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6U and 8U
In the 6U and 8U divisions, teams are formed primarily with girls from the same school when possible (please let us know if you prefer otherwise). Buddy requests and practice day availability is also taken into consideration. Sisters in the same age division will be put on the same team unless the parent requests otherwise during registration.
Teams meet for the first time at their first practice. You will get an email from your Team Manager or Coach ahead of the first practice, letting you know you are on their team and details about the team practice time/day/location.
For more details, please see the formal doc here.
10U, 12U and 14U
Teams in the upper divisions are no longer school-based, but are skills-based in order to have balanced teams within each division. In 10U and above, teams are determined by a system that is primarily focused on equalizing the skill levels of each team by evaluating such factors as: skill sets (e.g. pitchers, catchers, travel players); skill level; and age. All teams will have some experienced players and some players who haven’t played much or at all before.
Teams meet for the first time at their first practice. You will get an email from your Team Manager or Coach ahead of the first practice, letting you know you are on their team and details about the team practice time/day/location.
For more details please see the formal doc here.
Summer Stars
Summer Stars is a group of girls in the same age division and 'teams' are formed each week at practice. There are no true teams with Summer Stars as all girls play and are rotated weekly.
Nova Travel Ball
Teams are formed after tryouts for each division based upon skill level. Not every girl makes the team.
We want players to be able to play with their friends! When registering, all players in all divisions can request to placed on a team with a buddy. While we cannot guarantee that everyone always can play with their buddy, we take extra time and care to try and make this happen for all players, every season.
If you have any more questions about the buddy policy, please email leadplayeragent@mvlags.org
We sometimes get questions about whether players can play-up or play-down from their age appropriate division. On recreational teams in the younger age divisions where we focus more on social than competitive balance, we are ok moving a player with birthdate near an age division cutoff date down to be with their friends.
Unlike on recreational teams, players may not play-down on any travel teams playing in tournaments due to the eligibility rules for USA/AST Softball tournaments. In addition, we generally don't permit players to play-up unless it is in the best interest of the player and league as determined by the Executive Board. This is generally only true for some of our strongest 2nd year players when the older age division doesn't have adequate starting talent AND the age appropriate age division for the possible play-up player has adequate talent for that particular season. We'll also consider cases where a player has played two seasons of their assigned division already (for instance if they started 6U in TK), or their birthday puts them in a different division than other girls in their grade. Requests are evaluated on a case by case basis for one season only. You can email leadplayeragent@mvlags.org to request your player be considered to play up/down.
For directions, click on the field name below.
Diamond Girl
California Girl
American Girl
Graham Softball Field
Callahan Field
Springer Full Diamond
Springer Grass Corner
You can find the list of our upcoming clinics on the Clinics tab as well as on our league calendar. MVLAGS will also send out emails to families that are registered.
Our spring recreational registration opens on November 1st, and generally closes at the end of January (although we will often keep it open into February if we still have room on our teams). Teams are formed in mid-late February and start practice after the President's Day holiday week. Games generally start in mid March.
Registration is done through the Teamsnap website - you can find the registration link on our home page!
Rec leagues:
- Spring Rec: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U - March through May
- Summer Stars (divisions determined by interest of players/coaches): - June through July
- Fall Rec / Fall Fireballs: (divisions determined by interest of players/coaches) - Sept - November
Competitive league (Nova):
- Nova Summer Ball - Last weekend of May through July
- Nova Fall Ball - Late August to early November
6U - In 6U, basic game concepts and skills are taught with the primary focus on fun. This division is typically Kindergarteners and 1st graders, with a few older TK/Pre-K who are 5. Parents of the youngest players should expect to be more involved with practices/games to help their player as needed.
non-scoring games - no winning or losing
every player bats in every inning
coach pitch or players hit from tee
no strike-outs or getting "out" at bases
teams are school based when possible
8U - The 8U division introduces pitching and specific skill development with the emphasis still on fun.
games are scored with a limit on runs in the first 3 innings
players can get "out" at bases or while striking out at bat
continuous batting (everyone is in the batting order)
coach pitch and player pitch (limited to keep the pace of play moving)
teams are school based when possible
10U - The 10U division introduces additional strategies and skills specific to hitting, base running and defense.
regular scoring with a mercy rule after 4 innings
player pitch with some exceptions
players can steal 1st, 2nd, 3rd and home
drop third rule in effect
win/lose records are recorded
season-ending playoff tournament
teams are formed to balance skills across teams
buddies will be considered whenever possible
12U - The 12U division emphasizes age-appropriate advanced strategies and skills.
