Southwest Portland Little League

SWPLL SOFTBALL PROGRAM - Spring 2024 is closed!

Welcome to Southwest Portland Little League Softball! We love to see new and returning players of all ages and abilities. Please contact Launch League VP CJ Mead (vpsb2@swpll.org) or AAA/Majors/Juniors VP Beth Mitchell (vpsb1@swpll.org) with questions.

Follow SWPLL softball on Instagram @SWPLL_softball and on Facebook @swpllsoftball

NOTE: Practice times are determined by field availability with the city. You will not know when your team practices until teams are assigned.

Softball Age Determination: (does not apply to Tee ball. Please view the chart here for tee ball )

Your player’s league age is determined by the Little League Softball® Age Charts. The dates for baseball and softball are different, but each determines the division in which your Little Leaguer will play this season. The Age Determination Date for a Little League Softball player is the actual age of a child as of January 1 of the current year. (We know it's confusing. Try to use the charts here or feel free to email registrar@swpll.org with questions)

Recognizing that many families are in a situation where finances could be an issue, please visit our Financial Assistance page.

Tee-ball (All gender)

Age: 5 and 6 year-olds born between Sept 2017 and Aug 2019. Must be in pre-k, K, or 1st, or born before Sept 1, 2019
What to expect: Tee ball designed to help begin the long journey of learning baseball and softball fundamentals as well as some rules and how the game is played. The ball is hit off a tee. Coaches are allowed on the field of play to assist the kids. Towards the end of the season, coaches may agree to pitch softly to the kids, using the tee as a backup. Fundamentals and safety are stressed. There is no such thing as too many parent "assistant" coaches at this age level. Generally, almost all kids are ready to move on after one year of playing. The most important requirement of this level is that the parents of these players become involved in providing Little League opportunities to their players. (Note no player plays more than one season of tee ball except 4-year old players entering the league early). Early entry requires permission from the VP (vptball@swpll.org).
Time commitment: One practice a week on a weeknight and one game a week. Practices and game schedules are determined on field availability with the city.
Cost: Registration: $125, includes hat
Team assignment: Teams are formed by grouping players that have common backgrounds. This is often done by school and/or player request to the best of our ability. Registration order is also used to direct a player to a team. Parents can request their daughter to be on an all-girls team and the league will try to accommodate.
Equipment: Glove and gray or black pants required. This year, we are having players order their jersey directly through Gear UP. Ordering information will be shared once teams and team colors are set. Cleats are recommended but not required. Players must wear helmets at bat. League provides each team a helmet but many people chose to provide their own. Bats are provided by the league but many players purchase their own.

Launch League

Age: 6 to 8 year-olds (Born 2015 to 2017)
What to expect: 6 to 8 year-olds (Typically1^st- 3^rd grade) play together so SWPLL can avoid traveling to the outlying areas for games. Launch League is a combination of coach pitch and kid pitch with an 11-inch “softie” softball. Game rules are modified to help develop a love of softball, while trying to maintain a game-like environment. 2-3 coaches are on the field to help during games.
Time commitment: 1-2 practices a week with games on during the week or weekends
Cost: Registration: $175, includes visor for players who want one
Team assignment: Teams are typically formed by school cluster and player/parent request. We do our best to balance the ages and number of girls on each team.
Equipment: 10 inch or larger softball glove, batting helmet, cleats, softball bat and black pants. This year, we are having players order their jersey directly through Gear UP. Ordering information will be shared once teams and team colors are set. SWPLL has “loaner” items available for players who need assistance acquiring their gear.

AAA (Minors)

Age: 9 to 10 year-olds (Born in 2013 & 2014)
What to expect: 9 to 10 year-olds (Typically 4^th and 5^th grade) are building on the fundamentals taught in Launch League. Players begin to specialize into playing 2-3 positions. Games are kid pitch from 35 feet with an 11-inch softball with modified rules for stealing.
Time commitment: Approximately 1-2 practices and 2 games per week or weekend. Practices occur in SW Portland, but games are played in neighboring areas.
Cost: $240, includes visor for players who want one
Team assignment: Teams are formed utilizing a draft method that takes into account age, ability, positional needs, and player/parent request. SWPLL strives to form rosters no larger than 13 players with the expectation that all players prioritize softball in front of non-school activities April-June.
Equipment: 10-inch or larger softball glove, batting helmet, cleats, softball bat, and black pants.This year, we are having players order their jersey directly through Gear UP. Ordering information will be shared once teams and team colors are set. It is recommended that players have a fielding facemask for the pitcher and 1B/3B positions, but not required.

