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| Majors: | Games: Thurs & Sat | Combined Practice: Wed evening |
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Minors: |
Games: Wed & Sat |
Combined Practice: Tues evening |
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AAA: |
Games: Tues & Sat |
Combined Practice: Thurs evening |
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AA: |
Games: Sun |
Combined Clinics: Sat 10:45-12:00 |
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A: |
Games: Sun |
Combined Clinics: Sat 9:30-10:45 |
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Tee Ball: |
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Combined Clinics: Sat 8:30-9:30 |
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Travel 12U & 11U |
Games: Sun |
Practices: Monday afternoon & evening |
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Travel 10U & 9U |
Games: Sun |
Practices: Monday or Thursday afternoon |
Participation in Little League is based on age and skill level. Once players are registered according to player age, their skill level will be evaluated at tryouts, and they will be assigned to the appropriate league.
LEAGUE PRACTICES:
The Darien High School Blue Wave Softball team finished 2nd in the State of Connecticut in 2009 and won the FCIAC Championship in 2011, 2012 & 2017. Success at the higher levels of competition have been a direct result of players coming up through the Darien Little League system learning the fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and catching.
Each DLL team within a league holds frequent practices throughout the season to prepare for its games. In addition, each league holds practices as a group. During these larger practice sessions, girls are divided into small groups to focus on specific skills. The emphasis is on teaching the important skills to progress through Darien Softball while giving the girls an opportunity to play constantly and have fun.
LEAGUE DESCRIPTIONS:
District Teams and Friendship Teams
District Teams and/or Friendship Teams are formed at the higher level leagues in late Spring, and play during the Summer. Recent Darien District Teams have won the title at the 10U level in 2022, 2019, 2015-17 & 2007-10 and 12U level in 2021, 2017-2018 & 2009-13. 12U and 10U teams have made it to the Sectional Championship game (final 8 in CT) multiple times over the past 7 years.
Junior League Softball
Description: Juniors demonstrate the highest skill level. It is a competitive league. Substitution is limited, and there are 1-2 practices or games per week. A 12" softball is used and pitchers pitch from 43'. This is primarily a "14U league." The Juniors program is a house program that includes some travel to Fairfield County towns. Juniors intends to serve as a bridge between the Majors program and the High School program.
Darien competes in a league versus teams from New Canaan, Westport, Wilton, Fairfield, Milford and other towns within and outside of Fairfield County. In order to provide the optimum experience for the girls in the Juniors program, we ask the girls to consider their ability to commit to attend games and most practices prior to registering. League practices are held at the Darien High School Junior Varsity Field. Juniors is primarily an 7th and 8th grade league, with 9th graders able to play in the fall season. The season commences on or about April 1st.
Major League Softball
Description: A 12" softball used. Pitchers pitch from 40'. Post-season play-offs produce a championship team. The Majors program is a competitive league for 11 and 12 year olds. Majors is primarily a "12U" league. Each Majors team will typically have 2 games and 1 practice per week. Practices are held at Town Hall Field. Click on the Team tab at the top of the page and then the Schedule within it for further information. Majors is primarily a 6th and 7th grade league, with some older 5th graders as well. The season commences on or about April 1st.
Minor League Softball
Description: Minors is an instructional league. Play is more competitive than AAA. Running batting order. Required substitutions. Minimum of 3 times per week practices/games. An 11" inch softball is used and pitchers pitch from 35'. This is primarily a "10U" league. Post-season playoff produces a champion. The Minors program is similar to the Majors program in terms of number of games and practices, but is geared toward a slightly younger or less experienced player. Minors is primarily a 4th and 5th grade league. The season commences on or about April 1st.
AAA League Softball
Description:
· Primarily for 3rd & 4th graders
· Developmental league; commences early/mid April.
· Acts as a bridge between our instructional AA program and our more-competitive Minors program
· 11" softball is used
· Emphasizes skills development
· Early in the season, coaches pitch; as the season progresses, players pitch
· Scores are recorded and the season concludes with a championship tournament
· Teams typically play two games per week with additional team practices
· There is also a league-wide practice where professional instructors refine hitting, throwing, catching & pitching skills
AA League Softball
Description:
· For 2nd graders
· Instructional league
· Prior to mid-season, introduce simulated & real games
· 11" “softee…#157; softball is used
· Emphasizes skills development
· Coaches pitch throughout the season
· Scores are not recorded
· Season concludes with a final Saturday league-wide event
· Teams will play 2-3 games at McGuane and/or in Rowayton towards the end of the season
· Our focal point is a league-wide practice on Saturdays where professional instructors refine hitting, throwing & catching skills; towards the end of the season, we will introduce pitching
Practices:
- See schedule
A League Softball
Description:
· For 1st graders
· Instructional league
· Towards the end of the season, introduce simulated games
· 11" “softee” softball is used
· Emphasizes fun & participation while also teaching and reinforcing fundamental softball skills
· Batters hit off a tee, if necessary; coaches will pitch, when batters are able
· Scores are not recorded
· Season concludes with a final Saturday league-wide event
· Our focal point is a league-wide practice on Saturdays where professional instructors refine hitting, throwing & catching skills
Practices:
· See schedule
Tee Ball Softball
Description:
· For kindergartners
· Instructional league
· Towards the end of the season, introduce simulated games
· 11" “softee” softball is used
· Emphasizes fun & participation; introduces fundamentals of softball
· Batters hit off a tee
· Scores are not recorded
· Season concludes with a final Saturday league-wide event
· Our focal point is a league-wide practice on Saturday mornings where professional instructors introduce & practice hitting, throwing & catching skills
Practices:
· See schedule