Tryouts 2023-2024

The 2023-2024 Pennsbury Gems tryout dates are listed below.

If you intend to try out for the Gems, please download the registration form, and complete the relevant sections for your daughter/yourself.

Leading up to tryouts, are you/your daughter interested in potentially playing for the
Pennsbury Gems next season? We’d like to hear from you!

Complete the confidential online form below, check the boxes of your interests, and initiate contact with the Pennsbury Gems.
18U National
July 11th, 12th & 18th
6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
Coach Keith Ford (thorntheboxer@verizon.net)

18U Gems Premier
Regional showcase & high level tournament team
Open Practice – July 18th (Pool field)
Tryouts 23rd & 26th
6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
Coach Frank Ehrenfeld (frankehrenfeld@gmail.com)

16U Gems Premier
Tryouts:
August 5th & 6th
10:00am – noon | 9:30 check in
Coach Matt Naphy (matthew.naphy3@gmail.com)

16U Gems Elite
July 25th & 27th
6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
Coach Lauren Gerth (laurengerth3@gmail.com)

14U Gems Premier
(primarily 2009 birth year)
July 20th | 6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
July 22nd | 10:00am – noon | 9:30 check in
Coach: Nicholas Spadea (nicholasspadea123@gmail.com)
14U Gems National
(primarily 2010 birth year)
July 10th | 6:00 – 8:00pm | 5:30 check in
Additional date to be announced
Coach Jason Fidishun (Jason@emailjfc.com)

14U Gems Elite
(primarily 2010 birth year)
July 20th | 6:00 – 8:00pm | 5:30 check in
July 22nd | 10:00am – noon | 9:30 check in
Coach Dena Bunch (dbunch35@gmail.com)

12U Gems Black
(primarily 2011 birth year)
July 19th | 6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
July 22th | 10:00-12:00 | 9:30 check in
Coach Ryan Mahler (mahler6701@gmail.com)

12U Gems Orange
Primarily 2012 birth year
July 11th & 17th
6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
Coach Mike Spillane (email@michaelspillane.com)

10U Gems Black
Primarily 2013 birth year
July 19th & 21st
6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
Coach Dana McGettigan (DMS31699@verizon.net)

10U Gems Orange
(primarily 2014 birth year)
July 19th | 6:00-8:00pm | 5:30 check in
July 23rd | 10:00am – noon | 9:30 check in
Coach Pete Evanchik (pevanchik@verizon.net)

8U Gems
TBD

Location addresses
Fred Allan Softball Complex, 1198 Oxford Valley Rd, Morrisville, PA 19067
Lower Makefield Pool Complex, 1050 Edgewood Rd, Yardley, PA 19067
Garnet Valley High School, 552 Smithbridge Rd, Glen Mills PA 19342

Why Pennsbury Gems Softball?
We believe in developing student athletes that will play the game right on the field and use those lessons to make a difference off the field. Our forty five year tradition of excellence in fastpitch is unparalleled. Join us for an unforgettable experience whether in preparation for a collegiate showcase event or a year of dedicated fun and development in this great sport.

The tryout process in amateur youth sports creates both excitement and anxiety among players, parents, and coaches. Yet, the assessment process is a necessary part of evaluating potential rosters. Pennsbury Softball endeavors to provide a level-field emphasizing not only equality and impartiality of the experience, but an honest attempt at understanding the expectations for skills at certain ages and communicating with those who exceed the expectations as well as those that fall short. Often employing nationally accepted guidelines at our tryouts, we seek to cull those that are passionate and committed to the sport – to be able to provide them with exceptional softball experiences.

The tryout process involves parent interaction as well. Often an outside-the-fence coach or organizational representative is available to help answer questions to nervous parents about the process. Evaluators look not only at athletic skill level, but at on-the-field potential, coach-ability of the player, verbal communication skills of the player, and often times – academic achievement.

Be aware that, especially at the higher skilled teams, that the coaches seek balance of roster as well as the best athletes. This means that though several pitchers may be at a tryout – they also need catchers, infielders, outfields, and speed on the bases and power and control at the plate. As such, it’s often an apples and oranges situation – your daughter may be one of the best oranges – but the roster really needs an apple.

Travel/Club Program, Gems Tryouts: Social media, on-line softball forums, and other means are used to promote the August tryouts held at our Fred Allan Complex. Coaches/Managers are often assisted by professional skill coaches in evaluating and selecting each team’s roster. Player GPA and other academic and community service credentials may be requested. A Letter of Commitment, Code of Conduct, and other forms are required at the tryout. Only in select situations will the organization grant individual workouts or one-on-one tryouts.

Tournament Program, Gems Babe Ruth Xtreme Tryouts: There are tryouts every late July/early August for these “next-level” teams. Pennsbury Softball management and outside instructors assist with tryouts and player evaluation/selection. At Pennsbury, our Gems (Xtreme) teams also represent our organization and league as our Babe Ruth District Team that might play locally and regionally in Suburban Travel Softball League and USSSA Tournaments. These might be considered developmental teams striving towards the full travel club model.

In-House Program Tryouts: There are no tryouts for our in-house teams, but a plan is in place to expand a Developmental Team (probably at the 12U level) with tryouts before rosters are set so that players that desire to improve and play at a more competitive level have that chance.