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Ames Girls Softball Association

Fall Development League Information

The Ames Girls Softball Association host a development league each fall. This league allows Ames and surrounding communities options for additional game play through the months of August. Non-AGSA teams are welcomed to the AGSA Facilities each weekend to compete in five available age divisions:

  • 8 and under
  • 10 and under
  • 12 and under
  • 14 and under
  • JV and Varsity

In 2023, we welcomed 34 teams from Green County, Ferguson, Ogden, Boone, South Hamilton, West Marshall, Baxter, Fort Dodge, Woodward Granger, Webster City, Carroll, Jefferson, Perry, Bondurant, Madrid, Ballard, Roland Story, and more!

 

Playing for AGSA

  • Ages: 6 – HS
  • Registration: August
  • Season: September - October (6 weeks)
  • Games: Weekends in Ames
  • Competition Level: Medium - High
  • League Administration: Ames Girls Softball Association
  • Description: Girls who are wanting to compete in an environment designed to prepare the player for travel/tournament teams and/or middle/high school ball should join in our Development Leagues.

All players are welcome to sign up to play on an AGSA Fall League team. Players will be register individually and be assigned to a team. We make every attempt possible to provide each registrant a roster spot. If we do not have enough registations form a team, those players will be asked if they would like to play in the next division based on their age. AGSA teams participate against area teams in the fall league. AGSA teams typically practice twice a week. All games are played at the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex.

 

  • Players are encouraged to provide their own equipment (especially batting/catching helmets and masks).
  • AGSA will provide its players with bats and other equipment if necessary.  
  • AGSA players will need to purchase/provide their own pants, socks, and belts. 

 

Registering a Team

We encourage full rostered teams to register an play in the AGSA Fall League. Each team will play a team fee and then a nomical fee per game. Teams may select 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 games to play.

  • No team will be scheduled until payment has been received
  • Teams may request fewer or more games for an adjusted fee

 

Location

All games are played at the AGSA Facilities located in the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex, located south of Highway 30, at the intersection of Highways 30 & 69.

 

Scheduling

In general, teams will play two games on each date. If conflicts arise and your team is unable to play at your scheduled date/time I must be informed 72 hours in advance. Adjustments will be attempted to ensure play for all scheduled teams. However, if attempts are unsuccessful, your team can either play at the scheduled time or forfeit. Forfeitures will only result in refund for the opposing team if no new opponent was provided, resulting in the loss of a game. 
 

Weather & Cancellation Policy

  • Fall softball season can mean rain outs and cold weather. We will communicate any schedule changes due to cold weather or high rain probability by 9pm the day before play. 
  • Any games cancelled due to weather will be refunded. In-progress games ending due to weather will only be refunded if less than one inning was played. 
  • If lightning is spotted all play must stop and all teams must leave their dugouts. Game play will resume 30 minutes from the last spotted lightning event. 

 

Game information

  • Plate umpires provided by AGSA
  • Game balls provided by the home team
  • Time limit: 60-75 minutes depending on division - drop dead
  • Rained-out games may not be made up (prorated refund for cancellations)
  • Helmets must have a face guard (chin strap is optional)
  • Metal spikes permitted in the 14U and High School divisions only
  • USA Softball rules apply for 8U/10U/12U/14U and high school divisions with the following exceptions:
    • Free and unlimited substitutions are allowed
    • No per inning limit on visits by a coach to the mound (please don't abuse this exception)
    • Five-run limit per inning
    • Specific 10U Rules
      • ​All games will be played by USA rules, with the following exceptions:
        • Team manager may consult with the umpire; players, sponsors and other coaches are to keep out of discussions.
        • Coaches are considered part of the field, but must not interfere with the ball in play.
        • Pitching:
          • Distance: The pitching plate will be placed at 35′.
          • Player pitch until strike out or 4 balls, then coach relief pitching for the remaining strikes.
            • The coach pitcher must deliver the pitch from within the pitching circle. Pitching coach may only coach the batter prior to the pitch. He/she may not coach the batter-runner at ANY time
        • ​Hitting:
          • There will be no walks.
          • Roster Batting is required.
          • Batter out on dropped third strike.
        • Defense:​
          • All outfielders must remain in the grass until the ball is hit into play.
          • Teams will be allowed to play 4 outfielders.
          • No Infield Fly Rule
        • Baserunning:
          • Stealing is allowed on all based except home. Home can be open if agreed upon by coaches before the game in a meeting with the umpire.
          • Baserunners may not leave the base until the ball has has been released by the pitcher.
          • No stealing during coach pitch. 
          • On batted balls, once the ball is in control by the pitcher with one foot in contact with the 8ft circle, base runners must stop at the base they have obtained. If they are halfway to the next base they will be awarded that base. If the ball goes to the play and not the pitcher it remains live for the purpose of scoring and or defense to make an out.
          • Courtesy runners are allowed for Pitchers & Catchers only.
    • Specific 8U Rules
      • All games will be played by USA rules, with the following exceptions:
        • Team manager may consult with the umpire; players, sponsors and other coaches are to keep out of discussions.
        • Coaches are considered part of the field, but must not interfere with the ball in play.
        • Defense:​
          • All outfielders must remain in the grass until the ball is hit into play.
          • Two defensive coaches will be allowed on the field of play. Coaches must remain behind the Infield Arc.
          • Teams will be allowed to play 4 outfielders.
          • No Infield Fly Rule
        • Baserunning:
          • There will be no stolen bases allowed.
          • Baserunners may not leave the base until the ball has has been released by the coach.
          • On batted balls, once the ball is in control by the pitcher with one foot in contact with the 8ft circle, base runners must stop at the base they have obtained. If they are halfway to the next base they will be awarded that base. If the ball goes to the play and not the pitcher it remains live for the purpose of scoring and or defense to make an out.
          • Courtesy runner will not be allowed for 8U division.
        • Hitting:
          • Roster Batting is required.
          • An At-Bat will consist of 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes (if the final pitch is a foul ball, the at-bat will continue).
          • There will be no walks.
          • Bunting is NOT allowed.
        • Pitching Distance: The pitching plate will be placed at 35′. The coach pitcher must deliver the pitch with one foot in contact with the pitching plate. Pitching coach may only coach the batter prior to the pitch. He/she may not coach the batter-runner at ANY time

Umpires

Our umpires are in charge of their field and game. All interactions with umpires should remain respectful. Coaches, parents, or players who are unable to do so will be asked to leave the complex for the remainder of the day. Any umpire complaints should be emailed to developmentleague@amesgirlssoftball.org.
 

Feedback

Please send any feedback to developmentleague@amesgirlssoftball.org. We assure you they will be heard and responded to.