Softball
Overview
Hampton Softball provides a dynamic, all-girls program designed to support both the athletic and social development of girls and young women. It’s a fantastic way for players to build friendships, boost self-confidence, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and stay active outdoors.
Eligibility: Players must be 7 years old on January 1 of the current year to be eligible for softball. However, due to the level of play, coordination requirements, and focus, many 7-year-olds may find Mini Minors baseball or Rookie Minors baseball to be a better fit. We are committed to assessing each player individually and helping them find the division that best supports their development and enjoyment of the game.
Softball Divisions
In the Minor division, players focus on developing core softball skills such as throwing, catching, pitching, and batting. Our priority is FUN while also building foundational skills like fielding, learning basic plays, and understanding softball positions. Players will also start base stealing, and pitching is done by both players and coaches.
Fair play rules ensure that all players have the opportunity to experience various positions, including both infield and outfield, with safety as a top priority.
The season typically concludes with a playoff or a District championship tournament team representing Hampton.
Parent involvement: Each team requires a parent scorekeeper and parents are responsible for field setup and teardown.
Schedule:
- Practices: Divisional practice on Tuesday evenings; coaches may schedule additional team practices.
- Games: 1-2 games per week, usually scheduled on Saturday mornings with occasional additional days as needed.
At this level, players continue developing their foundational skills while also learning basic game strategies such as signals and bunting. There is no coach-pitching at this level. Players have the opportunity to play various positions, with safety being a top priority.
The Majors division offers extended play into July and August through a competitive tournament team. Players who participate in at least 60% of regular season games are eligible to try out for the tournament team, which competes in the District championships. From there, the winning team may advance to the Canadian championships, and ultimately, the Little League World Series in North Carolina.
Many Hampton Softball players have earned spots at the World Series, and it’s an unforgettable experience.
Parent involvement: Each team requires a parent scorekeeper and parents are responsible for field setup and teardown.
Schedule:
- Practices: Divisional practice on Monday evenings; coaches may schedule additional team practices.
- Games: 1-2 games per week, usually on Wednesdays with occasional additional days.
The Junior division continues to focus on developing player skills and refining game strategies. Similar to Majors, this division also offers extended play into July and August through a competitive tournament team. The goal is to compete in the Canadian Championships, with the chance to advance to the Junior World Series in Kirkland, Washington.
To qualify for any tournament team, the league team must play at least 12 games, and players must participate in 60% of the scheduled games.
Parent involvement: Each team requires a parent scorekeeper and parents are responsible for field setup and teardown.
Schedule:
- Practices: Team practices are scheduled by the coach.
- Games: 1-2 games per week, usually on Monday evenings.
The Senior division focuses on further developing skills and advanced game strategies. Players continue their progression into competitive play, with extended play into July and August through a Regional tournament team that competes in the Canadian Championships. The winner of this tournament moves on to the Senior World Series in Lower Sussex, Delaware.
To qualify for the tournament team, the league team must play at least 12 games, and players must play in 60% of scheduled games.
Parent involvement: Each team requires a parent scorekeeper and parents are responsible for field setup and teardown.
Schedule:
- Practices: Team practices are set by the coach.
- Games: 1-2 games per week, usually on Wednesday evenings.
