Piedmont Softball Program (Ages 5 to 16)
Spring Recreational League: Our Spring season runs from early April until mid June, with practices beginning in early to mid- March, depending on weather. Players are introduced to all aspects of the game, with an emphasis on teaching fundamentals.
Summer Tournament Team: Each age level forms a team in late May that will participate in the state Babe Ruth tournament. The teams have the opportunity after the state tournament to advance to a regional Babe Ruth tournament. Players try out for these teams in early May, and are chosen by the age level coaches.
Fall Ball: We offer a 6 week fall ball schedule that is more laid back than spring. Players play on the age level team they will play the following spring. The fall gives the girls the opportunity to experience the new rules and level of play.
Age Levels:
6U (Ages 5 & 6)
This is a "modified" T-Ball level that uses an 11" IncrediBall. The season begins by teaching the players the basic fundamentals of hitting, throwing, catching, running and flow of a game. After a couple of weeks, teams will play situational scrimmages, and batters get their choice of a soft toss pitch from a coach or hitting the ball off the tee.
8U (Ages 7 & 8)
This is an instructional level of play with coaches pitch. Girls learn to play a more strategic game. Players hit pitches thrown by a coach from near the mound, there are no walks, and no base stealing allowed at this age. Batting is continuous, and all players must share infield and outfield play time. Bases are 60 feet, and the mound is 35 feet from home plate. Requests can be made for other players or coaches for this age, and will try to be granted.
10U (Ages 9 & 10)
Girls will learn to play with few modifications to regular Babe Ruth rules at this age level. Player pitch is introduced, however, coach pitch is still utilized. Batting is continuous, and all players must share infield and outfield play time. Limited stolen bases are allowed in this more competitive environment. Bases are 60 feet, and the mound is 35 feet from home plate. There is an evaluation for this age level in late February, and team selection is done by way of a managers draft, trying to create parity across all teams.
12U (Ages 11 & 12)
This division is a competitive division. The players pitch the whole game and stealing bases and leads are allowed. Batting order is still continuous, and there are minimal modifications to Babe Ruth softball rules. Bases are 60 feet, and the mound is 40 feet from home plate. There is an evaluation for this age level in late February, and team selection is done by way of a managers draft, trying to create parity across all teams.
16U (Ages 13 through 16)
This division is a competitive division. The players pitch the whole game and stealing bases and leads are allowed. Batting order is still continuous, and there are no modifications to Babe Ruth softball rules. Bases are 60 feet, and the mound is 43 feet from home plate. There is an evaluation for this age level in late February, and team selection is done by way of a managers draft, trying to create parity across all teams.