The Black Swamp Softball League will once again be organizing a spring softball league for junior high aged kids and younger. This will be for school/community based teams so players can focus on playing with teammates they might have when they get to high school.  There will be a tournament for each division at the end of the spring league season.

 

Team registration deadline is March 2, 2025.

 

MANDATORY COACH MEETING:

Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 6:30pm at Diehl Park

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AGE GROUP DIVISIONS:

After discussion with coaches last season, our league will be moving back to grade divisions.

JH Gold Division (7th & 8th Grade) - 43' pitching distance

​JH Silver Division (6th & 7th Grade) - 40' pitching distance

Elementry (Grades 3-5) - 35' pitching distance, 11" softball

​8u - 35' coach pitch, 11" softball

**8u will be instructional/rep based for young players to gain experience**

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Teams should be school/community based. Please be sure to have players from within your own community or school district on your roster. This league is intended to be fun and competitive, and give players an opportunity to play with others who will be on their school teams as they get older.

Players may play UP a division, but never down.

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SEASON INFORMATION:

Regular Season: March 23 - April 25

Tournament: April 26-May 3

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Games will be scheduled based on team availability.

*No games will be scheduled on Easter.*

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Coaches will schedule their own games at the March meeting, and may schedule whatever days they are available. Teams will schedule 12-14 games.

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There will be a single elimination league tournament at the end of the regular season.

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COST:

Team Fee: $75 ($25 for 8u)

($30 League Fee + $45 USA Softball Team Sanction)

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Umpire Fee: $75 for single umpire; $55 each umpire for two umpires

Umpire fees will be split between the two teams competing, and are to be paid on the field prior to the start of game. All umpires are required to be USA Softball sanctioned. All umpires will be scheduled by the league, regardless of the location of the game. If you have umpires that could be used, please let us know so they can be scheduled for games.

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Team are responsible for their own game balls.

Softballs may be purchased through the league, if needed.

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RULES:

2025 USA Softball rules will govern, with modifications.

 

LOCATIONS:

Every organization will have the opportunity to host games at their "home" location.

Diehl Park in Defiance will be available for any/all teams for games.

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SANCTION:

This will be a sanctioned league through USA Softball.

The league will sanction all teams, and is included in your team fee.

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All head coaches are required to complete the ACE training through USA Softball.

All coaches are required to have a current background check and complete the Safe Sport training through USA Softball.  (RegisterUSASoftball.com)

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All coaches are required to be current on concussion training. (available for free through at NFHSLearn.com)

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All coaches are required to be current on Lindsay's Law training.

​**Copies of all certificates are REQUIRED to be turned in at (or before) the coaches meeting on March 2nd.**

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CONTACT:

Josh Busch - President, Defiance Softball

dsabusch@gmail.com