Softball Divisions

Farm Softball Expectations (typically 6-7 year olds, 8 year olds are eligible with approval from the VP of Softball)

Practices start in early-mid March and go into early June. Teams are announced in mid-February.

Entry level of softball where the goal is to teach the players the fundamentals of hitting, fielding and throwing along with learning the basic rules of softball.

Hitting: Farm is entirely coach pitch. Each batter is allowed (7) live pitches. If not successful after (7) pitches the player is out.
Practices: One to two practices per week at roughly 1.5 hour duration (at the discretion of the coach) . Practice times and locations will be determined by team coaches and communicated after teams are formed.
Games: There are approximately 10 games over the course of the season. Games start at the end of March. There will be 1-2 games per week, typically held on Saturdays. Games are played against other teams in Woodinville plus teams from North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues. Half of the games will be home games and half of the games will be away games. Travel to Bothell and Kenmore should be expected. Score is kept only to track 5 runs or 3 outs (whichever comes first) to expire the inning. Scores are not reported and standings are not kept.
Ball Type: The game will be played using a 10" safety ball.
Player Development: For girls to improve upon the basics of softball – showing a coordinated swing every at bat, throwing with proper technique, starting to catch a softball with regularity, understanding when to run the bases without being told what to do.
Team Formation: Teams are formed randomly by a player agent. At this level the player agent attempts to accommodate buddy requests, allowing kids to play with friends and classmates.
Parent Volunteers: The success of each team is largely due to the number of parent volunteers that are obtained throughout the season. Volunteers will be required for assistant coaching, umpiring, score keeping, and organizing the team requirements for the Mid-Season Classic (Woodinville Little League’s fundraiser). Each team is required to provide at least two volunteer umpires throughout the season.
Post-Season Games: No post-season tournament.

89ers Softball Expectations (typically 8-9 year olds, 7 year olds are eligible with approval from the VP of Softball)

Practices start in early-mid March and go into early June. Teams are announced in mid-February.

Second tier level of softball where the goal is for players to begin to fine tune softball mechanics throughout the season. 89ers is a mix of first year players (typically 8 year olds) as well as second year players (typically 9 year olds) that are not ready for full-time player-pitch. At this level, girls pitch and can potentially be assisted by a coach to come in and provide pitching as well. Player skill assessment is required for all 9 year olds to ensure they are placed at the appropriate level of play.

Hitting: The first two innings are coach pitch. Last four innings are Kid-pitch until 4 balls or 3 strikes are achieved, then play reverts to coach pitch. There are no walks.
Practices: Two practices per week at roughly 1.5-2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager) 1-2 games per week. Practice times and locations will be determined by team coaches and communicated after teams are formed.
Games: There are approximately 12 games over the course of the season. Games start at the end of March. There will be 1-2 games per week, typically held on Saturdays. Games are played against other teams in Woodinville plus teams from North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues. Half of the games will be home games and half of the games will be away games. Travel to Bothell and Kenmore should be expected. Score is kept only to track 5 runs or 3 outs (whichever comes first) to expire the inning. Scores are not reported and standings are not kept.
Ball Type: The game will be played using a 11” hard ball.
Player Development: For girls to obtain consistency with softball skills–make contact with the ball consistently with the bat, able to throw a ball from shortstop to 1st base in the air, independently run the bases, and develop pitching skills. This level is intended to prepare and develop players for the Minors level (next level).
Team Formation: Teams are formed randomly by the player agent. At this level the player agent attempts to form teams with a mix of first year players (typically 8 year olds) and second year players (typically 9 year old players), while making consideration for friend requests.
Parent Volunteers: The success of each team is largely due to the number of parent volunteers that are obtained throughout the season. Volunteers will be required for assistant coaching, umpiring, score keeping, and organizing the team requirements for the Mid-Season Classic (Woodinville Little League’s fundraiser).Each team is required to provide at least two volunteer umpires throughout the season.
Post-Season Games: There is a post-game tournament between Woodinville, North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues Teams. These games may occur on weeknights and not solely Saturday. Additionally all girls 9-years old or older on or after January 1st are eligible to apply for All Stars.

Minors Softball Expectations (typically 9-11 year olds, 8 year olds are eligible with approval from the VP of Softball)

Practices start in early-mid March and go into early June. Teams are announced in mid-Febraury.

Third tier level of softball. This level is full-time player pitch. Girls should exhibit the ability to throw and catch and have a sound understanding of softball theory. Player skill assessment is required for all 9-12 year olds to ensure they are placed at the appropriate level of play and to form balanced skill leveled teams.

