Coaches,

Please note that the following local tournaments have been cancelled. We will keep you updated about the June tournaments as we move forward.

Delran May 16-17

McKeever May 30- June 1

Look for an update on the prospects of a UGSA season on May 16th. 

Coaches,

Having moved into May, we want to reassure you that we are still maintaining plans to play this spring/early summer.
Once we are given the appropriate green light from the State, we will immediately release a list (unless we can do so in advance) of necessary and optional safety additions each Complex will need to enact. We will also announce any changes to our normal regulations to assist every town in getting their athletes onto the field. We will also immediately begin game scheduling. Assume that games will start about two weeks (if not sooner) after we are able to hit the practice fields. This will give everyone time to practice, prep and open their fields and work out the kinks.
At this point we are looking at a 6 game regular season that will end in a playoffs at the end of June. This may be a weekend event or a week long off site format. We still have other options if we get pushed back too far, including a handful of onsite all day tournament style days for each division to maximize field space.
We want to be as helpful as possible to each town not just for this season but moving forward. Once things become a little clearer, I would like to try and get a consensus on how late into early summer everyone wants to go and when most towns would want to hold tryouts for the following season. Obviously these are unique times so I hope we can get out information as guidance to each town to use at their discretion.

As always, please email me directly with any questions or ideas.

• The March 16th scheduling meeting will be cancelled. Everyone has until March 16th to get in their app and roster. Please check with other coaches in your program to ensure all are aware. At that point, we will distribute spreadsheets, contact information and make a Google Doc master sheet available for all coaches to schedule virtually. All teams will have until March 25th to follow our guidelines on who to schedule with and how many times.
• We will most likely follow two important guidelines: State recommendations for social gatherings as well as schools opening back up.
• Games will not begin until April 18th. As of now, playoffs will remain June 12-14, so games can run until June 10th. Hopefully this buys us enough time to start and finish a season without interruption.

We will utilize the USA softball approved bat list. The link is below. 8U will still not allow any composite bats at any time.  Any team found in violation knowingly will be fined $50 to be paid before their next game.

https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/~/link.aspx?_id=015F4358A30B44368FC142350D112FFF&_z=z

Rule 6A, Section 1C: Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases. The pitcher shall take a position with their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher’s plate. Comment: Allows female pitchers to start with one or two feet on the pitcher’s plate. This aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to foot placement.

Rule 6A, Section 1E: The pitcher shall bring their hands together for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. A backward step may be taken before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all times prior to the forward step. Comment: Allows female pitchers to take a backward step from the pitcher’s plate, before, during or after the hands are brought together. This aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to stepping back from the pitcher’s plate.