Freedom Optimist Softball: Spring & Fall 2009 Divisions
The Grades 5-7 division provides a higher level of play and instruction where standings are kept and teams compete in a end of season tournament. Returning players are placed on the same team they played on the previous season unless the player's parents request a change of teams. New players are placed onto teams in an attempt to balance the level of abilities of each team in the division. Car pooling requests are not honored at this level. End of season playoffs are conducted and trophies or plaques are awarded to top teams at the end of the season. Teams in this division will practice twice a week beginning in the end of March until the season begins in the middle of April(some teams may practice after the season begins). Weather permitting the season typically ends about the same time the school year ends. Teams play two games a week, one on Saturdays and one on Tuesday nites, sometimes a team may play 2 weeknight games. If necessary Sundays will be used for make-ups of rain-outs.
Grades 8-12
The Grades 8-12 division provides a division for girls who do not turn 18 by July 1 of the current season or who are high school seniors who are 18. Returning players are placed on the same team they played on the previous season unless the player's parents request a change of teams. New players are placed onto teams in an attempt to balance the level of abilities of each team in the division. Car pooling requests are not honored at this level. A midseason position round is conducted in this division. Trophies or plaques are awarded to the top teams at the end of the season.
The teams in this division practice twice weekly beginning in the end of March until the season begins in Mid-April(some teams practice after the season begins). Weather permitting the season typically ends about the same time the school year ends. Teams play two games a week, one on Saturdays and one on Monday nites. If necessary, Sundays will be used for make-ups or rain-outs.
Grades 1 & 2
The Grades 1 & 2 division is coach-pitched and provides the first semi-formal level of play with regular practice and game schedules. Scores are not kept in this division. There is no evaluation or draft for this division. Returning players are placed on the same team they played on the previous season unless the players's parents request a change of teams. New players are placed on teams by the division coordinator to balance ages across teams. Car pooling requests may be honored at this level. Each player in this division will receive a trophy or plaque at the end to the season. There are no playoffs held in this division.
This division will practice twice a week before the season begins practice portion of the season begins the end of March and runs until the season begins the middle of April(some teams may practice after the season begins. Weather permitting the season typically ends about the same time the school year ends. Teams play two games a week , one on Saturday and the other on Thursday or Friday evenings(sometimes it is necessary to play two weeknight games). If necessary Sundays will be used for make-ups or rainouts.
Grades 3-4
The Grades 3-4 division is a more formal level of play the the Under 8 division with regular practice and game schedules. Each player in this division will receive a trophy or plaque at the end of the season for their participation in the league. No end of season playoffs are played in this division. There is no evaluation or draft for this division. Returning players are placed on the same team they played on the previous season unless the players's parents request a change of teams. New players are placed on teams accordingly to balance ages across teams. Car pooling requested may be honored at this level. Though this division is certainly more competitive that the Grades 1-2 division, it is still considered instructional. The goal of this age group is to provide an effective environment for coaches to teach and develop every player. Teams in this division will practice twice a week beginning in March until the season begins in the middle of April(some teams practice after the season starts). Weather permitting the season typically ends about the same time the school year ends. Teams play two games a week, on on Saturday and the other on Thursday or Friday evenings. If necessary, Sundays will be used for make-ups of rain-outs.
Pre-K & Kindergarten Division (must be 5 in calendar year)
The Kindergarten division provides girls ages 5 & 6 an introduction to softball. This division plays on Saturdays only from Mid-April through the end of the school year. The emphasis of this division is on instruction, safety, and fun. Players returning to this division from last year will be placed on the same team as last year unless a change is requested by the player's parents.
Clinic softball is based on the skill station concept. During each session, two different teams will practice together at one of the clinic areas. After warm-ups, players will then be divided into small groups and rotated through a series of skill stations -- i.e., hitting, throwing , base running and fielding. The idea behind the station concept is to stress fundamentals through many repetitions. Coaches & parents will guide the players through these stations. Roughly halfway through the session, coaches will then assemble their respective teams and play a coach-pitched scrimmage against the other team. The goal of these scrimmages is to have fun and reinforce those fundamentals learned during each session. Scores and standings will not be maintained and winning will not be emphasized.
During each approximatesly hour and a half session, 11" IncrediBall safety balls, batting tees, and aluminum Tee-ball bats are used.
Each player in the clinic division will receive a practice safety ball and teams jersey on the first day of the cliinic season. A trophy or plaque will be given out to each clinic participant at the end of the clinic season.
Adult COED
The Adult COED Softball League (ACSL) has been in existence for over 9 years under the Town of Sykesville Parks and Recreation. In the spring of 2004 the league made a decision to move to the Freedom District optimist to expand their current program through the use of ball fields under the Optimist and the support of the Optimist program relative to the county relationship they have. The pay off was great and at the completion of the fall season, many of the teams will be returning to help build and expand the adult COED softball program in the Freedom District Area.
This league is for all players 18 years of age and older. The COED league runs in both the spring and fall and is open to all players. The leagues key focus is on players that are looking to have a good time playing softball, without the pressure of being a “great” player. We welcome you to the league and look forward to playing with you in the near future.
