PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
League age 7, 8 and 9 years olds
SEASON
The season typically starts in early April and runs through mid June.
GAMES
Each team will be scheduled for 15-16 games during the season. Usually two games per week, one game during the week and one on Saturday. Games played during the week start at 6:00 PM. Games played on Saturday will be scheduled to start at times ranging from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Game length is typically 1½ hours and can go no longer than 1 hour, 50 minutes. Minors are scheduled for six innings, but games end if time expires first.
PRACTICE
Practice occurs once or twice per week during the season. Practice schedules vary from team to team based on the requirements of the manager.
UNIFORMS
PALL provides a jersey, practice shirt, socks, and a belt. Parents provide softball pants and rubber softball cleats or sneakers.
PLAYING EQUIPMENT
Players provide a glove, and are encouraged to have their own USA bat.
TEAM
Teams usually consist of 12-14 players, a volunteer manager, two volunteer coaches, and a volunteer team parent. Other parents are encouraged to help at practices.
PHILOSOPHY
To have fun learning the basic fundamentals and game strategy of softball.
VOLUNTEER WORK/FUND RAISING
PALL is an all volunteer organization. We need everyone's help! Parents are expected to serve one shift of concession stand duty during the season.
MINOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL - FAQ'S
Q: Do you keep score and are there umpires?
A: Yes. Every manager maintains a scorebook. League standings are kept to determine a regular season winner and to determine playoff games. There is a home plate umpire and a manager from the previous game to umpire the bases.
Q: What size field do they play on and where is the field?
A: All games are played on a regulation Little League Softball field with a dirt infield and grass outfield. Bases are 60' apart and the pitchers' circle is 35' from home plate. Minors use an 11” ball.
Q: Can I have my child play on a team with their friends?
A: Yes! For friendship and car-pooling purposes, we are happy to accommodate requests for girls to play together. Each girl may request to play on the same team as one or two of her friends(s). Please indicate your request at registration.
Q: Can I Manage or coach a team?
A: Yes, if positions are available. Prospective managers must complete an online application in . If you would to serve a coach please note that on your child's spring registration form. All managers and coaches must be approved by the Little League Board of Directors.
Q: How much will my child get to play?
A: To be fair to all players, our rules require that each child play in at least half of each game and start at least half of the games.
Q: What are the volunteer requirements?
A: PALL is an all volunteer organization so there are many ways to volunteer. Help is always needed with registration, team parenting, assisting with picture and carnival day activities, helping with post-season tournaments, and working in the concession stand to name just a few of the many ways to help support PALL.
Q: Why a draft? Sounds pretty serious.
A: A draft is the best way to evenly spread the various skill level of players throughout the league. PALL holds a player skills assessment clinic. Each child is required to swing a bat and run to first base, throw the ball, field a ground ball and catch a fly ball. The player's skills are assessed and the manager then decides what child he would like to draft in the various rounds of the draft.
Q: I have two daughters and I'd rather not be driving them back and forth to practices and games every night. Can they be on the same team?
A: Yes! As long as they both play in the Minors. Please indicate your request at registration.
Q: My daughter is 10 but has never played before. I'm worried about her attending the skills assessment because the Majors may be a bit too advanced for her. Can I ask that she play in the Minors?
A: Yes. 10-year-olds are asked to participate in the skills assessment clinic. They are then placed on either a Minors team or a Majors team, pending the managers' evaluations. Please indicate your preference that she play in the Minors on the registration form. However, we still ask you to have your child participate in the skills assessment clinic and allow our managers and coaches an opportunity to evaluate her.