At the higher age levels, teams are determined by drafting players from registration and evaluation lists. Only registered players will be considered in the draft. Parent requests for pairing of players (e.g., to facilitate car pools) can rarely be accommodated. Sibling requests will be honored however. Drafts for baseball and softball will be held in early March. All players will be notified of their teams prior to TBA. Other key dates can be found on the official RBSA calendar.

Kindergarten Instructional Program

This program is for both boys and girls and is designed to teach basic skills. It is held on eight Sunday afternoons beginning April 15 – June 17 (excluding Memorial Day weekend).

1st & 2nd Grade Softball

For players in grades 1 & 2, this program is divided by grade level and is designed to teach the basic skills of softball primarily through clinics and games (more clinics for grade 1 and more games for grade 2) in a non-competitive atmosphere. Sessions are typically held on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.

Ponytail Softball

This combined program for 3^rd and 4^th graders teaches basic skills of the game in a non-competitive game atmosphere. No records or standings are kept.

Junior Softball

For players in the 5^th and 6^th grade, this program is intended to advance the skills of the girls and their understanding of the rules in a more competitive game environment.

Senior Softball

For players in the 7^th – 10^th grade, this program is intended to advance the skills of the girls and their understanding of the rules in a more competitive game environment.

Travel Ball: The RBSA sponsors teams for players in grades 3-12 in a more competitive environment. This program is for those players registered and currently playing in our recreational program, who are seeking a more competitive playing experience. Games are played in the Spring, Summer and Fall and generally do not interfere with Spring recreational season play. Tryouts are conducted in the Spring season for each team. If interested in trying out for a Travel Team, you must register for Travel Tryouts under Travel Softball during Registration. There will be a $10 administrative fee for all Travel Tryout registrants to offset expenses associated with the tryout process..

The RBSA uses both youth and carded umpires. We insist that all players, parents and coaches respect the authority of the umpire.

WINTER WORKOUTS

The RBSA will once again provide winter workouts for serious softball players in grades 5 through 8. Workouts for 5^th and 6^th graders will be run on Mondays and Wednesdays, while 7^th and 8^th graders will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Workouts will be run by Gary Muzio, Travel Softball Commissioner and longtime travel coach.

Schedule:

5^th & 6^th Grades – Mondays @ In The Swing, Waldwick, EITHER 4 to 5 OR 5 to 6 and Wednesdays @ Somerville School gym, 5 to 7.

7^th & 8^th Grades – Tuesdays @ Somerville School gym, 5 to 7. Thursdays @ In The Swing, Waldwick, EITHER 4 to 5 OR 5 to 6.

Dates – Tuesday ,January 3 to March 1, a total of 16 sessions. No workouts during February school break and unfortunately, snowed out sessions cannot be made up.

Cost - $185.

Overview – These workouts are intended for players who are serious about improving their skills. Somerville nights will focus on fielding techniques, throwing mechanics, base running, in game decision making and will offer the high repetitions that are the lifeblood of a player’s development.

At the Home Run Factory, we will work on hitting. We will perform drills designed to instill proper muscle memory in the swing and improve bat speed, as well as bat against a pitching machine, learning to hit faster pitching.

Conditioning and strength work will also be part of Winter Workouts.

Winter Workouts are highly recommended for players who intend to tryout for travel softball in the spring. Softball skills atrophy quickly when not practiced. Just as one cannot expect to make the honor roll without studying, players cannot expect to improve or excel without working at the game. It is especially difficult to show up for tryouts in March, scrape off a winter of rust and compete for spots on a team against girls who have been working out for months.

How To Sign Up – Register at Community Pass. Space is limited, first come, first served.