WELCOME TO WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION!!

SEASON 2021/2022


Lets Play Ball!

Looking for something different this summer?

Looking for a fun sport for the whole family, all done and dusted in 2 hours?

The Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association has what you are looking for. We have a range of Softball grades for the whole family of all ages and abilities to compete in. From Junior Teeball, through to Senior Softball on Saturdays and Social Slowpitch on Friday Nights.

What is softball? Softball is a fun game played between two teams composed of 9+ players. Nine or 10 players (slow pitch only) are on the field at a time. The goal of softball is to score more runs than the opponent by batting (i.e. hitting) a ball, running around the bases and touching each base in succession.

Compared to baseball, softball is played on a smaller diamond, the pitches are thrown underhand instead of overhand and runners cannot leave the bases until the pitch has been thrown. Softballs are also bigger than baseballs.

For younger grades, U8 Teeballers hit off a tee (standing post), before moving to U10 manual pitching machine and through to live pitching (U13+).


Junior Softball

  • "Tiny Sox" (0 - 4yrs old/ Toddlers/Preschool): This can be available on request
    • Playing games with toddlers and teaching basics e.g hand & eye co-ordination, throwing, participation and skill development etc
    • Teaching toddlers to have fun and enjoy what they doing.

  • U8 Teeball/ Tee Sox (5 – 7 yrs old / Year 0-3):
    • The game is played by 2 teams of 7 players minimum per team. In T-Ball, there is no pitcher. The ball is placed on an adjustable tee atop the home plate at a suitable height for the batter to strike. It is a fun way and stepping stone to learn how to play Softball. This game is focused on PARTICIPATION, development of basic skills and fun rather then on the competitive aspect.
    • more information refer to Click here
  • U10 Softball/ Kiwi Sox (8 – 9 yrs old / Year 4-6): 
    • U10 Softball is where the basics of softball is taught from batting, fielding, throwing and catching.
    • Teams are mixed teams (boys and girls)
    • Manual Pitching Machine (Operated by adult).
    • More information refer to Click here
  • U13 Softball/ Rookie Sox (age 10 - 12 / School Year 7-8): 
    • the game of softball at this grade is developed more in prepration of college grade softball
    • Manual Pitching Machine pre-Christmas and beginner Pitching post-Christmas
    • More information refer to Click here
  • U15, U17, U19 Softball/ Emerging Sox, (age 12 - 18 / School Year 9-13):
    • Official Softball NZ rules.
    • under new development programme now called "Emerging Sox"
    • More information refer to Click here


Senior League

  • Men & Womens Grade (14 +)
    • More information refer to Click here
    • Under new development programme now called "Major Sox"
    • Sections differ with competition available 
      • Senior Men's
      • Senior Women's

Slow Pitch (aged 13yrs +)

  • This is a fun social game.
  • The ball is lobbed instead of pitched.
  • The teams are mixed.
  • No experience is required to enjoy the games at 6.00pm on Friday evenings.
  • This is a great competition for players new to the game, work teams or a group of mates wanting to have fun. 
  • Register your business team or group of friends or join one of the existing teams.
  • More information refer to Click here


Times: 

Friday Nights

  • 6pm - 9pm                       Slow Pitch 

Saturdays

  • 8.30am - 9.30am            U8 Tee Ball
  • 9.00am - 10.00am          U10 Senior Primary and U13 Intermediate Softball
    • 9.30am - 11am          U15/U17/U19 College Softball
  • 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm      Senior open grade Softball


Who to contact:


Diamonds

Our facilities at Carlton Street Reserve, Otumoetai, Tauranga, has two grass diamonds and two skin diamonds. The building located in the centre of the park accommodates the toilet block, the equipment/ maintenance room and the umpires’/scorer's room. 

Field booking for training & games. Please, contact our Secretary with details: who, when, how long to: secretarysoftballwbop@gmail.com


Registrations

Team and Individual Player Registration. Please apply online;

  • Team Registration: email secretarysoftballwbop@gmail.com to enter a team.
  • Player Registration: Click here After September 1st 2021.

or please see your Club/ Team manager to fill Registration Form.