GRAA SOFTBALL

Glen Ridge Softball aspires to enter league play in the Spring and Fall whenever we have enough players to roster a team(s). We also host a Winter Training program to help players sharpen their skills and bond with each other in the off-season. The Glen Ridge Softball Board will decide which leagues are most appropriate for our players based on the number of registrations and skill level of our teams. Tournament play may be added at the coach’s discretion. 

When needed, evaluations will be conducted to learn more about players for the purpose of creating teams and/or choosing leagues. When we have a high number of players, we will create multiple teams and sort according to skill, pitcher and catcher availability, and other team development needs.  In general, the Board is looking for a best-fit league to suit each team. 

GRAA Softball programs are focused on developing knowledge of the sport and introducing game experience for all players. Our program is intended to give the kids a fun learning experience, and either an introduction to the sport or opportunity to build upon the skills they already have.

SPRING SOFTBALL

(Note: PK - K: The Pre-Kindergarten / Kindergarten program (t-ball) for GRAA is co-ed and run through the Bloomfield Glen Ridge League.  Please register your daughter for PK-K t-ball via the Baseball registration page.)

Spring is the primary season for softball, which means more Spring league options are available than in the Fall season. GRAA Softball considers joining the following the leagues:

The Passaic Valley Softball League is a league that includes recreational programs from towns in Essex and Passaic Counties. This league organizes teams across 2 grade levels - 1st/2nd -  3rd/4th -  5th/6th, and 7th/8th grade. This league is about helping athletes learn fundamentals, develop, play different positions during games, and have fun.

The 1st/2nd grade league is full coach pitch. The 3rd/4th grade league is a mixed kid pitch/coach pitch league. 

A variety of travel leagues are also available in the Spring. Travel leagues are grouped as 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U. Participation in age groups is based on birthdays. Local travel leagues are The Verona League (8U and 14U). The Greater Essex League (10U and 12U) and the Montville League (10U and 12U). 

For Spring leagues, practices and/or games will be 3 times per week, from late March through May with playoffs usually in early June. Each league has 8-10 games with the opportunity for additional playoff games.

8U (generally grades 2 and 3):

These are full coach pitch leagues that are great for young players to learn the basics of hitting, fielding and gaining game experience. 

10U (generally grade 4-5):

10u softball moves from coach pitch to full kid pitch from 35 feet and includes new elements of the game, like base stealing. 

12U (generally grades 6-7):

The focus on softball at the Grade 6-7 level is on continuing to build their knowledge of softball and add a higher level of competition during the games. At this stage, a larger ball (12 inch) is used and the pitching mound moves back from 35 feet to 40 feet. 

14U (generally grade 8):

The focus on softball at this level is to get kids ready for high school competitive game play.

FALL SOFTBALL

Fall is a secondary season for softball, this means fewer league options are available and less flexibility to find a league that fits the skill level of our teams. There is not a local Fall recreational league for GRAA Softball to participate in. All Fall leagues are travel leagues that are designed for more advanced play than recreation leagues. GRAA Softball aspires to create Fall teams when enough players are available with recognition that competition levels will be higher than in Spring leagues.

For Fall leagues, practices and/or games will be 3 times per week, from early September through late October with playoffs usually in early November. League play is usually 8-10 games with the opportunity for additional playoff games.

Travel Program
The GRAA Softball Travel program is geared toward further developing and honing the skills, awareness and fitness level of players on travel teams. Our travel program is designed to properly equip players for the next level of competition.

All players will be provided a fair and unbiased opportunity to develop their skills (specifically during game play), and coached through the areas where they need development. We recognize that these are still young players learning and developing the skill sets they will need to succeed. Travel players will develop skills to play across multiple positions, which will prove valuable to both the team and the individual players as they move to higher levels and into high school. Coaching staff evaluates throughout the season with an emphasis on optimizing them for success.

In these travel leagues,  our coaches follow two main guidelines:

1. GRAA Softball coaches work to build a strong competitive team. As compared with rec-style teams, there is a greater emphasis by coaches to field a winning team, and grouping kids with greater skill sets together on a team accelerates their learning by elevating their expectations.
2. Also important, our coaches give each player fair and substantial playing time during games and throughout the season, which is a critical component to continual skill evaluation and development.

If you have questions about your daughter’s playing time, please approach the coach(es) outside of the game environment to discuss this confidentially with them, or escalate to the commissioner if this is not addressed satisfactorily. Please keep in mind GRAA’s 24 hour rule

Other information

Registration fees include league entry fees, umpires, and team equipment. Uniforms are purchased separately. Players should have their own softball glove, batting helmet with face mask, and a fielding mask.  We recommend purchasing your child their own bat as they are recommended by size and weight.  For younger players it is more common to borrow from the team or other players. Chest guards are highly recommended.

All practice days of the week will be determined at the start of the season and your coaches will send the details after sign-ups are completed. This is based on per season field availability.  Practice fields are generally Sherman Avenue Field, Brookdale Park, Glenfield Park, and Clay Field (for young age groups).

All teams are coached by parent volunteers, when possible.

In cases where there are not enough players to complete a roster, the softball board will look for opportunities to partner with neighboring towns.