regular scoring with a mercy rule after 4 innings
players can steal all bases, including home
player pitch only with each pitcher allowed a maximum of 6 innings per week
a few games are played against teams from other leagues
win/loss records are recorded
season-ending playoff tournament
teams are formed to balance skills across teams and are not school-based
buddies will be considered whenever possible
14U - The 14U division emphasizes 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
almost all 14U games are played against teams from other leagues
win/loss records are kept, but there is no placement within the league based on these standings
teams are formed to balance skills across teams and are not school-based
Summer Stars - Summer Stars is a summer program that offers a different kind of softball experience compared to any other division, inspiring skill building, healthy competition and interpersonal development.
primary focus is on player development
each game is played with newly blended teams
no scores or statistics recorded
During our spring recreational season, all divisions except for 6U practice two weeknight evenings a week with a game on Saturday. The 6U Division will have one weeknight evening practice, with a game on most Saturdays (teams will usualy have a practice on Saturdays they do not have a game scheduled). Teams may have some weeknight games scheduled later in the season as needed, such as to make-up a rained out game. These weeknight games would generally replace one practice.
For our competitive/travel teams, there are often 2-3 practices a week with games all weekend on tournament weekends.
Full refunds for Spring Recreation season are offered prior to the close of registration (usually the end of January). Partial or full refunds may be an option in February/March as well - reach out to secretary@mvlags.org if your daughter won't be able to play and you need to request a refund.
Refunds for Select or travel teams are not provided.
Competitive Divisions
Nova - For girls in 8U and above who want to play at a more competitive level, we offer our MVLAGS Nova Travel Ball program. The main Nova program offers 8U - 14U summer and fall seasons, consisting primarily of ASA B/C level tournament play. Nova also offers a Nova 12U-B spring/summer team and the Fusion 14A & 16A Program, which gives the most experienced and skilled players the opportunity to play year-round at a high level and against tougher competition.
Fusion - 14A, 16A and 18A travel softball teams playing year round in Silicon Valley
Prior to volunteering with MVLAGS players, all MVLAGS adult coaches & managers are required to complete the following: 1) US Center for SafeSport training, 2) ACE Certification, 3) Background Check, 4) Concussion Training, and 5) Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training. All chaperones are required to complete only a background check.
Details on each training module are below:
1) The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct (https://uscenterforsafesport.org/training-and-education/)
2) ACE (Aspire, Challenge, Encourage) Coaching Program is a coaching education program, developed and designed to provide softball coaches of all levels – from beginning coaches to experienced veterans – an opportunity to be educated as a coach with a national softball organization (https://registerusasoftball.com/Account/About.aspx?info=CoachCert)
3) Background checks are run through USA Softball (www.registerusasoftball.com).
4) The HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training is used to ensure training on concussion safety (https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html)
5) Sudden Cardiac Arrest online training is done through National Alliance of Youth Sports (https://www.nays.org/additional-training/preview/cardiac-training.cfm)
AB506 is a California Law effective Jan 1 2022 that can be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB506
Details on how MVLAGS demonstrates compliance with this law are:
(a) An administrator, employee, or regular volunteer of a youth service organization shall complete training in child abuse and neglect identification and training in child abuse and neglect reporting. -> MVLAGS requires all adult coaches & managers to complete USA Softball's recommended US Center for SafeSport training on child abuse & reporting.
(b) An administrator, employee, or regular volunteer of a youth service organization shall undergo a background check pursuant to Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code to identify and exclude any persons with a history of child abuse. -> MVLAGS requires a passed background check through USA Softball for all coaches and managers.
(c) A youth service organization shall develop and implement child abuse prevention policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, both of the following:(1) Policies to ensure the reporting of suspected incidents of child abuse to persons or entities outside of the organization, including the reporting required pursuant to Section 11165.9 of the Penal Code.(2) Policies requiring, to the greatest extent possible, the presence of at least two mandated reporters whenever administrators, employees, or volunteers are in contact with, or supervising, children. -> MVLAGS requires any suspected incidents of child abuse to be reported ouside the organization as instructed in the required USA Softball US Center for SafeSport training. MVLAGS requires at least one female adult to be present at all team events (practices, games, etc) in addition to at least one other adult coach (male or female).
