PLAY SOFTBALL!

Come play ball!

• Tee-ball
• Junior Softball
• Senior Softball
• Premier Softball
• Slow Pitch

No matter what your age or ability, there is something for you at Northcote!

A sport for the whole family - kids in the morning and mums and dads in the afternoon on Saturdays.

Located at Rosedale Park in Albany we are one of the TOP CLUBS at North Harbour, previous winners of the DURBIN TROPHY recognising this acheivement.

What is softball

The object of the game is to hit the ball to move runners around the bases and to score more runs than the opposition team. The fielding team will do everything in their power to prevent the runners from progressing and/or scoring. Younger grades hit off a tee, before gradually learning and moving into live pitching.

What is Balance is Better

Balance is Better is an evidence base philosophy to support quality sports experiences for all young people, regardless of ability, needs and motivations. It is about young people staying involved in sport for life and realising their potential at the right time. The foundation principles are; fair, safe and inclusive sport, collective and attitudinal change, bold and courageous leadership, working together, encourage variety, talent ID occurs later, skill development opportunities for all & balance getting better with doing too much. Northcote Softball supports the North Harbour Softball Associations contributions towards the well being of all its players and families by delivering enriching, inspiring play, recreation and sporting environments for all. For more information please click here https://balanceisbetter.org.nz/

Grades

Under 5 Tee-Ball (Preschoolers 6 a side)

Fun tee-ball played with foam bats and balls. The games are played with 6 aside to maximise participation for our young players. It is designed to teach fundamental movement skills in a fun and safe environment. Parental involvement is encouraged and allows them to join in the fun too. Sessions are no longer than 45 minutes. Along with teaching movement skills, this grade will teach a basic understanding of tee ball. 

Under 7 Tee-Ball  (5 - 7 years old)

This grade is an action packed fun game, and is a development grade only. Progressing from the Under 5 experience, players still hit off a tee using soft touch flexi balls and regulation bats. Maximum number of players is 10. All players bat and field. No walks and no stealing of bases. No infield fly rule. Tied games are allowed. Batting side bats through all players. Once the last batter hits and play is complete, side away. Play stops when the ball is place on the Tee, or the Catcher is holding the ball on home plate. Games are 60 minutes. No scores or results are posted and no finals are played, encouraging a learning, skills based environment for our young ones.

Under 9 years old (7 - 8 years old)

The next step up from U7 Tee-ball and continuing on the development pathway offers Tee-Ball for the first half of the season moving into modified slow pitch for the second half. Players are introduced to hitting a ball live in motion and on the field players are taught how to pitch with an under arm motion without a windup or windmill style arm action. Still using soft touch flexi balls if the batter has not hit the ball after 2/3 pitchs the Tee is presented irrelevant of strikes and balls. Maximum number of players is 12. All 12 players bat during the game and 10 players can field at one time. No stealing of bases. No intentional walks. No infield fly rule. No hit by pitch rule. Tied games are allowed. Batting side changes after 3 outs or 7 runs whichever comes first. No runs will be counted after the 7th run has been counted in. Games are 60 minutes. No scores or results are posted and no finals are played, encouraging a learning, skills based environment for our young ones.

Under 11 years old (9 - 10 years old)

This is the grade that includes a competitive element. The first round is a kind of non comp grading round moving into the next round as competitive, meaning scores and results count and finals will be played! Pitching moves from the under arm slow pitch style into the full windmill style arm action using a 12" Flexiball. Maximum number of players is 12. Games are 75 minutes. Compulsory rotation of fielding postions between games per week to ensure development in all areas for all players. Minimum of 2 pitchers and 2 catchers used during the game. All innings start with a runner on 1st base, giving each team a little head start. Stealing of bases are allowed. No intentional walks. Tied games are allowed. Batting side changes after 3 outs or 7 runs whichever comes first. However if the batting side has scored 6 runs before the 3rd out, then all runs batted in with the 7th run will count. Drop 3rd strike - batter is automatically out. 9 batters, 9 fielders. Coaches encourage equal game time and opportunities regarding substitutions , following the "Balance is Better" concepts of fair play.

Under 13 years old (11 - 12 years old)

All competition grade. Maximum number of players is 12. Scores and results are posted for this grade and finals will be played. Games are 90 minutes. Compulsory rotation of fielding postions between games per week to ensure development in all areas for all players. Minimum of 2 pitchers and 2 catchers used during the game and must also be rotated weekly. 1 pitcher and 1 catcher from previous week can be used. Stealing of bases is allowed.  Batting side changes after 3 outs or 7 runs whichever comes first. However if the batting side has scored 6 runs before the 3rd out, then all runs batted in with the 7th run will count. Drop 3rd strike Rule is in Play - Batter is out only if 1st base is occupied with a runner on base and there is less than 2 out. Infield Fly Rule is in Play. No intentional walks. Tied games are allowed except for finals.

Under 15 Boys & U15/17 Girls (13 - 16 years old)

Fastpitch competition Softball New Zealand Rules. Maximum number of players 15. Designated Player (DP) can be used. No Designated Runners allowed. Scores and results posted, finals also to be played. Games are 90 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first. Minimum of 2 pitchers and 2 catchers used during the game and must also be rotated weekly. 1 pitcher and 1 catcher from previous week can be used. No games to finish tied - Tie Breaker to be used to gain result or clear winner.

Under 17/19 Boys or Girls (15-18 years old)

Fastpitch competition Softball New Zealand Rules. Maximum number of players 15. Designated Player (DP) can be used. No Designated Runners allowed. Scores and results posted, finals also to be played. Games are 105 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first. Minimum of 2 pitchers and 2 catchers used during the game and must also be rotated weekly. 1 pitcher and 1 catcher from previous week can be used. No games to finish tied - Tie Breaker to be used to gain result or clear winner.

Senior Softball

We have Division 1 (competitive) and Division 3 (social/competitive) adult Men's and Women's softball.

Depending on team registrations each year, these divisions may divide into competitive and social sections after a grading round.

Fastpitch competition Softball New Zealand Rules.

Games are 1 hour 45 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first. No bunting in Division 3.

Premier Softball North Harbour

Reserve Women and Reserve and Premier Men are our elite players competing at their highest level showcasing the very best talent at North Harbour for our young athletes to aspire to and rounding off a clear pathway from our U5's all the way through to the top level

Fastpitch competition Softball New Zealand Rules.

Games are 1 hour 45 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first.

Premier Softball Auckland

Reserve and Premier Womens Teams are our elite players competing at their highest level in the Auckland Softball Association Competition. Taking their game to a wider audience, further increasing their experience and game time, providing more opportunity and exposure for National Selection at this level.

Fastpitch competition Softball New Zealand Rules.

Reserve Games are 1 hour 25 minutes or 7 innings whichever comes first.

Premier Games are 7 innings, no time limit.

Slow Pitch Winter and Summer Competitions

This is a fun social game. The ball is lobbed instead of pitched. The teams are mixed.

The Winter Competition is usually played on Sundays with the Summer Competition played on Thursday nights. This is a great competition for work teams or a group of mates wanting to have fun.

Mixed teams of 12 or more players (60/40 ratio, 8 male/4 female or vice versa).

75 minute games.

NHSA facilities

Rosedale park boasts 16 grass diamonds and two world class skin diamonds and stadium seating. The clubhouse is located in the centre of the park and has a canteen, lounge and bar. 

Tables and umbrellas are set up overlooking the grass diamonds and this is a great place to relax and unwind while watching games. There is a playground close by for the children to burnoff energy.