Softball

Umpire Overview

Are you interested in becoming an umpire for the 2023 Spring Softball Season? Here's some basic information. 

Minimum age is 14

No time requirements, work as many or as few games as you prefer. 

Most games are during the week, with games starting at 6pm and/or 7:30pm.

Pays $40-45/game, depending on experience.

Equipment provided.

Training sessions will be held.

Ready to get started or have questions? Please contact Cheryl@myathletics.com. 

2025 Rec League Rules

FIND THE 2025 REC LEAGUE RULES HERE

2026 Spring Softball Key Dates

February 8th:  
Softball Rec League Evaluations, Fishers High School

March 8th
Team Drafts 

March 28th
Mandatory Softball Coaches Training Session. ALL COACHES MUST ATTEND. Equipment will be given to coaches at meeting.

Week of April 13th:  
Rec League Practices Begin

April 25th: 
Rec Opening Day

Begins on June 20th  
Rec Season End Tournament (games should conclude by June 26th)

2026 Spring Information Packet

Early bird spring registration will be held during the month of January 2026. Registration will be accepted online at www.myathletics.com.

Spring fees (early bird pricing) will be as follows:
• $150 – 6U
• $175 – 8U-14U
Age is based on participant’s age as of September 1, 2025 (see information packet for specific birthdate range per division) 
There will be a multi-player discount available for families registering three or more children. Early bird pricing will be available during the month of January. Beginning February 1st, registration fees will increase.
Find the spring 2026 information packet here.

2025/2026 Mudsock Youth Softball All-Star (Showcase)

Join our current All-Star Commissioner, Jerrod McFarland for a parent informational meeting on August 13th at 6 p.m. @ Olio Fields behind the concession stand. This meeting is not mandatory but highly encouraged to attend for a Q&A for any of our families new to the Rec Showcase All-Star process.

******TRYOUTS - Monday, August 25th. Check-in at 5:30 and tryouts 6 - 8 p.m. Pitchers 8-8:30 p.m. 

FIND THE 2025-2026 INFORMATION PACKET HERE

If any questions in the interim please direct them to Jerrod McFarland at jerrod.mcfarland@gmail.com. 

Showcase team Goal

1.    Continue to develop our players in a league program designed to foster players who want a higher level of competitiveness through additional     
   coaching, playing and developmental time. 

2.    Provide an environment that prepares players for travel softball. 

4.    Reduce erosion of players to other area softball programs.

5.    Provide a team that allows multi-sport athletes the flexibility to play other sports.

Showcase Team Structure

1.    The goal for the All-Star Showcase league is to have 3 age divisions.  NEW THIS YEAR: Age is determined as of Aug 31, 2025. 

a.     8U:    Age 6, 7, 8    (September 2016 through August 2018)

b.    10U:   Age 9, 10        (September 2014 through August 2016 )

c.     12U:   Age 11, 12      (September 2012 - August 2014) 

2.    Tryout is required for placement on a team. Participation is open to girls living in the Hamilton Southeastern School system.

3.    Try outs tentatively will be August 25, 2025. Please watch Mudsock Softball for more information.

5.    Additional All Star teams may be formed in the spring of 2026 for all age groups. The goal is to form at least one team per age group.

6.    Teams will play recreational softball and play in alliance Sundays in spring and All-Star tournaments in the summer. Coaches may decide to
     play in 1 Travel (C-Level) tournament.

7.    Teams cannot schedule Sunday alliance games that conflict with the Fall Rec Softball schedule.

8.    All players must participate in the Spring Season for Mudsock Youth Rec Softball. 

9.    Teams will practice once per week during Fall and Winter.

What to expect?

Athletes must register at myathletics.com to attend tryouts. Please note, there will be a $44 non-refundable tryout fee. 

Mudsock Youth Softball teams participate against other All-Star league teams much like the regular REC league program. Teams typically practice once a week through the winter.

Teams are formed in September.

Teams play Spring Alliance and end with Summer All Star Tournaments.

Coaches are given catcher's gear and heart guard for team use.

Parent information Q and A meeting will be held August 13th at 6:00pm at the Olio Field Concession stand.

Coaches are volunteers and will be selected via interview process.

Costs:

The cost is $44 per player to register. This fee is a tryout fee that covers insurance and administrative fees for the Mudsock Youth Athletics program. Upon accepting a spot on a roster, a $100 deposit will be collected. Those funds will be provided to the team to start a fund to help pay for use of indoor facility, uniforms and games. Additional funds may be needed and will be communicated by coaches as teams are self-funded. The costs to run an All-Stars team (year-round) typically costs between $5000-$6000 PER TEAM. This usually correlates to less than $500 per player, and can be offset with fundraising.

Provided by league:

Mudsock Youth Softball will defray the cost of the rental fee for the indoor facility during winter months and will provide insurance overage for players, coaches and certificate required for outside tournaments and facilities. Players will be required to have a glove, bat, batting helmet, and facemask for infield play. The league will provide catcher's gear and other basic equipment at the indoor facility. 

Refund Policy:

Refunds are subject to MYA Policy. The tryout fee ($44) is non-refundable.

Fall Softball Goals

1.     Continue to develop our players in a fun fall league program

2.     Prepare girls that will move up in age category in the Spring

3.     Provide a program for all girls to compete and play together

4.     Reduce erosion of our players to other area fall softball programs

Download The MOJO App

We are excited to share a great resource for coaches (or aspiring coaches!) to utilize!

We’ve partnered with a youth sports coaching app called MOJO. MOJO is a one-stop coach-in-a-box app that will simplify practice plans, for those of you coaching, or provide inspiration for drills in the driveway. The app includes hundreds of activities designed by top coaches and child development experts, along with videos. For coaches, it will automatically build your team’s practice at the tap of a screen — customized to age, skill level and more.

Coaches (and families) can download the MOJO app for free, through our partnership with the platform. Once you create a profile, you can use MOJO's coaching tools for free, which includes an extensive library of practice activities and plans (if you would like, you can also choose to purchase a MOJO+ subscription to unlock at-home training). 

Download MOJO for FREE

After you’ve set up a profile, please affiliate with Mudsock Youth Athletics on the app by following these instructions:

1.     On the “Practice” tab, select “Team” in the top right corner of the app

2.     Tap the gear wheel in the top right corner of the app

3.     Under “Org Affiliation” search for “Mudsock”

4.     Select “Mudsock Youth Athletics”

We believe this will be a game-changer for our coaches and players and we can’t wait to see it in action.

Communications

Mudsock Youth Softball communicates via Twitter. If you do not use Twitter you can receive updates via test message by following the instructions below.

INSTRUCTIONS for Twitter Notifications:

1.       Text “Follow @FHSESoftball” to 40404

2.       Text “Follow @Fishersfields to 40404

3.       If done correctly, you will immediately receive a text message indicating you are signed up for notifications via text.

2026 Softball Parent Information Packet

Download the 2026 spring information packet. The packet includes key contacts, calendar, goals of each age group, Rec league evaluation schedule, Rec All-Star information, CATS Travel Softball overview, Rec All-Star/Travel Coaching application, Volunteer information, and Corporate sponsorship details. 

Softball Age Waiver

It is the policy of the Mudsock Youth Softball League that kids are not to play up or down an age group for the safety and enjoyment of the child and other children in the program. In the event that a parent believes that their child is developmentally at a competitive level above or below that of his/her age group and that it is in the best interest of the child and our program that that child play up or down an age group, Mudsock Youth Softball will grant such a request with the parent taking full responsibility for this decision and signing the waiver below. 

2025 Softball Waiver 

*Please note, once the waiver is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Mudsock Youth Softball Board. If approved, the Mudsock Youth Athletics staff will contact you to finish/update your registration. 

Coaches: Example Practice Plan

This example practice plan is meant to provide an example to our coaches. More information will be provided by the board. We want to help develop the girls in our league and a big part of this goal is to help by providing resources for our coaches. If you have any questions or would like help developing your practice plans please visit the About Us page and contact the Player Development Commissioner or Player Agent or any Board member. We will do our best to support you as you invest your time to develop your team.

CATS Coaching Application

All candidates for Head Coach must submit an application to the All-Star Commissioner or Travel Commissioner one week prior to tryouts, and have a background check form on file with Mudsock Youth Athletics. The Travel Commissioners, Player Agent and League President will review Head Coaching applications and interview all qualified candidates. Once the Head coach is named, the Head coach will pick his or her Assistant Coaches. An application is not required for Assistant Coaches. 

