Q1: What equipment will my child need?
A1: It is expected that each player will have their own glove and fielding face mask. We encourage each player to have their own batting helmet. Cleats are optional. SDLL will provide catching gear, a few batting helmets, and a couple of team bats to each head coach for their team to use if needed. If you are looking to purchase equipment, we have assembled an equipment purchasing guide for your reference.

Q2: Does my daughter need to have any prior softball experience to participate?
A2: Absolutely not! We welcome all girls ages 6-16 to participate in SDLL Softball, regardless of experience or skill level.

Q3: How frequently are practices and games held, and on what days?
A3: T-Ball (shared with baseball): 1 practice per week, 1 Saturday game (8 games total)
       Rookie Softball (8U): 1 practice per week, 2 games per week. Monday, Friday, Saturday schedule.
       Upper Minors Softball (10U): 1 practice per week, 2 games per week. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule.
       Majors Softball (12U): 1 practice per week, 2 games per week. Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule.
       Seniors Softball (16U): 3 events per week. Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule.

Q4: Where are practices and games held?
A4: SDLL relies on fields distributed throughout the South Durham community. For more information on the fields our league utilizes, please click here.

Q5: What are player evaluations and why does my player need to attend?
A5: Evaluations are an assessment of the player’s skills in throwing, pitching, batting, fielding, catching and basic athleticism. They are an important part of the preseason, as they aid the league in placing players in the appropriate division with peers of comparative skill and building balanced teams. Player evaluations are required for all players in the spring season. For the fall season, only players that have not played with SDLL before or players that did not participate in the preceding spring season need to attend player evaluations.

 Q6: Are player evaluations tryouts?
A6: No – all players who register will be placed on a team, regardless of skill/experience level.

Q7: Is it ok for my child to miss a practice or a game?
A7: We fully understand that many of our league’s children participate in a wide variety of different extracurricular activities – with this, it is not expected that every family will be able to attend 100% of SDLL events. We do ask that you notify your child’s coach of any absences for both practices and games well in advance so that they may plan accordingly.

Q8: Can my daughter and her friend be on the same team?
A8: Unfortunately, we are unable to honor requests for children to be on a specific team, play with other players, or to avoid practices/games held on specific days of the week.

Q9: Will a uniform be provided?
A9: SDLL will provide a jersey for each player. Parents are expected to provide the appropriate color pants, socks, and belt for their child’s team. Because we currently require fielding face masks to be worn for many of our age divisions and positions, SDLL will not provide a hat/visor as part of the softball uniform.

Q10: Can I coach a team?
A10: We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals looking to help grow SDLL Softball! Please reach out to [email protected] for additional information.

Question not answered here or in the general SDLL FAQ section? Please send it to [email protected]