About Newton Girls Softball

Mission Statement

Newton Girls Softball is an independent, non-profit organization committed to providing all Newton girls with an experience that fosters positive self-esteem, team spirit, and individual growth through personal achievement and as a team member.

Registration is open to all girls in grades 1 - 10 who live in Newton or attend a Newton Public School. The spring recreational program is committed to the development of athletic capability and sportsmanship by focusing on teaching the fundamentals of softball in an environment that supports all skill sets.   We foster positive self-esteem, team spirit, and individual growth through personal achievement and as a team member. Some basic guidelines include "fairly" distributed playing time and access to all playing positions, but for a coach's concern regarding a player's safety."  We provide various clinics to further players' skills.

Click Spring Rec League for more general  information on dates, game schedules, field locations, etc.
Click Policies and Guidelines for more information on the values and rules that guide the administration of the Rec League.
Click Clinics & Camps for more player clinic information.

The Panthers travel teams are a step up in competition from the recreational league. Our goal is to provide a competitive softball environment for players eager to improve their skills through hard work and effort.  Players are selected based upon ability, commitment, and attitude by coaches and panther board members.

Summer is the Panthers primary season as competitive travel softball is a summer sport in our region. Based on player interest and coach availability we typically field summer teams in each of the following age groups:  8U, 10U (A &B), 12U (A&B), 14U (A&B), 18U (combined 15-18 years old).

In 2011 we entered a 12u spring team in the NEAAU and will do so again in the Spring 2012. We also field 10u, 12u and/or 14u teams in a local fall league.

Click Panther Travel Teams for more information.

• Teach fundamentals of the game.
• Encourage development and good sportsmanship of all players through participation in a team environment.
• Have fun, make new friends, and grow as a member of a team.
• Win enough games to feel good about the team and the season.  The league will make every effort to create balanced teams, allowing for the highest level of fair competition, and ensuring that players feel good about their teams and the season.

• Develop your softball skills. Have fun! Winning is better than losing, but you can have just as much fun in a losing season as in a winning one.  Remember that you are doing this to have fun.  If you're not having fun, then someone involved with your team - you, your coach, or your teammates - is doing something wrong.  Try to figure out what the problem is and get it fixed.
• Be able to play different positions (if that is what you want to do).  Your coach must position you in the field for a minimum of 3 of the 5 innings per game with at least two innings per game in the infield.
• Receive only positive comments from your coach, your teammates, and opposing teams' members and coaches.

• Attend practices regularly.
• Be at games on time, or inform your coach in advance if you have a schedule conflict.
• Cheer your team and say only positive things about your opponents and the umpire.

Guidelines for Parents - We strongly encourage you to support our League goals in the following ways:

• Be positive toward your daughter with respect to her performance, her teammates, and girls on other teams!  Positive cheering only.
• Let the coach do the coaching.
• Do not question the umpire about her decisions directly or indirectly.  If you must, quietly discuss your thoughts with your daughter's coach after the game.

Please keep in mind that softball is sport and good performance on the field translates into winning.  Winning takes on a life of its own, and energizes a team and its players.  We let this happen in NGSoftball, but recognize that development comes from losing as well.  If winning becomes the sole purpose of your child's team, something is wrong.  Let us know!

Softball is a team sport and part of being a good teammate is attendance. Therefore we expect players to attend at least 75% of the games and practices. If you are considering another activity that also requires your attendance on one of your game days, PLEASE be fair to yourself and others by selecting only one activity this spring.

A successful program depends on more than just the energy of our many volunteers.  Our league needs additional funding to meet the costs of new equipment, skills clinics by specialized outside instructors, and improved playing fields.  These costs are well beyond what we collect through our registration fees.

Please click SPONSORS to view the many companies and families who have helped to make Newton Girls Softball a great success each year.