Leagues overview

What level should my player be in?

Players birth years are used determine what level a player plays in. Please see our age chart below.


*Our recreational teams that participate in the Rec League are formed based on grade, not birth year. 


Families choose what league they wish to play in based on time & player commitment. 

2025 USA Softball age chart used at Oregon Youth Softball

what league should my player play in?

Please see more information on our League pages - links below!

how much does it cost?

Youth Softball has a tiered cost program based on age and league and how many tournaments the teams commit to playing. 


4K/K T-Ball: $70* 


8U Coach Pitch: $100*


3rd - 8th Grade Recreational Teams: $165* (T-shirt game jerseys are supplied with registration)


10U, 12U, 14U Tournament Teams: $165* + Tournament & Uniform fees

Helmets, facemasks, gloves, black pants, orange belt, cleats are supplied by families. 


16U Tournament Team: $225* + Tournament & Uniform fees

Helmets, facemasks, gloves, black pants, orange belt, cleats are supplied by families. 


Tournament fees can range from $350+ depending on # of tournaments and if there are paid coaches. Typical cost per tournament is $40-$50 per player. 

Helmets, facemasks, gloves, bats, black pants, orange belt, cleats are supplied by families. 


*Fees may change 

PARENT SOFTBALL EQUIPMENT TIPS - WHAT MY CHILD NEEDS FOR EQUIPMENT AND WHEN

A table with the required equipment for each age group at Oregon Youth Softball

Guidelines for purchasing equipment:



Shoes/Cleats
For t-ball and 8U play, many kids choose to wear tennis shoes, though plastic cleats are allowed. 10U and 12U players should have plastic softball cleats, which can be purchased for ~$50 or less at a sporting goods store. For 10U and 12U rec players, soccer cleats are also acceptable. 14U-18U players typically choose to wear metal cleats.


Glove
T-ball and 8U players can use any appropriately-sized glove. When players reach 10U and use an 11” ball, t-ball gloves and smaller baseball gloves can be challenging due to their small size. Sporting goods stores such as Dick’s have a separate section for softball gloves, which accommodate an 11” (10U) or 12” (12U-16U) ball. Softball.com has a useful chart for determining glove size (scroll down to the Fastpitch Fielding Glove Sizing Chart).


Bat
Many t-ball and 8U players use t-ball bats, which are great due to their short length and lightweight. 1OU and above players should have a fastpitch bat. If playing 10U-18U travel and tournament ball, players will need an ASA/USSSA-approved bat. JustBats.com has an excellent buyer’s guide with a calculator to determine the ideal bat length/weight for your child.


Fielding Mask
10U and above teams may require that players wear a fielding mask. Even if not required, it’s strongly recommended that players wear a mask, especially when playing infield. Younger players may prefer a lighter plastic mask such as the Defender Series, while most older players prefer a metal mask such as the Schutt or RIP-IT models.


Batting Helmet
Helmets may be provided for t-ball and 8U players, although we recommend you get your own. At 10U rec we encourage players to have their own helmet with a face mask. Travel and tournament teams 10U and above should have a helmet with a full face mask. Easton, Mizuno, Evo Shield, RIP-IT, Rawlings, and Adidas are all good options for players seeking a safe, comfortable helmet.


Where to get equipment: