Softball for new residents
 

Where are all the guys playing softball who live in Gilchrist, Pinellas etc.. as it's so far from Saddlebrook, etc?? any word on new softball fields coming soon?? Getting very crowded at fields.

It is fun to ride there in your golf cart?
 

I guess the answer lies in why do people eat at Evans Prairie although they live in Mira Mesa or why do people enjoy musical events at Church on the Square at Spanish Springs and travel from Duval? Why do artists travel from one side of the villages to the other to attend art studios in different rec centers. Why do golfers play every course in The Villages?

Most people do NOT consider moving about the villages to attend activities they like to be a hardship. AND more importantly, all rec centers, pools, and all activities are there for all villagers. So a softball field if built south of 466A would be used by all softball players all over this town.

I purchased the latest Villages map and it shows what looks to be a new softball field at the end of Morse Blvd near st rd 44.It will be across the street from a new regional rec center.

as someone married to a softball fan I can tell you they DEFINITELY need new fields. And the two shown on the map will NOT be enough. The guys in neighborhood now have to play at 2-3 pm and that is not good as all softball players know. It's just not enough fields for the amt of people living here. Would like to hear from softball players in the new neighborhoods.

to have to travel everyday in your golf cart from Gilchrist to Saddlebrook would be ridiculous. Much too far. we were considering buying in new section but the lack of softball fields, stores, gas stations, etc is really holding us back. It may be too risky. What if they do NOT have them in future??

Heartnsoul? You don't live here yet? I am so surprised. You really ARE doing your due diligence, and becoming part of the community.

Didn't you promote the Baby Boomers Club?

Gracie, The Baby BLOOMER.

I will be at the Villages in July, looking at homes and that is also my main concern, purchasing in the new section, because, I like to be near restaurants, shopping and a large rec. center, because I like to stay in shape and workout, so my plan is to look at older homes around 466 and homes in the new section.

Its a big decision buying my last new home, I just want to get it right the first time.

The last lot in our new village on 466 is now being built on. You would have been such a nice neighbor.

We love our house off 466. It is so convenient. I am pretty sure there are still lots in Mission Hills?

I do live in the villages that is why I am so familar with all around us. We were wanting to move to new section however getting too far away for softball for hubby. also no shopping, gas stations, restaurants, etc out there is a Major concern. Also can't find right property. Just all up in air on what to do. Purchasing in new section now is a problem as nothing is out there. Are we guaranteed to have everything out there?? Probably NOT. So when buying yes location is important. We were looking at a piece on wetlands but now your "mold" statement has me concerned so have second thoughts on that. Yeeks this is becoming almost impossible.

Whats this all about? He just asked a good question about new softball fields. Seems like you gave him a lecture.

Hi there paul and jean. How ya doin' this morning. Did you sleep well?

Just another day in Paradise.

Help me down off my soapbox kiddo.

What joyful thing are you two up to this morning??

I thought Heartnsoul was a GIRL.

Are you a girl Heartnsoul?

ok just met with RE agent. ONLY ONE is shown on new map with ONLY two fields and she said who knows what they would use it for possibly women's teams, etc... So it does NOT look good for softball players moving out in new area. Just an update for the folks interested. It would be a very long drive from Collier over to Saddlebrook everyday.

My husband is a player/manager in both the recreation leaque and the neightborhood league. I go to a lot of softball games. Even if new fields were to be build south of 466A, it would not solve the problem of distance Games would be scheduled at Sandlebrook, Buffalo Glen and the new fields. Just because you lived in Gilchrist etc wouldn' t mean that you would not play at Sandlebook. All teams would be evenly divided among the fields but not necessarily by village. All softball fields are for everyone not just nearby residents.

Apple pie.......is there a neighborhood team representing the Village of Fernandina? Thought since your husband was active in softball you might know.........or.......direct me to where I could research subject. I have been on softball site and don't see a team.

Thanks in advance.

Checked with hubby. As of now, there is no team from Fernandina in the neighborhood league. Fernandina is such
a new village that sometimes it takes awhile to get one started. Check with the rec department. They can tell you how to start a team.

