About Recreation Chardon Softball League:
Chardon Rec Softball is a part of the city of Chardon's Recreation program. Volunteers are ALWAYS needed! Ways you can contribute:
-Join the CSL Board of Directors (Contact us for more information)
Age Divisions:
Age Divisions for Fastpitch Softball are per NFHS rules (National Federation of High School Sports). Divisions are determined by the age of the player on January 1st of the playing year, which correlates with birth years:
-8U - age 6-8 as of January 1st
-10U - age 9 - 10 as of January 1st
-12U - age 11 - 12 as of January 1st
-14U - age 13 or 14 as of January 1st
Registration Timeframe:
Registration opens in January, and closes in mid March. Late registration is not guaranteed. We have a hard deadline to close registration so that the season can be planned accordingly and so that teams can be ready to practice and play on time.
Team Roster Sizes: CSL aims to cap rosters at a minimum of 10 players and a maximum of 13 players per team. This is to ensure a fair opportunity for all players to have ample playing time in the field.
Team Assignments and Special Requests: CSL makes all efforts to have players play on a team with schoolmates and friends. Teammate requests are accepted during the registration process, but are not guaranteed.
Season: Practices will begin in mid April (weather permitting). The official season and games begin in mid May, and end in early to mid July.
8U - Coach pitch - CSL aims to keep 8U playing in-house (within Chardon). This requires a minimum of 4 teams. If we do not have enough players to form 4 teams, 8U will play within NCFL.
10U, 12U, 14U - Player pitch - The upper divisions play within NCFL (North Coast Fastpitch League) with neighboring communities. Coaches from all communities meet each Spring to schedule their games together. These teams will play home games in Chardon and will travel to neighboring communities to play as well.
Coaches: Coaches are volunteers. We cannot play without coaches. A full team without a coach cannot play. Please consider coaching! It is a wonderful and rewarding way to spend time with your daughter and her friends!
Parents: Parents are not coaches. If you'd like to volunteer as a coach, we would LOVE to have you! Please sign up! Otherwise, parents are expected to respect the coaches and let them do their job. Does this mean that parents cannot interact with their child during game? Of course not! But it is very much appreciated for parents to stay away from the dugout/bench and to refrain from excessive sideline coaching. For example: giving your child encouraging tips or reminders before an at-bat - absolutely acceptable! Sitting the entire game at the bench or persistently giving out instruction contrary to the coach's instruction - unacceptable. We aim to teach the players to listen to and respect their coaches. Parents are expected to follow the same Code of Conduct as players (agreement is signed at the start of each season). Inappropriate language and/or excessive interaction with players, other parents, opposing teams and parents, or umpires will not be tolerated. Head Coaches and Umpires have the right to eject anyone from a game who consistently behaves inappropriately. In extreme situations, the local police department can be asked to intervene. Alcohol consumption (in any type of container) is not permitted at any game, and can lead to ejection.