Registrations are open for the 2024 Season through April 1st.
Late fee starts March 16th.

Pre-Season Clinics:

Saturday, March 23rd 
Gilford High School
9-11am
Hosted by the Gilford High School team! 

Saturday, March 30th
Gilmanton School Gymnasium
9-10:30am

Sneakers, helmet, and glove required. 
For all softball players, ages 6-12. 

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Gilmanton Youth Organization Softball fields teams at 3 age levels, from ages 6-12. Players will participate in Rookies (Coach Pitch), Minors, and Majors, depending on their ages and skill level. Player safety is always our top priority and we strive to put players in a situation where they can enjoy the game without fear of injury. GYO is part of the Lakes Region Softball League.

The league consists of 6 surrounding towns: Alton, Barnstead, Gilmanton, Loudon, Ossipee, Pittsfield and Wolfeboro. Home games are played at the GYO Park Softball field, closest to the entrance of GYO Park. Practices start in early to mid-April, depending on the division and games start the last Saturday in April through mid-June.  

Required Equipment

All players will provide their own softball glove.  GYO provides bats and helmets for all players to use.  However, if a player provides their own helmet, they must have a face cage installed.  If provided by a player, bats must be dent-free and should be ASA/ USA Softball stamped.  Although not required, it is recommended that players wear cleats.  At some levels, a face mask will be required while in the infield.  Uniform shirts will be provided for each level, players will provide their own black softball pants.  Sock colors are at the discretion of the player.

Rookie Division (ages 6-8, team selection based on evaluation)

Rookies will have a practice on one weekday night at the GYO fields – with home and away games on Saturdays. Coaches pitch to the batters in the Rookie division, allowing for more hittable balls at the plate and more action in the field. The Rookie league emphasizes learning the rules of softball and provides competition against other towns to prepare them for the next level.  Rookies softball teams play with an 11 inch "safety" softball.

Minimum Required Skills:

• Players of six years of age should have completed one season of T-Ball prior to playing Rookies Softball. 
• Catching - First year players will miss or drop many thrown balls. Second and third year players should show improvement and catch at least 50% of accurate thrown balls.
• Throwing – Should be able to throw 20 feet
• Batting - None

The Rookie player is ready to move up to the Minor division when: Player demonstrates ability to catch most thrown balls, stands at the plate with confidence, without bailing out when facing live pitching.  Should have consistent success making contact against a coach pitched ball. The player should have adequate focus and attention during games from all positions.

Minor Division (ages 9-10 as of December 31, team selection based on evaluation)

Minors practice one - two weekdays, with games on one weeknight and Saturday. Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. Features a 35’ pitching distance. Games are pitched by players. Minors teams play with an 11 inch softball.

Minimum Required Skills: 

• Catching - 67% of thrown balls
• Throwing - From second base position to first base with accuracy and enough quickness to beat a runner.
• Fielding - Should be able to field most direct ground balls. May still have difficulty with catching and tracking fly balls.
• Batting - Correct stance and approach to the plate. Has general knowledge of the strike zone. Does not back out of batters box on all thrown pitches.

The Minors player is ready to move up to the Majors division when: Player demonstrates ability to catch all thrown balls; Shows solid fundamentals in fielding, throwing, and batting; and Has confidence batting against any Minor division player pitcher.

Majors Division (ages 11-12 as of December 31, team selection based on evaluation)

Majors practice one - three days per week with games on Wednesday and Saturday. Features a 40’ pitching distance. Majors softball teams play with a 12 inch softball.

Minimum Required Skills:

• Catching - Catches all thrown balls.
• Throwing - From third base position to first base with speed and accuracy.
• Fielding - Should be able to field all direct ground and fly balls. Tracking fly balls may still be difficult for some.
• Batting - Correct stance and form.