League Weather Policy

Important expectations of coaches regarding threatening weather like lightening and high heat index. It is the coach's responsibility to protect their team. Please read the attach and understand what is expected of you.

Corporate and Rec Team Sponsorhip

The Mudsock Youth Softball League is pleased to report that youth softball continues to grow and thrive. The league is excited to present opportunities for corporate and recreational team sponsorships for the upcoming 2021 softball season. The dollars raised through sponsorship help fund our teams with equipment and uniforms and provide scholarships for those in need of financial assistance. We strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share the enjoyment of playing softball in our community. 

Find the 2021 Corporate and Team Sponsorship Form Here. 

ACCIDENT REPORT FORM

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM  in it's entirety and return a copy to the Mudsock Youth Athletics Office via fax (317-845-5687) or email (info@myathletics.com) within 30 days from the incident. Thank you! 

Mudsock Youth Softball All-Stars/Travel Coaching Application

All candidates for Head Coach must submit an application to the All-Star Commissioner or Travel Commissioner one week prior to tryouts, and have a background check form on file with Mudsock Youth Athletics. The Travel/All Star Commissioners, Player Agent and League President will review Head Coaching applications and interview all qualified candidates. Once the Head coach is named, the Head coach will pick his or her Assistant Coaches. An application is not required for Assistant Coaches. 

Coaches: Master Practice Plan with YouTube Examples

The travel softball program is designed to provide a higher level of training and competition to those players that have a desire to develop their skills beyond what the recreational level allows. This program requires significant parental and player time commitment. These teams are different from the All Stars in that these girls tend to play travel only. Girls must live within the Hamilton Southeastern School district in order to be eligible to tryout. Girls that are age 18 and under are eligible to try out. Independent, knowledgeable evaluators will conduct open tryouts and evaluations in the fall. The Travel Commissioner is in charge of this evaluation process. The Head Coach will select the team based on the evaluation scores provided by the League and his or her personal knowledge of the player’s ability. The Travel Commissioner will work with Travel Head Coaches to assure top scoring girls are named to the team.

How many teams are typically in each age group?
We historically have had at least 2 teams at 10u, 12u and 14u. In more recent years we have had enough interest to add a 3rd team at 12u and a High School team. We will form as many teams as we are able, while ensuring each team has enough pitching and catching to remain competitive.

What is a typical schedule?
The fall season typically runs September through early October. The spring/summer season typically runs April through mid-July. Most teams typically practice 2 times per week August – October and January-July. All outdoor practices are at Olio Fields. All indoor practices are at our indoor facility in Fortville. Many coaches will host optional workouts in November & December. Most teams play an average of 3-5 tournaments in the fall and 9-10 tournaments in the spring/summer.  High School teams will typically play 3-5 indoor tournaments between November and February. 10u, 12u and 14u non-HS may also play 1-2 indoor tournaments during that timeframe. 

What is the typical cost per player?
Typical cost per player is around $600 + uniforms (approx. $150). Total cost per player will depend on how many tournaments each team participates in and any team fundraising.

Where do most teams travel?
We typically host 2-3 tournaments at Olio in the fall and 4-6 tournaments at Olio in the spring/summer. Other popular tournament sites are Center Grove, Shelbyville, Edinburgh, Columbus & Upland. Teams do have the ability to travel out of state, including participating in a World Series, should they choose to do so.

What equipment is needed?
Players will purchase a team bat bag and helmet. All players are expected to provide their own face mask and bat. Catchers are expected to provide their own gear. Pitchers and corner infielders are highly encouraged to wear heart guard shirts.

What level do Cats teams typically play?
The top team in each age group typically will register and play in B level tournaments. The 2nd team in each age group will typically register and play as either an Open or C team, depending on age and experience of the players. 

Do all players have to live in HSE School District?
All 10u, 12u and non-HS 14u players must live in the HSE School District. High School teams can have up to 25% of their roster consist of players who live outside the HSE School District. 

How many players are typically on each team?
Most non-High School teams carry 11 players. High School teams will typically have 12 players. 

Are lessons required?
Lessons are not required at any level, however pitching lessons are recommended for pitchers in all age groups. Hitting lessons are recommended for all players 12u and above. 

Are there rules on playing time?
There are no rules on playing time. Coaches have discretion in determining playing time and positions. We encourage coaches to keep time as equal as possible while being competitive and developing players in multiple positions.