Inhouse Softball

Director: Staci Ahrens
Phone:   651-437-8838   Option 3

About In-House Softball

The In-House Softball program consists of about 150 players organized into 3 levels (about 13 teams) with kids ranging in
ages from 6 to 12. HYAA offers Softball to girls who are in 1^st to 6^th grade.

The purpose of In-House Softball is to teach the basic fundamentals of softball. The players will learn how to hold and throw a Softball, the proper batting stance, how to effectively hit a ball, and learn teammate and good sportsmanship skills.

One of the goals of In-House Softball is to prepare the girls to tryout and play on a traveling team (if desired) when the player reaches the age of approximately 9 or 10. By this time, the players will have developed the pitching, batting, and throwing skills needed to compete against teams from other communities.

Coaches, coordinators, directors, and helpers all volunteer their time to help improve the Softball program. More volunteers are needed to help coach, groom fields, organize tournaments, etc. Please consider getting involved with the Softball program during registration. See the volunteer blocks on the registration form or contact HYAA Softball and let us know how you can help enhance the program.
 

Sea Division

Players in this division are currently enrolled in the 1st or 2^nd grade and are typically 6 to 8 years old. Typically the Sea Division consists of 5-6 teams. Team size is kept to around 12 to ensure more one-on-one attention from the coaching staff.

The players begin to learn the basics of the game. Emphasis will be placed on individual participant's hitting, fielding, base running, catching, and throwing skills. No score will be kept and no playoff tournament will occur at this level of play. The schedule consists of 3 weeks of practices and 4 weeks of games. Depending on the number of teams created, teams may have a “bye” week in which they practice instead of play a game.

• Players will use an 11-inch incredi-ball to reduce the chance of injury.

• A coach will pitch the ball to the batters, but a tee will be available if needed or desired.

• Every batter will each bat one-half inning. When all batters have hit, the defensive team will then bat following the same procedures.

• All girls participate on defense with players rotating to different positions each inning.

Land Division

Players in this division are currently enrolled in the 3rd or 4th grade and are typically 8 to 10 years old. We average about 4 teams at this level. Every effort will be made to keep the team size to around 12 players.

The players continue to learn the fundamentals of the game. Emphasis will be placed on individual participant's hitting, fielding, base running, catching, and throwing skills. Game scores will be kept and there will be an end-of-season tournament. The schedule begins with 3 weeks of practices followed by 4 weeks of games. A tournament is scheduled the last week of July.

• Players will use a regular 11-inch softball.

• Players are encouraged to pitch the whole season (with mandatory player pitching by the 2^nd week of games). Pitching at this level prepares the pitchers and batters to tryout for a traveling team the following season.

• A pitching clinic is scheduled at the beginning of the season. The pitchers will learn the fundamental mechanics of pitching and how to hold and pitch a ball.

• Pitchers will pitch from a distance of 35 feet.

• All players will bat consecutively in the batting order.

• Teams play with 10 defensive positions (4 outfielders).

• Three outs or five-run rule per inning limit will be enforced the whole season.

Mountain Division

Players in this division are currently enrolled in the 5th or 6th grade and are typically 10 to 12 years old. We average about 4 teams at this level. Every effort will be made to keep the team size to around 12 players.

The players continue to learn the fundamentals of the game. Emphasis will be placed on individual participant's hitting, fielding, base running, catching, and throwing skills. Game scores will be kept and there will be an end-of-season tournament. The schedule begins with 3 weeks of practices followed by 4 weeks of games. A tournament is scheduled the last week of July.

• Players will use a regular 11-inch softball.

• Players will pitch the whole season. Pitching at this level prepares the pitchers and batters who wish to tryout for a traveling team the following season.

• A pitching clinic is scheduled at the beginning of the season. The pitchers will continue to work on fundamental mechanics of pitching and how to hold and pitch a ball.

• Pitchers will pitch from a distance of 35 feet.

• All players will bat consecutively in the batting order.

• Teams play with 10 defensive positions (4 outfielders).

• Three outs or five-run rule per inning limit will be enforced the whole season.