Down East Girls Softball

Down East Softball Divisions

2024 Babe Ruth Age Chart

6 years of age & Under (6U)

6U is an introductory, non-competitive level of softball for girls league age 4-to-6 with little or no softball experience. Emphasis is placed on the basics of catching, throwing, hitting and learning a few basic rules of softball. 11" balls are used and hitters hit off a rubber tee with the help of a coach. Teams are formed with a minimum number of players. Teams will play and/or practice two times per week within the DEGSL only. No outs are tracked, and every player bats each inning.

8 years of age & Under (8U)

Primarily 7-year-olds and 8-year-olds with a few 6's. We encourage players to begin in 6U, but athletic 6-year-olds with a high level of interest can play. Any player with average or better skill development and one year of 6U should be ready. Teams are formed by draft pick. 8U is entirely machine-pitch, an 11" ball is used. Teams have 1-to-2 one-hour practices, and 2-to3 games per week both within the DEGSL and with other Babe Ruth ENC D5 leagues, totaling 10-to-15 league games per season. Scores are kept in 8U. Coaches try to concentrate on the fundamentals of catching, throwing, fielding and hitting, and begin to focus on making outs.

10 years of age & Under (10U)

Primarily 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds. Athletic 8-year-olds with a high level of interest can play in this division, provided they have played a minimum of one year in 8U. 10U games are pitched by the players and use an 11" ball and the distance between the pitcher's plate and home base is 40 feet. Teams have 1-to-2 one-hour practices, and 2-to3 games per week both within the DEGSL and with other Babe Ruth ENC D5 leagues, totaling 10-to-15 league games per season. Scores are kept in 10U. Coaches expand on the fundamentals taught in 8U and add additional defensive and offensive skills to their practices.

12 years of age & Under (12U)

Primarily 11-year-olds and 12-year-olds with a few 10's that have a proven athletic ability and have played a minimum of one year in 10U. 12U games use a 12" ball and the distance between the pitcher's plate and home base is 40 feet. Teams have 1-to-2 one-hour practices, and 2-to3 games per week both within the DEGSL and with other Babe Ruth ENC D5 leagues, totaling 10-to-15 league games per season. Play at the 12U level is both competitive and instructional with admittedly more emphasis on the competitive aspects of the game than at the 10U and below level. Coaches focus on fielding a competitive team while also providing the players with a fun learning experience. All players are ensured playing time. Players should focus on refining their softball skills with a strong emphasis on speed and consistency.

14 years of age & Under (14U), 16 years of age & Under (16U), 18 years of age & Under (18U)

In many ways this is the ”finishing school” for advanced 13-14 year old competitive players and above athletes who wish to play high school softball. As with the younger divisions, the draft system distributes new players to promote parity among both the new and returning teams. 14U+ games use a 12" ball and the distance between the pitcher's plate and home base is 43 feet. Teams have 1-to-2 one-hour practices, and 3-to-4 games per week both within the DEGSL and with other Babe Ruth ENC D5 leagues, totaling 10-to-15 league games per season. Their Spring Season is a condensed season played after the Middle and High School seasons have ended, typically a 5 week season, versus a 9 week season like the other divisions. These age groups may play a double or triple header game series in a day to qualify for All-Stars. Fun and fierce best describes this division as the ladies develop into accomplished ballplayers, ready to play at the scholastic level.

Duel Rostering: Your player will be registered on a team in her age group AND will be a guest player available to a team in the next level age group. Her first priority will be to her age group team for all games. If she does not have a game scheduling conflict, she will be available to the next age group team as an additional player to fill their roster as needed. There is no extra cost associated with duel rostering. Players and parents wishing to duel roster must complete the Duel Roster Request Form during normal registration time and so that we can make certain that there is not an overlap in jersey numbers in the Division groups.

Age Up Registration: Babe Ruth allows players who are advance in their skills to register in the next level age group division. Your player will be a full member of the team and will be eligible for All-Stars in that age division. If, during preseason practices, the Coaches, She, and You, feel the age level is too advanced, she may transfer down to a team in her age division if there is an available slot.

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Down East Girls Softball League
PO Box 244
Smyrna, North Carolina 28579

Email: [email protected]

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Down East Girls Softball

Down East Girls Softball

Down East Softball Divisions

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