Skip Navigation
Ames Girls Softball Association

 

AGSA Recreational Softball League

AGSA is proud to be the recreational youth fastpitch softball option within the city of Ames. The mission of our Rec League is to introduce the game to new players and provide a safe, fun, softball experience. Teams play against surrounding cities in the Central Iowa Rec League (CIRL) and/or against girls from other AGSA Rec League teams in their division. 

 

  • Registration: February - March (REGISTER NOW)
  • Season: April - June
  • Games: Weekdays in Ames & surrounding towns
  • Competition Level: Low - Medium 
  • League Administration: Central Iowa Rec League (CIRL)

 

Age Divisions

  • PreK/K (Tee Ball)
  • 1st/2nd grade (Coach Pitch)
  • 3rd/4th grade (Player/Coach pitch)
  • 5th/6th grade (Player pitch)

 

AGSA Tee Ball

Teams are ideally kept small (5-6 players) to faciliate more individual attention and help contain the chaos, though may be larger depending on the number of coaches we have.

We are always in need of parents (or older siblings) to help coach! No formal coaching experience is necessary. Practice schedule/location is flexible and at the discretion of the coaches. Games will be played at the AGSA Facilities. Games are 1 hour in length; each team will bat through its entire roster and then teams will switch offense/defense. Official scores are not kept. 

 

1st Grade & Up: What to Expect

  • Practices begin in late March/early April, weather permitting.
  • Games are played on weeknights in May and June (Schedule Managed by CIRL). Games may begin as early as April, weather-permitting.
  • Practice dates and times are held at the discretion of the coach; we cannot guarantee that these will not conflict with other activities your child may be participating in.
  • Coaches are volunteers and are encouraged to schedule two contacts per week (game or practice).
  • Players will be asked to participate in an annual fundraising activity (for example, cupcake sales). NOTE: The Board is planning several fundraising events over the upcoming year that will ideally offset the need for individual fundraising efforts!
  • Players in 3/4 and 5/6 leagues interested in pitching are strongly encouraged to attend weekly pitching clinics. 
  • There is a season-ending tournament for 3/4 and 5/6 leagues the week of June TBD. Please try to avoid scheduling vacations or trips during this time so that teams may participate with a full roster. Borrowing of players for the tournament is not allowed per CIRL rules.
  • The All-Stars Teams take place at the end of the season, all 3/4 and 5/6 coaches will be asked to nominate 2-3 players to participate in All-Stars. Selected players will be placed on a team with players from other CIRL communities; they will participate in a short tournament at the end of June. 
  • No new inning will begin after 1 hour/20 minutes, however, any inning that has been started will be played to completion. If the home team is ahead at the half-inning mark in the final inning, the game may be called, as is standard regulation play.
  • Smoking is prohibited on all AGSA and CIRL facilities.

Equipment & Uniforms

  • Players are required to bring their own glove and wear appropriate athletic clothing. Jewelry is not permitted to be worn during games and should not be worn at practice if it can be avoided.
  • Uniform Shirts are provided by the league.
  • Players are encouraged to use their own bats and helmets; however, coaches are given a selection of bats and batting helmets for team use so purchasing these items is not rqeuired.
  • Fielding masks are strongly encouraged but not required for infielders. NOTE: The Board is currently discussing a mandate for pitchers to wear a mask as a safety precaution; more information will be shared along with rosters, schedules, etc.
  • Metal cleats are not permitted.

About the Central Iowa Recreation League (CIRL)

With the exception of the PreK/K (Tee Ball) age division, AGSA teams compete against teams from other communities in the Central Iowa Recreation League. Every effort is made to schedule the same number of home and away games, with approximately 10-12 games played during the regular season. Teams in the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade divisions will participate in the post-season CIRL tournament typically during the second week of June.

Participating CIRL communities:

  • 1st/2nd: Ames, Collins-Maxwell, Colo/Nesco, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland/Story
  • 3rd/4th: Ames, Collins-Maxwell, Colo/Nesco, Gilbert, Hubbard-Radcliffe, Nevada, Roland/Story, South Hamilton
  • 5th/6th: Ames, Colo/Nesco, Gilbert, Hubbard-Radcliffe, Nevada, Roland/Story, South Hamilton

Some CIRL communities have lighted fields, but most game times are scheduled to allow for two 1:20 games per night, per field (exception: 1st/2nd age division has a three-inning or one-hour limit). Teams could be scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start in another community, so travel time must be factored in for arrival.

Official CIRL 1st/2nd grade games begin in late May/early June. There will not be a post-season tournament for this age division.

3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade games begin in late April/early May, weather permitting. There will be a post-season tournament typically the second week of June. Please plan accordingly. 

 

CIRL Rules - Click Here

 

CIRL Field Locations (Directions can be found on the CIRL website here.)

  • Collins-Maxwell (Maxwell City Park): Corner of Second Street and Trotter Blvd, Maxwell
  • Colo (Carmody Park): 302 Oak Street, Colo
  • Colo (Zearing field): 400 E. Main Street, Zearing
  • Gilbert: 109 Rothmore Drive (behind elementary school), Gilbert
  • Hubbard-Radcliffe (Radcliffe): 501 Isabella Street (behind elementary school), Radcliffe
  • Iowa Falls (Legion Field): 3021 Washington, Iowa Falls
  • Nevada (SCORE Recreation Athletic Complex): 1543 Fawcett Parkway, Nevada
  • Nevada (Kiwanis Park): 701 11th Street, Nevada
  • Roland/Story (Britson Park): 617 Arthur Drive, Roland
  • Roland/Story (Hennessy Park): 213 North Park Street, Roland
  • Roland/Story (Roland Middle School): 265 South Linn, Roland
  • South Hamilton (Ellsworth): 1723 Delphi, Ellsworth
  • South Hamilton (Jewell): Deckor and Park Streets, Jewell

Help Wanted: Coaches, Umpires

  • Recreational league teams are coached by volunteers. Parents may indicate their interest in serving as a head or assistant coach during the player registration process. Others may apply online or contact the AGSA recreational league commissioner.
  • Coaches are encouraged to organize at least two contacts (practices, games) per week, using AGSA's online field scheduling tool. Batting helmets, bats, balls, catcher equipment and scorebooks will be provided by the league.
  • Rosters will be distributed via email in late March/early April.
  • In order to standardize the skills and methods being taught in our program, all coaches and umpires will be expected to attend a short coaching clinic scheduled for early April.
    • Note: All coaches are required to attend a mandatory CIRL coaches meeting on one of the listed dates. All meetings will be held in Nevada. 
  • Background checks are required for all coaches and volunteers.
  • Umpires are coordinated for home games in the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade divisions. Umpires must be age 14 or older, and are paid on a per-game basis. Contact the AGSA umpire coordinator for more information.

Sponsorships and Donations

The cost of recreational league play is covered primarily by player registrations, business sponsorships and an annual fundraising activity. If you or your business are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, contact the AGSA sponsorship committee. Varying sponsorship levels available. The AGSA is a 501(c)3 charitable corporation, operated by a board of volunteers.

Questions?

Contact an AGSA board member. 

Links