San Jose Athletic Association Softball Information

We are excited to have your daughter join our Softball Program - home of SJAA DYNAMITE! 
The primary focus of our recreational program and coaches is player development within a safe and fun environment for our girls.

SJAA offers two softball seasons each year (Fall and Spring).  Each division has the option to form Advanced Teams (Fall and Spring) and/or All-Stars Teams (Spring only) that compete in local tournaments throughout the year if there is enough interest and commitment from the players and families.  

Our home games are played at Baker-Skinner Park, home of SJAA, at 7641 Powers Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32217.  Away games are scheduled against other leagues within our district and may require travel to other associations within the Jacksonville area (addresses below in FAQ).

Key Dates & Information:

Registration for the Spring 2024 season will take place from 11/15/2023 through 1/14/2024.  Early bird discount ends on 12/20/2023.

Registration Fee: $155 per player.  Sibling discounts apply!

Evaluations are tentatively planned for Saturday, January 20, 2024, starting at 9 AM.
10U - 9 AM (Fields 5 & 6)
8U (Field 5) / 12U (Field 6) - 10 AM 
14U / 18U - No evaluations

Teams will be formed and practices will begin the week following evaluations.  Once your daughter is placed on a team, your coach will begin directly communicating key information such as parent meetings, practice times, and game schedules.  Practices are held 2 times per week until games begin.  Games are typically 2 days per week.  Once games begin, practice frequency will be at the coach’s discretion and may be changed periodically based on the game schedule.

Fall Season Recreational Practices and Games are played from September through mid-November.
Spring Season Recreational Practices and Games are played from February through mid-May.

All-Stars (post-season) Tryouts, Practices, Games, and Tournaments occur from mid-April through the end of June.

Advanced Ball/Tournament Play: additional team costs/fees/practices are to be anticipated with any advanced, tournament, or post-season activity, and this information will be distributed and communicated ahead of time.

Age Specific Information:

SJAA is a Babe Ruth chartered organization.  We offer divisions based on the age of the player.

Your daughter’s “softball age” is determined by her age as of December 31 of the prior year.  With prior experience and parent/league permission, she may be approved to “play-up” to a higher division 1-2 seasons early.  This decision is made on a case-by-case basis based on team availability and individual experience/ability.  Exceptions will be discussed between the softball commissioner and parents prior to placement.

8U (ages 6-8)

This level is an instructional level, designed primarily for players ages 6-8.  This division makes use of a pitching machine to allow for more hittable balls at the plate and more action and experience in the field, giving the girls more opportunities to focus on learning fundamentals of the game.

10U (ages 9-10)

Players at this level build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork.  At this level, the switch is made from sling-pitch to player-pitch.  The willingness to listen to and learn from coaches is critical at this level.  Players will begin developing position-specific skill sets, and having a positive and team-centric attitude is crucial to both the individual’s and team’s success.

12U (ages 11-12)

This division is recommended for players ages 11-12.  Players will continue to strengthen fundamental skills while improving their understanding of strategy within the game.  As with 10U, it is imperative that players rely on their own skill and the instructions from their coaches to make decisions on the field.

14/16U/18U (ages 13-18)

The primary objective of the 18U division is to provide players the opportunity to stay involved with organized softball while sharpening their skills against competition in their own age group.  This division is recommended for players ages 13-18.  A wider age range of players is to be expected as competition at this level because our district classifies all teams above 12U as “high-school” division. 

Required Equipment:

• Batting helmet with face guard

• Fielder’s facemask - this must be worn at all times while in the field – the only exception is the catcher, who will wear full catcher’s gear

• Softball bat – must be stamped with “OFFICIAL SOFTBALL” or “OFFICIAL FASTPITCH”

• Glove* – leather glove not more than 14” wide

*Please note:  there are specific glove requirements for 1st  baseman, catcher, and pitcher.  If your child is placed at one of these positions, a coach will review the requirements with you at that time.

• Cleats – Rubber cleats are required for 8U, 10U, and 12U.  Metal cleats are allowed for all ages above 12U.

Uniforms:

SJAA will provide a jersey and hat to each softball player.  Our colors are red, white, silver/gray, and navy blue – each team’s jersey will include a unique variation of this color scheme.  

Additionally, each player will need to purchase:

• Softball pants (any brand, most teams wear navy blue, but your coach will communicate if additional colors are needed)
• Socks & Belt (color(s) will be communicated by your coach)

Some teams may choose to coordinate personalized bows or practice shirts for an additional cost - this information will be communicated by your coach.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the requirements to coach?

1.  Register yourself as a volunteer when registering your daughter, and select “Head Coach” or “Assistant Coach” as your volunteer role.

2.  Complete a background check through the City of Jacksonville (if you have not coached for SJAA within the last 2 years) or a continuation form (if you have coached within the last 2 years)

Please note:  These steps must be completed by all adults who will participate on a field during games prior to the first game of the season.  All COJ badges, whether issued the prior fall or spring, must be updated each year.  For example, if a coach is issued a badge for the first time during Fall season, a continuation form must be completed in the next Spring in order to receive an updated badge with the current year on it.  Details completing these steps will be provided directly to all softball coaches.  Coaches who do not complete these steps will be asked to refrain from coaching on the field with players until requirements are completed.

When are games?

• The game schedule for our district is usually released within 1-2 weeks prior to when games begin
• No recreational games are held on Sunday (this does not apply to tournaments/AB/All-Stars)
• Weekday games for 8U/10U begin at 6 PM
• Weekday games for 12U/18U begin at 7:30 PM
• Saturday games for all age divisions typically vary between 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 PM, and 1:30 PM

When are practices?

• Practice days and times are selected by coaches once all teams are formed.  All teams will have scheduled practice times 2x per week until games begin.  
• Practice schedules will be adjusted once games begin based on field availability and game schedules.
  

Where are away games played?
Away games (and tournaments) can be scheduled at any of the associations within our district:

• Creeks Softball Association:  Aberdeen Park, 1401 Shetland Dr., St. Johns, FL 32259
• Mandarin Softball Association (MSA):  Palmetto Leaves Regional Park, 5760 Greenland Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258
• Ponte Vedra Girls Softball (PVGS):  Davis Park, 210 Davis Park Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
• Fort Caroline Athletic Association (FCAA):  Ed Austin Regional Park, 11751 McCormick Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32225
• Northeast Florida Girls Softball (NFGS):  Wingate Park, 468 Penman Rd. South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

• Oceanway Softball Association (OSA):  Tom Marshall Park, 1471 Elmar Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32218

*Please note:  the information above is subject to change.

Rules / District information can be found at www.floridababeruth.com (we are District 1 for Softball).