AB379 is a California Law effective 2020 that can be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB379
(1) (A) An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury, or who has passed out or fainted, in an athletic activity shall be immediately removed from the athletic activity for the remainder of the day, and shall not be permitted to return to any athletic activity until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider. The athlete shall not be permitted to return to athletic activity until the athlete receives written clearance to return to athletic activity from a licensed healthcare provider. If the licensed healthcare provider determines that the athlete sustained a concussion or other head injury, the athlete shall also complete a graduated return-to-play protocol of no less than seven days in duration under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. -> MVLAGS has concussion protocol in place where if a concussion is suspected, an Injury / Incident form is required to be filled out, approved by a MVLAGS board member and signed by our Safety Coordinator, and clearance by licensed heathcare provider is required for return to play.
(2) If an athlete who is 17 years of age or younger has been removed from athletic activity due to a suspected concussion or due to fainting or another suspected cardiac condition, the youth sports organization shall notify a parent or guardian of that athlete of the time and date of the injury, the symptoms observed, and any treatment provided to that athlete for the injury. -> MVLAGS has concussion protocol in place where if a concussion is suspected, an Injury / Incident form is required to be filled out, approved by a MVLAGS board member and signed by our Safety Coordinator, and clearance by licensed heathcare provider is required for return to play.
(3) (A) On a yearly basis, the youth sports organization shall give both a concussion and head injury and a sudden cardiac arrest information sheet to each athlete. The information sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and, if the athlete is 17 years of age or younger, shall also be signed by the athlete’s parent or guardian, before the athlete initiates practice or competition. -> To register to play with MVLAGS, all parents / guardians must sign an Assumption of Risk waiver.
(4) On a yearly basis, the youth sports organization shall offer concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education, or related educational materials, or both, to each coach, administrator, and referee, umpire, or other game official of the youth sports organization + (5) The youth sports organization shall require both of the following:
(A) Each coach, administrator, and referee, umpire, or other game official of the youth sports organization shall be required to successfully complete the concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education offered pursuant to paragraph (4) at least once, either online or in person, before supervising an athlete in an activity of the youth sports organization. -> MVLAGS requires yearly concussion training for all coaches & managers which is offered through CDC Heads Up program: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html. MVLAGS requires yearly cardiac arrest / CPR training through National Alliance of Youth Sports: https://www.nays.org/additional-training/preview/cardiac-training.cfm
(6) The youth sports organization shall identify both of the following:
(A) Procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements for providing concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education and a concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention information sheet, as referenced in paragraphs (3) to (5), inclusive.
(B) Procedures to ensure compliance with the athlete removal provisions and the return-to-play protocol required pursuant to paragraph (1). -> MVLAGS procedures for compliance already listed above in this FAQ
Starting in 2021, we have implemented an equipment lending program. If any player needs any equipment, please reach out to equipment@mvlags.org.
For 6U and 8U
MVLAGS provides jerseys and socks to each player, and has communal batting helmets (w/ front cage*), bats, balls, catcher's gear to each team to use amongst the team.
Players should provide:
Softball glove (please put her name on it!) - recommended minimum sizes - 10" glove for 6U and 11" glove for 8U. See below for additional glove information.
Infield fielding mask - Note some coaches may required their players to wear one when in the IF. Please do consider purchasing one to keep your daughter safe
Softball or soccer cleats (plastic bottomed) are recommended in the 6U/8U divisions.
For 10U, 12U and 14U
MVLAGS provides jerseys and socks to each player, and has communal batting helmets (w/ front cage*), bats, balls, catcher's gear to each team to use amongst the team. Players should provide:
Softball glove - 12" size glove is often recommended size
Infield fielding mask - Note some coaches may required their players to wear one when in the IF. Please do consider purchasing one to keep your daughter safe
Softball cleats recommended, soccer cleats ok (plastic bottomed)
Sliding shorts and knee pads (helps with comfort when sliding)
* All batting helmets should have a front "cage" on it to help protect player from receiving a pitch in the face.
Helmets must have a face-mask and be NOCSAE-approved.
Bats must be marked "ASA Softball approved" with a 2004 date or newer. Check out the bat info below and talk with a coach first if you are uncomfortable making a selection (correct bat size is critical). Note that high-performance bats (i.e. composite, titanium, or multi-walled) are not allowed in MVLAGS play.
Balls that are 10" (for 6U) and 10" (for 8U) and "soft compression" are what you want to practice with at home. Whiffle balls are also helpful.
