SOFTBALL

2023 GAME SCHEDULES

Church Softball Program Information

Join Suwannee Parks & Recreation for a summer of fellowship and softball weeknights at the First Federal Sportsplex in Live Oak.

Ages/Age Divisions:

All players registering for Church Softball must be 16 years of age by August 1st.

Registration Dates:

Registration for Church Softball will begin the third week of April. All rosters and Church fees must be submitted one week before the scheduled start date of the season.

Registration Fees:

There are two types of fees due for Church Softball: 1. Church Fee: $300, due before each team’s first scheduled game. Church fees must be paid at the Suwannee Parks & Recreation office, located at 1201 Silas Drive in Live Oak. 2. Player Fee: $35 (each player), due before a player plays in their first game. Player fees may be paid at the field or at the Suwannee Parks & Recreation office.

Game Info:

• Start Date – Games will begin the week after Memorial Day weekend.
• Location – All Church Softball games will be played at the First Federal Sportsplex in Live Oak.
• Duration – Teams will typically play two games per week. The season will conclude with a playoff tournament the first weekend in August.

What Suwannee Parks & Recreation will provide:

Suwannee Parks & Recreation will provide all softballs for games.

What you need to provide:

Church Softball participants need to provide their own glove, bat and cleats. Cleats must be made of rubber or plastic; no metal cleats will be allowed.

Babe Ruth Softball Information

The Suwannee County Babe Ruth League offers children in our community the opportunity to participate in organized youth softball in a safe environment.  We seek to teach our participants the fundamentals of the game as well as instill a lifelong passion for softball in each player.

We strive to provide you and your child with a safe and enjoyable youth sports experience.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Youth Softball Program, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at (386) 362-3004 or through email at suwanneerec@windstream.net.

Age Divisions:

Suwannee Parks & Recreation offers four different softball age divisions:

  • 8U (Machine Pitch) – For players 7 & 8 years old, players cannot turn 9 before January 1st
  • 10U – For players 9 & 10 years old, players cannot turn 11 before January 1st
  • 12U – For players 11 & 12 years old, players cannot turn 13 before January 1st
  • 14U – For players 13 & 14 years old, players cannot turn 15 before January 1st

Registration Dates:

Registration will begin on Monday, January 24th.  Registration will close on Friday, February 18th

NOTE: 14U registration will continue through the last week of March.

Registration Fees:

  • $65 from Monday, January 24th through January 28nd
  • $75 from Monday, January 31th through, February 11th
  • $85 from Monday, February 14th through, February 18th (and for any available spots available after registration closes)

Player Evaluations (Drafts):

8U Softball Draft- Monday, Feb. 28th- 6pm, Field 5
10U Softball Draft- Tuesday, Mar 1st- 6pm, Field 5
12U Softball Draft- Thursday, Mar 3rd- 6pm, Field 4
14U Softball Draft- Monday, Mar 28th- 6pm, Field 4

Practice Info:

  • Start Date – Practices will begin on, March 7th.
    • NOTE: 14U practices will not begin until the second week of April
  • Location – All practices will be held at the First Federal Sportsplex in Live Oak.  Due to limited field space, your coach may also practice at a location other than the First Federal Sportsplex.  Be sure to confirm your practice schedule with your coach.  All practices scheduled at the First Federal Sportsplex will be posted in the Concession Stand.
  • Duration – Teams will typically practice for an hour and a half three days per week.  Practices will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and/or Fridays typically beginning at 5:30 pm.

 Game Info:

  • NOTE: 14U games will not begin until the first weekend in May.
  • Location – Games will be held at the First Federal Sportsplex in Live Oak.  Additionally, your team may play away games in Branford, Fort White, Jasper, Madison, Mayo and/or Perry.
  • Duration – Teams will play a minimum of 10 games during the season, typically one weeknight game and one Saturday game each week.  The season is scheduled to conclude the last week of school but may conclude earlier depending on the final number of teams participating.

What Suwannee Parks & Recreation will provide:

All softball participants will receive a uniform consisting of socks, pants (shorts for 8U), jersey and visor.  Please do not practice in your team uniform.  Uniforms will be distributed the week before the first game.  Coaches will be provided with practice softballs and a set of catcher’s gear for use during the season.

What you need to provide:

All participants must furnish their own glove (write your player’s name on her glove in permanent marker) and cleats.  Cleats must be made of rubber or plastic, no metal cleats allowed.  We recommend that each player provide their own helmet, but we will provide additional helmets as necessary.  Additionally, you must provide your player with a practice uniform (visor optional).  Players can share bats, but most players choose to provide their own bat.  See information on bat limitations below.

  • NOTE: 14U players are permitted to wear metal cleats.

Important Bat Information (Per the Babe Ruth Softball Rule Book):

The bat shall not be more than 34 inches long, and not more than 2 ¼ inches in diameter at its largest part.  The bat, in its entirety, shall not exceed 38 ounces in weight.  The bat shall have a safety grip of cork, tape (not smooth plastic type), or composition material.  The safety grip shall not be less than 10 inches long and shall not extend more than 15 inches from the small end of the bat.  The bat shall be marked “OFFICIAL SOFTBALL” or “OFFICIAL FASTPITCH” by the manufacturer.  The bat shall have no exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges, or any form of exterior fastener that would present a hazard.  All exposed surfaces of the bat shall be smooth and free of burrs.  A metal bat shall not have a wooden handle.  Unless the bat is made of one piece construction with the barrel end closed, there shall be a rubber or vinyl plastic insert firmly secured at the large end of the bat.  A ONE PIECE RUBBER GRIP AND KNOB COMBINATION IS ILLEGAL.  A metal or magnesium bat must have a knob on the handle welded or mechanically fastened

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER COACHES.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COACHING YOUR CHILD’S TEAM, PLEASE CONTACT SUWANNEE PARKS & RECREATION AT (386) 362-3004.

Suwannee Parks & Recreation

1201 Silas Drive

Live Oak, FL 32064

Phone: (386) 362-3004

Fax: (386) 208-1580

Email: suwanneerec@windstream.net

Information for Coaches