16U & 18U Nighthawks

Introduction

Coached by David Mason, Jeff Day and James Ritchie, our desire for the 2024-2025 season is to compete at the highest level, position our players to contribute to their high school teams and pursue opportunities to play at the college level. Below you will find information that will outline what we expect of our players and parents and also some FAQs to help you decide if our program is a good fit for your family. If you have additional questions not covered here, please contact us at tn.nighthawks@gmail.com.

How many players will you keep on the roster?

Our goals is to carry 12 dedicated players on our roster. We believe that a roster of 12 will ensure everyone on the team will get adequate playing time and coach instruction.  In the event that we have players missing for a tournament, we may pick up players to fill in gaps and give breaks, but we will try to never have more than 12 with us at a tournament. 

How is playing time determined? 

All players will have opportunities during games and practices to earn playing time.  The best performer at each position will play a majority of the time. In showcase format games or college play days, we will bat the entire lineup and players will rotate on defense at positions that best demonstrate their talents.  In bracket play, we reserve the right to shorten the lineup to better compete in elimination games.  However, layer development and exposure will be a focus of our coaching staff, not just a win-at-all-cost mentality.

 Where do you practice?

The majority of practices will take place at Crockett Park and Granny White Park in Brentwood.  As needed, indoor space will be rented at Showtime in Franklin.  

How many tournaments will you play in this year?

We will typically play in 4-5 tournaments each fall and summer, weather permitting.  Tournaments will likely be held during the months of September through November and May through July.  We will typically be off in late July and August to rest and regroup.

How often do you plan to practice?

Our tentative plan for practice is:

August through November - one weekend practices per week due to weekly high school conditioning workouts for most players

December - February - two indoor (or outdoor weather permitting) practices per month + some individual work on your own

Spring 2025 - limited practices due to high school softball schedules

Summer 2025 -One midweek practice due to weekend conflicts with tournaments.  Players outside the local area will coordinate with coaches on availability for team practices.

**All team members at this level are expected to also be in individual lessons and working on their own outside of team practices year-round. This is especially true for pitchers and catchers.

What is the estimated cost for the season?

We estimate the cost to be about $800 for the calendar year. These costs could vary depending on actual tournament fees and equipment costs and do NOT include items such uniforms, pants, socks, belts, bags, helmets, etc. More info about costs will be provided at tryouts once the tournament schedule is finalized.

My daughter plays multiple sports, can she still play on the 16U TN Nighthawks team?

Yes! We believe that athletes should be well-rounded and participate in multiple sports as they develop.

That said, we do expect early and honest communication about availability for play, particularly regarding weekend tournaments.   

Will recruiting support be offered?

Yes! Coach David Mason has coached in the area through the 18U level.  He will assist all players that are interested with advice and support for the recruiting process, including assistance with setting up player profiles, social media support, email communications and direct contacts with college coaches.