Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

 

WHAT AGE DIVISION SHOULD WE CHOOSE? 

Your players league age is determined by USA Softball Age Chart. Please use the age chart listed below. Chart is only applicable for the 2025-26 season.

 

CLICK HERE FOR USA SOFTBALL AGE CALCULATOR

PER USA SOFTBALL A player's age as of August 31st determines the age in which the player is eligible to play

for the Fall Ball, Spring and Summer Seasons.

 

 

2026 SPRING BALL AGE REQUIREMENTS

Age Classification	Eligibility Guidelines
6U	A player whose 7th birthday is before September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
8U	A player whose 9th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
10U	A player whose 11th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
12U	A player whose 13th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
14U	A player whose 15th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE

 

2025 FALL BALL AGE REQUIREMENTS

Age Classification	Eligibility Guidelines
6U	A player whose 7th birthday is before September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
8U	A player whose 9th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
10U	A player whose 11th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
12U	A player whose 13th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE
14U	A player whose 15th birthday is prior to September 1, 2025, is INELIGIBLE

 

For any questions regarding age classifications, please contact info@ranchogsl.com

 

Any player wanting to play in a division other than their designated USA Softball Age Chart will require Board Approval.

 

WHAT SHOULD I SELECT FOR PROGRAM REQUEST ON THE REGISTRATION FORM?

"REC" and "SELECT" are the two choices for Registration. If your player has interest in Select play, please choose "Select". For Spring, your player will be assigned a REC team, and our Select managers will reach out for more details on Select play. Visit our "Select" tab on our website for more information on the "Select" Program. For the Fall season only, Select play will be played during the entire season and players will either play REC or Select, but not both. Select play requires your player to try-out for the team and your selection on your Registration form does not guarantee your player a spot on the Select team.

 

WHERE WILL GAMES BE PLAYED?

Games will be scheduled against teams both within our league as well as teams from other leagues in San Diego County, so there will be travel involved for some of these game days. Home games will be played at Hillsdale Middle School Fields: 1301 Brabham Street, El Cajon, CA 92019. Visit our fields tab for field locations and maps.

 

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
The league supplies basic equipment, including balls, catcher’s gear; however, you may choose to purchase these on your own.

 

Players in all divisions, will need their own bat, glove, helmet with face mask and cleats.  A fielder's mask is optional. However, pitchers will be required to wear a fielders' mask.

 

ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS FOR THE SEASON?

Yes. Included in the registration fee are field maintenance, insurance, permit fees, game fees, uniforms, USA registration, insurance, umpire fees, basic equipment, and the standard picture package (picture package for Spring season only). Teams may want to purchase matching socks & pants, a team banner, dugout buckets, or other team-specific items separately.

WHEN ARE PRACTICES?
Practice schedules (dates and times) are created by the coach of the team your daughter ends up on. Once teams are formed there will be no changes to teams due to other scheduling conflicts.

WHAT DAYS ARE GAMES PLAYED?
Game schedules can and may be played within the week to include Saturdays (during Spring season) and Sundays (during Fall season). Game schedules will be dependent on how many teams are registered and field allocations. Game schedules will be available from your player’s coach and on our league’s website.

 

WHEN DOES THE SEASON START?
Spring season games start in February on Opening Day. Your daughter will be assigned to a team and begin practice after Assessments and the Manager’s Draft. The Manager’s Draft occurs after all Assessments have been completed. The Fall season starts in August with practices and games starting in early September.

WHEN DOES THE SEASON END?
For Spring Season, playoffs typically occur during the last week of April and Closing Day is in early May. The Fall season runs from September through November.

MY DAUGHTER IS NEW TO SOFTBALL; DOES SHE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PLAY BEFORE REGISTRATION?
Rancho GSL is a recreational league that has players registered spanning different skill levels across all age divisions from novice to advanced. Teams are formed to balance the skill talent across all teams to keep the level of play as fair as possible.

DOES MY DAUGHTER HAVE TO ATTEND ASSESSMENTS?

Is your player new to a Spring division (Example - first year 10U in the Spring, even if your player played in 10U Fall) - YES ATTEND ASSESSMENTS

My daughter played her first year of 10U in Fall ball does she still need to attend assessments? YES

Registered players in the 6U Division will not be assessed. Exception to the previous statement is if the registered player is supposed to play in the 6U division and wishes to be considered for 8U Division. It is not a guarantee that a player will be granted to play up. It will be assessed if the level of play of the registered player would pose a risk to opponents and or teammates. Registered players will be required to assess if any of the following is applicable.

- The registered player will be playing for the first time in a new division from their last SPRING SEASON starting in 8U division and older.
- The registered player is a pitcher and or a catcher.
- The registered player will be playing with Rancho GSL for the first time regardless of playing experience and is applicable if playing in 8U division and older.

- Spring Season Assessments will happen sometime in January.

- If your player misses assessments and has completed registration, including payment, your player will be drafted to an open team.

- If assessments are missed and registration payment has not been received your player will be moved to the waitlist and not assigned to a team.

- If your player has newly joined our league in the Fall season, your player will still need to attend assessments for the upcoming Spring season.

**Assessments are not held for the Fall Season.

 

HOW CAN I HELP OUT?
This is a league run by volunteers.  If you are interested, please reach out to info@ranchogsl.com. Positions you may consider:

• Manager: Total administrative and operational responsibility for your team.
• Head Coach or Assistant Coach: Primary role is to teach the girls and assist the Manager.
• Team Parent: Administrative right arm of the Manager ensuring that non-operational tasks required are supported and that the league communication loop is open to all parents.
• Scorekeeper: Maintain the game records for the team.
• Field Prep: Drawing baselines and equipment set-up/storage.
• Sponsor: You or your company can help by recruiting or being a sponsor.