Our Softball program is based on the Cal Ripken League guidelines and is a developmental program for girls ages 7-14 (see Rookie, Minor and Major descriptions below) to learn the necessary skills and rules to play the game. The league will consist of teams from Minot, Oxford, Otisfield, South Paris, Bethel, Paris, West Paris, Norway and our teams.
Softball Director: Jeremy Lothrop
Phone #: 207-212-2011. Email: lothrop00@gmail.com
Registration Begins: February
Registration Deadline: March
All Registrations:
To register for our Youth softball program you must be a Poland or Mechanic Falls resident.
Minot residents have their own teams and must register in their town.
Coaching:
If you are interested in coaching at any level, please contact Scott: ssegal@polandtownoffice.org or call # 838-8632
Each year we attempt to offer teams at Rookies, Minors and Majors. If we do not have enough for any level, we will reach out Minot or other nearby communities to make sure we have teams.
All Mechanic Falls and Poland players register with the Poland Parks & Rec. Dept.
PRACTICES
Typically two nights per week (TBD)We will begin advertising some preseason indoor practices by the end of February.Indoor softball practices will mostly be at Elm St. school this season.
Anticipated game days:Rookies: Sundays and Mondays - May thru JuneMinors: Tuesdays and Thursdays - May thru JuneMajors: Sundays
Pitcher & Catchers (Beginning of March, dates TBD)
Anyone who pitches and catches or has wanted to try it should attend these practices
General Practices (Mid March, dates TBD)
General practice by age group since we have not had assessments yet to determine if anyone is moving up
Ages: 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12 (Age as of 4/30/23)
Dates/times TBA
Practices by team
Practices by team will begin the beginning of April
Dates/Time-TBD by coaches selected for each team
Assessments:
Assessments will general take place the end of March at the Poland Regional High School gym - Date TBD
Softball player clinic:
TBD
Team Sponsors:
We are looking for sponsors for Rookies, Minors & Majors. If you are interested in sponsoring a team, please contact Scott: ssegal@polandtownoffice.org
or call # 838-8632
Tee Ball Sponsor = $250.00 (Supports shirts and hats)
Rookies Sponsor= $300.00 (Supports, shirts and socks)
Minors Sponsor = $400.00 (Supports, shirts and socks)
Majors Sponsor = $500.00 (Supports, shirts and socks)
Jerseys: Jerseys will be a sublimated jersey with players last name printed on the back
Name of business sponsor will be printed on the front of the jersey.
All-stars:
If the State Cal Ripken and Andy Valley participate in all stars, our players will have an opportunity to be nominated. Towards the end of the season, coaches nominate players for various all star age groups. At the All star meeting in mid-June the league coaches determine the all star team. Anyone from our program who is interested in being nominated for all stars, coaches will make sure to have parents sign a commitment letter, as the all star season runs into the summer months.
**Note: softball is a team sport that requires positioning of players. Coaches are responsible to place players based on safety, skill level and desire. Parents are welcome to give feedback to the coach with the understanding that the coach makes the final decision on player positioning.
Be sure to check out our Sports Recycling program. We have used cleats, helmets, etc.. I believe we only have one softball glove available.
Cost:
$75.00
We are no longer offering a Spring Fundraiser
Equipment:
*Your child will need to have a glove, softball mask (ask your coach if you need advice), helmet, cleats, and a water bottle for practices & games.The Parks & Recreation Dept. will supply all equipment such as: bats, catchers gear, softballs, etc...
Helmets:
We are encouraging players to acquire their own helmets, so players are not sharing helmets...We will have some used helmets available if a player needs one. Softball face mask rule from 2019:
- Babe Ruth Softball Rule Change – Face Masks– Face Masks are required for the infield positions – First, Third and Pitcher. We will have a few face masks on hand. However, we are recommending that softball players provide their own for hygienic reasons if it is anticipated that they will play any of the above positions.
Andy Valley Softball Rubric – Guidelines for different Softball levels.
For Rookies, This skill set is often the goal for the end of the season. For Minors and Majors, these skills should be evident or close to evident at the beginning of the season. Players are welcomed to bring their own equipment as well.
Level Suggested Ages Infield & Throwing; Outfield & Fielding Pitching Base-Running
Assessment for 6 year olds
(If your child is age 6 by December 31, 2022) If you feel your child is ready for Rookie softball, you can request your child be assessed by contacting our office (ssegal@polandtownoffice.org) with the following understanding;
(1) Your child has participated in at least one year of tee ball
(2) There would have to be room for your child to be moved up
(3) The assessment would determine if your child is recommended to be moved up.
SOFTBALL LEVELS
Rookies
Ages: 9 & Under Grades 2,3,4
* Able to demonstrate proper technique (triangle, glove down, bent knees, hips balanced).
* Able to throw with some accuracy. * Catchers able to catch and stop 75% of pitches
* Can demonstrate proper technique on a fly ball.
* Can catch a fly ball if thrown to them in practice.
* Pays attention to the game.
* Shows a desire to want to pitch and willing to work on mechanics.
* Practices these mechanics at home
*Can run to first,, round the bag and slide into home
Minors Ages: 10-13 Mostly 4th, 5th and 6th graders. May include Middle School girls who might or might not play school softball.
* Able to demonstrate proper technique and charge in on a ball, making an accurate throw to first base.
* Catchers catch 90% of pitches and throw to 2nd when necessary.
* Can catch a fly ball hit directly to them and field hard hit ground balls.
* Knows to throw to the proper base.
* Able to throw strikes.
* Willing to throw 100 extra pitches at home, practicing technique.
* Willing to slide into bases.
* Knows and demonstrates good base running.
Majors Ages: 12-14 (Mostly Middle School age girls who probably play school Softball).
Talented 5th or 6th graders able to play.
* Can play any infield position and with proper technique field hard hit ground balls.
* Infielders understand rotations on a bunt and can apply those rotations.
* Throws are strong and accurate according to position. Catchers can throw out a base- stealer
* Can track fly balls in the gaps by turning their hips and using angles, Can catch the ball and throw to the correct base,
* Can prevent hard it ground balls from going to the fence and throw to any base, hitting the cut-off infielder with accuracy.
*Able to throw fastball for strikes.
* Working on off speed pitch or other pitches.
* Able to field the bunt
* Slides into all bases.
* Can steal a base by getting a good jump of the release of the pitch.
* Aggressively takes the extra base.
Payment Options
At the end of registration, you will have two options:
OPTION 1 (button on the left): Pay entire amount via credit card online (subject to a 3% processing fee) or
OPTION 2 (button on the right) choose "Print a Pre-Registration Form" to pay via check or cash. A red message will then pop up saying,
“You will not be registered until payment is received”
Please hit the green “Yes” button to complete the registration. We will then see it on our end to complete your registration. If you don’t hit “Yes”, we will not see that you are attempting to register and you will have to start over.
A good indication that it’s been completed is, you will receive a confirmation email.
Please make checks payable to: TOWN OF POLAND
Memo line: Softball
Payments can be dropped off in our office during office hours, or placed in our drop box. Our drop box is located directly to the left of our office entrance. Please place payment in the door, so it drops to the bottom when you close it.