Hitting: Kid pitch only.
Practices: Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager). Practice times and locations will be determined by team coaches and communicated after teams are formed. Practices may be canceled once games begin at the discretion of the coach. Commitment once games begin is 2-4 days per week.
Games: There are approximately 14 games over the course of the season. Games start at the end of March. There will be 2-3 games per week, held M-Th with no games Fri-Sun. Games are played against other teams in Woodinville plus teams from North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues. Half of the games will be home games and half of the games will be away games. Travel to Bothell and Kenmore should be expected. There is also the possibility of cross-over games with City teams. First year of truly competitive softball where score is kept and reported but no standings are kept.
Ball Type: The game will be played using a 11" hard ball.
Player Development: For girls to have the opportunity to demonstrate their softball skills in the first year of competitive softball as well as continue to develop to the next level (Majors).
Team Formation: Teams are formed through a draft process placing girls on balanced leveled skilled teams. The player skill assessment is used in assisting the coaches, VP of Softball, Softball Player Agent, and Softball Coaching Coordinator. The goal is to form balanced teams and place players in the most appropriate division for them to learn and have a good experience.
Parent Volunteers: The success of each team is largely due to the number of parent volunteers that are obtained throughout the season. Volunteers will be required for assistant coaching, umpiring, score keeping, and organizing the team requirements for the Mid-Season Classic (Woodinville Little League’s fundraiser). Each team is required to provide at least two volunteer umpires throughout the season.
Post-Season Games: There is a post-game tournament between Woodinville, North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues Teams (Tournament of Champions). Additionally all girls 9-years old or older are eligible to apply for All Stars. All star teams play in the District 8 tournament in June/July with the possibility of advancing to a state tournament.

Majors Softball Expectations (typically 11-12 year olds, 9-10 year olds are eligible with approval from the VP of Softball)

Practices start in early-mid March and go into early June. Teams are announced in mid-Febraury.

Fourth tier level of softball. Competitive level of play. At this level, stealing is legal upon a pitcher's release of the ball and rules such as a dropped third strike and the ten run rule apply. Pitchers are required to throw from a distance of 40’. Player skill assessment is required for all 9-12 year olds to ensure they are placed at the appropriate level of play and to form balanced skill leveled teams.

Hitting: Kid pitch only.
Practices: Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager). Practice times and locations will be determined by team coaches and communicated after teams are formed. Practices may be canceled once games begin at the discretion of the coach. Commitment once games begin is 2-4 days per week.
Games: There are approximately 16 games over the course of the season. Games start at the end of March. There will be 2-3 games per week, held M-Th with no games Fri-Sun. Games are played against other teams in Woodinville plus teams from North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues. Half of the games will be home games and half of the games will be away games. Travel to Bothell and Kenmore should be expected. There is also the possibility of cross-over games with City teams. Competitive softball where score is kept and recorded.
Ball Type: The game will be played using a 12” hard ball.
Player Development: For girls to have the opportunity to demonstrate their softball skills with an increased level of skill and ability from the Minors level softball.
Team Formation: Teams are formed through a draft process placing girls on balanced leveled skilled teams. The player skill assessment is used in assisting the coaches, VP of Softball, Softball Player Agent, and Softball Coaching Coordinator. The goal is to form balanced teams and place players in the most appropriate division for them to learn and have a good experience.
Parent Volunteers: The success of each team is largely due to the number of parent volunteers that are obtained throughout the season. Volunteers will be required for assistant coaching, umpiring, score keeping, and organizing the team requirements for the Mid-Season Classic (Woodinville Little League’s fundraiser).Each team is required to provide at least two volunteer umpires throughout the season.
Post-Season Games: There is a post-game tournament between Woodinville, North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues Teams (Tournament of Champions). Additionally all girls 9-years old or older are eligible to apply for All Stars. All star teams play in the District 8 tournament in June/July with the possibility of advancing to a state tournament. If a post-season 12u team is formed they have the chance to qualify to play at the Little League World Series.

Juniors Softball Expectations (typically 13-14 year olds, 12 year olds are eligible with approval from the VP of Softball)

Practices start in early-mid March and go into early June. Teams are announced in mid-Febraury.

Third fifth level league of softball. Fastpitch for girls who are fairly advanced in skill level and/or age. Girls league age 12 can play Juniors. Some girls league age 12 might be asked to "co-league" if there are not enough participants at the Junior level. A 12-year-old must participate in at least 60% of games at either the Majors or Juniors level in order to be qualified for All-Stars at that level.

*New in 2021, League-Age 15 year olds can play Juniors*

Hitting: Kid pitch only.
Practices: Two practices per week at 2 hour duration (at the discretion of the manager). Practice times and locations will be determined by team coaches and communicated after teams are formed. Practices may be canceled once games begin at the discretion of the coach. Commitment once games begin is 2-4 days per week.
Games: There are approximately 18 games over the course of the season. Games start at the end of March. There will be 3 games per week. Games will be held on Friday night and double header Sunday. Games are played against other district 8 teams including: Magnolia, Queen Anne, Ballard, North Central, RUG, NE Seattle, Shoreline, NW Seattle, North Bothell, Northshore, and Northlake Little Leagues. Travel across these district teams is expected. Competitive softball where score is kept and recorded.
Ball Type: The game will be played using a 12” hard ball.
Player Development: For girls to have the opportunity to demonstrate their softball skills with an increased level of skill and ability from the Majors level softball.
Parent Volunteers: The success of each team is largely due to the number of parent volunteers that are obtained throughout the season. Volunteers will be required for assistant coaching, umpiring, score keeping, and organizing the team requirements for the Mid-Season Classic (Woodinville Little League’s fundraiser).Each team is required to provide at least two volunteer umpires throughout the season.
Post-Season Games: There is a post-game tournament. All girls at this level are eligible to apply for All stars. All star teams play in the District 8 tournament in June/July with the possibility of advancing to a state tournament, regional tournament and eventually the Little League World Series.