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General Information:
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MVLA is a recreational fast pitch softball league open to girls from ages 5-16 of all ability and experience levels who live or attend school in or near the Mountain View-Los Altos area.
The MVLA recreational softball season runs from mid- March through late May.
There are also opportunities through our sister organization, MVLA Nova, for players in 8U and above looking to play at a more competitive level. Interested players and parents should inquire in early April about the opportunity to play on a Nova team; note that tryouts are required for Nova play. Practices take place where it’s convenient for the most players as determined by the parents and staff of each team on Team Announcement Night. The 6-and-under ("6U") and 8-and-under ("8U") divisions usually practice on their own school grounds or at a nearby park. The older girls (10U and up) generally practice at Stevenson Park in Mountain View. Team staff will inform you if other arrangements are made. Most games are played at Stevenson Park in Mountain View, however some teams may play at other school sites and fields in Mountain View. The 12U and above divisions also play Inter-League Partners throughout the local area. Check the individual Division Schedules and Field Locations for more information.
Age division is determined based on the Player's year of birth. Playing out of the appropriate age division is discouraged but may be requested during registration and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These age divisions are consistent with national ASA standards and most leagues in neighboring communities.
6U Division For Girls born in 2001-2002. The 6U division is primarily focused on fun fun fun! for the youngest members of our league. Basic concepts are taught, but the idea here is every girl plays and has fun. Non-scoring games, continuous batting and every girl bats every inning. Coach pitch or players hit from a batting tee with no strike-outs. 8U Division For Girls born in 1999-2000. The 8U division introduces pitching and specific skills and strategies. Games are scored with a limit on runs in the first 3 innings. Continuous batting and Player/Coach pitch. Player pitching is limited to keep up the pace of play. 10U Division For Girls born in 1997-1998. The 10U division introduces additional strategies and skills specific to hitting, base running and defense. Mostly Player pitch with some exceptions. Regular scoring with a "mercy" rule after 4 innings. Win/loss records are recorded, division championship awarded at season end. 12U Division For Girls born in 1995-1996. The 12U division emphasizes age-appropriate advanced strategies and skills. Regular scoring with a "mercy" rule after 4 innings. Player pitch only with each pitcher allowed a maximum of 6 innings per week. Win/loss records are recorded, division championship awarded at season end. 14U/16U Divisions* For Girls born in 1991-1994. The 14U /16U divisions emphasize the age-appropriate advanced strategies and skills similar to high school level play. Regular scoring with a "mercy" rule after 4 innings. Player pitch only with each pitcher allowed a maximum of 7 innings per week. Win/loss records are recorded, division championship awarded at season end.
* If there are not enough players for separate 14U and 16U divisions, players will be combined to form one 14U/16U age division. As the focus of MVLA is purely recreational and skill development, everyone plays and there are no tryouts. Teams are formed in late February, just prior to the start of the season after registration has closed.
MVLA Player Agents make the final determination of placement for any individual player. Your coach will receive their roster at a meeting of the Coaches and Managers in late February and players will be informed on Team Announcement Night (where practice schedules are also determined). Team Announcement Night is typically in late February or early March. Check the Events page for details.
In the 6U and 8U divisions, teams are “school based”, i.e. to the extent possible, teams are formed with girls from the same school and usually practice on their own school grounds or at a nearby park. Nearby schools may be combined if individual schools don’t have enough players to form a complete team. Some players prefer to play on a team at another school which we try to accommodate. Sisters in the same age division will be put on the same team unless the parent requests otherwise during registration.
In 10U and above, teams are determined by a draw system that is primarily focused on equalizing the skill levels of each team by evaluating such factors as: skill sets (Pitchers/Catchers); skill level; and age. We try to accommodate placement with at least one friend via the Buddy Request which allows players to choose a friend they would like on their team, subject to the buddy selection policy. In general, each team decides when, where, and how long practices will be, based on what works best for the most players and staff. Teams often practice twice per week in the preseason and cut back to once per week when games begin. The time commitment increases as players get older and beginning at the 12U division, some games are played against other leagues.
WEEKLY PRACTICE AND GAME GUIDELINES:
*8U adds a second weekly game midway through the season MVLA provides the uniforms (including visors), fields, bases, batting helmets, bats, balls and catcher's gear.
If you choose to purchase softball equipment, helmets must have a face mask, be NOCSAE-approved and we suggest an adjustable rather than “one size fits all” model. Bats must be marked "ASA Softball approved" but check with a coach first if you are uncomfortable making a selection (correct bat size is critical).
Players must provide a softball glove (please put her name on it!). Softball or soccer cleats (plastic bottomed) are recommended in the 6U/8U divisions and required at 10U and above.
Sliding shorts (or pants) and knee pads are recommended for girls at the 10U level and required for any player that slides.
See the Resources page for suggestions on where you can purchase equipment. Your daughter will appreciate and benefit enormously from your participation and we highly encourage you to attend your daughter’s games. In addition, most Coaches and Managers appreciate any extra help they can get so please volunteer to help at practices, games or in team support positions. Don’t worry that you “know nothing about softball”- every parent has something to offer. Please note, for safety reasons you MAY NOT DROP YOUR PLAYER OFF FOR A PRACTICE OR GAME unless you explicitly work this out with the Chaperone or Manager, and, YOUR PLAYER MUST BE PICKED UP AFTER PRACTICES/GAMES. |
HOME | JOIN | EVENTS | CONTACT | SPONSORS | TEAMS | RESOURCES Copyright 2007, Mountain View-Los Altos Girls Softball
League - P.O. Box 4264- Mountain View, CA 94040 |
