Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association

At LZBSA we divide in-house girls' softball into five different age groups, starting at age 7 and continuing through age 18.  The Leagues are called Tyro (1st and 2nd grade), Junior (3rd and 4th grade), Intermediate (5th and 6th grade), Filly (7th - Sophomore) and Senior (Junior & Senior).

We utilize an school grades for all leagues.  For Tyro, Juniors and Intermediates, the regular season starts on the last Friday in April and concludes the 3rd week of June, with playoffs typically finishing by the 1st of July, and post-season all-star teams playing in July.  The Fillies start one week later but finish near the same time.  The Senior league starts in early June and finishes in late July, since they often have some girls that play High School softball.

Our Tyro League is designed for 1st and 2nd grade girls who have an interest in playing softball.  It is a "coach pitch" league wherein each team selects an adult to pitch underhand to their own team, with the opposing team playing the field.  It is designed to teach the girls the basic elements of softball and covers such topics as fielding positions, batting order, base running and fielding.

Girls are encouraged to play several different positions, and a continuous batting order used.

The Tyro League is a non-competitive league that utilizes a "safety ball" to minimize the chances of injury.  The league is composed of  9-10 teams that play a 15 game schedule.  Players are placed on a team by the league president, who will accept requests to pair players together, if possible.   After the regular season is completed, all 8 year olds are eligible to participate in an All-Star tournament that is held in Lake Zurich.

The Junior League is a mildly-competitive league comprised of  3rd and 4th grade girls who want to learn how to play softball.  Here the players are introduced to pitching, base stealing, tagging up, etc.  Girls pitch to girls, umpires are used, and balls & strikes are called.  Windmill pitching is allowed but not a requirement.

Following ASA guidelines for this age level, a hard 11" ball is used, bases are 60' apart, and the pitching distance is 35'.

As in Tyro, girls are encouraged to play several different positions, and a continuous batting order is used.  Limits are put on individual pitchers so that several girls get that experience and no one girl can dominate a game.

The league is made up of 8 teams that play a 12-14 game regular season schedule.  The teams are formed through a player draft and requests to pair players are communicated at the draft but not guaranteed.  Two All-Star games are played near the end of the regular season.  The regular season is followed by a playoff to determine a league champion.  The league also includes a post-season travel all-star team in which players must try out to be selected.  They typically play in 2 "away" tournaments and host 1 LZ tourney.

The Intermediates League is a somewhat-competitive league comprised of 5th and 6th grade girls who want to progress in playing softball.  The players continue to advance in pitching, base stealing, tagging up, etc.  Also, most rules are ASA rules - including support of bunting.  Girls pitch to girls, certified umpires are used, and balls & strikes are called.  Windmill pitching is more prevalent than with the Juniors.

Following ASA guidelines for this age level, a hard 12" ball is used, bases are 60' apart, and the pitching distance is 38'.

As in Juniors, girls are encouraged to play several different positions, and a continuous batting order is used.  Limits are put on individual pitchers so that several girls get that experience and no one girl can dominate a game.

The league is made up of 7 teams that play a 12-14 game regular season schedule.  The teams are formed through a player draft and requests to pair players are communicated at the draft but not guaranteed.  An All-Star game is played near the end of the regular season.  The regular season is followed by a double-elimination playoff to determine a league champion.  The league also includes a post-season travel All-Star team in which players must try out to be selected.  They typically play in 2 "away" tournaments and host 1 LZ tourney.

The Filly League is designed for 7th thru Sophomore girls who wish to learn the complete game of fastpitch softball in a recreational setting.  While competitive, this league is not intended to operate at a travel team level - a full travel team is available for girls desiring that level of competition.

Following ASA guidelines for this age level, a hard 12" ball is used, bases are 60' apart, and the pitching distance is 40'.

Girls are encouraged to play a few different positions, and a continuous batting order is used.  Limits are put on individual pitchers so that several girls get that experience and no one girl can dominate the game.   Other than these, all ASA rules are followed.

The league is composed of 5-6 teams that play a 13-15 game regular season schedule with other towns.  The teams are formed through a player draft and requests to pair players are communicated at the draft but not guaranteed.  An All-Star game may be played near the end of the regular season.  The regular season is followed by a playoff to determine a league champion.  The league also includes a post-season travel All-Star team in which players must try out to be selected.  They typically play in 2 "away" tournaments and host 1 LZ tourney.

The Senior League is designed for upper classmen (Juniors and Seniors) girls who wish to continue playing fastpitch softball but are not interested or involved in a full travel program.

Following ASA guidelines for this age level, a hard 12" ball is used, bases are 60' apart, and the pitching distance is 40'.

Girls are encouraged to play a few different positions, and a continuous batting order is used.  Limits are put on individual pitchers so that several girls get that experience and no one girl can dominate a game.   Other than these, all ASA rules are followed.

The league is composed of 6 teams that play a 14-15 game regular season schedule.  The teams are formed through a player draft and requests to pair players are communicated at the draft but not guaranteed.  An all-star game is played near the end of the regular season.  The regular season is followed by a playoff to determine a league champion.