How Long is the season?

We try to get on the fields as early in April as conditions allow, but usually late April. The game schedule generally starts early May and ends the Saturday before Father’s Day in June.

Who is eligible to play?

Any Girl who is a Needham resident and is in Grades 3-8 during the season. The league is open to girls of all abilities and we often have girls who “start” in the league while in Middle School. 

The program is broken in to three leagues:

 Minor league – Grades 3 and 4. Coaches pitch, the emphasis is on learning how to throw, catch and hit and learning the rules of the game. Score is not kept.

 Junior League – Grades 5 and 6. The girls pitch and play by NGS modified rules. The first half of the season does not count at all. All teams make the playoffs, culminating in a championship game on the Saturday before Father’s Day.

 Senior League – Grades 7 an 8. Games “count” but all teams make the playoffs. Championship game is the Saturday before Father’s Day.

When are games?

Generally teams will meet for scheduled games twice a week on weeknights Minor league meets for games and practices for a total of twice a week. All games are in Needham.

The Championship Games are held concurrently at Claxton Field, after which there is an awards ceremony and League-wide Barbecue where all NGS participants are welcome and Junior and Senior League Teams can root on their favorites.

Can my daughter play on the same team with her friends?

Minor League (Gr. 3 &4) Every effort is made to place Minor League girls with one designated friend on the same team. This is not always possible, but girls are almost always placed on a team with other girls from their elementary school and grade.

Junior and Senior League (Gr. 5-8) The primary focus of the league is to form teams each year so that the competitive balance is as equal as possible. Great pains and much time is spent to accomplish this important goal. If within this context an accommodation can be made to place friends on the same team, it will be done but should not be expected. Generally, girls are kept on the same team for their two years in each league. We can put sisters together if they are in the same league.

Is there a “Travel Program?” 

Depending on interest and volunteer coaches, there can be a Senior League Travel Team and Junior League Travel Team. We have had a Senior League Travel Team the last several years and a Junior League Team in 2005. It is expected that a Senior League team will be formed in 2006 – we play local area teams and the Needham High School Freshman Team (always exciting!)