For kids 8 or under on Jan 1 of year softball is being played, but all 3rd graders who have not yet played 2 years of 8U are welcome to play. 1st graders with at least 1 year of 6U experience are welcome to play 8U.
8U is machine pitch and it's primary focus is to have fun and learn the competitive aspects of softball including score, outs, and to continue developing their basic softball skills to prepare them for player pitch levels at traveling or in-house. Players will spend time learning how to pitch near the end of each season.
Season tentatively scheduled to begin at the start of May. Season ends with the End of Season tournament on weekend in mid July.
Practices and Games are on Monday and Wednesday Evenings at locations in Mendota Heights. Mendakota Park, Friendly Hills and Sibley are the typical locations but may include additional fields around the area, particularly on practice nights where a machine is not always needed.
Practice and Games are 1 hour and 15 minutes. Start times can range anywhere between 5:30pm - 7:15pm.
Season includes 2 weekend events at Mendakota Park against other In-House Mendota Heights teams. In 2019, the Mid-season tourney is May 31st - June 2nd. The End of Season tourney is July 12th - July 14th. 8U tourneys may include Friday night games.!
Please consider signing up to coach when you register! It is a very rewarding experience and a great way to get to know your child's friends and others in the community. MHAA Softball will provide guidance and training for all coaches signing up. We know that it can be difficult to commit to being available every Monday and Wednesday evening from April - July. You don't need to be available every day. Assistant coaches and parents are there to fill in when needed.
8U is an intro to REAL softball. It is a machine pitch league. Scores and standings will be kept, and there are 3 outs per inning.
Batting helmet, glove and non-metal cleats required (not provided)
Each player receives a jersey, and hat. Players may choose to purchase softball pants and socks separately.
Season begins with Pre-Season Clinics on Mondays and team practices on Wednesdays for the first 2 weeks of the season.
Beginning in mid to late May, games will be played -- depending on field availability this year, we will try to schedule most games on one of those days of the week -- we are not sure if that is Monday or Wednesday yet.