FAQ

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Our regular season start from mid-October to mid-December. We then break for 6-8 weeks over Christmas and return the last week of January until the middle of March. We have a presentation day to celebrate the season at the end of March.

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Mandatory uniform requirements:

• Rams Softball game shirt
• Rams Softball hat
• Rams Softball socks
• Girls - black softball knickerbockers or 3/4 length sports pants
• Boys - black softball/baseball knickerbockers or black shorts (confirm with club prior to purchase if unsure)
• mouthguard
• shinpads
• softball glove - for 8 years and under, look for a fast pitch softball glove in the 9" to 11" range. Older players should generally use a glove at least 11" in size. 

View for our Jersey and Training Shirt Size Chart to work out the size you will need.

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We are currently awaiting advice about the cancellation of registrations.

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Softball requires more parent/guardian support than other sports. Each team requires a coach and manager. In addition each week at the games we need a team scorer and either a plate or base umpire. Training will be provided. Each team will also have assigned canteen duty 1 or 2 times throughout the season.

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2023/24 season

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Training is done at the RAMS home ground - Hills Centenary Park which is located on the corner of Commercial Road and Wither’s Road in Rouse Hill. Training happens on a Wednesday night for 1- 1 hour, 15 minutes between the hours of 6-8pm. Your exact hour allocation will be decided by the team coach.

If you are unable to train that is not a problem. We welcome players who want to play on the weekend.

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One of the great things about Softball and all its derivatives (tee-ball and mod-ball) is that all games are played at the same time and same location each week. Our games are played on Saturday at Hayes Park in Galston. This is a 20 minute drive from Rouse Hill. Hayes Park is located across the road from Galston High School.

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Your game time each week is determined by which level of softball you play. Usual
time allocations are as follows:

Some changes may be made to this schedule if needed

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Batter up:

The Softball Batter Up Program was developed by Softball Australia to introduce young players to the fundamental skills of softball and ensure maximum participation and enjoyment. 

At HDSA, we run a modified Batter Up Program that prepares beginner softballs for non-competitive, fun tee-ball games. This program is aimed at boys and girls aged 4-6 years old with limited to no experience with tee-ball.

The program consists of 4 weeks of skill development where the players develop and strengthen their basic skills and understanding of tee-ball including throwing, catching and base-running. During these weeks, all club batter up teams are combined to promote camaraderie.

Modified tee-ball games, which are 1 hour in duration, begin in round 5 where the skills developed in the first 4 weeks are incorporated. 

Tee-Ball:

Tee-ball is a fun introduction to softball for girls and boys aged 6-11. The ball (softer and smaller than a normal softball) is hit off a waist high tee instead of being pitched. The diamond is smaller than a normal softball diamond.

The Hornsby Tee-ball competition is a non-competitive division with no points and no finals. It is designed for fun, participation and skill development. Players are to be under 11 as at 31 December in the year the competition commences.

A regulation Tee-ball game is one hour and will be played until the scheduled completion time of the match is reached. The batting team completes an innings when 3 outs are made or 5 runs have been scored, whichever occurs first. The Team shall consist of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 12 players to play in any week. All players shall play on offence/batting and defense/fielding (equally) in every game, however, only nine players are permitted on the field at any one time. It is the policy of the HDSA that ALL players that are available to play in the game are given even playing time each week on the diamond. We ask that you support this initiative and maintain happy players.

The ball is not pitched in tee-ball instead it is batted from a tee. 

Double safety bases (rectangular bases half-white and half-orange) will be used on all diamonds at first base. Safety bases are used to minimise the risk of interference or injury arising from a collision at first base. The fielder MUST always use the white base; the batter/runner MUST use the orange on the first attempt through first base if there is any likelihood of a play at first and then return to the white base.

Modball:

Players in the modball division must attend a Primary School at the Start of the season. HDSA Modball Competition will not participate in the "Finals Series" as this is a non-competitive division.

Why is it called modball? It is modified softball, how is it modified?

• Game is only 1hr 15 min (softball 1hr 30min).
• Diamond is shorter at 55ft (60ft)
• Pitching distance is 30ft (40ft)
• Non-competition and no finals (full semi-final and grand finals etc)
• Innings changes after 5 runs scored or 3 out
• In modball B innings change after 10 minutes of play each side
• Tee hit after 3 balls pitched (walk to first on 4 balls)
• Batter-runner and runners can only run 2 bases on tee hit
• Dropped third strike rule does not apply (does apply)
• Infield fly rule does not apply (does apply)
• Player can either catch and/or pitch only 2 consecutive innings at a time (no limit)
• Maximum pitching/catching is 3 innings in game (no limit)

Softball:

Players in softball play full softball rules. The ball it pitched to the batter.

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Modball A is a competitive division for experienced modball players. Modball B is a non-competitive division for new individuals to modball and less experienced players.

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Tee-ball and the younger teams are generally formed by attendance so that a player is more likely to have friends or familiar faces on her team.

RAMS tries to accommodate requests to place a player with a coach or friend, but we cannot guarantee that all requests will be satisfied.

RAMS conducts an open draft to form teams. If required, a grading committee will decide on applicable player allocations.

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No, RAMS welcomes girls of all ages and skill levels. Boys are also welcome to play batter up age 4-6 and Tee-ball age 7-10,

Rams softball club only caters for girls and ladies in the Modball age 11-13 and Softball ages 14+.  We also have ladies teams age 19+.

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For the 2022/23 season, registrations open 1st August and remain open until October when the season kicks off. However, please register early to ensure you are placed in the most appropriate team.

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Registration fees cover RAMS expenses for insurance, trophies, clinics, umpires, field maintenance, lighting and equipment and field rentals for practices and games. It also covers playing in 2 teams if desired so if you register for tee-ball you can play in a tee-ball team and also play up to modball if you desire. Many of our players do this to gain additional experience.

Included in the registration fee is a free Rams player bag.

Registration fees 24/25 season are as follows:

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Each player will need to provide the following items or purchase them from the club:

• Mouthguard
• Shin pads
• Glove
• Black RAMS socks – Can be purchased from the club for  (they are the same as the soccer socks)
• RAMS Baseball Hat – Can be purchased from the club
• RAMS Game Jersey - Can be purchased from the club
• Black softball knickerbockers

View for our Jersey and Training Shirt Size Chart to work out the size you will need.

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Yes RAMS supports representative softball and will actively be participating in pushing forward our girls for selection in the HDSA association. In previous years we have had several girls make the under 13 Representative team, the under 13 Development team, the under 15 development team and the under 11 Representative and Development team. We are proud of our achievements and representation in the development and representative teams within HDSA.  

All children will be notified when selection is on and will be encouraged to try out.