2024 Spring Softball Season

Here’s a quick overview of our softball program, from minors up to majors, so you’ll know what to expect this rec season.

Important Dates

• Registration opens Friday, January 5, 2024.
•  Season begins with the Opening Day Parade and games on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
• Each team is allocated one practice day per week, with 1-2 games on the weekend. In the case of excessive rainouts, there may be a need to schedule makeup  games during the week.
• All Coaches Meeting: Saturday, March 23  @ Ossining Boat Club
• On-field practices are expected to start the week of Monday, April 8.
• End of season: Saturday, June 15
• End Season Celebration: June 15

Equipment

• JCYS will provide the balls, bats and catcher's equipment, along with a team helmet with regulation face cage. 
•  Players need to provide their own fielding face mask (must be worn by all infielders and may be worn by all players on the field), a fielding glove (most Minors players should be using an 11-11.5” glove) and rubber cleats.
• In addition to labeling the face mask and glove, if your player has a bat, bag, batting gloves, hat, headband,  etc, please label them! We teach dugout responsibilities, but mistakes happen.
• Strongly suggested equipment for any infield player: heart guard shirt to be worn under uniform.
• Suggested for any player ready to learn how to slide: sliding shorts to be worn under uniform.

Safety

Please be advised that no jewelry may be worn at practice or games. 

2024 Division Information

BASED ON AGE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2024
Skill development is emphasized at every level.  Coaches will teach the skills of throwing, catching, fielding, hitting, and base running. 

Minors
Ages 6,7 and 8 (2017-2015)

Coaches get the game going with 2 innings of coach pitch (or tee as needed). Inning 3 begins player pitch with fallback to coach pitch or tee as needed.

Players are allowed to lead off the bases but not steal. If a fielder makes an out, the batter or runner will come off of the bases. We bat through the order for the first inning and subsequent innings play 3 outs or 5 runs. Each game lasts 5 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes (whichever comes first). No score or standings are kept. An 11" safety ball is used to start the season, moving into a regular ball as players develop. Player pitch is 33 feet for beginners and 35 feet for more advanced pitchers.

Intermediate
Ages 9 and 10 (2014 and 2013)

Player pitch with coach rescue if needed. In this division, players are allowed to steal second or third base only.   We play 3 outs or 5 runs per inning. Each game is 6 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes long (whichever comes first). An 11” regular ball is used. Pitching is 35 feet.

Majors
Ages 11 and 12 (2012 and 2011)

In this division, players  are allowed to steal every base but home. The players pitch the entire game. We play 3 outs or 5 runs per inning. Each game is 6 innings or 1 hour and 40 minutes long (whichever comes first). Stats and standings are kept, with an option to end the season with playoffs. Friendly competition is second to playing the game and having fun. A regular 12" ball is used. Pitching is 40 feet.

Spring Recreation Season

Each team has a head coach as well as 1-2 assistant coaches. Coaches will use GameChanger to communicate with families. Occasionally, coaches may make calls for volunteers to help the team. Particularly if we have a rainy season, your player’s coach may ask for gameday eve or gameday early morning help raking the field to get ready for play. 

Summer and Fall
2024 Travel Season

In addition to our recreation teams, JCYS Softball also offers a more competitive travel program that runs during spring, summer and fall. Divisions include  12U, 10U and 8U . Travel time is generally 15-45 minutes from Ossining. Players must try out. Travel season runs from August to August each year. Our main softball tryout is late July or early August.  Subsequent tryouts may occur if the need to add additional players arises.