Balls provided to 6U and 8U teams are soft compression balls:
6U -- Worth 10" FPX10SPY
8U -- 8u 10” low compression ball
Cleats will greatly improve your daughter's traction on the dirt infields and grass outfields. In the interest of safety, players in the upper divisions (10U-16U) are required to wear cleats. Softball cleats perform best, but some players wear soccer shoes. Metal baseball cleats are not permitted.
Yes, our MVLAGS Youth Umpire Program has successfully trained and employed dozens of girls over the years. The younger girls love seeing the other girls out on the field and their presence encourages girls to imagine themselves playing softball for years to come.
Girls must be twelve (12) years old on January 1st prior to the spring recreational dvision in order to attend the umpire training. Players as well as former players are welcome! In other words, you do not have to be a current MVLAGS player to be one of our youth umpires. Spread the word to friends who love softball and might be interested.
The majority of our youth umpires officiate games in our 8U division. However, some of our older girls are eligible to umpire games in the 10U and sometimes 12U divisions. Please note that if you have a younger sister who plays in the 8U division, you will not be umpiring her games.
MVLAGS offers online training, one night of classroom training, and one morning or afternoon of field training. The training is a lot of fun, we promise! You'll learn all the rules, all the hand signals, how to call strikes, and various things to watch for on the field. You'll receive guidance on how to handle unruly parents and grandparents. You'll even be given a handy cheat-sheet to refer to!
Please note: Classroom Training is usually held in late February. Watch the League Calendar for a date and time.
Pay is commensurate with with level of training you complete and are certified for. Our youngest umpires, who are eligible only to officiate 8U games, earn $25 per game*. Older girls, who can be trained and certified to umpire games in the upper divisions, earn $30 per game*.
If your daughter is interested, plesae fill out the Umpire Application. Take a clear picture of it (or scan it) and email it to uic@mvlags.org. Put "Youth Umpire Application" in the subject line, please.
What is MVLAGS?
Mountain View Los Altos Girls Softball (MVLAGS) is a USA-sanctioned recreational league committed to giving girls ages 5 to 14 the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of softball.
Originally established as a local Bobby-Sox organization in 1972, MVLAGS offers quality softball programs to girls living in Mountain View, Los Altos and the surrounding communities.
Our league is a non-profit organization that is 100% driven by our dedicated volunteers. We promote athletics, community-building, and the development of the ‘whole girl’ through our program, enabling girls to shine both on and off the field!
6U and 8U
In the 6U and 8U divisions, teams are formed primarily with girls from the same school when possible (please let us know if you prefer otherwise). Buddy requests and practice day availability is also taken into consideration. Sisters in the same age division will be put on the same team unless the parent requests otherwise during registration.
Teams meet for the first time at their first practice. You will get an email from your Team Manager or Coach ahead of the first practice, letting you know you are on their team and details about the team practice time/day/location.
For more details, please see the formal doc here.
10U, 12U and 14U
Teams in the upper divisions are no longer school-based, but are skills-based in order to have balanced teams within each division. In 10U and above, teams are determined by a system that is primarily focused on equalizing the skill levels of each team by evaluating such factors as: skill sets (e.g. pitchers, catchers, travel players); skill level; and age. All teams will have some experienced players and some players who haven’t played much or at all before.
Teams meet for the first time at their first practice. You will get an email from your Team Manager or Coach ahead of the first practice, letting you know you are on their team and details about the team practice time/day/location.
For more details please see the formal doc here.
Summer Stars
Summer Stars is a group of girls in the same age division and 'teams' are formed each week at practice. There are no true teams with Summer Stars as all girls play and are rotated weekly.
Nova Travel Ball
Teams are formed after tryouts for each division based upon skill level. Not every girl makes the team.
We want players to be able to play with their friends! When registering, all players in all divisions can request to placed on a team with a buddy. While we cannot guarantee that everyone always can play with their buddy, we take extra time and care to try and make this happen for all players, every season.
If you have any more questions about the buddy policy, please email leadplayeragent@mvlags.org
We sometimes get questions about whether players can play-up or play-down from their age appropriate division. On recreational teams in the younger age divisions where we focus more on social than competitive balance, we are ok moving a player with birthdate near an age division cutoff date down to be with their friends.
