The Junior League Softball division is a program for players ages 12-14, and uses a conventional 60-foot diamond with a 43-foot pitching distance and 12-inch softball. The local league has an option to choose a Tournament Team (or “All Stars”) of 12-14-year-olds from within this division (and/or from within the Girls Senior League Softball Division), and the team may enter the International Tournament.
Juniors is a competitive division. Games are 6 innings and are not limited by time. A game may be considered complete after 4 innings and the 10-run mercy rule applies. The first 4 innings are limited to 5 runs; all innings after that are open. Stealing is allowed after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
Ages: Participants League Age 12 through 14 may play Junior softball. Please use the League Age Calculator to determine eligibility.
Please understand that we cannot guarantee players League Age 12 a spot in the Junior Division. A player's placement in the Junior Division is based on several factors including the number of players registered by age group, the number of teams in the division, and player assessments. If your child is not placed on a team in the Junior Division, she will be placed in the Major Division. Final decisions on player placement are determined by the Player Agent and Board.
Fees: Please visit here for information on our current fees. Scholarships are available to families in need. Contact the Player Agent or Treasurer for information on scholarships.
Volunteers: Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in this 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: Junior Softball teams have approximately 11-14 players. The league groups children according to age and player assessment, in an effort to maintain a competitive balance among the teams. We cannot guarantee requests to play for specific coaches or with specific players.
Uniforms: Each player will wear a league provided jersey and receive a team visor. Players will need to provide their own matching “baseball” pants and cleats. The color of the pants will be determined by individual coaches and teams.
Equipment: Players will need 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. How often a team practices is up to the manager. Softball 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: Junior softball teams play 3 games per week - usually one at 6:00 pm during the week and a double-header on Saturday. Games are scheduled from early April through mid-June.
Rules: Juniors softball follows the Little League Softball Official Regulations and Playing Rules unless otherwise stated in the interleague rules for District #2.
Softball League Rep: Contact Angie Gravelle at vpsoftball@sepll.org if you have any questions about Softball.