MAJORS

Age: 11 to 12 year-olds (Born in 2011 & 2012)
What to expect: 11 to 12 year-old (Typically 6^th and 7^th Grade) players are building on existing skills and positional awareness, Majors Little League introduces girls to a more competitive environment. Kids pitch from 40 feet using a 12-inch ball and stealing is allowed.
Time commitment: Approximately 1-2 practices and 2 games per week or weekend. Practices occur in SW Portland, but games are played in neighboring areas.
Cost: $240 registration, includes visor for players who want one
Team assignment: Teams are formed utilizing a draft method that takes into account age, ability, positional needs, and player/parent request. Some players registered for Majors will be placed on a AAA team and refunded the difference in fees. SWPLL strives to form rosters no larger than 13 players with the expectation that all players prioritize softball in front of non-school activities April-June.
Equipment: 11-inch or larger softball glove, batting helmet, cleats, softball bat, and black pants. This year, we are having players order their jersey directly through Gear UP. Ordering information will be shared once teams and team colors are set. It is recommended that players have a fielding facemask for the pitcher and 1B/3B positions, but not required. SWPLL has “loaner” items available for players who need assistance acquiring their gear.

JUNIORS

Age: 13 to 14 year-olds (Born in 2009 & 2010)
What to expect: Regulation rules are utilized for Juniors Softball and offer a recreational experience for girls in 7^th and 8^th grades.
Time commitment: Approximately 1-2 practices and 2 games per week or weekend. Practices occur in SW Portland, but games are played in neighboring areas.
Cost: $240 registration, includes visor for players who want one
Team assignment: Teams are formed utilizing a draft method that takes into account age, ability, positional needs, and player/parent request. SWPLL strives to form rosters no larger than 13 players with the expectation that all players prioritize softball in front of non-school activities April-June.
Equipment: 11-inch or larger softball glove, batting helmet, cleats, softball bat, and black pants. This year, we are having players order their jersey directly through Gear UP. Ordering information will be shared once teams and team colors are set. It is recommended that players have a fielding facemask for the pitcher and 1B/3B positions, but not required. SWPLL has “loaner” items and available for players who need assistance acquiring their gear.

Upper Division Softball Evaluation/Draft FAQ

Updated Spring 2024

When and where are the softball evaluations?

Evaluations will be held at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC - 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219) Sunday February 25th , 3-6 PM in the Bubble (large inflated building, same location as last year and Winter Clinics).

Who needs to attend?

All softball players that will be playing on a AAA, Juniors or Majors team Spring of 2024.

How do I sign-up to attend the evaluations?

Go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A4A822AAFDC34-47193238-spring#/

and choose a time window for your player to show-up and participate in the process.

How long will it take, should parents stay?

The process will take about 30-60 minutes, pending how long your player wants to warm-up and number of players in that evaluation window. Parents can stay and watch but must remain in the “parent area” and avoid interacting with coaches performing the evaluations and players during the process.

What should my player bring?

Glove, bat (loaners will be available), helmet, water, shoes for artificial turf and layered clothing (it’s not a heated space).

Are these tryouts, will my player possibly not make a team?

All players will play and be placed on a team. The evaluation process allows for a fair scoring process to provide the data needed to create balanced teams during the Managers Draft. See Upper Division Softball Team Selection FAQ for more details.

Upper Division Softball Draft

How are teams created?

A Draft occurs following the National Little League Rules for team creation. Managers for each team will attend the Draft process, have access to the data obtained from the evaluation process, and form teams in a round robin selection process.

I want my player to play with certain kids or a coach, how can I make this happen?

Players are not guaranteed to play on any team, with any coach or with any other players (as was shared in the registration process). We understand for some this is not ideal, but SWPLL follows National Little League rules for the selection process to create fair and balanced teams that will lead to safe, competitive softball for all.

Is there anything I can do to have my player play on a certain team?

Managers of the teams will be making the selections, if you have history with a certain individual you can reach out to them and express your needs. Also, each team has one Manager and two official Coaches allowed per Southwest Portland Little League rules. The Manager/Coaches kids are guaranteed to play on their teams as long as they are picked by the 5th round of the Draft per the National Little League Rules. So, if you volunteer to Coach you have the ability to control where your kid will play on some level following the National Little League Rules.

Will “Special Requests” be considered?

No. If one “Special Request” is allowed it would not be fair to all, so we stay strict to the National Little League rules.

Who can I contact with more information on the Evaluation and Draft process?

Collin Mitchell

SWPLL Upper Division Softball Player Agent

sbagent@swpll.org