Girls Softball
GRACEAC softball operates as a school-based team sport. This means that GRACEAC runs a league where the member schools compete against one another. Member schools must field a minimum of 12 players for 5th/6th grade, and 11 players for 7th/8th grade in order to submit a team to the league. There are two leagues - a 5th/6th grade league and a 7th/8th grade league. If a school is unable to field their own team, that school Athletic Director needs to contact ADs at nearby schools and try to arrange a merger.
As a school-based team sport, team specifics are determined at the school level. This includes who the coach is, when/where practices are held, uniforms, etc. GRACEAC sets the rules and game schedules. Each team will try and have an eight game regular season, and every team is eligible to compete in the postseason tournaments. These tournaments are typically seeded based on regular season standings, which means we do keep track of scores and standings.
GRACEAC softball takes place in the spring season. Practices typically begin in early to mid March. Teams are limited to four practices/8 hours of practice per week in the preseason, and three practices/6 hours of practice per week once games begin. Regular season games typically begin after the week of Spring Break. The postseason tournaments will be finished before Memorial weekend.
5th grade softball is all about learning new skills, and gathering a love for the game. Since there are no other leagues that have 5/6th teams, we play each other if we have enough teams. We also try and have games against other little league programs. Many do not allow outside organizations but some allow us to play them. We will schedule a few games against them if possible.
We started softball 2 years ago and it is growing in participation and we are hopeful it will continue to grow.
We have been adding our 6th graders to the 7/8th team(s) so they can play games in the league and against other teams. A 6th grader can play with the 5th graders or move to the 7/8th league.
Games:
GRACEAC will attempt to utilize a schedule with games on Tuesday/Thursday & Saturday. Weeknight games should begin at 5:00/5:30 pm, while Saturday morning games start at 9:00 am.
- 5th/6th grade – 6 innings or 75 minutes (no new inning will start after 75 minutes; drop dead time of 85 minutes at the next dead ball – score will be as of the last full inning played)
- 7th/8th grade – 7 innings or 90 minutes (no new inning will start after 90 minutes; drop dead time of 100 minutes at the next dead ball – score will be as of the last full inning played)
- Postseason Tournament – games will play the full six or seven inning games by grade level, unless mercy takes effect or time is maxed. The Kansas City rule will take effect, where each team starts with a runner on 2nd base. If not the Championship game, the drop dead time will take effect if a 2nd game is needed to be played the same night.
- Minimum Playing Time:
To ensure total participation, it shall be mandatory that each student athlete participate the minimum time per game of two full innings (6 outs) in the field (with free substitutions) and one at bat.
Rules: