The love of softball continues year round!!   Fall Ball offers the fun opportunity to build skills for returning players and even introduce new players to the great sport of girls’ fast-pitch softball in a more informal setting. 

LOUYAA and our fellow community partner orgs are looking forward to continuing our annual Fall Ball partnership with FCGSL.  Fall Ball provides the unique opportunity for our players to team together and learn the sport through exhibition play with other county teams.  LOUYAA Softball typically fields Fall Ball teams at all age groups – 8U, 10U, 12U, and 16U – but demand, space, and volunteers for coaching will help us determine our participation.  As in Spring, we include interested players (and coaches) at ALL skill levels. As our many player alumni can attest, the Fall Ball environment allows girls to enhance their abilities while also picking up new skills and trying new positions.

Because of the light schedule, our players often keep up with their softball friends (and skills) while also juggling other Fall sports or activities. Fall Ball practices are once a week and typically begin as the girls return to school – games are also once a week and will be played for eight weeks on Sunday afternoons in September after Labor Day until the end of October.  While exhibitions can have various formats, our timed sessions are played with game structure.  The Sunday sessions always last no more than 2 1/2 hours which allows for us to work around other family activities like football games!!

Different start times are established by age group – usually sessions start at either 1 p.m. (8U and 12U) or 3:30 p.m. (10U and 16U). Area teams are grouped by location so LOUYAA teams usually play at regional sites in the southern portion of the county, including Urbana Park, Frederick, Middletown, and Walkersville, but can travel a bit further too such as Thurmont or Emmitsburg.  Team practices will be at normal LOUYAA fields (Windsor Knolls, Green Valley or LOUYAA Park in New Market).

Game specifics and practice days will be worked out based on team numbers.  In past years, LOUYAA has been the largest participant in FCGSL Fall Ball. Since no standings are kept, Fall Ball provides an instructional atmosphere and includes special considerations like player rotation and limits on innings pitched to maximize opportunities. Thanks to all the families for your continued support for the Softball Program.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and your girls out on the diamond!