- Southern Ohio Softball League
- 2024 Board Members
- Kristin Bennett (President) Sara Hubbard (VP)
- Jaime Mayes (treasurer) Chassity Fender (secretary)
- Thank you Rachel Ray and Mick McMullen for 10+ years of volunteer work to SOSLI
Welcome
Subscribe to our NewsletterPreliminary Schedules
Preliminary schedules have been posted. Disctrict Reps and Coaches will be reviewing them this week. This post will be removed in the next couple days making them official 2024 schedules.
2024 Softball Umpire Clinics
SOSLI will be hosting Umpire Training Clinics in two locations this season:
March 9th(10am-3pm) & 10th (1-4pm) at John Heisler Park in Goshen for first and second year umpire training.
March 16th(10am-3pm) & 17th (1-4pm) at Georgetown High School for first and second year umpire training.
SOSLI will be training umpires for 2024, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to call a game. The four-hour clinic will focus on rules, calling the game, and in-game situations. Participants will need to pass an open-book, multiple choice test at the conclusion of the training. Upon completion of the course, participants will be permitted to umpire softball games throughout the Southern Ohio Softball League. Pre-register online at SouthernOhioSoftball.com. Please arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the start of the clinic if registering in-person.
There will not be abbreviated training for experienced umpires this season. Returning umpires with 2+ years of experience, adult coaches who attend the coaches meeting, and knothole baseball umpires that have taken and passed the training only need to register online at SouthernOhioSoftball.com. Contact SOSLI Umpire Coordinator Justin Bonnel (513) 601-7773 with any questions or rule clarification.
The cost of the Umpire Clinic is $20. This includes 2-day training sessions, umpire card, SOSLI rule book, umpire indicator/clicker and SOSLI umpire shirt. There is no cost to returning umpires that have last year's rule book and shirt. Most softball districts pay $25-$40 per game depending on age group they umpire. Please contact your district rep with any questions.
Softball Umpire Age Requirements
U5-U9 age divisions, umpire must be at least 13 years old.
U10-12 age divisions, umpire must be at least 14 years old.
U14 age division, umpire must be at least 16 years old.
2023 EOS TOURNAMENT: WE GOT BLING!
The SOSLI 2023 season came to a close on Sunday. Despite a dreadful forcast, the championships were played under bright blue sunny skies. The competition was fierce, as we had 3 divisions which the loser bracket team forced the "if" game. This season, the league decided to do things a little different and present the championship teams with rings. By the look of all the smiles and BLING flashed around on social media Sunday night, I think the rings were a hit with the girls. The league would like to thank all the reps, umpires and volunteers in Goshen and Fayetteville for making this such a memorable weekend for the girls. I know how much work goes into running a successful tournament, especially with nearly a hundred teams. Many of the league reps, several of the 14U teams and myself were at Field 4 in Fayetteville on Saturday morning to watch a young lady take to the circle and demonstrate the strength and courage of a true champion. Please continue to keep her and her family in your prayers.
Below are the results of the EOS tournament. Please check back later this week for All-Star times (WJAA will host), and summer/fall ball information.
2023 End of Season Results
14U Champion: Fayetteville 14U Runner-up: Williamsburg
12U Champion: Lynchburg 12U Runner-up: Mt Orab
10U Champion: CNE 10 Runner-up: Lynchburg
9U Champion: Bethel 9U Runner-up: Fayetteville
8U Champion: Mt Orab 8U Runner-up: New Richmond
7U Champion: Lynchburg 7U Runner-up:
6U Champion:New Richmond 6U Runner-up: WT Diamond Girls
2023 End of Season Tournament Brackets
Click on the age bracket below to view dates and times. The official bracket will be posted and kept up to date at the tournament locations. The winning team should report the game score to a tournament official. District Reps will be notified of any rain outs or game changes to pass along to coaches.
Games being played in Fayetteville
6U End of Season Tournament Bracket
7U End of Season Tournament Bracket
9U End of Season Tournament Bracket
14U End of Season Tournament Bracket
Games being played in Goshen
8U End of Season Tournament Bracket
10U End of Season Tournament Bracket
12u End of Season Tournament Bracket
5U Tournament Schedule (Fayetteville/Felicity 5U will play in Fayetteville)
Tournament rules:
Ø TIME LIMITS FOR GAMES (NO INNING WILL START AFTER THIS TIME):
o 5u will play a minimum of 2 innings, but could play 3 depending on tournament time.
o 6u, 7u : 1 hour and 10 minutes
o 8u: 1 hour and 15 minutes
o 9u -12u: 1 hour and 20 minutes
o 13u, 14u, & 18u: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ø No grace periods unless the majority of the Tournament advisors rule for extenuating circumstances.
Ø During Mid Season/Pre-Season tournaments: Home and Away will be designated by a coin toss during the pre-game conference.
Ø During End of Season tournaments: The team with the higher seed has the option to be home or away.
o Exception: The team in the winner’s bracket in the championship game has the option of home or away. If a sudden death game is played the home and away will be the opposite of the first game.
Ø Home team will keep the official score book and start time of the game. The start time will be indicated by the umpire at the start of the first pitch.
Ø Scores need to be reported to the designated person or area within 10 minutes of the game being completed.
