Edina Youth Softball Association: General League Info
The Edina Youth Softball Association (EYSA) offers recreational, slow-pitch softball for Edina girls in grades one through eight. EYSA goals include having fun, teaching the rules and skills of softball, and encouraging good sportsmanship, teamwork, and self-confidence.
The season kicks off with a Skills Clinic held in late April to teach and practice the basic skills of the game. "House-league" games begin in May and continue until July. The season ends in late July with division tournaments for the third through eighth grade girls and a picnic for the first and second grade girls.
EYSA is organized into four divisions:
1st and 2nd grade (Thursday night games)
3rd and 4th grade (Monday and Wednesday night games)
5th and 6th grade (Tuesday and Thursday night games)
7th and 8th grade (Tuesday night doubleheaders)
Registration and divisions are based on current grade (2008-2009 school year).
9th through 12th grade Edina girls are invited to play in Richfield's slow-pitch league. Click here to go to Richfield's softball website: www.richfieldsoftball.org.
Registration Info
Included in the registration cost is a team jersey personalized with your daughter's first name. Batting helmets, bats, and balls are also provided though parents may supply them if desired. Players should bring their own gloves and wear either tennis shoes or non-metal cleats. There is no additional fee for the year-end tournament.
Registration and divisions are based on current grade (2008-2009 school year). We try to place girls of the same school and same neighborhood on the same team. While EYSA softball offers a great opportunity to make new friends, players may request one of their current friends to be on the same team. The two friends must request each other on the registration form (mutual request).
Skills Session
For grades one through eight, we are planning to have a skills session before every game. This is designed to improve the skills development of the girls and to make scheduling easier for coaches and parents. Coaches may, but are not expected hold additional times for practice.
1st and 2nd Grade
In an effort to improve fielding activity, batting skills, and the flow of the game, the 1st and 2nd grade division use a batting tee at certain times. During games the girls will use the batting tee for the first inning. For the remaining innings, the players will hit the ball from the tee if they have not hit it after six pitches from the coach. We expect the girls to have more fun as the tempo of the game is increased.
The 1st and 2nd grade will have a year-end Picnic Party. This is a fun way to end the season for 1st and 2nd grade players and their families.
3rd and 4th Grade
During the school year, the 3rd and 4th grade girls play only one game per week -- on Mondays. After school ends, 3rd and 4th graders play on Mondays and Wednesdays.
To reduce the inactivity on the field due to excessive walks, a batting tee is used at certain times. Instead of taking a walk on the third ball (3/2 count), the player will get two swings from a batting tee. Players still pitch and may strike the batter out -- but walks are eliminated. This should increase the flow of the game and make it more fun for the girls.
A highlight of our program is EYSA Tournament at year-end. In late July, the 3rd and 4th grade teams play each other at Van Valkenburg Park to determine the division champion! Please mark your calendars now. Planning ahead will insure a great tournament.
5th and 6th Grade
During the school year, the 5th and 6th grade girls play only one game per week -- on Tuesdays. After school ends, the 5th and 6th graders play on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A batting tee is not used during games for 5th and 6th grade.
In late July, the 5th and 6th grade teams play each other in the EYSA Tournament at Van Valkenburg Park. Please mark your calendars now. Planning ahead will insure a great turnout.
7th and 8th Grade
Our 7th and 8th grade girls play on Edina teams in the Richfield league. Last year we played three "home" games at Pamela Park. We are planning to play about three games at Pamela Park again this year.
EYSA Grievance Policy
The Edina Youth Softball Association is a volunteer organization striving to run a fun house-league softball program for Edina girls. While much effort is spent trying to institute fair policies and recruit capable coaches, we realize parents may have complaints regarding certain issues. Listed below is the EYSA Grievance Process. Parents of EYSA players may file a grievance if they have a problem or complaint regarding a particular person, policy, or other item.
1.) Parents should first try to resolve the issue with their daughter’s Coach;
2.) If after one week the Coach is unable to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the parent, the parent may contact their daughter’s Grade Representative;
3.) If after one week the Grade Representative is unable to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the parent, the parent may request the board review the issue at the next board meeting. The parent must notify the President or Vice-President of this request at least one week prior to the upcoming board meeting. This notification should be accompanied with a written statement detailing the issue.
4) If after one week, the Board is unable to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the parent, the parent may request Edina Park and Recreation Department review the issue.