The Olentangy Lightning Select Softball program will be starting a new 8U Lightning Player Development League for 2009.  This league will be local to the Olentangy community and will replace 8U weekend league in Worthington that our teams have participated in over the last several years.

League Purpose:

The 8U Lightning Player Development League will provide more Olentangy community players, who are interested, an opportunity to develop advanced softball skill-sets and play softball at more competitive level.  The league is intended to be a feeder system for the older ages of the Lightning softball program and eventually our high schools.

League Highlights:

Pitching machine-based league

• 3 strikes or 7 pitches
• 3 outs or 5 runs
• No stealing / No dropped 3rd strike
• No implied limit on number of bases on a hit or over-throw
• Ball is live until in pitcher's circle
• Umpire for every game

• Player will be assessed and teams will be assembled with skill-set equality in mind.
• Team coaches will be selected by the Lightning program based on knowledge of softball and coaching experience.

All coaches will be expected to pass the ASA ACE Level I Softball Coaching Certification (http://www.asasoftball.com/youth/certification.asp)  paid for by the Lightning program

• Coaches will also be advised on practice planning, running effective practices, skill-set development, etc

Teams will begin practicing in early April and will practice on average 4 hours per week

Games will begin in early June and run through mid July (no games the week of July 4th).

• Games will be played as doubleheaders and will occur 1-2 nights per week
• 14 to 20 games will be played
• Practices will continue, 1 per week even after the season starts.

Single elimination league tournament will be played at the end of the season.

Players will receive a league Lightning uniform, Lightning bat bag and Lightning helmet

Pitching clinics will be organized to introduce players to pitching and whats required to develop pitching skills for later age groups.

Participation fee will be $175 ($100 at time of registration, $75 once teams are assembled)

To register, select Lightning 8U when registering online through OYAA website.  Player assessments will be held on March 14 at Olentangy High School.  More information to follow regarding player assessments.

League Expectations:

This league is purposefully being set up as a more competitive alternative to the recreational league.  Players who want to play in this league should want to learn and play softball at a more serious level. Practices are considered very important and should only be missed on rare occasions.  Finally, To participate in this league, a player must have been 8 years of age or younger on December 31, 2008.

If you have any questions or would like to throw your name in the hat to be a potential head or assistant coach, please email me at mpwjmw@nexgenaccess.com.  

Thanks,

Mike Wilson

Lightning Commissioner