Q: Who can play on a Fairfield Little League Girls Softball team?

A: If your daughter lives in Fairfield, is at least in kindergarten and between the "softball ages" of 5 and 14, she's eligible to play in one of Connecticut's most successful little league softball programs! Every eligible girl is placed on a team and will play in every game that she is available.


Q: What is my daughter's "softball age?"

A: Her age as of midnight on January 1.  For example, if your daughter was born on February 12, 2009, she would be 9 years old as of January 1, 2019.  Therefore, she would be softball age 9 during the 2018 Spring season even though she will turn 10 before the season starts.

Q: At what level should my daughter play?

A: FLLGS offers six divisions of play during the Spring Season.  Divisions are based on softball age and, in some cases, playing ability and roster sizes:

• T Ball: Introductory level for girls softball age 5 (turning 6 this calendar year).  Highly modified rules, including softer ball, batters hit off a tee (may progress to coach pitch), continuous batting order, all defensive players field.  Emphasis on fun and fundamentals.
• A Ball: Beginner level for girls softball age 6 or 7 (turning 7 or 8 this calendar year). Highly modified rules, including softer ball, coach pitch and/or hitting tee, continuous batting order, all defensive players field. Designed to teach girls the fundamentals while having fun.
• AA: For girls softball age 8 or 9 (turning 9 or 10 this calendar year, although girls turning 9 can play A Ball if requested). Modified player pitch (from 35 feet), 11” hard ball, limited bases on balls and stealing, continuous batting order, 10 defensive players in the field.
• AAA: For girls softball age 10 or 11 (turning 11 or 12 this calendar year, although girls turning 11 can play at AA if requested). Player pitch (from 35 feet), 11” hard ball, unlimited walks and steals, continuous batting order, nine defensive players on the field.
• Majors: For girls softball age 12 (turning 13 this calendar year, although some girls softball age 11 will play Majors based on skill, team rosters). Pitching rubber at 40 feet, 12” hard ball, continuous batting order, nine defensive players in the field.
• Juniors: For girls softball age 13 or 14 (turning 14 or 15 this calendar year). Freshmen/sophomores who play on thier high school team retain eligibility and can join their Little League team at the end of the school season. Pitching rubber at 43 feet, 12” hard ball, continuous batting order, nine defensive players in the field.

During the Fall Season, players play at the level they will be in the following Spring.  For example, a player born in 2009 would be softball age 9 old during the 2019 Fall Season.  However, since she will be softball age 10 the following Spring, she would play the 2018 Fall Season at AAA.

Q: How do I register?

A: All registrations are handled through the FLLGS website (www.fllgs.org).  For questions about registration, contact info@fllgs.org


Q: What does registration cost? How do I pay?

A: FLLGS accepts Visa/Master Card through our secure online registration system.  

• For the Spring 2022 season, the registration fee for T Ball and A Ball is $120. The fee for AA, AAA, Majors, and Juniors is $170. 
• Fees for the Fall 2022 season are $95 (T Ball and A Ball) and $120 (AA, AAA, Majors, and Juniors).

No child will be denied an opportunity to play because of financial circumstances.  To apply for a scholarship, please email league president Dennis Nolan at dmnolanjr@gmail.com.  All scholarship requests will be kept confidential.


Q: What does the league do with registration fees?

A: FLLGS is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization. Registration fees are designed to cover program and operating costs, including fields, uniforms, playing equipment, insurance, and umpires.
 

Q: When does the season start? Are there practices? How many games per week are there?

A: Spring Season for AA, AAA, Majors, and Juniors begins early to mid-April (typically the week before April recess) and finishes in mid-June, with all but AA playing an season-ending championship. A Ball practices begin in late April and the season continues through mid-June.  A Ball teams typically have one practice and one game weekly. Pre-season, AA teams typically have one practice a week, then two games a week.  AAA, Majors, and Juniors could have as many as two-three games per week. Weekday games and practices typically begin at 6:00 pm and end by 8:00 pm. Saturday games and practices are held between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm (10:00 pm for Majors and Juniors); Sunday between noon and 6:00 pm.

During Fall Season, all practices and games are held on Saturday (9:00 am - 6:00 pm) and Sunday (noon - 6:00 pm), except for Juniors and Majors which may play games Friday between 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm.  A Ball, AA, and AAA will have one practice and one game per week; Majors and Juniors play two games.

