Page Search
East Side has four softball divisions: A, AA, AAA, and Majors (14u-18u age brackets available depending on registrants). In partnership with our families and coaches, we aim to put each player in the appropriate competitive environment to work on skills, build experience, and develop as a player. We want to meet each player where they are on their softball journey, and as coaches get to know kids better, you may be contacted by a league representative about potentially moving up or down levels to best match your child with the optimal environment for success and safety.
Typical Age Range: 4-6-year olds (co-ed)
Rookie Ball is designed for all 4-6 year olds and is set up for an instructional introduction to the game for players that are just getting started with developing basic skills and a love for the game of softball. Players learn the basics of the game and hit off of a batting tee and coach pitch.
Teams are usually set up with 8-10 players per team and have several parent volunteers to help teach the game. Teams will practice once a week and will play one weeknight game and a Saturday game.
Most players will participate in at least two seasons of Rookie Ball prior to moving to sling/machine pitch games in our baseball and softball divisions.
6-8 year-olds with no/limited softball experience. (6-year-olds in this division typically have some experience)
This division will teach the players the fundamentals of the game including fielding, hitting, throwing and the basic rules of the game and is primarily for players aged 6-8 that are just beginning to develop basic softball skills. Players will be introduced to hitting via a mechanical sling (operated by their coach), and if unsuccessful after five attempts, a player will be offered to hit off of a tee. This will give every hitter an opportunity to make contact, run the bases, and learn how runs are scored. Moreover, every batter will create fielding opportunities for the defense, and fielders will learn how to make outs (typically force outs). An inning will be over if the team bats through their lineup or if the defense makes three outs, whichever happens first. There will be no catchers in this division. Typically, the score of the game is not emphasized.
Teams will have 7-9 players per team and will have 2-4 volunteer coaches.
Teams usually practice 1-2 times a week before games start and once a week after games start. Each week, teams will have 1-2 weeknight games and one Saturday game.
Most players will participate in at least one A Ball season prior to moving to the AA Ball division.
7-10 year-olds with some softball experience. (9/10-year-olds in this division typically have limited/no experience)
This division plays with an 11-inch softball and will build on the fundamentals of the game including fielding, hitting, throwing and the basic rules of the game and is primarily for players looking to grow as softball players and become more competitive. Players will hit off of a mechanical sling (operated by their coach), and if unsuccessful after five attempts, a player MAY be offered to hit off of a tee. We want to maximize each hitters opportunities to make contact, run the bases, and learn how runs are scored. Moreover, we want to maximize fielding opportunities for the defense and give fielders opportunities to make outs (typically force outs). An inning will be over if the team bats through their lineup or if the defense makes three outs, whichever happens first. The catcher position will be introduced in this division, and the timing will depend on personnel with safety as a priority. Typically, the score of a AA Softball game is tracked, however, as a developmental league, the score is not emphasized as much as player growth.
Teams will have 7-9 players per team and will have 2-4 volunteer coaches.
Teams usually practice 1-2 times a week before games start and once a week after games start. Each week, teams will have 1-2 weeknight games and one Saturday game.
Depending on age and skill level, most players will participate in 1-2 AA Ball season prior to moving to the AAA Ball division. If a player can consistently hit off the sling every time, it is time to consider moving to AAA Ball.
8 - 11 year-olds (8-year-olds in this division typically have significant, competitive experience)
This division plays with an 11-inch softball and is designed to introduce players full softball competition, including live underhand pitching, and is primarily for players with at least 1-2 years of softball experience who are continuing to develop softball skills and play at a more competitive level. Teams will consist of 11-12 players per team. Players will rotate through many defensive positions, including pitcher, as deemed safe and appropriate by the coaching staff. In this division, we will play games among East Side teams as well as teams from other parks across the county, both at East Side and at other parks.
Gameplay: Players will pitch to batters until they work the count to four balls, at which point a coach will pitch up to three remaining pitches or until three strikes is obtained without a hit. At some parks, 1-2 walks per inning are allowed, but at East Side, there are no walks in AAA. There are umpires, strikeouts, and stealing bases, and an inning will be over if the team bats through their lineup or if the defense makes three outs, whichever happens first. Typically, the score of a AAA game is tracked.
Requests for being placed on a team with other AAA players/coaches will be considered but cannot be guaranteed as players are assigned to teams in a way that best allows for a competitive balance in the league.
11-12 year-olds with significant, competitive experience
This division plays with a 12-inch softball and is intended for players with significant softball experience who want to compete at the highest level and further refine their skills. Teams will consist of 11-12 players per team. Players may rotate through many defensive positions, including pitcher, as deemed safe and appropriate by the coaching staff, however, players and parents should expect some consistency in where players play in the field. In this division, we will play games among East Side teams as well as teams from other parks across the county, both at East Side and at other parks.
Gameplay: There are no modifications to typical softball rules in the Majors division. Players will pitch to batters, and there are umpires, strikeouts, walks, and stealing bases, and an inning will be over if the team bats through their lineup or if the defense makes three outs, whichever happens first. Typically, the score of a Majors game is tracked competitively, and teams play to win.
Players are drafted by coaches based on their evaluations and assigned to teams. Requests for being placed on a team with other players/coaches will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.
13-18 year olds with significant, competitive experience
This division plays with a 12-inch softball and is intended for players with significant softball experience who want to compete at a high level, refine their skills, prepare for playing on their middle/high school teams, or just to play recreationally. This league will practice and play local games and tournaments against same age groups or caliber of teams from the area. Teams will consist of 11-12 players per team. Players may rotate through many defensive positions, including pitcher, as deemed safe and appropriate by the coaching staff, however, players and parents should expect some consistency in where players play in the field. In this division, we will play games among East Side teams as well as teams from other parks across the county, both at East Side and at other parks.
The Registration "Rec League Structure" is not currently available.