It cost the team $240 for the season, so each pay $20. We've signed up for Thursday night games.
The league begins on December 6th, and we have 5 weeks of games. However, no games are played from December 17th until January 3rd. The league will have approximately 35-50 teams in it. But we wil be put in a group with 4 other teams, and those will be the only teams we play during the season.
On game nights (Thursdays) we'll usually play a double header. Each game is 45 minutes long. Why so short? It is a "pitch league". This means that each batter only gets one pitch. If they get a strike (either by swinging and missing, or not swinging at a good pitch, or hitting a foul ball), then they're out. If they get a ball, they walk. If they hit, then, you know. So the game is fairly fast paced.
In each double header you play two different teams. There is a brief pause between games. Games are in the evenings. The beginning times range from 6:30pm to 8:45pm.
Each team can have as many players in the dugout as they wish. The batting lineup can have up to 12 people in it, 10 of whom are fielders.
We must have 5 men and 5 women on the field at all times (we have 4 outfielders). If the other team agrees, then we can have more women than men on the field. To be safe, we should always have at least 5 men and women at each game.
We supply our own equipment (i.e. bats, balls, gloves, etc). They supply the field, bases, and umpires. No helmets are worn. Cleats are allowed, unless they are metal. Also, all softball bats are allowed with a few exceptions (all of which are very expensive, I think). In this league, and apparently this is normal, men and women hit different balls. The men's ball is slightly larger. When a women is at bat, the pitcher uses a women's ball, and vice versa. The balls must be approved by the National Softball Association, and must be "COR 47 or less".
Basically all you, as a player, need to provide is a glove. A softball glove is preferable, although a baseball glove could work. If you are looking for a glove, the most important things to look for are comfort and a good fit. Also, your glove should measure at least 12.5" (this is usually printed on the glove).
The playing fields are Krieg Field and Butler Field, which is near Riverside and Pleasant Valley. We hold batting practice at the Pleasant Valley Sportsplex. We practice at the IBM softball field. Directions to all of these fields are available from the main softball page.
When we play games at Butler Field 1 or 2, or Krieg Field 7, then there is a 5 homerun limit per game. When playing at any other Krieg Field, there is a 0 homerun limit per game.
Players need to show up early for the games, as a lineup sheet has to be submitted to the umpire prior to the game. You need to contact Mitch a day or two before EVERY game and let him know if you will be there or not, so we can be sure that we'll have enough people. Missing practice is one thing, but we will forfeit games if we don't have enough people, and we did pay $240 to be in the league. So please don't commit to being at a game unless you will in fact be there.
The four other teams in our division are Reliant, The Outfield, The Viruses, and Driskill Colonels.
Not all of this will be true for the next season, which begins in the Spring sometime. I don't think it is a "pitch league", for example. I only asked about the upcoming season. They have seasons year-round, and I'd like to have a team through all of them.
If you have any questions, would like to join the team, or would just like to practice with us, then please let me know.
This page is maintained by Mitch Harding