All schedules are published on the FLLGS website as soon as they are available - typically in early April (Spring Season) and the week after Labor Day (Fall Season).  You can find a calendar of all practices, games, and league events on the FLLGS website.  You can also set your account profile to receive email and/or text notifications of upcoming events.  

Q: How are teams determined?

A: For A Ball and T Ball, there are no player evaluations or draft and girls are usually placed on teams with other girls from the same elementary school or neighborhood. For AA through the Majors, players are evaluated prior to the Spring Season then drafted by team managers. The AA draft is modified, with teams usually keeping girls from the same elementary school together. The AAA and Majors drafts are designed to equitably distribute players throughout each team. There are no pre-season evaluations for Juniors, with players drafted by team managers following the same guidelines as AAA and Majors. 


Q: When will I know my daughter’s team?

A: During the Spring Season, AA, AAA, Majors, and Juniors team managers will contact player parents in mid-March with team assignments. T Ball and A Ball Managers will notify parents by early April.

During the Fall Season, all player parents will be notified during the week following Labor Day


Q: How are managers and coaches determined? Can I manage or coach?

We are always looking for parents willing to volunteer their time for their daughters and the league, whether it’s managing, coaching, or helping out with other league activities. To volunteer, make a note in the comments field when registering your daughter.  All managers and coaches must complete the online volunteer forms (found by clicking the "Volunteer Forms" tab at the top of the homepage).  Managers are also required to complete mandatory coaching and safety clinics - arranged by FLLGS - prior to the Spring Season.

Q: What equipment does my daughter need?

A: FLLGS supplies all equipment except gloves and cleats (and sliders). We usually do not provide gloves or cleats, but do not want to prevent kids from playing for financial reasons. If that presents a financial hardship, make a note in the comments field when registering. All requests will be kept confidential.  We also recommend "sliders" to make it easier for the girls to slide, but that is optional.  Cleats must have rubber or hard plastic spikes. Metal spikes are prohibited. Soccer cleats that meet these guidelines are permitted.  Your daughter will receive a team shirt, shorts or pants, and socks. Each team is supplied an equipment bag that includes bats, batting helmets, balls, fielder’s masks, catching gear, and first aid kit. As girls become committed to the sport, parents often acquire bats, batting helmets, and/or fielding masks for their daughters. If you are buying equipment, please reference the Little League International website for updated guidelines (www.littleleague.org).
 

Q: Where are games played?

A: FLLGS holds town permits to play at Dougiello Field on Hoydens Lane (adjacent to Smith Richardson Golf Course Driving Range), Tom Haydon Field, Fairfield Ludlowe High School, Fairfield Warde High School, Grasmere Eldercare, Sherman Elementary, Veres Street Park, and Veterans Park.  We share those fields with other town-sanctioned athletic leagues.  Fairfield teams may also play teams from neighboring towns such as Westport, Bridgeport, Trumbull and Stratford.


Q: How do I find out about rainouts?

A: The Town of Fairfield’s Parks and Recreation Department determines field closings. For scheduled games and practices in Fairfield, click on the 'Field Closures' link on the FLLGS home page and you will be directed to the Town of Fairfield's field closure website).  The Field Closures are updated after 3 pm on weekdays and 8 am on weekends.  Managers will communicate with parents for out-of-town cancellations.


Q: I want to sponsor an FLLGS team – is that possible?

A: Sponsors play a huge role every year in helping keep our registration costs low. You’ll be recognized with the name of your business and organization on team shirts, on the FLLGS website, and with a framed team photo. Email Amy Warman ( ) for more information.


Q: Where can I find Fairfield softball spiritwear and other merchandise?

A: FLLGS offers a range of Fairfield softball spiritwear and merchandise, including sweatshirts, T-shirts, caps, and rain gear. It is available for purchase at player evaluations in March, during Opening Day ceremonies in April, and throughout the spring and fall seasons at the Dougiello Park concession stand.  Parents are notified of other opportunities (i.e. before the holiday season) via emails from the league and the FLLGS Facebook page.


Q: When are team photographs taken?

A: Team and individual player photographs are taken during Opening Day Ceremonies. Parents can purchase photos through the vendor, Sportography.


Q: Who do I contact if I have additional questions or need more information?

A: Send an email to the league’s information officer at   or click on the "FLLGS Contacts" button on left hand column for further contact information.