DCW Youth Sports Softball Parents,
The 2024 softball season is ahead of us and we are ready to swing for the fences and get back out on the Diamond! Registration will open January 4th and it will close February 23rd, 2024. If you miss the registration deadline, any late registrant request will be evaluated based on each team's availability and a $35 late fee will be applied. Late registrations close by March 3rd, 2024 and will not be allowed thereafter as the program needs appropriate time to enroll in leagues, connect and prepare coaches, and order jerseys in time for season kickoff.
Practices and Home Games will be played at the current DC West 4-Plex for the 2024 season.
The DC West Youth Softball provides opportunities for youth players as follows:
T-Ball (open to both girls and boys in Pre-K and Kindergarten)
- Co-ed teams. We offer games against other local teams’ vs in-house only. Teams will be broken up just like all other age groups the best we can, and we will ask for volunteer coaches for each team. Plan to play 5 or 6 games against another local team. Additional coaches needed. Please consider volunteering your time to help coach our youngest Falcons.
- Multiple volunteers needed to help encourage and show the kids how to play and where to go. There are usually a good number of players out. If we can break down groups into smaller numbers, it is advantageous for everyone. Please let me know if you would like to help.
- Molded cleats only. No metal cleats allowed. Cleats are not necessarily needed for T-ball. Tennis shoes are absolutely acceptable.
6U/7U Falcon Softball - NEW
- This is a recreational Tee/Coach pitch league.
- 6U/7U Softball teams consist of players who are only in 1st grade.
- ***NEW*** As of 1/31/2024 - Saunders County 8U League combined with the EAA League. EAA offers a 6U/7U level. This level will be offered as long as we have enough registrants to make a team and enough registrants to make a separate 8U team. 12-14 games can be expected and possibly one tournament. There will be home games at the DC West 4-Plex as well as away games. Away games last season were in Arlington, Blair, Ashland and Wahoo. Elkhorn and Bennington will be added this year.
- Practices will start as early as the first week in April. Typically (2) two - 1 hour practices each week until games start. After games start, typically (1) one - 1 hour practice per week if game schedule allows.
- Games could start as early as mid-April and the season typically ends before June 30th.
- Molded cleats only. No metal cleats allowed.
8U Falcon Softball
- This is a recreational Coach Pitch league
- 8U Softball teams consist of players who are at least in 1st grade and up to 3rd grade.
- Birth years/months eligible for this league are as follows: Sept 2014 thru Sept 2017. This is a recreational coach pitch league.
- ***NEW*** As of 1/31/2024 - Saunders County 8U League combined with the EAA League. 12-14 games can be expected and possibly one tournament. There will be home games at the DC West 4-Plex as well as away games. Away games last season were in Arlington, Blair, Ashland and Wahoo. Elkhorn and Bennington will be added this year.
- Practices will start as early as the first week in April. Typically (2) two - 1 hour practices each week until games start. After games start, typically (1) one - 1 hour practice per week if game schedule allows.
- Games could start as early as mid-April and the season typically ends before June 30th.
- Molded cleats only. No metal cleats allowed.
10U Falcon Softball (Modified) - NEW
- This is a modified 10U league with player/coach pitch. All USA SOFTBALL Rules Apply. Girls will learn to slide into home and will be expected to do so with a play at the plate.
- This league will be played in with new or mostly younger 10U teams just learning to pitch.
- 10U Softball teams consist of players who are at least in 3rd grade and up to 5th grade.
- Birth years/months eligible for this league are as follows: Sept 2012 thru August 2014
- Play in the EAA League. 12-15 games can be expected and at least one tournament. There will be home games at the DC West 4-Plex as well as away games. Expect travel up to 15 mins /25 mins one way.
- Practices will start as early as the first week in April. Typically (2) two - 1 hour practices each week until games start. After games start, typically (1) one - 1 hour practice per week if game schedule allows.
- Games typically start mid-April and the season ends late June.
- Molded cleats only. No metal cleats allowed.
10U Falcon Softball - Player Pitch
- This is a competitive player pitch league. All USA SOFTBALL Rules Apply. Girls will learn to slide into home and will be expected to do so with a play at the plate.
- This league will be played in when we have a full team of 2nd year, experienced 10U girls with experienced pitchers.
- 10U Softball teams consist of players who are at least in 3rd grade and up to 5th grade.
- Birth years/months eligible for this league are as follows: Sept 2012 thru August 2014
- Play in the Logan Valley League. 12-15 games can be expected and at least one tournament. There will be home games at the DC West 4-Plex as well as away games. Expect travel up to 45 mins /60 mins one way.
- Practices will start as early as the first week in April. Typically (2) two - 1 hour practices each week until games start. After games start, typically (1) one - 1 hour practice per week if game schedule allows.
- Games typically start mid-May and the season typically ends before July 4th.
- Molded cleats only. No metal cleats allowed.
12U Falcon Softball
- This is a competitive player pitch league. All USA SOFTBALL Rules Apply.