Ø No practicing on the infield (tossing is permitted in the grassy areas)
Ø No bats are to be used by coaches or players to hit any type of ball for warm ups or practice. (hit sticks are permissible)
Ø Pitchers can warm up in designated areas or areas away from all fields of play.
Ø Game specs for all age divisions will be followed
Ø 7 Run Rule is mandatory for all age groups
Ø International tie breaker rule will be used for extra innings or in the event of a tie after the time limit.
Ø All protest must be accompanied by the $50 protest fee and the decision will be made at the time of the play or incident in question. All protests will be handled by the Tournament advisors. Protests will be decided before the game is allowed to continue.
Ø All coaches must check in and check out with the tournament host to be made aware of any changes/provide contact info in the event of changes (due to weather)
Ø Coaches are responsible for enforcing the “NO outside food rule” at all SOSLI Tournaments.
o Exception: Some ball parks have to allow outside food to comply with their agreement with their communities. Please verify BEFORE going on this rule at the Host site.
Ø Field conditions are determined by the host district until the tournament games start playing. After the tournament starts; it will be decided by the majority of tournament advisors, the host district, and the SOSLI League Officials to complete, stop, or cancel game play.
Ø An infield ball can be used during the first inning only. Throw downs to second or third are limited to the first inning as well.
Ø An umpire can suspend time in the event of an injury.
Ø An SOSLI official or host district member can switch umpires in the course of a game to place them on another assignment.
Hosting an SOSLI tournament is a huge task taken on by our districts and volunteers. Please so them your appreciation by frequenting their concessions during the tournaments. Concession sales are vital for the host districts to make any money on hosting a tournament, and most provide grilled food and specialty sandwiches at a good value.
2023 Pre-Season Tournament Results
Mother Nature brought a lot of sunshine over New Richmond and WT Park, a beautiful week for pre-season tournaments. SOSLI would like to thank all the volunteers, umpires, and coaches for the opportunity for these girls to showcase their softball talents. Below are the results from the pre-season tournament with pictures (to be added). Good luck to all teams the rest of the season.
6U RESULTS: WT-1st, CNE-2nd
7U RESULTS: Goshen-1st, Fayetteville-2nd
8U RESULTS: Blanchester-1st, Fayetteville-2nd
9U RESULTS: Bethel-1st, Felicity-2nd
10U RESULTS: CNE-1st, Batavia (Vieson)-2nd
12U RESULTS: Bethel (Zeller)-1st, Lynchburg-2nd
14U RESULTS: Lynchburg-1st, Blanchester-2nd
SOSLI 5U: The Stars of Tomorrow
Coaches Meeting, Rule Changes, Calendar
COACHES MEETING
This year's coaches meeting will take place at New Richmond Middle School at 2 pm on Sunday, March 12th or at John HEisler Park in Goshen at 10 am on Saturday, March 18th. All coaches are expected to attend one of the meetings to obtain their coaches card for the 2023 season. If you cannot attend, please contact your district rep and send an alternate coach. Only coaches listed on the rosters as attending the meeting will be able to converse with the umpire during play. There were several rule changes made this off-season (listed below), so it will be beneficial to attend.
The 2023 rulebook has been loaded on the website. Below are the changes made in the off-season
2023 Rule Changes
1) Facemask are required by ALL INFIELDERS this season
2) 14U will pitch from 43 feet
3) Clarification of 7U/8U runner only allowed 1 extra base on an overthrow
4) Bunting will be allowed in 8U but only off the kid pitcher. No bunting when coach is pitching.
5) Further discussion is taking place on 6U stoppage of play that should be decided by the coaches meetings (APRIL 1 UPDATE: 6U play will stop when a fielder attempts to throw the ball to the pitcher. No possession in the circle is neccessary.)
2023 By-law changes
1) Players only allowed to play up 1 age division
2) Pre-Season tournament will be played in place of Mid-Season in 2023
3) No age exception unless player falls into ADA compliance (returned to prior rule)
CALENDAR
Season Starts: April 17, 2023
Rosters Due: March 13, 2023
Coaches Meeting #1: NR Middle School 3/12 at 2pm
Coaches Meeting #2: Goshen Fields 3/18 @10am
Next SOSLI Rep Meeting: 3/12 @1:30 pm NR Middle School
Umpire Training: March 12th and 18th UMPIRE CLINIC FLYER
Pre-Season Tournament: April 3-16 in New Richmond and WT Park
Last Day to Add Players: May 14, 2023
End of Season Tournment: June 22-26 at Fayetteville and Goshen
Last day for games for tournament seeding (last day to opt-out): June 16, 2023
Last day for games for league placement: June 21, 2023
All-Star Selections: June 26, 2023
All-Star Game: Williamsburg WJAA Fields on July 8, 2023
Lightning Safety and Umpire Facebook Page
Please be familiar with "Guidelines for lightning safety" found on page 118 in your rule book. Any postponed game should be rescheduled between the coaches and/or district reps, and scores reported on the original game date.
UMPIRE FACEBOOK PAGE: Are you an umpire looking to get more games? Please checkout the SOSLI UMPIRE ASSIGNMENT FACEBOOK PAGE where District Reps and Coaches post their umpiring needs. You can also post your available days to umpire each week for the District Reps to see.