Rookie Softball is a beginner's division for participants who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. Coaches pitch in rookie ball. Rules of the game are modified to accommodate the need for teaching. The primary goals of Rookie Softball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of softball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork.
Typically, a Rookie Softball roster is composed of all girls, and plays in the same league with Rookie Baseball, but with softballs.
Ages: SEPLL offers Rookie Softball to participants who are League Age 6 or 7. Please use the League Age Calculator to determinate your child's League Age. Please note that although Little League International allows players League Age 6 and 7 to play Tee Ball, it grants leagues discretion to create separate divisions.
SEPLL has created Rookie Softball for the safety of our younger players. Please do not be concerned if your child did not play Tee Ball previously. Rookie Softball is the first organized softball experience for many of our players.
Fees: Please go here for information on our current fees. Scholarships are available to families in need; for details, please see the Kirk Huffstetler Scholarship Fund.
Volunteers: Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this introductory level of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members, and other volunteer positions within the league.
Team Formation: Rookie Softball teams have approximately 10 to 12 players. SEPLL does its best to create teams by grouping children according to their neighborhoods and schools, while also ensuring a relative balance of ages among the teams. We will do our best to honor requests to play with friends or a specific coach, but we cannot make any guarantees.
Uniforms: Each player will receive a team hat and shirt, which they may keep after the season. Players are encouraged to wear comfortable pants and shoes.
Equipment: Players are encouraged to bring their own glove to practice and games. The League provides each team with bats, tees, balls and helmets. Players may also bring their own.
Practices: Teams may begin practicing in about mid-March. Where and how often a team practices is up to the manager. Rookie teams generally practice about 2 times per week until the regular season begins in early April. After the regular season begins, team coaches determine the frequency of practices.
Games: Rookie Softball teams play 2 games per week - one at 6:00 pm during the week and one on Saturday. Games are scheduled from early April through the end of the school year. Games are limited to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Games are usually played at Woodstock Elementary School, but may take place at other parks within our league boundaries. In late March the official schedule will be published at www.sepll.org.
Rules: Rookie Softball follows the Little League Softball Official Regulations and Playing Rules. Games may be played on a 50 or 60-foot diamond.