Welcome to Belmont Youth Softball!
REGISTRATION FOR THE SPRING 2025 SEASON OPENS JANUARY 5TH!
SIGN UP HERE: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/460518
Come play ball with BYS!
Join old friends and make new ones as you learn the strategies of the game, improve your fielding, throwing and batting skills, and build team spirit.
(And don’t forget the Double Bubble!)
Overview:
Belmont Youth Softball provides an opportunity for players from kindergarten to Grade 9 to play ball. The BYS spring season officially starts in April and concludes in late June with a fun Skills Night competition and celebration. Most practices and games are held during the week at Chenery, with some this year at the new BHS softball field. BYS teams (ages 8U+) participate in the City/Town Softball League, which includes: Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Charlestown, Medford, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown, and Winchester. That is the extent of our travel! In the off-season, BYS families are kept informed about clinic and skill-building options, along with opportunities to join other towns for fall ball and other year-round play.
Age Divisions, Schedule and Registration:
A significant change for the 2024 season: USA Softball has changed the age cutoff for league divisions, bringing it in line with most school cutoffs in our area. In practical terms, this means BYS teams will now be largely organized by grade levels (see below.) This is a terrific development as it supports the philosophy of having fun with friends while developing as a team and growing in skills, rather than the prior approach which often caused separation of same-grade peers into different divisions.
The youngest BYS players (A League of Their Own) begin with in-town fundamental skill practices in Kindergarten and 1st grades, then move up onto teams (8U+) which play in the City/Town League. New players are always welcome to join at any age. There are no formal tryouts and teams are not formally leveled based on experience. Players just need to register and will be assigned to a team for their age group, with the goal of building their knowledge of the sport and enjoyment of the game with peers.
Schedule Commitment:
- The BYS softball program currently does not require weekend commitments, with the exception of some 14U games.
- For all age divisions, practices and games are held M-F, typically anywhere from 1-3 nights a week between 5:30-7:30 pm. (See more detail in the division descriptions below.)
- Final schedules and field locations for practices and games will be shared by team coaches at the start of the season.
A League of Their Own - Kindergarten / 1st grade
Practice: Tuesdays 5:30 - 6:45
Focus is on the fundamental skills of softball and building hand/eye coordination, ending with a scrimmage and fun relay race.
8U - 2nd / 3rd grades
Practice: Once/week (likely Tuesdays 6:00-7:00pm)
Games: Once/week (Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00pm)
Learn the basics of the game with coach-pitched real games played once a week (Thursdays) against other towns. Additional practice is held once a week.
10U - 4th / 5th grades
Practice: Once/week (likely Weds 6:00-7:30pm)
Games: Twice/week (Mon and Fri 5:30-7:30pm)
Umpired games 2x/week, and 1 additional practice. Local travel and competitive FUN team spirit starts now! Positive competitiveness is cultivated and confidence starts to build as players improve skills and learn the game. Girls start to pitch in a supportive experience where there are no walks – the coach steps in to pitch after 4 balls. Former college pitchers and our own BHS softball team assist as knowledgeable resources to help learn the fundamentals of pitching.
12U - 6th / 7th grades
Practice: Once/week (likely Tues or Thurs 5:30pm)
Games: Twice/week (typically Mon/Wed/Fri 5:30-7:30pm)
Umpired games 2x/week, and 1 additional practice. Team growth and knowledge of the game are more evident at this level, with team camaraderie and sportsmanship always a main focus. Local travel continues, as does the spirit of competition!
14U - 8th / 9th grades
Practice: Twice/week (M-F varies 6:00-7:30pm)
Games: Twice/week (varies)
Umpired games 2x/week, and 1-2 additional practices. Working with the high school coach to build the foundation of a competitive Varsity program, this team serves our town as a Junior BHS feeder team. Games and practices are held evenings at the new BHS field. New players are always welcome!
