I want to talk more about step 2. What you suggest is a good idea, but the potential for embarresment is huge. Will the girl not think, 9 out of 10 times, who the hell is this guy and why is he talking to me?
Can you elaborate anymore on good approaches? "Can you help me with this??" "I'm looking for..."
I know exactly what you mean bro, and let me tell you what I do to get over that fear of the girl thinking i'm a creep just because I decided to say hello.
If you're going for an attractive chica (which I really hope you guys are, trust me, lowering your standards sucks) then just think about this. You're probably not the first guy to approach, and she probably gets approached all the time. So when you put it down into a science, it's actually a game and that's the best way to think about it.
When talking to her, do not look anywhere on her body except for her face. Yeah, I know, it's obvious, but girls have an acute sense of knowing whether or not you want them, which is something you don't want to display. Always maintain eye contact, don't ever look away. This doesn't mean that you should just stare into her eyes like a stalker, but don't talk to her and look at the floor at the same time.
The attitude you've got to have around a girl is that you really don't care whether or not they say yes. You've got to express the attitude when you're talking to her that you're evaulating her, that she's got to meet your standards, but in a noninvasive sort of way. This doesn't mean ask her twenty questions, you've just got to give off the disposition that she's one of many girls that you're talking to, even if she's the only one.
Always be the one to end the conversation. Don't linger for too long, you're just trying to get her number, and save all of that long talk for the actually date.
After you get her number, don't call her as soon as you get home. Give it like three days before you call her, and get some details on the upcoming date. If she doesn't pick up, don't fret, wait for another week and then call her again, and give off the attitude that this is her last chance of having a good time and getting to meet a really good guy.
Lastly, if for that odd possibility that she does say no, then don't worry bro, move onto to this next girl. If you think you have bad luck, don't stress, just keep moving on until you get a fish, and like the saying goes, there's plenty of fish in the sea.
Oh yeah, one more thing. There's no such thing as a league. If someone tries to shoot you down and says that a certain is not in your league, ignore it. Trust me, you're only cutting yourself short if you think a girl is too hot for you to date.