NOTE: All of the following information regarding playing time and positions in all divisions can be altered by the coaches based upon the players attitude, effort, practice and game attendance, and respect shown to opposing teams, teammates, coaches, umpires, etc.

D Division – Kindergarteners and 1st Graders. 

• Developmental division with an emphasis on teaching the girls the basics of the game of softball. 
• Expect an equal amount of playing time on the field over the course of the season.  
• All girls should have opportunities to play all the positions over the duration of the season. The exception to this would be that for safety reasons, players that have difficulty paying attention consistently, the coach may choose to not put them in the pitching, catching, or 1st base positions. These positions consistently have more in game action in this division than others and the girls must be able to focus on the batter hitting the ball at them, or having a ball thrown to them.  
• Games are usually 2-3 innings (1 hour from first pitch).  
• Expect to play 8-12 games/season.

C Division – 2nd and 3rd Graders

• Very developmental in nature
• Expect an equal amount of playing time on the field over the course of the season.  
• Girls in this division should learn to play each position on the field except for pitcher, catcher, and 1st base.
  
  • PITCHING: Girls who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~5-7 pitchers on a team.  
  • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a softball team.  Girls who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt (if chosen to use).  Generally, a C Division team may have 3-4 catchers.  
  • 1st BASE:  Girls who want to play this position need to be aware this position will have significant in-game action and will require player to demonstrate an ability to follow the game and receive throws from any position on the field
    
• Games are usually 2-4 innings (1 ½ hours from first pitch). 
• Expect to play 10-14 games /season.
  

B Division – 4th and 5th Graders

• More competitive environment.  WIGSL requires teams to keep score and report scores to WIGSL for regular season standings and for seeding in the post season WIGSL tournaments. While winning is great for team spirit and morale, it is important to still focus on developing each of the players on the team.
• Players should expect to play a fair amount, but playing time will not always be fully equal amongst all players.  Coaches will begin working with players to focus on up to ~3-4 positions based upon each player’s skill set.  
  • INFIELD POSITIONS:  If a girl is unable to throw a ball from 3rd base to 1st base, the coach may choose to not allow that player to play third base until her ability has improved to complete the fundamentals of the position.  If a girl wants to play 1st Base, she must be able to prove to the coaches that she can catch a reasonable amount of the good throws made to her and/or show ability to attempt to stop/block throws that are not on target.  
  • PITCHING:  Girls who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~3-5 pitchers on a team.
  • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a softball team in the B Division.  Girls who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position outside of practices and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process (off season pitching practice sessions, winter clinics, and team practices) to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt.  Additionally, the player should be able to catch pitches, block balls, make throws to 1st base on dropped 3rd Strike calls, reasonably throw down to 2nd and 3rd base on a steal, and hustle for past balls to backstop.   Ideally a team would have 2-3 catchers.  
• Games are 1 ½ hours from first pitch and could be 5 innings.
• Expect to play 14-18 games/season

A Division – 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders

• More competitive environment.  WIGSL requires teams to keep score and report scores to WIGSL for regular season standings and for seeding in the post season WIGSL tournaments. While winning is great for team spirit and morale, it is important to still focus on developing each of the players on the team.
• Playing time may not be equal over the duration of the season based upon skill levels. Coaches will continue to focus on development of each player in ~1-3 positions based upon each player’s skill set.
  • INFIELD POSITIONS:  If a girl is unable to throw a ball from 3rd base to 1st base, the coach may choose to not allow that player to play third base until her ability has improved to complete the fundamentals of the position.  If a girl wants to play 1st Base, she must be able to prove to the coaches that she can catch a reasonable amount of the good throws made to her and/or show ability to attempt to stop/block throws that are not on target.  
  • PITCHING:  Girls who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~2-3 pitchers on a team.
  • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a softball team in the A Division.  Girls who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position outside of practices and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process (off season pitching practice sessions, winter clinics, and team practices) to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt.  Additionally, the player should be able to catch pitches, block balls, make throws to 1st base on dropped 3rd Strike calls, reasonably throw down to 2nd and 3rd base on a steal, and hustle for past balls to backstop.   Ideally a team would have 2-3 catchers.  
• Games are 2 hours from first pitch and could be 7 innings.
• Expect to play 14-22 games/season