Thank you........will do as suggestested

Although you have a valid point, people moving in new area have to put up with distance which can be quite far from Collier to Buffalo Glen, Saddlebrook, etc.. in golf cart.
My husband also plays and coaches and evaluates and umpires so I am very familar with softball as I live it. I disagree that new fields would NOT help. Living out in Gilchrist, Pinellas, collier, etc now will definitely be a problem. IF they built 8 more fields like they should out there (four plus four) as they have NOW then all those in new areas could have their teams out that way. they should be keeping up with the population growth. There is NO room now for more teams on Saddlebrook. Neighborhood teams are now playing in afternoon instead of mornings because of the additional players and the players do not want to play 2 pm in afternoon heat. The hours they are playing are getting crazy as to make room for new players. they just need more fields period. the population has increased tremendously and the need for more softball fields (as gyms) is definitely warranted.

Checked with my hubby. If you don't have a neighborhood team yet, you go to any team who needs a player. Maybe you can substitute till you get official team

I went through this situation in July of 2011 when I moved into the new village of Tamarind Grove. At that time it was less than half build, for example I'm in Southern Star Villas, which was the first villa community and was the only one built. Three more CYV communities were built for a total of four in Tamarind Grove. The home building in cottages and designers were also at about less than half built. Now our village is completely built and only St. James is the only remaining village north of 466A that is not built out.

Before anyone can play softball they must be evaluated, this means going to Tuesday mornings evaluations at 7:30 at least three times within a year. After I moved in I found out the only time this is not available was late August and early September while the fields are in repair. So I had to wait until September and went three consecutive weeks.

When finished I turned in my 'blue sheet' at Saddlebrook Rec Center and figured I would be a sub for the remainder of the fall season. That first night three managers called me to play full time on their time. I only wanted to play neighborhood ball on Saturday so I chose the Calumet Grove team. I played Oct, Nov and Dec for the team.

Around Thanksgiving a fellow in our village let it be known he wanted to start a TG team. We met at his house and we had about 15 players. We started play January 2012 in the Level 4 neighborhood league and finished the season in the middle of the pack at 8 and 6. I also played on our TG team in the summer and fall seasons of 2012. We have a lot of turnover with players becoming injured, leaving for the summer and new people being evaluated. I'm probably only one of five players from that original 15 that started that team.

Beginning this year we had enough players that we split into two TG teams. We just played the last game of this season today and will start the summer season in about three weeks. We will only have about 9 players this summer on the team I play so we are joining with one of the Liberty Parks teams that is also shorthanded and then we will have a full roster. We normally play with 11 players and it's good to have about 15 on the roster since poeple are always out for various reasons.


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We just moved to Gilchrist from Sabal Chase. I signed up late last year, becasue I wasn't sure about my work schedule. When I determined I could play full time, they placed me on a team based on team needs not neighborhoods. This of course is for the neighborhood leagues. The MAIN thing is get evaluated. You need to start now with that process. As for the recreation leagues, I know division 1 has already drafted for the year. I want to say division 2 has drafted as well. Once you are evaluated, if the division you end up in has drafted, you can show up 30 minutes before the game and get on the sub list. You are listed as a sub or priority sub. A priority sub is a sub, who is looking to get on a team due to injury. Also I want to say a priority sub is a player who is a on a team and their team is on a bye week. This goes for recreation league and neighborhood leagues. And yes the only two places to play accessible by golf cart, Saddlebrook and Buffalo Glen. About a 30 minute ride by golf cart. There is another field just off Villages property where a lot of Villagers play as well.

57Chevy, the other field you referred to is on Village property. It was the first field built in The Villages.

If you reread the post you will see he is a she and has a hubby. There are softball teams formed down here, but yes, they do have to use fields more north. My friend's husband plays for a Charlotte team at Bonita.
I didn't get lecture out of a short post. You seem a little defensive about some people's posts, yourself. Seems like you gave a lecture. Chill out! This has nothing to do with you.

Long way to drive a cart to get to the polo field also. Maybe the developer should build one south of 466a also. Well, after the publix, restaurants, etc.

Good thought Doug. Cars still work for longer distances.

We could maybe get the White House to build a branch here too...and maybe, well the possibilities are endless.

My maiden aunt used to tell us...Wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which one gets full the fastest.

She was a mean old bird, but had some valid ideas.;)

Will add your maiden Aunt's saying to my arsenal......thank you......that was good. :clap2:

Why?
 

Thank you, Gracie! I am always stunned by those who have never been to Spanish Springs and don't want to travel north of 466. Everything (meaning all the activities I like) are moving south. Fine. However, if I need to travel, why can't others?

I think everyone needs to lighten up and know that going 5 minutes further is really no big deal, it won't get any better. When I have to travel to 466A, I simply start out earlier and enjoy the beauty that The Villages offers in every mile! Nice people smile and that makes it all the better.