League Operation
Softball games will be scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For 2024, each team will play a single game per play date. The early games begin at 9:00 am while the later games begin at 10:30 am. Games are 7 innings with a time limit of 75 minutes. Game schedules are posted on this website along with game scores and current standings. Cancellations, rain-outs and other changes will be posted here as well (home page).
Each team will have a manager and one or more assistants. Managers will be responsible for creating lineups and making decisions during games. Typically managers communicate with their team members by email, text or other means as needed.
The league does not use paid umpires. Instead, teams will provide umpires from their rosters. Players from the other game(s) will be selected to umpire. Umpires are those who have been trained or will receive training before the season begins.
Each team will have a manager and one or more assistants. Managers will be responsible for creating lineups and making decisions during games. Typically managers communicate with their team members by email, text or other means as needed.
The league does not use paid umpires. Instead, teams will provide umpires from their rosters. Players from the other game(s) will be selected to umpire. Umpires are those who have been trained or will receive training before the season begins.
Divisions
As of 2023, WSSL teams are organized in two divisions.
- Yorktown Division. For younger players or those with a high skill level, providing for competitive softball.
- Jamestown Division. For older players or those with physical limitations, providing for more relaxed softball.
Each division will have 4 or more teams. There will be no inter-division games. Players may play in only one division, although it is possible that they might move from one division to the other during the regular season.
Calendar
Games in 2024 will be organized as a single season with a six-week break or slowdown in mid summer. A player draft will occur in late March to form the teams. Prior to the regular season games, the latter part of March and early April is reserved for team practice sessions. Regular season games begin in early to mid April. During the hottest part of the summer, each division will either take a midseason break of around 6 weeks or operate a reduced schedule to avoid playing in the late morning. Games end in late October, followed by two All-Star Games.
Schedule
The 2024 season will be conducted with teams of 12-14 players, depending on division. Each team will play one game on Tuesday and another game on Thursday. Games will be either at 9:00 am or 10:30 am.
The 2024 season game schedule will be available as a PDF file as we approach the start of the season.
The 2024 season game schedule will be available as a PDF file as we approach the start of the season.
Rosters
Teams for the WSSL 2024 season will be formed in late March. Information on team rosters and managers will become available at that time.
Facilities
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Starting in 2024, the two divisions will play their regular season games on different softball fields. The Yorktown Division will play at Quarterpath Park, 202 Quarterpath Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Practices will also take place at the Quarterpath fields. The Jamestown Division will play at Kiwanis Park, 125 Longhill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Both of these fields are maintained by Williamsburg Parks and Recreation. WSSL pays a usage fee for the fields. Note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited at both parks. For a backup venue, we might also use the JCC Rec Center fields, 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188. The JCC fields are maintained by the JCC Department of Parks and Recreation. WSSL pays a usage fee for the fields. Note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited at these fields. League-owned equipment will be available for transport and use at the fields. Included will be game balls, bases, plates, pitchers' masks, first aid kits and miscellaneous supplies. Players and teams are responsible for bringing their own gloves, bats and additional safety gear, such as shin guards.
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Quarterpath Park
Kiwanis Park
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Uniforms
The league will provide players with shirts and hats. Players are expected to wear these during games. Players may dress as they see fit for the optional practice sessions. All players will receive navy blue hats with the league logo on the front. Shirts will be provided in colors assigned to the various teams.
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For Newcomers to Senior Softball
If you have played adult softball before but have not played in a senior league, you should know that there are some differences. To see the details, click the button below.