Unlike on recreational teams, players may not play-down on any travel teams playing in tournaments due to the eligibility rules for USA/AST Softball tournaments. In addition, we generally don't permit players to play-up unless it is in the best interest of the player and league as determined by the Executive Board. This is generally only true for some of our strongest 2nd year players when the older age division doesn't have adequate starting talent AND the age appropriate age division for the possible play-up player has adequate talent for that particular season. We'll also consider cases where a player has played two seasons of their assigned division already (for instance if they started 6U in TK), or their birthday puts them in a different division than other girls in their grade. Requests are evaluated on a case by case basis for one season only. You can email leadplayeragent@mvlags.org to request your player be considered to play up/down.
For directions, click on the field name below.
Diamond Girl
California Girl
American Girl
Graham Softball Field
Callahan Field
Springer Full Diamond
Springer Grass Corner
You can find the list of our upcoming clinics on the Clinics tab as well as on our league calendar. MVLAGS will also send out emails to families that are registered.
Our spring recreational registration opens on November 1st, and generally closes at the end of January (although we will often keep it open into February if we still have room on our teams). Teams are formed in mid-late February and start practice after the President's Day holiday week. Games generally start in mid March.
Registration is done through the Teamsnap website - you can find the registration link on our home page!
Rec leagues:
- Spring Rec: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U - March through May
- Summer Stars (divisions determined by interest of players/coaches): - June through July
- Fall Rec / Fall Fireballs: (divisions determined by interest of players/coaches) - Sept - November
Competitive league (Nova):
- Nova Summer Ball - Last weekend of May through July
- Nova Fall Ball - Late August to early November
6U - In 6U, basic game concepts and skills are taught with the primary focus on fun. This division is typically Kindergarteners and 1st graders, with a few older TK/Pre-K who are 5. Parents of the youngest players should expect to be more involved with practices/games to help their player as needed.
non-scoring games - no winning or losing
every player bats in every inning
coach pitch or players hit from tee
no strike-outs or getting "out" at bases
teams are school based when possible
8U - The 8U division introduces pitching and specific skill development with the emphasis still on fun.
games are scored with a limit on runs in the first 3 innings
players can get "out" at bases or while striking out at bat
continuous batting (everyone is in the batting order)
coach pitch and player pitch (limited to keep the pace of play moving)
teams are school based when possible
10U - The 10U division introduces additional strategies and skills specific to hitting, base running and defense.
regular scoring with a mercy rule after 4 innings
player pitch with some exceptions
players can steal 1st, 2nd, 3rd and home
drop third rule in effect
win/lose records are recorded
season-ending playoff tournament
teams are formed to balance skills across teams
buddies will be considered whenever possible
12U - The 12U division emphasizes age-appropriate advanced strategies and skills.
regular scoring with a mercy rule after 4 innings
players can steal all bases, including home
player pitch only with each pitcher allowed a maximum of 6 innings per week
a few games are played against teams from other leagues
win/loss records are recorded
season-ending playoff tournament
teams are formed to balance skills across teams and are not school-based
buddies will be considered whenever possible
14U - The 14U division emphasizes 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
almost all 14U games are played against teams from other leagues
win/loss records are kept, but there is no placement within the league based on these standings
teams are formed to balance skills across teams and are not school-based
Summer Stars - Summer Stars is a summer program that offers a different kind of softball experience compared to any other division, inspiring skill building, healthy competition and interpersonal development.
primary focus is on player development
each game is played with newly blended teams
no scores or statistics recorded
During our spring recreational season, all divisions except for 6U practice two weeknight evenings a week with a game on Saturday. The 6U Division will have one weeknight evening practice, with a game on most Saturdays (teams will usualy have a practice on Saturdays they do not have a game scheduled). Teams may have some weeknight games scheduled later in the season as needed, such as to make-up a rained out game. These weeknight games would generally replace one practice.
For our competitive/travel teams, there are often 2-3 practices a week with games all weekend on tournament weekends.
Full refunds for Spring Recreation season are offered prior to the close of registration (usually the end of January). Partial or full refunds may be an option in February/March as well - reach out to secretary@mvlags.org if your daughter won't be able to play and you need to request a refund.
Refunds for Select or travel teams are not provided.
Competitive Divisions
Nova - For girls in 8U and above who want to play at a more competitive level, we offer our MVLAGS Nova Travel Ball program. The main Nova program offers 8U - 14U summer and fall seasons, consisting primarily of ASA B/C level tournament play. Nova also offers a Nova 12U-B spring/summer team and the Fusion 14A & 16A Program, which gives the most experienced and skilled players the opportunity to play year-round at a high level and against tougher competition.
Fusion - 14A, 16A and 18A travel softball teams playing year round in Silicon Valley
Prior to volunteering with MVLAGS players, all MVLAGS adult coaches & managers are required to complete the following: 1) US Center for SafeSport training, 2) ACE Certification, 3) Background Check, 4) Concussion Training, and 5) Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training. All chaperones are required to complete only a background check.
Details on each training module are below:
1) The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct (https://uscenterforsafesport.org/training-and-education/)
2) ACE (Aspire, Challenge, Encourage) Coaching Program is a coaching education program, developed and designed to provide softball coaches of all levels – from beginning coaches to experienced veterans – an opportunity to be educated as a coach with a national softball organization (https://registerusasoftball.com/Account/About.aspx?info=CoachCert)
3) Background checks are run through USA Softball (www.registerusasoftball.com).
4) The HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training is used to ensure training on concussion safety (https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html)
5) Sudden Cardiac Arrest online training is done through National Alliance of Youth Sports (https://www.nays.org/additional-training/preview/cardiac-training.cfm)
AB506 is a California Law effective Jan 1 2022 that can be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB506
Details on how MVLAGS demonstrates compliance with this law are:
(a) An administrator, employee, or regular volunteer of a youth service organization shall complete training in child abuse and neglect identification and training in child abuse and neglect reporting. -> MVLAGS requires all adult coaches & managers to complete USA Softball's recommended US Center for SafeSport training on child abuse & reporting.
(b) An administrator, employee, or regular volunteer of a youth service organization shall undergo a background check pursuant to Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code to identify and exclude any persons with a history of child abuse. -> MVLAGS requires a passed background check through USA Softball for all coaches and managers.
(c) A youth service organization shall develop and implement child abuse prevention policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, both of the following:(1) Policies to ensure the reporting of suspected incidents of child abuse to persons or entities outside of the organization, including the reporting required pursuant to Section 11165.9 of the Penal Code.(2) Policies requiring, to the greatest extent possible, the presence of at least two mandated reporters whenever administrators, employees, or volunteers are in contact with, or supervising, children. -> MVLAGS requires any suspected incidents of child abuse to be reported ouside the organization as instructed in the required USA Softball US Center for SafeSport training. MVLAGS requires at least one female adult to be present at all team events (practices, games, etc) in addition to at least one other adult coach (male or female).
AB379 is a California Law effective 2020 that can be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB379
(1) (A) An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury, or who has passed out or fainted, in an athletic activity shall be immediately removed from the athletic activity for the remainder of the day, and shall not be permitted to return to any athletic activity until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider. The athlete shall not be permitted to return to athletic activity until the athlete receives written clearance to return to athletic activity from a licensed healthcare provider. If the licensed healthcare provider determines that the athlete sustained a concussion or other head injury, the athlete shall also complete a graduated return-to-play protocol of no less than seven days in duration under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. -> MVLAGS has concussion protocol in place where if a concussion is suspected, an Injury / Incident form is required to be filled out, approved by a MVLAGS board member and signed by our Safety Coordinator, and clearance by licensed heathcare provider is required for return to play.
(2) If an athlete who is 17 years of age or younger has been removed from athletic activity due to a suspected concussion or due to fainting or another suspected cardiac condition, the youth sports organization shall notify a parent or guardian of that athlete of the time and date of the injury, the symptoms observed, and any treatment provided to that athlete for the injury. -> MVLAGS has concussion protocol in place where if a concussion is suspected, an Injury / Incident form is required to be filled out, approved by a MVLAGS board member and signed by our Safety Coordinator, and clearance by licensed heathcare provider is required for return to play.
(3) (A) On a yearly basis, the youth sports organization shall give both a concussion and head injury and a sudden cardiac arrest information sheet to each athlete. The information sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and, if the athlete is 17 years of age or younger, shall also be signed by the athlete’s parent or guardian, before the athlete initiates practice or competition. -> To register to play with MVLAGS, all parents / guardians must sign an Assumption of Risk waiver.
(4) On a yearly basis, the youth sports organization shall offer concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education, or related educational materials, or both, to each coach, administrator, and referee, umpire, or other game official of the youth sports organization + (5) The youth sports organization shall require both of the following:
(A) Each coach, administrator, and referee, umpire, or other game official of the youth sports organization shall be required to successfully complete the concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education offered pursuant to paragraph (4) at least once, either online or in person, before supervising an athlete in an activity of the youth sports organization. -> MVLAGS requires yearly concussion training for all coaches & managers which is offered through CDC Heads Up program: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html. MVLAGS requires yearly cardiac arrest / CPR training through National Alliance of Youth Sports: https://www.nays.org/additional-training/preview/cardiac-training.cfm
(6) The youth sports organization shall identify both of the following:
(A) Procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements for providing concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention education and a concussion and head injury and sudden cardiac arrest prevention information sheet, as referenced in paragraphs (3) to (5), inclusive.
(B) Procedures to ensure compliance with the athlete removal provisions and the return-to-play protocol required pursuant to paragraph (1). -> MVLAGS procedures for compliance already listed above in this FAQ
Starting in 2021, we have implemented an equipment lending program. If any player needs any equipment, please reach out to equipment@mvlags.org.
For 6U and 8U
MVLAGS provides jerseys and socks to each player, and has communal batting helmets (w/ front cage*), bats, balls, catcher's gear to each team to use amongst the team.
Players should provide:
Softball glove (please put her name on it!) - recommended minimum sizes - 10" glove for 6U and 11" glove for 8U. See below for additional glove information.
Infield fielding mask - Note some coaches may required their players to wear one when in the IF. Please do consider purchasing one to keep your daughter safe
Softball or soccer cleats (plastic bottomed) are recommended in the 6U/8U divisions.
For 10U, 12U and 14U
MVLAGS provides jerseys and socks to each player, and has communal batting helmets (w/ front cage*), bats, balls, catcher's gear to each team to use amongst the team. Players should provide:
Softball glove - 12" size glove is often recommended size
Infield fielding mask - Note some coaches may required their players to wear one when in the IF. Please do consider purchasing one to keep your daughter safe
Softball cleats recommended, soccer cleats ok (plastic bottomed)
Sliding shorts and knee pads (helps with comfort when sliding)
* All batting helmets should have a front "cage" on it to help protect player from receiving a pitch in the face.
Helmets must have a face-mask and be NOCSAE-approved.
Bats must be marked "ASA Softball approved" with a 2004 date or newer. Check out the bat info below and talk with a coach first if you are uncomfortable making a selection (correct bat size is critical). Note that high-performance bats (i.e. composite, titanium, or multi-walled) are not allowed in MVLAGS play.
Balls that are 10" (for 6U) and 10" (for 8U) and "soft compression" are what you want to practice with at home. Whiffle balls are also helpful.
Balls provided to 6U and 8U teams are soft compression balls:
6U -- Worth 10" FPX10SPY
8U -- 8u 10” low compression ball
Cleats will greatly improve your daughter's traction on the dirt infields and grass outfields. In the interest of safety, players in the upper divisions (10U-16U) are required to wear cleats. Softball cleats perform best, but some players wear soccer shoes. Metal baseball cleats are not permitted.
Yes, our MVLAGS Youth Umpire Program has successfully trained and employed dozens of girls over the years. The younger girls love seeing the other girls out on the field and their presence encourages girls to imagine themselves playing softball for years to come.
Girls must be twelve (12) years old on January 1st prior to the spring recreational dvision in order to attend the umpire training. Players as well as former players are welcome! In other words, you do not have to be a current MVLAGS player to be one of our youth umpires. Spread the word to friends who love softball and might be interested.
The majority of our youth umpires officiate games in our 8U division. However, some of our older girls are eligible to umpire games in the 10U and sometimes 12U divisions. Please note that if you have a younger sister who plays in the 8U division, you will not be umpiring her games.
MVLAGS offers online training, one night of classroom training, and one morning or afternoon of field training. The training is a lot of fun, we promise! You'll learn all the rules, all the hand signals, how to call strikes, and various things to watch for on the field. You'll receive guidance on how to handle unruly parents and grandparents. You'll even be given a handy cheat-sheet to refer to!
Please note: Classroom Training is usually held in late February. Watch the League Calendar for a date and time.
Pay is commensurate with with level of training you complete and are certified for. Our youngest umpires, who are eligible only to officiate 8U games, earn $25 per game*. Older girls, who can be trained and certified to umpire games in the upper divisions, earn $30 per game*.
If your daughter is interested, plesae fill out the Umpire Application. Take a clear picture of it (or scan it) and email it to uic@mvlags.org. Put "Youth Umpire Application" in the subject line, please.