NYO FASTPITCH SOFTBALL
The softball program has been an integral part of Northside Youth Organization for over 40 years. What began as a slow pitch program in the early 1970’s, NYO Fastpitch was launched in 1992. Today, the NYO Fastpitch program boasts over 500 players ranging from ages 5 to 18. Centrally located in the heart of Chastain Park, our program has five dedicated fastpitch fields, turf batting cages with pitching machines, and six pavilions for family fun and team camaraderie. Our goal is to provide the best opportunity for players at all levels to enjoy the game of fastpitch softball through non-stop encouragement, instructive guidance, and positive role models.
In conjunction with NYO’s mission, our fastpitch softball program emphasizes character development, sportsmanship, healthy competition, and positive coaching.
KIT KAT LEAGUE / AGES 5 & 6
The NYO Kit Kat league is open to girls who are ages 5 or 6 as of December 31. The emphasis in this league is on teaching our young players the fundamentals of catching, throwing, hitting and base running. Toward that end, the Kit Kat league does not keep score or maintain standings. The games are used as teaching opportunities. Coaches pitch to all batters and each team bats their entire lineup in each inning. The games consist of three innings. All players play in the field.
The Kit Kat teams will practice twice a week (once on the weekend and no more than once on a weeknight) from mid-February until games begin in March. The Kit Kat teams participate in the NYO Opening Day parade. Once regular season games begin in March, Kit Kat teams play one weeknight game (normally on Thursday evening), play one weekend game (on Sunday afternoon) and have one weekend practice. The regular season games end by mid-May, and there are no playoffs for the Kit Kat league.
ROOKIE LEAGUE / AGES 7 & 8
The NYO Rookie League is an instructional league for girls ages 7 or 8 on December 31. The Rookie League is designed to establish a fun framework for the players to learn the sport and improve their skills. In the Rookie League, the coaches pitch to the players. Otherwise, the girls play like the older players. We use five-run maximums for each at-bat, to ensure that the girls get an equal amount of time in the field and at the plate. The focus is on fundamentals of hitting, running, catching and throwing, but we begin in the Rookies to introduce the girls to the way softball is played. Score is kept during the game, but there are no standings.
The Rookie League will practice twice a week leading up to the regular season. Once games begin in mid-March, each team will play a game during the week (usually on Tuesday night), play a game on Sunday, and hold one practice on Saturday.
MINORS / AGES 9 & 10
The NYO Minor League is comprised of girls ages 9 and 10 as of December 31. The focus of the Minor League is on instruction and fundamentals, and the girls get the opportunity to play “real” softball. The Minor League is the first time the girls get to pitch (and the hitters get to face kid pitchers instead of coach pitchers). Stealing bases is permitted in the Minor League. At the end of the season, all teams play in an exciting single-elimination playoff.
Once teams are selected, the teams will practice twice a week until games begin in March. After games begin, teams will play one weeknight game (usually either Wednesday or Friday night) and one Sunday afternoon game. Teams will practice for two hours (one hour on the field and one hour in the batting cage) each Saturday.
MAJORS/ AGES 11-13
The NYO Major League is open to girls ages 11 and 12 as of December 31 and girls age 13 as of December 31 who are still in the 7th grade. The Majors provides a great opportunity for players to experience high-level competition in an instructional environment with dedicated coaches. Thanks to a great group of players, coaches and parents, the Majors each year is a wonderful league with good, competitive play.
Each team will practice twice per week (including at least once on the weekend practice) from early February to early March, then will practice on Saturdays for two hours once the regular season begins. During the regular season, each team will play one game during the week (usually on either Wednesday or Friday night) and one game on Sunday afternoon. At the end of the season, all teams play in an exciting single elimination playoff to crown the tournament champion.
SENIORS/ AGES 14-18
Welcome to the NYO Senior League! The Senior League is open to players ages 14 through 18 as of December 31 and players age 13 as of December 31 who are in the 8th grade. The NYO Senior players compete at a high level with experienced coaches. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Senior teams play an exciting double-elimination tournament.
Each team will practice twice per week (including at least once on the weekend) from early February to mid-March, then will practice on Saturdays for two hours once the regular season begins. During the regular season, each team will play once during the week and once on Sunday afternoon. For many girls, the Senior League is the culmination of many years of softball at NYO. Not only does the Senior League involve good, competitive softball but it also provides a great opportunity for the girls to spend time with friends made over the years at NYO.
