**On field play typically begins the week after the May long weekend, and goes until mid-to-late August**
What equipment do you need?
All players need to provide their own glove, hat, helmet and baseball pants (black). Hats can be purchased during registration or from Ram Trophy and Sports in Wiarton throughout the season.
Baseball pants are not mandatory but are recommended starting at U9.
Baseball cleats are not mandatory but are recommended starting at U11.
Each player will be provided with a shirt (T-ball and U7 keep their shirts and all other age groups must return them at the end of the season).
Each team will have bats but some players prefer to purchase their own.
T-ball
This program involves skill building for new players, focusing on hitting, fielding, and throwing. There will be one practice per week with the potential to play a few games later in the summer. Games will be played during the practice time against other Wiarton tball teams so there will be no travel.
U7
This program introduces players to game play and continues to build on hitting, throwing, fielding, and catching skills. The games have rules designed to support the development of the kids. Games are played with 9 or 10 players on the field and the coach pitches (underhand) to their own team (5 pitches). Each team typically practices once per week, and in addition, games will be scheduled with other teams in the Grey Bruce Softball league so there will be some travel. On average, teams will play one game per week throughout the season but there is some variation due to availability of ball diamonds in each town.
There is a one day “playoff tournament” at the end of the season to wrap up the season.
U9
This program continues to build upon game play and skill development. The games have rules designed to support the development of the kids and are similar to the U7 rules. Games are played with 9 or 10 players on the field and the coach pitches (underhand) to their own team (5 pitches or 3 swings), with the players pitching to their own team in the first inning. Each team typically practices once per week, and in addition, games will be scheduled with other teams in the Grey Bruce Softball league so there will be some travel. On average, teams will play one game per week throughout the season but there is some variation due to availability of ball diamonds in each town.
There is a playoff tournament at the end of the season to wrap up the season.
U11
This is where players are introduced to windmill pitching for the first time and where base stealing begins. There are a few modifications to the rules to assist in player development, but it is very similar to proper fastball rules. Each team typically practices once per week, and in addition, games will be scheduled with other teams in the Grey Bruce Softball league so there will be some travel. On average, teams will play one game per week throughout the season but there is some variation due to availability of ball diamonds in each town.
There is a playoff tournament at the end of the season to wrap up the season.
U13 & U15
These age divisions are similar to U11, with a few modifications to the rules to assist in player development but it is very similar to proper fastball rules. Each team typically practices once per week, and in addition, games will be scheduled with other teams in the Grey Bruce Softball league so there will be some travel. On average, teams will play one game per week throughout the season but there is some variation due to availability of ball diamonds in each town.
There is a playoff tournament at the end of the season to wrap up the season.
U17
At this age division, the proper fastball rules are followed (pitching and base distances are not reduced, etc.). Each team typically practices once per week, and in addition, games will be scheduled with other teams in the Grey Bruce Softball league so there will be some travel. On average, teams will play one game per week throughout the season but there is some variation due to availability of ball diamonds in each town.
There is a playoff tournament at the end of the season to wrap up the season.