Welcome to Madison Little League’s Minors Softball Division!  The following information is intended to give players and parents an overview of this division.
 
Madison Little League’s Minors Softball program is designed for players ages 9, 10, and 11 (age as of December 31 of the year prior to play).   Please note that the age cutoffs for softball are different compared to baseball.  In addition, any player who is 8 years old as of December 31, 2021 who has played two years of Pee Wee softball is eligible to attend our Minors player evaluations and MAY be allowed to play in the Minors with parental approval under the following circumstances:

1. Player attends Minors evaluations and demonstrates that they have the skill set to play at the Minors level.
2. Space is available based on registration numbers (each team will ideally have 12 players).

 
ALL age eligible 9 & 10-year-olds will play in the Minors regardless of their skill level.   The parent of any 8-year-old with two years of Little League Softball experience that is interested in attending the player evaluation should contact Minors Commissioner or Vice President-Softball before the season to secure a place at the evaluations. 

Spring Evaluations

Time Slots will be communicated by League Commissioners in early February.

Please note that Minors (and Majors) Softball teams are formed through a draft and the evaluation data assists coaches that are not familiar with all of the players.  Our objective is to ensure as much parity between our teams as possible and, as a result, the league cannot honor any special requests regarding the team a player is placed on.
 
Players in the Minors will experience “kid pitch” for the first time.  The rules and the competition are more relaxed than in the Majors but the emphasis is on learning the game at a higher level than in Pee Wee softball.  Each player will need their own glove and the league will provide bats, batting helmets, and catchers equipment.  Players are also free to use their own bats and rubber cleats and sliding pads are recommended for players.  The league will also provide each player with a jersey.   If you will be purchasing a helmet for your player, please select one with a facemask.  It’s always a good idea for a player to have their own helmet to ensure a good fit as well as for hygiene reasons.  We also recommend that you consider getting your player a fielding face mask, particularly if they will play in the infield. 
 
Kid/Coach Pitch Rules

1. Pitchers are allowed 1 walk per inning. Once a pitcher throws ball 4 to their 2nd batter of an inning, the coach of the batter's team comes on the field to pitch; the batter does not walk.  The child pitcher remains at the mound to field her position (the coach gets out of the way if the ball is hit).  If the batter has one or more strikes on her when the coach comes in to pitch, her strike count is reduced by one.  When the coach pitches, the umpire calls either a ball (with no consequence) or a strike.  Eventually, the batter either hits the ball or strikes out (either swinging or looking).  No stealing can occur when the coach is pitching.  Once that batter either reaches safely or is retired, the coach leaves the field and the child pitcher begins pitching to the next batter.  If four balls are called, the cycle repeats.

Uniform, Equipment and Travel

The league will also provide each player with a uniform consisting of a jersey. Parents will be responsible for softball pants.  Each player will need their own glove, cleats, helmet, and face shield.   The league will provide bats and catchers equipment.  Players are also free to use their own bats and rubber cleats are recommended for players. 

Madison typically plays in a league with teams from area towns (East Haddam, Haddam, Guilford, Clinton, Killingworth, Middletown, Deep River, and Durham) and travel to these, and possibly other local towns, may be required.  Each team will typically play two games (one weekday game and one Saturday game) per week.  In addition to regular season games, each softball team may participate in a playoff to conclude the Minors season. 
 

For more information 
If you have any questions or are interested in coaching your player, please contact the Minors Softball Commissioner.  Prospective coaches are required to submit a volunteer form and undergo a background check.