- 12U Softball teams consist of players who are at least in 5th grade and up to 7th grade.
- Birth years/months eligible for this league are as follows: Sept 2010 thru August 2012
- Play in the Logan Valley League. 12-15 games can be expected and at least one tournament. There will be home games at the DC West 4-Plex as well as away games. Expect travel up to 45 mins /60 mins one way.
- Practices will start as early as the first week in April. Typically (3) three - 1 -1.5 hour practices each week until games start. After games start, typically (1) one - 1.5 hour practice per week if game schedule allows.
- Games typically start mid-May and the season typically ends before July 4th.
- Molded cleats only. No metal cleats allowed.
14U Falcon Softball
- This is a competitive player pitch league. All USA SOFTBALL Rules Apply.
- 14U Softball teams consist of players who are at least in 7th grade and up to 9th grade.
- Birth years/months eligible for this league are as follows: Sept 2008 thru August 2010
- Play in the Logan Valley League. 12-15 games can be expected and at least one tournament. There will be home games at the DC West 4-Plex as well as away games. Expect travel up to 90 mins one way.
- Practices will start as early as the first week in April. Typically (3) three - 1 -1.5 hour practices each week until games start. After games start, typically (1) one - 1.5 hour practice per week if game schedule allows.
- Games typically start mid-May and the season typically ends before July 4th.
- Players are allowed to wear metal spikes at this level. However, if they still qualify to play in the 12U league, please make sure they have molded cleats if they are asked to fill in from time to time.
Jersey Info: We will provide game jersey, game socks and belt. Parents are asked to provide black softball pants (with belt loops), and practice socks. A black long-sleeved tee is also recommended for colder game days to wear under jersey.
* Visors will not be provided this year after a post season review sent to parents asking them if they would prefer that we supply a visor or socks/belt. Socks/belts were the majority vote.
Equipment/Gear Info Needed:
- Black Softball Pants for practice and games. (At least one pair. Dick's Sporting Goods or Scheels has a nice selection on in the softball section) Shorts, leggings or sweatpants are unacceptable for practice and games, unless directed by the coach to wear something other than softball pants.
- Here are some links to order pants and sliding shorts from Epic Sports. I have ordered from them before and been very pleased.
Black pants Choose Black Color
Women's Sliding shorts (10U-14U) Or Women's or Girls Sliding Shorts (10U-14U)
- 10U-14U players, sliding shorts to wear under the softball pants. This provides extra protection on hips and bums when sliding. These can be found at Dick's/Scheels or any other sporting goods store. See link above at Epic Sports, too.
- 10U-14U players will need a Metal Fielders Mask - please no acrylic ones.
- Softball Socks for practice, at least one pair.
- Softball Cleats (No metal cleats for anyone below 14U)
- Bat (Optional, but nice to have your own, reach out for sizing help on bats. Bats are not supplied by the team/league, but if you cannot get one, there are typically bats that can be shared)
- Helmet (DCWYSO will provide 2-4 to each team. Younger teams will receive 4 team helmets, older teams 2 or 3 team helmets. If your daughter is petite and not in 8U, our provided helmets may be too big.)
- Water bottle (at least 24 oz bottle) for every practice and every game
- Jackets/sweatshirts/long sleeves for cooler practices and games. If we have a cooler temp game, the jersey will need to be visible. We suggest a long-sleeved T-shirt under the jersey for this.
Practice Info: Practice dates will depend on the coach of that age group as well as field scheduling availability. The coach will contact you once teams are formed and will communicate practice days/times that are scheduled for the season. All players should arrive to practice wearing appropriate practice gear (softball pants, long socks, practice tee and cleats), softball equipment, facemask and water bottle. We do practice outside in inclement weather (light rain, misting rain, cold temps down to 45 degrees, and high winds. Girls should come to practice PREPARED for the weather. Hats, jackets, sweatshirts, coats, light gloves, etc.
Practice Schedules: Will be finalized by March 2, 2024.
Game Info: Please see above descriptions for game info. Game Schedules should be loaded by March 18, 2024.
***Important***
Copies of birth certificates for players 10U-14U are also required at registration. If you are new to our team, or 1st year 10U player, these MUST be submitted at registration. This is needed to purchase the player insurance and to be a registered player in the league we participate in. Please email that information to jennifer.klawitter@hdrinc.com.
***Pre-Season Clinics will begin Sunday, February 4th. These are OPTIONAL, but highly recommended!
Register for the winter clinics HERE. See image below for more info on the winter clinics.
Link to Nebraska USA Softball: https://www.nebraskasoftball.org/
Link to USA Softball and 2023 Official Softball Rules: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Umpires/Official-Rulebook
Link to Logan Valley Softball: https://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=loganvalleysoftball
Absolutely looking forward to a fun and exciting 2024 season! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Jennifer Klawitter
DCWYSO Softball Coordinator
402-679-4051
jennifer.klawitter@hdrinc.com
Regina Johnson
DCWYSO Softball Coordinator
402-699-3830
roppold11@yahoo.com