Tee-ball -   Tee-ball programs for ages 4-6 focus on fun, introductory fundamentals—hitting off a tee, base running, and basic fielding—with no scores, strikeouts, or pitcher. Expect 1-hour sessions, 1 time per week, featuring soft "safety" balls and coaches on the field. The goal is to develop basic skills and team cooperation. 

Key Elements to Expect:

• Skill Focus: Learning to hold a bat, run in the correct order (1st to 2nd to 3rd), and use two hands to field grounders.
• Game Structure: Short, 3-inning games where every player bats each inning and plays in the field.
• Coaching: High, active adult involvement. Coaches are on the field to teach and guide.
• Atmosphere: Casual, non-competitive, and fast-paced to keep young attention spans engaged.
• Equipment: A glove, fielding mask, water bottle, and athletic shoes (cleats are optional but not required).   Bats and helmets are provided.

8U softball (ages 7-8) focuses on skill development, usually involving a mix of coach-pitch and player-pitch, with 10 players on defense, including four outfielders. Expect 1-2 practices per week, 1-2 games (typically 1.5 hours) with 4-6 run limits per inning, no base stealing, and heavy emphasis on learning to throw, catch, and hit.   Athletes will develop in game play, knowing where to make a play, throwing to the proper base, base running, and other fundamental game play situations.

Key aspects to expect:

• Game Structure: Games usually last about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Many leagues use a 10-player defense (4 outfielders) to maximize participation.
• Pitching: Often a hybrid format where players pitch, machine pitch, or coach-pitch.  This depends on the league or tournament rules.
• Rules: Generally, no stealing or infield fly rule. A 4-6 run maximum per inning is common. No bunting.
• Skill Focus: Heavy emphasis on fundamental skills like proper throwing, catching, and basic hitting.
• Environment: The atmosphere is developmental. Coaches teach proper game play while focusing on sportsmanship, teambuilding, leadership, and having fun.  League play emphasizes skill development; tournaments are more competitive.  Every athlete will get an opportunity to play in the games, at various positions. 
• Equipment: Essential gear includes a glove, batting helmet with face mask, and a fielding mask. 

League Environment & Scheduling

• Practices: Usually, 2 times per week for 1.5 hours, focusing on fundamentals.
• Games: Typically, 1-2 games per week, tournaments on weekends.
• Skill Levels: Ranges from beginners to experienced players, focusing on development and fun. 
• Tournaments: Every athlete will have an opportunity to participate in tournament play.  This is higher level competition and teams could be formed for more competitive play.

Tips for Parents

• Volunteer: Leagues heavily rely on parent volunteers for coaching and field maintenance.
• Safety/Masks: WGSA makes fielding masks mandatory for infielders.
• Equipment: Ensure your player has a glove, batting helmet with a mask, fielding mask and cleats. 

10U (ages 9-10) softball, expect a transition to player-pitch, 60-foot base paths, 35-foot pitching distance, and 11-inch balls. Games typically last 6 innings or 70–90 minutes, featuring 10 fielders, stealing, and 4-5 run limits per inning. It focuses on learning faster gameplay, proper pitching, and mandatory position rotation. 

Game Rules and Structure

• Kid Pitch: Players pitch, with some leagues utilizing coach pitch if a pitcher walks too many batters (e.g., 4 balls).
• Defensive Positions: 10 players are in the field (4 outfielders).
• Innings & Runs: Games are 6 innings, usually with a 4 or 5-run limit per inning to manage pace.
• Stealing: Allowed in most leagues, though sometimes restricted to one base per play or prohibited if a coach is pitching.
• Equipment: 11-inch softball; infielders are required to wear face masks. 
• Tournaments: Similar rules to league play but typically more competitive.  Coaches may decide to create more competitive tournament teams to encourage higher levels of competition. 

Player Expectations & Skills

• Positions: Players will rotate between infield and outfield, with most, if not all, girls playing multiple spots.
• Pitching/Catching: This is the primary age to start developing specialized pitchers and catchers.
• Base Running: Increased focus on stealing, taking leads, and sliding.
• Hitting: Using a continuous batting order (entire roster bats) is standard. 

