All girls' divisions play in the Essex County Women's Softball League (ECWSL) in the North Division, comprised of Rowley, Amesbury, Byfield-Newbury, Groveland, Merrimac, Newburyport, Salisbury and West Newbury. Girls Softball plays under the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Rules with additional rules established by the Essex County Women's Softball League (ECWSL). ECWSL Rules ("by-laws") can be found at:
http://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/1c12-2632003/ECWSL_Bylaws_1-11-22__2___1_.pdf?
Residency Requirements: All players registering for baseball or softball must live in Rowley, participate in school choice in Rowley, or have a parent or legal guardian with a permanent residence in the Town of Rowley. All eligible children will be given the opportunity to play regardless of their ability to pay. If you are in need of a financial waiver, please contact Joe Haley at jphcorsair@gmail.com.
Levels of Play: Please take a moment to read the school age/grade eligibility requirements for each level of play within baseball and softball. Register your child for the appropriate level based on these guidelines. The goal of RYBS is to field fair and balanced teams to create an enjoyable and safe experience for all the children in the league.
Evaluations: Evaluations are held in January for Senior and Junior Divisions of softball. This will afford the league and its coaches an opportunity to evaluate players as everyone will go into a pool for a league draft. Again, the goal is to field fair, competitive and balanced teams. More information regarding evaluations will be sent out after registration is complete. There are no evaluations for the Farm Division.
RYBS Levels of Play - Softball
Farm Division - Open to girls entering grades 3 & 4 in September of 2022. The Farm Division is a level of play designed to help players make the challenging transition from coach-pitched games to player-pitched games. This level has an emphasis on developing pitchers and basic game techniques in the infield. Players also must develop a comfort level with batting against player pitching.
This is a developmental/ instructional league and coaches strive to have players play multiple positions during a season. At this level, the ball is an 11" inch hard softball. Pitchers pitch from a 35' foot pitching distance. Bases are 50' feet apart. There is no stealing or bunting. A maximum of 4 runs can be scored per inning.
Cost: $200.00 Home Field: Eiras Field 3
Junior Division - Open to girls entering grades 5 & 6 in September of 2022. The Junior Division is the first level of competitive play within ECWSL. Winning and losing are now a reality and playoffs, championships, and trophies for winning teams only, are all in play. Players do all the pitching. Players entering the Junior Division should be able to:
At this level, the ball is an 12" inch hard softball. Pitchers pitch from a 40' foot pitching distance. Bases are 60' feet apart. Stealing of second and third base is allowed as is limited stealing of home. Dropped third strike is introduced later in the season. Girls play a 6 inning game. Maximum of 5 runs can be scored per inning, inning ends when the 6th run crosses the plate. Six run rule is lifted in teh 6th inning for Juniors. 12 Run Mercy rule after 4 innings.
Cost: $200.00 Home Field: Eiras Field 3
Senior Division - Open to girls entering grades 7 & 8 in September of 2022. The Senior Division is the most competitive level of play for softball within Rowley Youth Softball.
At this level, the ball is a 12" inch hard softball. Pitchers pitch from a 43' foot pitching distance. (In 2016, the pitching distance for Seniors was increased from 40' to 43'). Bases are 60' feet apart. Full stealing of second, third and home (baserunner may leave when ball leaves pitcher's hand). Dropped third strike and infield fly rule is in effect. Maximum of 6 runs can be scored per inning, inning ends when the 6th run crosses the plate. Six run rule is lifted in the 7th inning for Seniors. 12 Run Mercy rule after 4 innings.
Cost: $200.00 Home Field: Eiras Field 3
General Information:
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Teams are formed shortly after evaluations and posted to the Rowley Youth Baseball and Softball website. All rostered players will also receive an email confirming their team assignment.
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Game schedules are posted on the Rowley Youth Baseball and Softball website in April shortly before the season start. Practice schedules will be established by individual coaches once teams have been formed and weather permits. Opening Day 2022 was April 25th for reference.
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Junior and Senior Divisions have playoffs at the end of the regular season. For the 2022 season all teams made it to the playoffs and there were A and B brackets for the Divisions and the League Championships. Historically the Division Finals and League Championship games are played on Father’s Day weekend. Please keep that in mind and let your coach know as soon as possible if you are not available that weekend.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Paul Zahornasky at pzahornasky@gmail.com
