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Welcome to YAC Girls Softball!! The following is a short synopsis of our program, rules, etc that will hopefully give you a good understanding about how we run our program and what to expect in the coming Spring 2007 season. Please also remember that dates, times and locations are subject to change as there is no way to plan exactly now for April, May and June. Also refer to the YAC Sports website and click on the Softball banner for a full list of each division rules as well as contact numbers and email addresses for the division coordinators and commissioners.
Overall Softball Program
Generally our season starts around the 2nd or 3rd week of April and ends around the 3rd week of June (we try to end before school lets out). Due to the limited number of weeks, we may have to hold our first week of games during one of the Saturdays of the April vacation. Every team is assigned one practice day and time. At registration we will accept ONLY 1 BAD PRACTICE day in which your daughter will not be assigned to a team that has practice on that day. We do understand that some of the girls are involved in multiple activities or have religious education, but for scheduling purposes, we can only honor one bad day. The majority of the games will be scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays will be designated as a make-up day for rainouts. Due to scheduling issues or excessive rainouts, there may be a need to schedule occasional games during the week. In each of the divisions skill development is the emphasized the most and coaches will work on to reinforce the basic skills of throwing, catching, hitting and base running. All divisions will culminate the season with a skills competition and party. We held this event last year and the girls had a great time. For safety reasons, it is reminded that during practices and games no jewelry be worn (particularly earrings) and it is strongly recommended that girls with long hair wear it in a ponytail. Also for parents and coaches smoking is prohibited during any YAC events (regardless if it is indoors or outdoors).
Equipment Needed
YAC will provide the balls, bats and helmets necessary to play. The girls need to have their own glove (size appropriate, if you are not sure ask one of the coaches for help) and cleats (rubber not metal). It is strongly recommended that the Bantam, Junior and Senior Division girls also have sliding pants and a sliding pad as we do teach sliding. A lot of girls also have their own batting helmets (which is totally optional). This is okay as long as it has a full face mask and chin strap. In addition, the helmet and facemask must have the NOCSAE approved stamp on it. Also if your daughter has her own bat, make sure it is the right size. Just because you pay a lot for a bat it does not make it the right one for your daughter. Also make sure that all your equipment has your daughter’s name on it.
DIVISION INFORMATION
5 & 6 Year Old Division (Ages 5 & 6 Only)
During our draft, coaches will pick the girls off of a master list to make up their teams and each team tries to pick an equal number of 5 and 6 year olds. Due to problems in the past few years, requests are NO LONGER accepted to be with a particular friend. Coaches are the only ones that pitch to the girls. Girls at this level are allowed to play every position except catcher and are allowed to lead off the bases (but not steal). If a fielder makes an out, the batter or runner will come off of the bases, but we do not play 3 outs an inning. A maximum of 7 batters will bat during your team’s half inning in order to keep the game moving along. Each game lasts 6 innings or 1 hour and 20 minutes (which every comes first). No score or standings are kept. An 11" safety ball is used.
8 and Under Division (Ages 7 & 8 Only) (OLD PEE WEE DIVISION)
During our draft, coaches will pick the girls off of a master list to make up their teams and each team tries to pick an equal number of 7 and 8 year olds. Due to problems in the past few years, requests are NO LONGER accepted to be with a particular friend. Coaches and players pitch alternating innings. Girls at this level are allowed to play every position and girls that are 8 years old are allowed to catch. Girls are also allowed to steal 3rd base only. If a fielder makes an out, the batter or runner will come off of the bases, but we do not play 3 outs an inning. A maximum number of batters will be established to bat during your team’s half inning in order to keep the game moving along. Each game lasts 6 innings or 1 hour and 20 minutes (which every comes first). No score or standings are kept. An 11" modified ball is used.
10 and Under Division (Ages 9 & 10 Only) (OLD BANTAM DIVISION)
During this draft, coaches will pick the girls off of a master list to make up their teams and each team tries to pick an equal number of 9 and 10 yeard olds. Due to problems in th epast few years, requests are NO LONGER accepted to be with a particular friend. In this division, girls are allowed to steal second or third base only. The girls pitch the entire game. Note that the girls must be able to reach the plate from the pitching mound or they will not allowed to pitch during a game. Windmill pitching is the preferred way to pitch, but modified is encouraged to build their confidence while still making it fun for the other team. We do play 3 outs or a maximum of 5 runs per inning. Each game is 6 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes long (which every comes first). There are standings and playoffs at this level. A regular 11" ball is used.
