Softball Program

The Softball Division of the CBSL consists of girls ages 7 through 18 and has five leagues:

Instructional (7)
Rookie (8)
Minor (9 & 10)
Major (11 & 12)
Senior (13 -18)

The regular season begins in early April and ends by mid-June.

Instructional Softball League

Birth dates between 8/1/2001 and 10/1/2002 for the 2009 season The youngest group is the Instructional Softball League. It was formed in 1996 to accommodate the 7-year-old girls who wished to play softball and runs approximately 7 weeks. During the first two weeks, each player participates in a total of 4 clinics focusing on the fundamentals of catching, throwing, hitting, fielding and base running. By the end of the first two weeks, the girls are drafted onto teams of 11 or 12 players. Each team participates in 10 noncompetitive structured games.

At the end of the playing season, all-star players of 8-year-old girls from each team are selected to participate in an all-star game. After the game an awards presentation is made and all the players, both 7 and 8 year olds, receive either a small medal or trophy.

Rookie Softball League

Birth dates between 8/1/00 and 7/31/2001 for the 2009 season

The Rookie League was established in 2005 for the sole purpose of instructing 8 year-old-children in the fundamentals of softball. The goal of the league and the managers in the league will be to prepare the children for the Cranford Minor League, making the transition to the higher level of play easier. This preparation includes teaching the players the basics of fielding, hitting, pitching (even though coaches will pitch for the majority of the season) and the rules of the game.

Minor Softball League

Birth dates between 8/1/98 and 7/31/00 for the 2009 season

The Minor Softball League consists of girl's ages 9 and 10. Games are 6 innings and played at the Adams Avenue Complex on the Nomahegan Field. Pitching is introduced at this level with managers pitching 3 innings and the players pitching 3 innings. League standings are kept and the teams participate in playoffs. An all-star game is held toward the end of the season.

Major Softball League

Birth dates between 8/1/96 and 7/31/98 for the 2009 season

The Major Softball League is for girls ages 11 and 12. Games are also 6 innings and follow ASA Fast-Pitch Softball rules with a few modifications. Games are played at the Adams Avenue Complex on the Cormier Field; this field is equipped with lights for late night games. League playoffs and an all-star game are held at the end of the season.

Senior Softball League

Birth dates between 8/1/90 and 7/31/96 for the 2008 season

Girls ages 13 through 18 (or High School students) play in the Senior Softball League. Games follow ASA Fast Pitch Softball rules. League playoffs and an all-star game are held at the end of the season. Weekday games are played under the lights on the Antone Field at the Adams Avenue Complex.

Summer and Fall Play

In addition to the regular season, girls are eligible to try-out for teams at the 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under and 16 & under age groups for Summer tournament play. These teams also participate in the Parkway Invitational Softball League from the end of June to the end of July. The girls on the High School softball teams may participate in a Fall League. These teams compete against teams outside of Cranford.

Fastpitch Pitching Clinic

The softball program also offers a fastpitch pitching clinic thoughout the Fall, Winter and early Spring seasons. The clinic is held at the Orange Avenue gym every Saturday and the time varies depending on the recreational basketball and field hockey clinic programs. The pitching clinic runs for one and half-hours each Saturday. Only girls who are registered in the CBSL program may participate in the pitching clinic. There is no cost to participate in the fastpitch pitching clinic.