Website Manager

ISSAQUAH LITTLE LEAGUE

Welcome letter

Dear Softball Families,

Welcome to the 2023 season!  My name is Tiffany Erickson, and I am thrilled to be your Commissioner of Softball this season!  I am so proud of every one of our little leaguers who competed in the 2022 season and hope to see everyone back in 2023!  We had a hugely successful softball program last year, and I hope to continue to build upon that success.  Issaquah has continued to be one of the largest softball leagues in Western Washington and last year we reached historical highs for registrations in all divisions.  We were able to increase numbers of teams at all divisions and we even had a Juniors team for the first time in many years.  We hosted many fun events like the Homerun derby, Little League Day at Issaquah High School, and a group outing at a Seattle Mariners game.  We had opportunities to learn and improve our skills through several Development and Training clinics.  Hundreds of our players and community members came out to support softball and root on their teams during Championship weekend.   We ended the season marching in the Salmon Days parade, being cheered and admired by our entire Issaquah Community!

Along with all the fun, we had several competitive successes as well.  All our Issaquah All Stars teams did amazing in the post-season!  The 8/9/10-year old team made it to the District finals, losing by one run to the team that went on to win the State championship.  The 9/10/11-year old team, combined with Sammamish, won the District tournament and made it to the finals of the State championship, losing a close contest by just one run!  The 10/11/12-year old team won the District, State, and Western Regional tournaments, and earned a berth to play in the Little League World Series for the first time ever in Issaquah Little League history!  They made some incredible memories on this once in a lifetime journey. 

When I started on the Issaquah Little League Board 3 years ago, there were only a couple of members representing softball.  I, along with a few others who came before me, have advocated for our girls to have an equal voice and equal opportunities, and have watched our program gain support, grow, and the Softball Board double in size.  I plan to continue work on this effort to help advance girls’ sports.   My goal is to continue to advocate for and expand the softball program while creating a fun atmosphere for our girls.  I hope provide opportunities for them to learn the skills of fastpitch softball, develop a love and appreciation of the game, and make memories and lifelong friendships. 

I am very thankful to all the volunteers who help make all this happen behind the scenes.  Our program exists because we have such wonderful volunteers who put in countless hours and who have a passion for the sport, our community, and our kids. With all our recent growth and success, this is such an exciting time to be a part of Issaquah Little League.  We are always looking for help, whether it is assisting with an event, joining the Board, or helping with coaching.  Please reach out if you are interested!

We have another exciting year ahead of us.  We will kick off our year with early season skill development clinics. Practices and games start in March, with our regular season games finishing the end of May.  In June we will have our Championship Weekend at Dodd Field and begin the All-Star season for our competitive levels.  Please clear your calendars for the summer now—with many returning players and coaches, our All-star teams look to again make runs deep into the tournaments! Here's to a fun and successful 2023 season!

If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected].

Cheers,
Tiffany Erickson
Issaquah Little League Softball Commissioner

SOFTBALL DIVISIONS

Instructional Divisions
 T-Ball/A Ages 4-7 T-Ball/A softball is the first level of our softball program. T-ball/A is geared toward teaching softball fundamentals such as proper throwing, fielding and batting techniques. Girls typically play at this level for two years. The T-ball/A program starts kids on a tee and introduces them to coach-pitched balls when they're ready. Kids play in all of the defensive innings, rotating positions each inning, and will bat in all innings of a game. T-ball/A uses a 10" safety (soft) ball. 
AA

Ages 7-8 At this level of play there is increased focus on basic skills, teamwork, respect for coaches and umpires, and the rules of the game while still retaining a fun atmosphere. Coaches pitch to the players using a soft safety 11" softballl. Team formation is based upon home school as much as possible. Expect either a game and a practice or two games each week.

Fastpitch Competitive Divisions

AAA

Age 9-10 Players pitch for the first time and stealing is introduced! Coaches still pitch to a player because walks are not allowed, although strike outs are. This is the entry into competitive baseball with increased emphasis on basic skills, playmaking decisions, teamwork along with respect for umpires and coaches. Intensity level of play appropriately increased. Safety 11" softballs are used. Balanced teams are formed as Managers DRAFT players to be on their team using results from the mandatory Skills Evaluation. Scorekeeping and game scores are all introduced. Expect one practice and one game each week OR two games a week.

Coast

Age 10-11 The level of competition increases as players pitch with steals allowed. Emphasis on basic skills, playmaking decisions, teamwork and respect for umpires and coaches. 11" regulation softball will be used. Balanced teams are formed as Managers DRAFT players to be on their team using results from the mandatory Skills Evaluation. Scorekeeping and game scores are kept. Expect one practice and two games each week or two games.

Majors

Ages 11-12 Advanced, competitive play. Emphasis on refining of all skills learned at previous levels. Balanced teams are formed as Managers DRAFT players to be on their team using results from the mandatory Skills Evaluation. 12" regulation softball will be used. Those players not assigned to a Majors team are automatically entered into the Coast level. Scorekeeping and game scores are kept. Expect one practice and two games each week or two games.

Juniors

Ages 13-14 Advanced, competitive play. Players must be ready to add more skill and strategy to their game. Defensive awareness along with knowing where to make the play and how to run the bases becomes a more critical part of the game.


Softball Registration Information

Softball Skills Development and Training Clinics

Issaquah Fast Pitch offers FREE Softball Skills Development for girls entering T-Ball, A, AA, AAA, Coast, and Majors levels. Thanks to the generous support from our Sponsors, all fully-paid registered players have the option to register.

Learn More

Contact

ISSAQUAH LITTLE LEAGUE
P.O. Box 488 
Issaquah, Washington 98027

Email: [email protected]

Copyright © 2023 Issaquah Little League  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Log In