12 and Under Division (Ages 11 & 12) (OLD JUNIOR DIVISION)
At this level the girls are asked to come to an evaluation (which lasts about 15- 20 minutes) and the coaches will rate the individual girl’s play. Then through a formula they are given a number at which point the coaches then get together and pick their teams. We try to do everything possible to keep each team balanced and fair. In this division, girls are allowed to steal every base but home and can only steal on over throws. The girls continue to pitch the entire game (with inning restrictions) and may pitch either windmill or modified (although windmill is the preferred way). We do play 3 outs or a maximum of 5 runs per inning. Each game is 6 innings or 1 hour and 40 minutes long which every comes first (Note that games may carry over an additional 15 minutes maximum to finish an inning). Coaches will also teach the girls how to read signs about what they should do at bat and while on the bases. Wins and loses are kept as well as standings. The end of the season does have playoff (every team makes the playoffs) and a champion is determined. Do note that the competitiveness is second to playing and having fun. A regular 12" ball is used. There also may be a few crossover games scheduled with Taconic Softball located in Shrub Oak.
15 and Under Division (Ages 13, 14 & 15) (OLD SENIOR DIVISION)
At this level the girls are also asked to come to an evaluation (which lasts about 15-20 minutes) and the coaches will rate the individual girl’s play. Then through a formula they are given a number at which point the coaches then get together and pick their teams. We try to do everything possible to keep each team balanced and fair. In this division, girls play full ASA rules (including dropped 3rd strike and stealing home among other rules). The girls pitch the entire game (with inning restrictions) and may pitch either windmill or modified (although windmill is the preferred way). We do play 3 outs or a maximum of 5 runs per inning. Each game is 6 innings or 1 hour and 40 minutes long, which every comes first (Note that games may carry over an additional 15 minutes maximum to finish an inning). Coaches will also teach the girls how to read signs about what they should do at bat and on the bases. Wins and loses are kept as well as standings. The season culminates with a playoff and a champion is determined. Do note that the competitiveness is second to playing and having fun. A regular 12" ball is used. Due to the small number of girls signing up in the past few years, we have not had enough YAC teams in order to make it woth while. We have had to established a schedule games against teams from Taconic (in Shrub Oak), North Salem, Lewisboro, Somers & Croton. We anticpate doing the same thing for the Spring 2007 Season.
INDIVIDUAL TEAMS
Each team has a head coach as well as 1 or 2 assistant coaches. Again this year coaches (in every YAC sport) must be certified through a program called Positive Coaching Alliance. This is a program designed to teach the coaches how to be fair, how to be a good coach and not be too competitive (among other topics). The coaches do put in a lot of time and effort into their individual teams as well for the overall program. In addition to the YAC and Girls Softball Rules, each coach may also have additional rules he or she would like the girls to follow. From time to time emails are sent out looking for volunteers to help enhance our program. Your daughter’s coach may also ask you to assist on game day particularly if we had some rain overnight. What is needed is for 2 parents from each team scheduled for the 9:00 AM game to be at the field at 7:30 AM to assist in raking and getting the field ready to play for the girls. Remember that youth sports are for the girls.
If you have any issues with your daughter’s coach or coaches regarding styles, philosophies or another matter, we recommend that you speak directly to her coach or coaches. If satisfactory results are not given you should then speak to the division coordinator and ultimately to one of the softball commissioners.
TRAVEL TEAMS
In addition to our in-house teams, YAC Girls Softball also offers a more competitive travel program that runs over the Summer and Fall. Divisions include 10 and Under, 12 and Under and 14 and Under. Girls interested in playing on any of these teams must also play in our In-House program (the only exception is the tournament team). Travel is generally in the immediate area (usually within 45 minutes of Yorktown). Girls must try out to make these teams and only a limited number of girls can play (this sometimes results in having to cut some girls). Please watch for emails and refer to the Softball website regarding tryout dates, times and locations (which are usually held at the end of March or early April).
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