Spring Softball

SOFTBALL

Girls fastpitch softball continues to gain in popularity both in Ballard and around Seattle. Softball is an exciting team sport that gives many opportunities for players to gain skills they can take with them both on and off the field.

Within Little League District 8, the city Little Leagues (NW, Ballard, N. Central, NE, Queen Anne, Shoreline & Magnolia) work together to create interleague games and a playoff tournament for the "regular" spring season as well as fun, summer season play. Historically, our upper divisions have had the opportunity to play their final championship games at Husky Stadium. Our Ballard and D8 groups are committed to make sure that every girl in Seattle who want to play softball gets the opportunity.

What level should I choose for my player?

You know your player best, so if they fall within an age range, use your judgment to decide what level they should play. Please note your player’s softball Little League age (it's different than baseball) when signing up because “league age” is often different than their age today.

A Softball

"A" softball is for players league ages 7 and 8. League age 6 may play pending skills evaluation and one previous year of Tee Ball.

This division focuses on skill development with structured game play and modified softball rules (for example, players may not steal, there is a five run per inning maximum and outs are enforced).

** New for 2025 season: Given recent lower turnout for softball at this age level, and feedback from parents that the girls want to primarily play games in Ballard, for the 2025 season BLL will plan to have Single A girls play baseball, and then transfer to AA softball the following year. There will be an all girls baseball team and they will advance to AA softball together. This allows for most play to be within Ballard Little League on our fields, and therefor no need to travel to play Single A softball teams in our larger community. **

Teams: A softball teams typically consist of 9-11 players, if the league does not have enough players, the team will be grouped by friend coach requests/school with other baseball teams.

Practice: Teams typically practice 1-2 times per week. Weekly practices start in March with games starting in April

Games: Games are played on Saturdays and have mid-week games during the season. Games are played in Ballard and on fields of neighboring leagues.

Volunteers: Parent participation is necessary on many levels including coaching, field preparation, team parent, etc.

Equipment: Uniform shirts and visors are supplied. Player will need to provide softball glove, pants, belt and socks. Coaches will have batting helmets and bats available. Please reach out if any equipment is a hardship.

AA Softball

"AA" softball is for players league ages 8 and 9. League age 7 may play pending skills evaluation and prior softball experience.

This division focuses on skill development and begin softball pitching development. Division uses modified softball rules and will have a "kid-pitch" for a at least a portion of every game.

Teams: AA softball teams typically are made up of 10-13 players. If the league does not have enough players, teams are co-leagued with other neighborhoods.

Practices: Teams typically practice 1-2 times per week. Weekly practices start in March with games starting in April.

Games: Games are played on Saturday and a mid-week game during the season. Games are played both in Ballard and on fields of neighboring leagues.

Volunteers: Parent participation is necessary on many levels including coaching, field preparation, team parent, etc.

Equipment: Uniform shirts and visors are supplied. Players will need to provide softball glove, pants, belt and socks. Coaches will have batting helmets and bats available. Please reach out if any equipment is a hardship.

AAA Softball

"AAA" softball is generally for girls league ages 9 - 11. League age 8 may play pending skills evaluation and prior softball experience.

This is considered the first year of competition interleague softball to prepare players for the traditional game played in Majors. Continued focus on skills and pitching development but transitions to more competitive games. Games are played using official rules of Little League Softball . Teams compete in city-wide end of season playoffs with championship game typically played at University of Washington's Softball Stadium.

An 11-inch "hard" softball is used; this is an exclusively kid-pitch division.

Fields are 60' diamond; 35ft pitching distance.

Players are eligible for 10U or 11U All-Stars immediately following the city-wide playoffs.

Teams: AAA softball teams are made up of 11-13 players. Teams are formed following a skills evaluation. Players will be drafted by coaches onto teams. If the league does not have enough players, teams are co-leagued with other neighborhoods.

Practices & Games: Players will typically have 2-3 "events" per week. There are 2 practices per week in the pre-season, then 2 games (1 weekday and 1 weekend) and 1 practice per week during the season. Practices typically last 60-90 minutes and games are 2 hours and 15 minutes. Practices start in March.

Volunteers: Parent participation is necessary on many levels including coaching, umpiring, field preparation, scorekeeping, team parent, etc.

Equipment: Uniform shirts and visors are supplied. Players will need to provide softball glove, pants, belt and socks. Personal fielding mask is highly recommended. Coaches will have batting helmets and bats available. Please reach out if any equipment is a hardship.

Majors Softball

Majors softball is generally for girls league ages 10 and 12.

Majors division continues development of skills, pitching and strategy.This division incorporate and encourages a higher skill level to allow a more competitive level of play. Games are played using official rules of Little League Softball.

A 12-inch "hard" softball is used.

Fields are 60' diamond; 40' pitching distance.

Players are eligible to be considered for the All-Star team that may compete for the Little League Softball World Series.

Teams: Majors softball teams are made up of 11-13 players. Teams are created following a skills evaluation. Players will be drafted by coaches onto teams. If the league does not have enough players, teams are co-leagued with other neighborhoods.

Practice & Games: Players will usually have 2-3 "events" per week. There are 2 practices per week in the pre-season, then 2 games (1 weekday and 1 weekend) and 1 practice per week during the season. Practices typically last 60-90 minutes and games are 2 hours and 15 minutes. Practices start in March.

Volunteers: Parent participation is necessary on many levels including coaching, umpiring, field preparation, scorekeeping, team parent, etc.

Equipment: Uniform shirts and visors are supplied. Players will need to provide softball glove, pants, belt and socks. Personal fielding mask is highly recommended for infield play. Coaches will have batting helmets and bats available. Please reach out if any equipment is a hardship.

Juniors Softball

Juniors softball is for girls league ages 13 and 14.

It is possible to roster for little league and play high school softball.

Fields are 60' diamonds; 40' pitching distance.

Players in the juniors division are eligible to be considered for the All-Star team that may compete for the Junior League Softball World Series.

Teams: Junior softball teams are made up of 11-16 players. Teams are created following a skills evaluation. Players will be drafted by coaches onto teams. If the league does not have enough players, teams are co-leagued with other neighborhoods.

Practices & Games: Players will usually have 2-3 "events" per week. There are 2 practices per week in the pre-season, then 2 games (1 weekday and 1 weekend) and 1 practice per week during the season. Practices typically last 60-90 minutes.

Volunteers: Parent participation is necessary on many levels including coaching, umpiring, field preparation, scorekeeping, team parent, etc.

Equipment: Uniform shirts and visors are supplied. Players will need to provide softball glove, pants, belt and socks. Personal fielding mask is highly recommended for infield play. Coaches will have batting helmets and bats available. Please reach out if any equipment is a hardship.

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Ballard Little League