Beginning in Spring 2017, Richmond Little League began offering Softball to girls who live or attend a school in our Richmond City boundaries. Our growing softball program offers the opportunity for girls to play Tee Ball (ages 4-6), Coach Pitch (ages 7&8), Minors Player-Pitch (ages 9&10), Majors (ages 11&12) or Juniors/Seniors (ages 13-16).
Spring Season Overview:
Minors - Seniors Softball teams will begin practices the end of Febuary/beginning of March, Coach Pitch and TeeBall teams will begin practices in mid-March. All teams will play through the end of May.
Teams typically practice once during the week (day and time TBD close to the start of the season) and on Saturdays until games begin in April. Once games begin, teams usually play once during the week (days and times vary) and once on Saturday (times vary). Please note, we do not begin to work on a practice or game schedule until after registration closes, after we know how many teams we have as well as who will be the coaches of those teams.
Team formation at all levels of play depend upon registration numbers - in order to field a team at any given level, we need at least 10-12 girls and parents willing to manage and coach.
Contact Softball VP, Autumn Harbour ([email protected]), with questions or for more information.
Equipment Requirements
Players provide glove, batting helmet, cleats, and game pants. Individual batting helmets with a face-shield are required for all levels of play except tee ball.
RLL provides a game jersey, visor and socks.
Softball Divisions
“League Age” for girls is determined by the age a player is as of January 1 of a given year. Please check LL 2024 Age Chart to determine your player’s “league age”.
Tee Ball/Coach Pitch - League Ages 4 - 6
This division is designed to introduce young players to the basics of the game and teach the fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting and fielding while having fun. Batters will hit off of a tee, or they may have an opportunity to hit a coach-tossed underhand pitch. We do not use umpires or keep score at this level.
Coach Pitch - League Ages 7 & 8
The goal of this division is to have fun while also continuing to focus on the proper fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting, base-running and fielding. Batters get up to 5 chances to hit off a pitch from a coach. The teams play with an 11-inch ball. Volunteer coaches umpire the games and score is kept.
Minors (Player Pitch) - League Ages 9 & 10
This division introduces player pitch to the game. With a continued focus on having fun, the players continue to work on player and game fundamentals. The pitching distance is 35 feet, and the teams play with an 11-inch ball. Umpires are hired for games and score is kept.
Majors - League Ages 11 & 12
The focus of this division is on player development and having fun, but in a slightly more competitive environment. The pitching distance is 40 feet, and the teams play with an 12-inch ball. Umpires are hired for games and score is kept.
Juniors/Seniors - League Ages 13-16
The focus of this division is on player development and having fun, while also in a more competitive environment. The pitching distance is 43 feet, and the teams play with an 12-inch ball. Umpires are hired for games and score is kept.
Fall Season Overview:
Softball teams will begin playing after Labor Day, and the season runs through the end of October.
The fall season has a more instructional focus. Teams will practice once during the week (day and time TBD close to the start of the season) and play games on Saturdays. RLL provides game t-shirts and visors to players.