What softball league is appropriate for my child?
Girls (Grade 1 & 2) = “A”
Girls (Grade 3 & 4) = “AA”
Girls (Grade 5 & 6) = Majors
Girls (grade 7 - 12) = Seniors
Parents of children ages 4 to 6 should contact the HVYMCA at 737-3048 for T-Ball or Peanut Ball.
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Can you describe the "A" league for new players?
The "A" league is for players new to the game of softball. It is an instructional league where the emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of the game, making new friends, and having fun! The registration fee is $125 and includes a full uniform (hat, shirt, pants and socks). Games are played 2 times a week and can be scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. Most of the games will be played at the Quarry Field or Hansen Field. Quarry Field is located on Route 31 near Trap Rock Quarry. Hansen Field is located at the HV Municipal Complex which is on Scotch Road. Weekday games begin around 6pm and end around 7:15-7:30. Saturday games are in the morning. The game schedule will rotate between those three days. A portion of the "game" is devoted to instruction and practice. The teams then meet to play a short game using modified rules. This league uses a pitching machine and a soft training softball. Coaches remain on the field to help the players. The season begins in late March/early April, weather permitting, and ends in the first week of June. There is a league picnic at the end of the year and it is included in the registration fee.
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Can I request my daughter be placed on same team as another player?
n the A Division players are placed on their school based teams when 1) registrations provide for one team per elementary school AND 2) players sign up by the deadline. In the AA Division (3rd and 4th grade) we do not take player requests. The only exception to that is an older girl who has never played before. If the parents feel she would adjust better by being with a friend, then we try and arrange that. Extremely unusual circumstances such as an illness in the family or other unusual event should be put in writing to request an arrangement.
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What is the practice schedule?
Practices are held pre-season and are at the individual discretion of the coach. Coaches sign up for a time that they can reserve one of the softball fields. Usually they are held one weeknight evening and one on Saturday usually, weather permitting. Once the season begins in April, many coaches no longer practice and use the pre-game warmup to instruct. Both leagues are instructional and the game component is geared towards instruction. For the A league (1st and 2nd grade) their games are half practice and half game.
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What is the game schedule?
Final scheduling information can only be provided after registration has been closed and the team assignments have been made. As a general rule, each team will play twice per week, once during the week and once on Saturday.
Tentative Division Schedules - Playing Days for 2008
Division A - Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, 2 games a week
Division AA - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, 2 games a week
Division Majors - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, 2 games a week
Division Seniors - Monday, Friday or Saturday, 1 1/2 games per week
Games at Ewing for Majors & Seniors may not follow the above designated days, TBA.
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Does my daugher have to tryout? If so, when are the tryouts?
The only players that need to attend a tryout are players who have NEVER played in any HVBSA softball division. Tryouts are typically held the last weekend in Feb. Check the website and the HV News for more info.
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When will I know what team my daughter is on?
Her coach will call her the second week of March.
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Can I volunteer to be a coach?
Yes, we would love to have all volunteers. Anyone interested n coaching needs to attend a RUTGERS SAFETY clinic, which will be held in March.
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How many girls are on each team?
Generally 10 girls in the A
division and 12 in the AA and Majors. Senior division teams typically have a roster of 14-18.
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When is start of softball season?
Scrimmage games will start in early April. Regular season games for Div A through Majors start mid-April. Regular season games for Seniors start late April.
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What equipment does my daughter need?
- Glove
Unless the player is advanced and playing a specific position all the time, such as catcher or first base, a fielder's glove will be fine. The glove should fit snuggly when on. The finger length (above where the player's finger ends) should be at least 2 inches, so the ball can be caught on a webbing. A small glove is easy to spot as the children with small gloves tend to have to trap the ball(to keep it in) as opposed to catch the ball. Most younger player gloves have ages listed on the store tag. For older players, gloves range in inches from 10 inch gloves for 9-11 year olds, 11-12 inch gloves for 12-14 and 13 inch gloves for high schoolers. Few players' hands are big enough for 14 inch gloves until late in high school.
- Cleats
Cleats are recommended for all players. Girls in Division A are not required to wear cleats. The cleats should be a molded shoe with non-removable cleats. The shoe should have a thumbs width of room in the toe.
- Bat (optional)
Each team manager will have supply of bats for practice/game use. Girls are not required to provide their own bats. If you choose to use your own bat, below are some guidelines:
- What type of bat should I buy?
Metal, wood is not allowed. It should have the ASA (American Softball Association) seal. The markings could be ASA 2000, ASA 2002, ASA 2003, ASA 2004. The year of the marking goes to when the bat was approved by the ASA, not the year of manufacture.
Though a store may have a rack of softball bats, there is a big difference in the way a fastpitch bat is made as opposed to a slowpitch. Buy a fastpitch bat. Slowpitch bats are longer and heavier.
- How do I know the right size fastpitch bat for my daughter?
If your daughter 10 years old or less, the bat should come up to the player's waist when the bat is laid against her standing straight. After 10 years old, with your daughter standing straight, hands down along her sides, and her batting hand bent at a 90 degree angle, the bat when placed against her side should reach to her palm. The bat should be light enough for the player to hold the bat away from their body arm extended vertical to the ground for a 60 second count. If the bat is wavering, its too heavy, a little wiggle is fine.
- Can I use my old bat?
Look at the bat. If there are any cracks or creases in the metal, it is no longer good. If there are some dents, have your player's coach examine the bat. Dents in the bat face can cause the bat to not respond correctly when hitting the ball. Unless the player is in advanced play, a bat can last several seasons or until it is outgrown.
- Mouthguard (optional for all except pitchers)
Use of mouthguards is encouraged for all players, but is mandatory only for pitchers.
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I want to buy my daughter her own bat. What should I buy?
You should buy a metal bat, wood is not allowed. It should have the ASA (American Softball Association) seal. The markings could be ASA 2000, ASA 2002, ASA 2003, ASA 2004. The year of the marking goes to when the bat was approved by the ASA, not the year of manufacture. Please click on the ASA links below to check for current list of
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Can my daughter play "up" in an older division?
Parents can request that their player play "up" in an older division providing the player is within one year of that division. (Ex. A 10 year old can request to play in the Major division with 11 and 12 year olds, but a 9 year old cannot) These requests are granted provided their is space available in the older division once all age appropriate players have registered. Parents should complete the permission slip and return by mail to the softball player agent.
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Hopewell Valley
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