Softball
 

When and where are the evaluations for softball? I am in the village of Sanibel and looking for someone who might already be playing who I could throw the ball with to see if I can still play. If available, I can come to your place. Just want to see if I can still play.

I think Wednesday mornings at Buffalo Ridge fields starting at 8 - but check the Recreation News to confirm. Would love to throw the ball, but my shoulder would object.

Tuesday mornings @ Buffalo Glen softball fields. First time you go you should be there by 7:30 a.m.

Actually, you need to be there at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays. You have to be evaluated 3 times before placed in a division. If you are truly ready to get started, go three Tuesdays in a row. My man Ed did that last May and has played every season since and has even coached as well.

Hi,
My name is Ron. I'm in the same boat so to speak. Played ball for about 25 years but its been a while now. From what I understand you and I will have to be evaluated. They do it on Tuesdays and there will be 3 separate sessions. I won't be there until August but I plan on going through the process once I get there. I'd be glad to get together when I get there to practice up a little if you haven't done the evaluations by then. If you go ahead I still would appreciate hearing from you about the experience and what to expect. I think they have about 6 divisions and players are placed after the evaluation process. I don't know if they draft or if you have to know someone to get on a team. Let me know what you find out and if anyone is looking for new players. (I played all outfield positions and can also play some infield if needed.) Good luck.

If you're coming in August, the fields at Buffalo Glen are closed once a year from mid-August to early September for maintenance. Same thing happened to me back in 2011, so I had to wait until September to get started.

You have one year to get evaluated once you start going, however I would just knock out all three in a row. You'll see yourself getting better quicker that way. I hadn't played softball since 1980 but now I'm playing in my ninth consecutive season.

There are neighborhood teams for most villages that play once a week on Saturday mornings and use aluminum bats and are coed with all village residents. There are recreation (Rec) leagues that play two days during the week and players use Mikak bats they purchase themselves and men and woman play in separate leagues.

There are 5 levels, most villagers fall into category 3 or 4 and you'll find plenty of neighborhood teams at that those levels. When I first arrived our village (Tamarind Grove) was new, so we didn't have a team and I played for Calumet Grove, a village at the far northern end. Then the following season we got a team and now we have two teams. Although during the summer with snowbirds leaving, we have joined with another village to fill out a team. We play with 11 players on a team, 4 outfielders and an extra (rover) infielder.

There are also days you can go down to batting practice. We bat Sundays starting around 7am at Saddlebrook.

What is the time frame for the Sunday practice?

My understanding is that you do not have to go three Tuesdays in a row, but must go three Tuesdays in a six month period. Am I wrong?

Rodie - I am not currently playing, but have attended my first evaluation session. I would be willing to throw a ball around with you. I live in Charlotte close to you. Call Ron at 352-633-9308 if interested.

For Sunday's you can go anytime early am till around noon. I was going around 9am till noon to practice. I also live in Sanibel and will be available for a catch in July - if it isn't to hot. Let me know! Sanibel also has a rec team that plays on Saturdays. I'm planning on playing this coming Winter.

Correct, that you do not have go 3 Tues in a row.. Not sure about the 6 mos. I thought it was a yr.

In my post above #6, I gave the basics for getting started. "You have one year to get evaluated once you start going, however I would just knock out all three in a row. You'll see yourself getting better quicker that way."

One thing I left out that's important. When you finish evaluation you'll fill out what's called a 'blue sheet', in fact you'll do that before every season you play, but in following sesons you'll just hand it back to your manager. Normally when you finish evaluation you may be forced to be a sub until that first season ends. I found that the day I turned in my blue sheet, I had three managers calling me that night. Two for rec league and one neighborhood, all wanting me to play on their team. So I never had to sub, I went with the neighborhood team and played the last 9 games with them that first season. Most seasons are 14 games long and we have 3 seasons a year.