BASA Travel Program

Elevate your soccer game with the BASA Travel Program, designed for players seeking a higher level of competition. Our travel teams face off against opponents from Mid-Michigan and beyond, depending on their league affiliation.

Led by licensed and experienced soccer coaches, BASA offers travel teams spanning from U9 to U19 age brackets. Tryouts take place one week after the official conclusion of the spring soccer season.

U9 to U12 teams compete in the Mid-Michigan Youth Soccer League (MMYSL), facing off against teams from Midland, Saginaw, Mt. Pleasant, Frankenmuth, Freeland, and other areas in the region.

For U13 and older teams, the competition level rises as they typically compete in the Michigan State Premier Soccer League (MSPSL), challenging teams from across the state.

Registration fees for Travel Teams are as follows:

·       U12 and Below: $400

·       U13 and Above: $450

For more details, explore the Frequently Asked Questions below.

The season is split into Fall and Spring periods: 

• Fall: Late August to Late October
• Spring: Late April to Early June
• Winter Training: January to the Start of the Spring Season (varies by team)

Teams are organized by birth year. For example, BASA 2013 Boys refers to players born in 2013. BASA aims to have teams for each age group from U9 to U18/U19.

See the Birth Year Chart below for more information.

Yes, tryouts are required. They occur in early/mid June, with players evaluated by coaches and placed on teams based on birth year. There is a roster limit set by the state for each age group so cuts may be required.  

BASA participates in two leagues -

• U9-U12 teams compete in the Mid-Michigan Youth Soccer League (MMYSL).
• These games are played primarily against teams in Mid-Michigan with the occasional team from Lansing, Petoskey or Traverse City
• U13 and older teams usually play in the Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP).
• Depending on the division, these games can be played against teams from all over the state.
• Teams receive around 8 league games each season, half at home and half away.

Tournaments are at the discretion of each team’s coach, who determines the number of tournaments the team will attend in both fall and spring.

BASA’s Soccerween tournament, held every October, is mandatory. It's a fun-filled 1-day weekend event where boys play one day and girls the next. Teams can sport soccer-appropriate costumes for added excitement!

Apart from Soccerween, tournaments are optional. Coaches typically choose 1-2 tournaments per season. The Midland tournament, held in fall and spring, is a popular local choice offering competitive play. Other favored tournaments include those in Petoskey, Canton, Grand Rapids, or Traverse City.

Some teams opt for an “overnight” tournament during the season, where the team stays in a hotel for the weekend. This decision depends on the coach and team interest.

Teams bear the cost of tournament participation, split among players. Costs typically range from $30-$60 per player per tournament, depending on the tournament fee and team size. These fees are not covered by BASA travel fees.

Practices occur twice a week during the season, lasting 60-90 minutes. BASA travel teams are permitted to practice at the complex when it is open.

Games are typically scheduled on weekends but can be on weeknights for local matches. Coaches work to make the schedule with the coaches of the other teams before the season starts. You will know all your game dates/times prior to the season starts. These usually don’t change unless there is a compelling reason to.

Game lengths vary by age group, starting at 25-minute halves for U9 and increasing with age. Games for older teams can run up to 80-90min with halftime included.

Following the conclusion of the fall season, some teams may opt to join indoor leagues or commence winter training as early as November. However, most teams commence off-season activities around January, a decision reached collectively by the coach and team families.

Winter training typically spans from January to early April. Teams usually offer sessions once or twice a week at various indoor facilities like the Midland Civic Arena, Tri-city Sports Complex, or local school gyms. Please note that there's an additional cost for winter training, which is not covered by BASA travel fees.

During the off-season, teams may also participate in winter futsal leagues or engage in indoor soccer tournaments, depending on the team's preference.

Once the spring season wraps up, tryouts for the following travel year kick off immediately afterward, usually during the second weekend of June. Teams generally resume regular practice sessions in early August to prepare for the upcoming season.

Registration fees cover both fall and spring seasons:

• U9-U12: $400
• U13-U19: $450 Additional costs include tournament fees, travel expenses, and winter training, which are determined by the coach and team.

Minimum required uniform costs (2022 pricing):

• Home Jersey: $36
• Away Jersey: $36
• Shorts: $24
• Blue Socks: $9
• White Socks: $9
• Practice Jersey: $10 each
• Total Uniform Cost: $134