How can I be sure the Virginia Lady Eagles are right for my daughter?
We in the VLE organization are proud of the history and reputation of the Virginia Lady Eagles. The players come first. We are dedicated to fostering teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership through competition on the playing field. While superior playing skills are necessary to compete at the regional and national level, they are not the only criteria used in selecting our players. Academic acumen, respect for fellow players and coaches, willingness to learn and the desire to excel are personal traits sought by the team managers and club directors, and in which players must continue to demonstrate growth.

We are established. VLE started in 1990, making us one of the oldest, most experienced, better financed, and most successful fastpitch organizations in the region.

We are successful. While some years are better than others, our teams consistently place well in state, regional and national tournaments. In recent years 12U, 14U and 16U teams have won or were runners up in their state championships, and the 16U team placed second in the ASA Eastern Nationals. The 18U team has shown very well in major showcase tournaments.

Our seniors go to college. All of our graduating seniors go on to college with some sort of academic or athletic scholarships.

Our coaches are experienced and unbiased. It is VLE tradition that a Team Manager does not have a child on the team he or she runs. Sometimes this may not be possible, but if the board places a parent manager on a team, then the board has a high degree on confidence in the individual’s coaching ability and fairness. The current VLE managerial staff accounts for over 50 years of cumulative softball coaching experience. The staff, including the Director of Softball Operations, includes four area high school coaches.

When and how long is the softball season for the 12U and 14U teams?
The 12U and 14U teams start playing in the spring, typically in mid-March. They will play about 10 tournaments (the exact number depends on the Team Manager and the budget provided to him by the Board). The spring / summer season will typically last into July (maybe August), again depending on which tournaments the Team Managers choose to play. After tryouts in August, the new teams will play a short season in the fall, typically consisting of 3 or 4 tournaments from September to November.

When and how long is the softball season for the 16U and 18U teams?
The 16U and 18U teams start playing after the high school season ends, typically in June. The season lasts through July, with tryouts in August. The 16U and 18U teams will play about 7 tournaments in the summer. Most will be showcase and /or state or national tournaments. After tryouts, the teams will play a fall season of showcase tournaments (about 4 or 5).

When are tryouts?
Group tryouts are typically in early to mid-August; however, a player can arrange a personal tryout at any time by contacting the Team Manager.

How much travel is involved?
The amount of travel depends on the individual Team Managers. Typically, the 12U and 14U managers arrange their teams’ schedules such that about half of the tournaments require an overnight stay. Much of the 16U and 18U teams’ schedules involve travel to well-known, well-attended showcase tournaments and State or National Championship tournaments. Some 18U tournaments require travel by air.

What do the VLE teams do over the winter?The VLE teams take a break around the holidays. There are no tournaments, practices or other VLE activities. However, the Eagles continue its VLE Academy through the fall and winter. Tim Laws of Pitch a Fit FastPitch has been contracted to provide pitching instruction for each Eagles team. In addition, hitting and defense clinics are run by experienced VLE coaches for all players. The older players also get a chance to mentor and teach the younger ones in the VLE Academy clinics. Each team also schedules hitting and defense practices as well.

How does the VLE raise funds?
VLE is funded only by Bingo proceeds and players fees. There are no other fundraisers, or fees paid to VLE.

How much is the player fee and when is it paid?
Each player must pay an annual fee of $250.00.  The fee is paid in August after tryouts and the teams are selected.  For players joining after December 1, the fee is $400.00.  The fee will revert back to $250.00 for tryouts the next August and fall season.  The organizational fee includes all VLE related functions.

Is there a refund if the player is cut or quits the team?
If a player quits the organization, there will be no refund.  If a player is cut from her VLE team before December 1 of the new season, the VLE may offer a partial refund of the organizational fee as long as all VLE related uniforms and gear are returned.  Any refund is up to the discretion of the VLE Executive Committee.

Who works Bingo and how often?
Adult volunteers are required to work Bingo about once a month. Players do not work Bingo. We attempt to coordinate the Bingo schedule with each team’s tournament schedule, so in some months during the softball season adult volunteers from one team may have to work Bingo more than once. At the end of the year, however, the volunteers from each team will have worked an equal number of Bingo sessions (However, it is not unusual that the 18U team volunteers wind up working an extra Bingo.)

Where is VLE Bingo played?
VLE Bingo is played in the Bingo Palace at 444 South Lynnhaven Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. The phone number is 757-431-1448.

Do you HAVE to work Bingo or is there a way to opt out?
There is no way out of working Bingo. Each player must have at least one adult Bingo volunteer work each obligated Bingo session. Sixteen Bingo workers are required. From time to time two volunteers from a family may be required.

What if I miss working a Bingo session?
The VLE board has a written policy regarding Bingo “no-shows” and late arrivals. If you fail to work obligated Bingo sessions without prior approval, it will result in your player being excluded from future games and/or tournaments, and could ultimately result in the release of your player. The policy is posted on the VLE web site.

What if I just can’t make the Bingo session?
The VLE board understands that there will be times when other obligations or mishaps will keep you from working Bingo. If at all possible, arrangements must be made with your Team Manager or Bingo Coordinator prior to the Bingo session. You will be required to work through the Bingo Coordinator to find a replacement worker. If no replacement can be found, you will be asked to work another age group's Bingo at some point.