Fun, Team-Friendly Competition

The BRW REC league is for girls 6 to 17 years of age. All skill levels are welcome, from those who have never played the game to more advanced players. Practices start in April, and games begin the last weekend in April.

Home games and practices are at Borse Memorial Community Park in Willowbrook, IL.

2025 SEASON

Team practices will begin in early to mid- April pending field readiness

*Games begin on 4/19 and ends with a single elimination tournament June 9-15th (8U-12U). Actual schedule will be available in April.

Practices may take place on any day of the week. Team / Coach Driven

Games are Monday/Thursday/Saturday

8 & Under: This division uses the 11" flex softball, a softer ball to minimize injury. Players will be taught basic fundamentals to play the game of softball and the rules of the game. Player pitching is introduced in this division and is used in conjunction with a mechanical pitching machine. The first two innings feature a player pitcher with machine relief (no walks). The remaining innings feature only the pitching machine. Starting players pitching at this level prepares them for 10U, where the players pitch the entire game. In addition, the pitching machine develops the hitting ability of the players. 

 

10 & Under: This division uses the 11" softball, a regulation (hard) ball. Players will be taught basic fundamentals to play the game of softball and the rules and strategy of the game. This is a 100% player-pitched league with walks. This league emphasizes improvement, specifically in pitching, as improved pitching leads to improved hitting. The pitching distance is 35 feet. Stealing is allowed after the ball crosses home plate, one base at a time but not home, to teach baserunning and catchers how to throw out base runners. 

 

12 & Under: This division uses the 12" softball, a hard ball. Players will be taught basic fundamentals as well as advanced skills and strategy. The pitching distance in this league moves to 40 feet. This level of play is a game of Fast Pitch with few limiting rules. Game action begins to speed up as we focus on integrating lessons from prior age levels, individual skill-goal settings, and preparing to play on high school teams.

 

14 & Under: ( 7th & 8th Grade) BRW has actively participated in the Wheaton Park District Majors In-House League. Game locations will continue to be in Chicago's southwest suburbs. Travel to these area teams for away games is expected. There will be home games and away games, plus an end-of-season tournament. The season may begin in April / early May, with the tournament to be held throughout June. While this is not a “travel club” level of play, increased competition and skill levels will be needed/developed.

BRW has actively participated in the Wheaton Park District Majors In-House League. Game locations will continue to be in Chicago's southwest suburbs. Travel to these area teams for away games is expected. There will be home games and away games, plus an end-of-season tournament. The season may begin in April / early May, with the tournament to be held throughout June. While this is not a “travel club” level of play, increased competition and skill levels will be needed/developed.

 

Age eligibility for all divisions is based on the child's age on December 31st, 2024.

·        If you’ve not yet reached your 9th birthday by 12/31/2024 you are still eligible for 8U in 2025

·        If you’ve not yet reached your 11th birthday by 12/31/2024, you are still eligible for 10U in 2025

·        If you’ve not yet reached your 13th birthday by 12/31/2024, you are still eligible for 12U in 2025.

If you've not yet reached your 15th birthday by 12/31/2024, you are still eligible for 14U in 2025.

A player may play UP one level but may never play DOWN! Decisions to play UP should only be made based on Softball skills, not for social reasons. While this can be hard to accept, the player's Softball experience (and the experience of others in the league) will be much improved if we all make the best possible Softball decisions within the structure of the overall age eligibility requirements.

- Fielding Mitt (All Levels)

- Softball Pants, shorts are strongly discouraged (Team Manager selects a color that must be worn for the season)

- A batting Helmet with a mask is required.

- Softball Bat

- Fielding Mask (Strongly Suggested - All Levels)

- Batting Gloves - (recommended)

- Cleats (recommended)

- Jerseys

- Practice / Game Balls

- Catchers Gear

In 8U, a pitching machine will be available to each coach. We use the Louisville Slugger Blue Flame mechanical machine. It is widely available on Amazon and other retailers for those wishing to purchase their own for additional practice. See your coach for league-approved settings.