Youth Softball
2023 Program Dates
| League Events | Date |
|---|---|
| Early Registration | Jan 2 - Feb 28 |
| Late Registration | March 1 - March 12 |
| Coaches Meeting - Hosted by FHS | March 15, 6p-7:30p |
| Player's Clinic - Hosted by FHS | March 11, 9a-11a |
| Practices Begin | March 27 |
| 4U Rookie Program Begins | April 3/4 |
| Season | April 24 - June 1 |
| Hard Cap Date | June 8 |
League by Birth Date
| League | Eligible Birth Dates* | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 3U/4U | 1/1/18 - 12/31/19 | $60 |
| 6U | 1/1/16 - 12/31/17 | $70 |
| 8U | 1/1/14 - 12/31/15 | $80 |
| 10U | 1/1/12 - 12/31/13 | $80 |
| 12U | 1/1/10 - 12/31/11 | $80 |
*These are the 2023 season birth dates.
Overview
The Girls Youth Softball program mission is to ensure that every player and family are able to enjoy fastpitch softball in a fun, positive, and competitive environment.
Our vision in the program is for every player to achieve her personal goals and for each team to enjoy practice and playing the season together - win or lose.
The Girls Youth Softball program offers a recreational program following USSA rules. Each player receives a full uniform before games begin. Each team will play a 10 game season.
All girls will be randomly assigned to teams by Parks & Rec staff with consideration given to each child's school. Requests to be placed on a specific team or with a specific teammate will not be accepted. Only siblings or the children of coaches are guaranteed to be placed on the same team.
All program coaches are volunteers, and our program relies on parents and community members to lead teams each season. Practice plans are provided to all coaches. All residents interested in coaching must undergo a background check.
Need Financial Assistance?
Apply for a Pagnozzi Parker Scholarship
Note: You must apply for a Pagnozzi Parker Scholarship at least two weeks before the early spring registration deadline.
- Call the Parks and Recreation office (479) 444-3471 to have staff help you fill out a softball registration form.
- Turn in a completed Pagnozzi Parker Scholarship form and a copy of the Softball Registration receipt to Pagnozzi Parker Charities.
- We wait to hear back from Pagnozzi Parker Charities whether the scholarship has been approved.
Recreation program registrations are non-refundable. Requests for refunds in exceptional cases may be considered on a case by case basis in the circumstance of: relocation, medical condition, or injury, or as stated in the specific program refund policy. Approved refunds are subject to a 10% administrative fee. All requests for refunds must be made within 60 days of the original transaction and must be within the same calendar year.
Youth Softball registrations are non-refundable after the registration deadline. All refunds will accrue a 10% administrative fee.
For more information about Girls Youth Softball, please reach out to recreation program manager Dean Rawlings by email or call 479-444-3474.
Leagues and Levels
4U Rookie Program
Three and four-year-olds can get their first swing at the softball in the 3/4U program! Each 45-minute class is limited to 20 participants, and each class will be staffed with multiple coaches. Participants will focus on fun and softball fundamentals in each class, which is once per week for eight weeks. Each participant will receive a uniform.
Parents are encouraged to participate and assist to keep their child on task.
- Location: Gary Hampton Softball Complex
- Dates: Mondays or Tuesdays at 5:45pm
6U Teeball
Four, five, six, and some seven-year-olds play tee ball 5:45 or 6:45 pm at Gary Hampton Softball Complex.
Teams will practices once per week on Monday evenings from March 27 - April 17. Games will begin on April 24 and take place on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings. Teams play different times each week. Games are 45 minutes long.
Every girl bats once each inning and each girl plays different positions in the field. When batting, girls will have three opportunities to hit balls from a tee. Team sizes will be set so that girls play as much as possible.
- Pitching Information: Three from Tee
- Location: Gary Hampton Softball Complex
- Practices: Mondays at 5:45pm or 6:45pm
- Games: Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 5:45pm or 6:45pm
8U Coach Pitch
Seven, eight, and some nine-year-olds play coach pitch softball twice each week 5:45 or 7 pm at Gary Hampton Softball Complex.
Teams will practice once per week on Tuesday evenings from March 28 - April 18. Games will begin on April 24 and take place on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings. Teams play different times each week. Games are 55 minutes long.
The league uses most USSSA rules and some additional rules. All teams have the opportunity to be sanctioned. Each half-inning concludes once three outs are made or six runs are scored. All games will be officiated by at least one USSSA sanctioned umpire.
- Pitching Information: Three from Batter’s Coach
- Location: Gary Hampton Softball Complex
- Practices: Tuesdays at 5:45pm or 7:00pm
- Games: Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 5:45pm or 7:00pm
10U Fast Pitch / Coach Pitch
Nine, 10, and some 11-year-olds play a combination of live arm and coach pitch softball twice each week 5:45 or 7 pm at Gary Hampton Softball Complex.
Teams will practice once per week on Thursday evenings from March 27 - April 20. Teams may also have an additional practice on Monday or Tuesday evenings. Games will begin on April 24 and take place on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings. Teams play different times each week. Games are 60 minutes long.
The league uses most USSSA rules and some additional rules. All teams have the opportunity to be sanctioned. Each half-inning concludes once three outs are made or six runs are scored. All games will be officiated by at least one USSSA sanctioned umpire.
- Pitching Information: Any time count reaches 3-X, batter’s coach pitches one ball.
- Location: Gary Hampton Softball Complex
- Practices: Thursdays at 5:45pm or 7:00pm
- Games: Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays at 5:45pm or 7:00pm
12U Fast Pitch
Eleven, 12, and some 13-year-olds play live arm fast pitch softball twice each week 7 or 8:15 pm.
Teams will practice once per week on Thursday evenings from March 27 - April 20. Teams may also have an additional practice on Monday or Tuesday evenings. Games will begin on April 24 and take place mostly on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings. Teams play different times each week. Games are 60 minutes long.
12U teams may play against and in other nearby towns. Games may be played on different nights/times to accommodate schedules and provide enough games.
The league uses most USSSA rules and some additional rules. All teams have the opportunity to be sanctioned. Each half-inning concludes once three outs are made or six runs are scored. All games will be officiated by at least one USSSA sanctioned umpire.
- Pitching Information: USSSA Fastpitch Rules
- Location: Gary Hampton Softball Complex
- Dates: Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays at or 7:00pm or 8:15pm
Coaches
All program coaches are volunteers, and our program relies on parents and community members to lead teams each season. All coaches will attend a mandatory coaches meeting prior to the season and will be giving guidance from Parks Staff. A coaches clinic will also be provided and organized by the FHS coaching staff.
The following link redirects you to fill-out a background check that is mandatory for all softball coaches and assistant coaches: Volunteer Background Check for Fayetteville Parks & Recreation.
This form must be filled out once every calendar year. If you have already completed this form, for softball or another sport, please inform the Program Manager.
Please be sure to indicate on the online registration form that you would like to coach your child’s team. If you do not have a child, but would like to coach, please reach out to Program Manager for more information.