductible?
The STARS are a non-profit organization (501c) and part of the Winfield Youth Softball Organization, Winfield Recreation Council and Carroll County Department of Enterprise. All donations to the STARS are tax deductible.

26. Where can I find more information about the STARS sponsorship program?
Information about the STARS sponsorship program can be found at our web site at http://www.marylandstars.org/pages/sponsors/binary/sponsor_all.pdf.