The mission of SYC Softball is to offer Springfield area youth the opportunity to play house level softball in a controlled environment that provides entertainment and enjoyment.   In addition, SYC Softball will focus on development of softball skills to prepare youth for participation in high school programs at the varsity and junior varsity level.  SYC Softball is designated as a girl’s sport; however, any boy that wishes to play is welcome to participate.

 

*At this time SYC Softball does not offer a Travel Program.

 

 

 

AGES:

18 and Under (18U) Division - ages 13-18

12 and Under (12U) Division - ages 11-12

10 and Under (10U) Division - ages 9-10

8 and Under (8U) Division – ages 8 and under  

 League age is determined by an individual’s age as of December 31 of the previous calendar year in accordance with Amateur Softball Association (ASA) code.

 

The 8U Division generally consists of ages 6 through 8 in the spring and 5 through 8 in the fall, though family requests for players younger than the minimum age will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Where a player’s skill level is such that they are no longer challenged at their normal age group, a family request for that player to play up with older players will generally be favorably considered.

LEAGUE SEASON:

Softball will be offered as both a spring and fall sport.

The spring season will run from mid-March through mid-June.

The fall season will run from early September through mid-November.

There may also be skills development clinics periodically offered throughout the spring and fall seasons.

REGISTRATION/SPECIAL REQUESTS/DROPS:

Players must be registered with SYC in order to participate in the softball program.

SPRING -- Registration for spring softball must be completed during the SYC spring sports registration period – either in person (at the SYC offices during normal business hours) or on-line at www.sycva.com.

 

FALL -- Registration for fall softball must be completed during the SYC fall sports registration period -- either in person (at the SYC offices during normal business hours) or on-line at www.sycva.com.

Any special requests should be made at the time of registration.  Though SYC Softball cannot guarantee that special requests will be honored, every attempt will be made to accommodate these requests as long as the integrity of play is not compromised.

Players who register late or are on the wait list will be placed at the discretion of the League Director of the respective Division.

 

Springfield Youth Club

Refund Policy 

(Effective May 9, 2002)

The following is the refund policy of Springfield Youth Club:

 The volunteer initiation fee is non-refundable.

 

 

 

 

Upon written request via mail or email, participants will receive a full refund of the activity fee(s) prior to the final in-person registration or at the close of online registration, whichever concludes last.

 

 

 

 

Upon written request via mail or email, 50% of the activity fee will be refunded during try-outs, drafts, pre-season clinics or uniform distribution.

 

 

 

 

No refunds will be issued after the official draft (football) and/or first game (remaining sports).

 

 

 

 

Requests for refund may be sent to:

 BabetteJensen@sycva.com

Or

7075 Newington Road

Lorton, VA 22079

 *Under extenuating circumstances, individual sport commissioners and/or members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors may approve any deviations to the official SYC refund policy.

 

LEAGUE PLAY:

SYC Softball has formed an alliance with Braddock Road Youth Club’s Softball Program (BRYC) and participates in inter-league play with BRYC in all age groups.  Home games will normally be played in the SYC area and away games normally in the BRYC area.

Additionally, depending upon the number of SYC teams in an age group, SYC only post-season tournaments may be held.

 

 

 

 

At the conclusion of the Spring season, SYC Softball will also select All Star teams at the 10U, 12U and 18U.  These teams will play in a post-season tournament against other local All Star teams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEAM SIZE/PLAYER PARTICIPATION:

 

 

 

 

Though there are no minimum participation requirements, players should be given the opportunity to play at least half of each game in which they are available to participate.  Most available players will play more than half of the game.  A total of nine players are on the field during a game, though a team may play with as few as eight players without forfeiting the game.  8U Division coaches shall also have the discretion to place all of their players in the field, though only six players (four infielders, pitcher and catcher) may play in the infield.

 

 

 

 

 

CODE OF CONDUCT:

 

 

 

 

All players, parents, coaches, and spectators are expected to understand and adhere to the SYC Codes of Conduct.  If these rules are not followed after having been warned by the umpires or league director, the person infringing on the rules will be asked to leave the playing field area.