League Environment & Scheduling

• Practices: Usually, 1-2 times per week for 1-1.5 hours, focusing on fundamentals.
• Games: Typically, 1-2 games per week, tournaments on weekends.
• Skill Levels: Ranges from beginners to experienced players, focusing on development and fun. 

Tips for Parents

• Volunteer: Leagues heavily rely on parent volunteers for coaching and field maintenance.
• Safety/Masks: Many leagues make fielding masks mandatory for infielders.
• Equipment: Ensure your player has a glove, batting helmet with a mask, and cleats. 
• Teams: it is common at this level to be divided by skill level for league/tournament play.

12U (ages 11-12) softball features more competitive, fast-paced play with 60-foot bases, a 40-foot pitching mound, and 12-inch balls. Players face increased focus on technical skill development, stealing with no restrictions in many leagues, dropped third strikes, and advanced rules like the infield fly. 

Key Aspects of 12U Softball:

• Fielding and Pitching: Games often involve 9 or 10 players on the field. Pitching becomes more central, with strict inning limits (often 4 per game).
• Game Structure: Typically, 1-hour 20-minute to 90-minute time limits.
• Rules & Play:
• Stealing: No restrictions on base stealing, including home, in many leagues.
• Dropped Third Strike: Batters can advance on a dropped third strike.
• Infield Fly Rule: Active in 12U.
• Look Back Rule: Pitcher, when in the circle, can force runners to immediately advance or return.
• Positioning: Players are encouraged to play multiple positions, but specialization often begins.
• Commitment: Often includes 2 practice sessions a week plus double-headers, sometimes with weekend tournaments. 
• Tournaments: Tournament play is competitive.  The goal is to improve skills while focusing on a winning strategy.  Coaches may decide to create more competitive tournament teams.

What to Expect (Player/Parent Focus):

• Mental Toughness: Focus shifts to mental preparation and handling mistakes.
• Intensity: Practices are more intense to build skill and speed.
• Developmental Focus: While competitive, we balance development and winning.
• Equipment: Use of 12-inch leather softballs. 

At this level, players are preparing for higher-level, faster-paced competitive play (like 14U). 

14U softball, expect a faster, more competitive game on a full-sized field (60′bases, 43′pitching rubber) with 12-inch softballs. The division features advanced play, including open base stealing, dropped third strikes, infield fly rules, and higher pitching speeds (46--54+mph). It is a transitional age where high-level commitment and emotional maturity are required. 

Key Aspects of 14U Softball: 

• Field & Equipment: The game is played on full-sized, high-school-dimension fields (60-foot base paths, 43-foot pitching distance). A 12-inch ball is used.
• Competitive Level: Players are more physically developed, and games are faster-paced than 12U. Pitching speeds typically range from 46-54mph, with competitive pitchers reaching 55-60+mph.
• Rules & Game Play:
• Stealing: All bases are open; leadoffs are allowed upon the release of the pitch.
• Pitching: Strict, regulation pitching rules (no "crow-hopping") are enforced.
• Game Rules: Dropped third strike and infield fly rules are in effect.
• Game Time: 1-1.5 hour or strict time limits apply.
• Mercy Rule: Games may be called early if a team is leading by a specific margin (e.g.10—15 runs).
• Skill & Player Development:
• Positions: Players specializing in specific positions rather than rotating.
• Equipment: Gloves, fielding mask, bats, batting helmets, and cleats.
• Mental Game: focusing on emotional support, resilience, and managing failure is crucial.  Often high-pressure situations are present.
• Expectations for Players & Parents:
• Commitment: The level of commitment increases, often requiring significant time for tournaments and/or travel.
• Expectation Management: First-year 14U players may struggle initially against more experienced, older players.
• Behavior: Positive attitude, hustle, and being a good teammate are highly valued. 

Players should be prepared for a higher intensity level compared to younger divisions, with more emphasis on both physical skill and mental toughness.