Background:
Beginning in 2007, the SSPGFA decided to implement a change for our girls aged 10 and under. The past
few years, the association had struggled with obtaining adequate numbers at the 10 and under level. While
there are several factors in this, there are two main issues:
Many girls are playing in-house soccer, and the nights conflicted with 10u softball. This prevented
many girls from ever trying softball until they are older, or never at all.
There seems to be a “stigma” with any “travel sport”, ie, many view any “travel” sport as being a long
season, costly, and requiring a lot of travel. When youngsters are playing soccer or other sports, involved
in dance, music or other activities, it may be difficult for them to jump right in to a perceived “large
commitment” activity such as a traveling sport. In other words, we often lose out on younger girls even
trying softball.
Plan:
This has led our Board to actively pursue an option that will possibly alleviate both of these issues. We are
happy to announce that we are continuing our SSP/Mendota Heights in-house softball league for girls ages
6-10. Hopefully this will lead to girls taking advantage of an easy opportunity to simply try softball.
This is going to be a short two month season (June-July) that will be a low cost, low commitment, and fun
introduction to softball for our younger girls. It will be a perfect continuation for girls who will play softball for
the SSP Park and Rec league this Spring in April-May. All games will be in either SSP or Mendota
Heights/WSP area.
Format:
Our combined in-house will target girls ages 6-10, of any skill or experience level, who simply want to try
softball. It will be the perfect introduction to the game for them, and allow them the experience necessary to
play travel ball down the line should they desire.
There will be 2 leagues:
6-7 year olds will be playing coach-pitch softball.
8-9-10 year olds will be playing regular 10u softball.
The League will have rules tailored for the age groups, to help keep the games moving at a reasonable
pace and to allow the girls to learn the game and its rules. Playing time will be as equal as possible and
girls will be afforded the chance to play several positions.
Misc info:
The League will consist of 2 nights per week – one practice night, and one game night.
The game night will consist of two 60 min. games for 8, 9, & 10 year olds and one 60 min. game for 6-
7 year old girls.
The nights will be Mon-Wed so as NOT TO CONFLICT with in-house soccer, thus allowing some girls
to play both sports should they wish to.
This will be strictly a 2 night per week league, with only one weekend involved (there will be an end
of season, one day tournament/playoff).
Costs will be determined, but the goal will be to keep the player costs down as much as possible to
hopefully lead to high participation.
Teams will be formed to be as equal as possible.
Please contact Chris Wiederich with any questions.
Click here to register for 10U
10U Registration