 

 

 

PRACTICES/GAMES:

 

 

 

 

Team practices will normally be held once a week for a period of two hours.  These practices may be held either during the week or on Sunday afternoon.  Each coach will be assigned a regular practice time and location at the first coaches’ meeting.  Until SYC is provided access to South Run Recreation Center in mid-April, practices will be assigned equitably by the Commissioner and may not always be at the same time each week.  Additional practice time may be provided based on field availability and a specific request to the Commissioner for access to a particular field.

 

 

 

 

Once league play begins, games will normally be scheduled as follows;

 

 

 

 

8U Division—teams will normally play one Saturday game per week (occasionally, an additional game will be played during the week).

 

 

 

 

10U Division--teams will normally play one weeknight game and one Saturday game per week.

 

 

 

 

12U Division--teams will normally play one weeknight game and one Saturday game per week.

 

 

 

 

18U Division--teams will normally play two games each Saturday.

 

 

 

 

Games will take approximately 90 minutes to two hours to complete, and will be conducted in accordance with league rules regarding time limits for games.

 

 

 

 

Unless otherwise specified, weeknight games will begin at 6:15 PM and conclude no later than 8:15 PM.

 

 

 

 

Should games be postponed due to inclement weather, every effort will be made to reschedule the games.  The respective League Director will advise affected coaches of disposition (rescheduling/cancellation) of games.

 

 

 

 

 

REFEREES/RULES:

 

 

 

 

18U and 12U Divisions -- Amateur Softball Association rules will generally be followed.  Coaches will be provided with the list of SYC specific rules prior to the start of league play.  Sanctioned umpires will be provided for each 18U and 12U Division game.  If for some reason, umpires do not show up for a game, each team is to provide an umpire, with the home team providing the Home Plate Umpire and the visiting team providing the Field Umpire.

 

 

 

 

10U Division -- Amateur Softball Association rules will generally be followed.  Coaches will be provided with the list of SYC specific rules prior to the start of league play.  Each team is to provide an umpire for 10U Division games.  Umpires will rotate each half inning, with the hitting team providing the Home Plate Umpire and the fielding team providing the Field Umpire.

 

 

 

 

8U Division -- Coaches will be provided with the list of SYC specific rules prior to the start of league play.  Umpiring will be done in accordance with these rules.

 

 

COACHES:

 

 

 

 

SYC Softball is always in need of parents who are interested and able to volunteer their time to coach—either as a head coach or as an assistant.  Coaching is one way to ensure that a family fulfills its annual Volunteer requirement (see SYC’s Volunteerism and Mandatory Fee Policy for more information).  In the interest of creating a safe environment for our children, each prospective coach will be required to submit a coach’s application for a background check.  Interested individuals should indicate their willingness/availability to coach at the time of registration or at any time by visiting the SYC Coaches/Kidsafe Sign-up page.

 

 

 

 

Though it is desirable that coaches are familiar and experienced with softball rules and play, anyone with an interest and an ability to effectively teach individual skills and communicate the importance of team play and sportsmanship is encouraged to volunteer.

 

 

TRAINING:

 

 

 

 

Rule books will be provided to each coach.  Aspects of the rule book, along with local SYC league rules will be covered at the coaches first meeting prior to the start of the season.

 

 

 

 

Periodically, clinics focused on skills development in particular aspects of softball play may be offered to players/coaches throughout the season.

 

 

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT:

 

 

 

 

A uniform consisting of a team jersey and matching pair of athletic socks will be provided to each player.  Players are expected to wear these uniforms to each game.

 

 

 

 

Most all required equipment (softballs, bats, catcher’s protective equipment, batting helmets, rules, First Aid kits, batting tees, etc.) will be provided to each coach for use during the season.  Players are expected only to furnish their own softball glove. 

 

 

 

 

No special shoes or additional equipment will be required, though parents are encouraged to consider purchasing softball/soccer cleats for their child’s use during games/practices.

 

 

 

 

 

FEES:

 

 

 

 

Fees will be established just prior to registration each season.  A family discount will be provided for families registering more than one child in any given season.  Any Volunteer Fee required will be applied above and beyond these league fees.