Harriman Parks and Recreation Softball

Our objectives:

Season Overview

• Registration January – February 
• Practice begins in March
• Games April – May

We Pledge to:

• Provide a fun and engaging softball season for youth in the community.
• Promote skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Foster a positive and inclusive environment where all participants feel valued and supported.
• Create opportunities for players to improve their softball abilities and reach their full potential.
• Encourage fair play and respect for coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials.

Diamond Youth Softball Rule Book
Diamond Youth Softball Rule Book

League Age Divisions

Coach Pitch

6U

The Coach Pitch division, for 5–6-year-olds, builds on the skills learned in Wee Ball but adds more competition to the mix.  Players will be expected to participate with less interaction from coaches. Teams will practice one weeknight, and games will be held throughout the week. 

8U

The Coach Pitch division caters to children roughly 7 to 8 years old, focusing on fundamental skill development in a supportive environment. Players receive controlled pitches from their coach, fostering a positive next step into the sport with an emphasis on teamwork and development. Players will also be provided the opportunity to develop pitching skills to prepare them for the next division. Practices and games will be two nights throughout the week.

Kid Pitch

10U

This division consists of ages 9-10 year old's, with advanced 8-year-olds. The Kid Pitch 10U division marks a progression where young players transition to pitching themselves. In this league, kids develop their pitching, hitting, and fielding skills, fostering a more competitive environment while maintaining a focus on teamwork and sportsmanship. Practices and games will be two nights throughout the week.

12U

This division is for 11–12-year-olds, with advanced 10-year-olds. Kid Pitch 12U division represents a developmental stage where young players continue to refine their pitching, hitting, and fielding abilities. This league introduces a more competitive aspect to the game, emphasizing skill advancement, strategic play, and sportsmanship as players further hone their understanding and love for softball. Practices and games will be two nights a week throughout the week.

Division Ages & Birthdates

Age Determination

Please use the Diamond Youth Softball Age Chart to determine your child's division and ensure they are registered for the correct league:
DYS  DYS Age Chart

The division age brackets are as follows:

Evaluations and Team Formation

Team Formation:

All draft-level teams will be fully drafted at the beginning of the season after evaluations. Spring head coaches may save all or none of the returning property players from the previous spring team. New players in the spring will be added to existing teams via the draft. See exception below.

Property players are those players who played for a registered head coach in the prior season at the same age level. Property players are the property of the head coach or assistant coaches, not dugout captains. A person is only considered a head or assistant coach if they are registered as such in the system for the applicable season.

If a head coach moves up or doesn’t coach, then one of their assistant coaches can transition to a head coach and inherit the property of players on their team. If a coach has dropped or lost an assistant, they must obtain their replacement through the draft. Subsequently, if a head coach leaves and both assistant coaches want to transition to head coaches and separately inherit property of players, they may do so only if they agree on which players each coach keeps.

Evaluations and Draft:

All players, other than Wee Ball, should participate in evaluations. Please see the Schedule section for evaluation dates & times. Any player who no-shows for evaluations will be assigned the highest possible score for draft purposes. If a player no-shows for evaluations and is draft eligible, they will be randomly assigned to a team.

The function of a coach is to educate players through participation in softball competition. Each player should be treated with the utmost respect, and her welfare should be considered in decisions by the coach at all times. As a manager, coach or other team volunteer I agree to:
• Always be a positive role model for the children in my care;
• Lead by example to teach the players fair play and good sportsmanship;
• Provide an environment for my team that is free of alcohol, drugs and tobacco products;
• Teach the players, parents and spectators on my team to always treat other players, coaches, spectators and officials with respect no matter what;
• Teach my team that trying their best is more important than winning;
• Place the emotional and physical wellbeing of my players ahead of a personal desire to win;
• Do my best to organize fun and challenging practices for my players;
• Use positive reinforcement to further the development of the players;
• Refrain from any type of verbal or emotional abuse;
• Support the league officials and other coaches in building a league that is positive and enjoyable for everyone;
• Respect and support the game umpires.
A coach should not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the umpires. Public criticism of league officials, umpires or players is unethical.
All managers and coaches must have a NFHS Learning Center concussion training certificate, cardiac arrest certificate, and a background check paper signed by the League President included in their tournament paperwork. This requirement is for round-robin, district, state and world series tournaments. This must be done prior to their first game

Equipment Requirements

6U through 12U

The Parks and Rec will provide a jersey and belt, for each player, as well as practice balls for the team. Batting tee's will be available at each field. Parents/guardians should provide a glove, batting helmet, cleats, game baseball pants, and any other personal equipment the player would like to use.

*Harriman Parks and Rec will organize the uniform ordering process, and teams will pick from customizable designs available through our supplier. Teams will be required to have sponsor or sponsors for their teams.
* Bats must meet NFHS or any other National Softball governing body, unless decertified by that organization. See page 24 in the DYS Rule Book
* Helmets must be approved and stamped by NOCSAE

Communications

The park uses several methods to communicate with the community.

Team Communication

Each teams coaches will have a GroupMe app site where general information will be distributed. This will also be where coaches inform everyone about weather delays, cancellations, and reschedules.

Game/Practice Reminders

The registration system sends out e-mail reminders a few days before games/practices. Please log in to your account in SportConnect and make sure your e-mail addresses and contact numbers are correct. Also, log in to your email provider and make sure messages from the HPR are not going to spam/junk mail.

Facebook

We encourage everyone to Like & Follow our Facebook page @ Harriman Rec, Instagram @Harriman Parks & Rec, and TikTok @Harriman.Parks&Rec for general info and updates.