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 1, 2026.

 

MANDATORY COACH MEETING:

Sunday, March 1st at 6:30pm

Meeting Location: Stroede Center for the Arts

(Corner of 3rd St & Wayne Ave in Defiance)

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AGE GROUP DIVISIONS:

JH Gold (Grades 7-8) - 14u Rules - 43' pitching distance

​JH Silver (Grades 6-7) - 12u Rules - 40' pitching distance

Elementry (Grades 3-5) - 10u Rules - 35' pitching distance, 11" softball

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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 29 - May 1

Tournament: May 1-8

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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 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: $40

 

Umpire Fees: $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:

2026 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.

​Teams must complete registration with USA Softball.

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

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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 1st.**

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CONTACT:

Josh Busch - President, Defiance Softball

dsabusch@gmail.com