Spring Developent League

The Ames Girls Softball Association host a development league each spring. This league allows Ames and surrounding communities options for additional game play through the months of March and April. 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 2024, we welcomed 38 teams from Adair, Ames, Bondurant, Boone, Carroll, Colo, Garner, Gilbert, Huxley, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Jefferson, Laurel, Manson, Marshalltown, Nevada, Ogden, Perry, Roland-Story, and State Center.

Playing for AGSA

All players are welcome to sign up to play on an AGSA Spring 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 spring 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. 

Click here to register as an AGSA Player.

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
• Teams can submit which weekends they would like to play, requests will be accommodated if submitted before the season play begins. 

Click here to register a team.

Location

All games are played at the AGSA Facilities located in the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex.

Scheduling

Game information

• Plate umpires provided by AGSA
• Game balls provided by the home team
• Time limit:
  • 8U - 60 minute drop dead
  • All other divisions - 70 minute 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:
        • Baserunners may not leave the base until the ball has has been released by the pitcher.
        • No stealing during coach pitch. 
        • On batted balls: the remains ball in play until it is in the pitcher's control with one foot in contact with the 8ft circle.
        • Courtesy runners are allowed for Pitchers & Catchers only.
        • Stealing is allowed on all based except home. 
        • THERE IS NO STEALING HOME. There are only 4 ways to score:
          1. Bases loaded walk.
          2. Bases loaded HBP.
          3. Batted ball in play.
          4. Ball entering Dead Ball Area
  • 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