Our Divisions
T-Ball, 8u, 10u, 12u, 14u, Uppers
Use the age chart below to find your appropriate division.
Players age 7 & up may play up a division if developmentally ready.
T-Ball (Modified)
At a Glance
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Game Length: 55 minutes
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Roster Size: 8 Player Max
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Option to hit off tee or attempt coach pitch
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Coaches on field to assist
T-Ball is where it all starts. For most of our players, this is their very first time on a softball field — and our job is to make that introduction fun, safe, and full of small wins. Every player bats every inning, every player gets time in the field, and every player goes home with a smile.
We use a modified format designed for the youngest age group: each batter can choose to hit from a tee placed on home plate, or try a coach pitch first (up to three pitches before moving to the tee). Outs are called and bases clear, but the whole lineup bats every inning — so no kid sits and watches.
Coaches are on the field with the players to teach in real time. There's no scorekeeping, no standings, no pressure. Just fundamentals, friends, and softball.
8u-Machine Pitch
At a Glance
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Game Length: 7 Innings or 65 minutes
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Roster Size: 12 Player Max
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Machine Pitch (Catapult Style Machine)
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10 Fielders (4 Outfield)
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5 Pitches max per batter
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Coaches on field to assist
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3-run ahead rule
8u is where the game starts to feel like real softball. Players step into the batter's box against a pitching machine, see live pitching for the first time, and learn how a real defensive lineup works. It's the developmental bridge between T-Ball's "everybody plays everywhere" and the full structure of 10u and up.
We've built 8u to teach the fundamentals without overwhelming first-timers. Machine pitch keeps the strike zone consistent and removes the pressure of a kid trying to throw strikes. No stealing, no walks, and no infield fly rule — we save those for older divisions. Coaches are still on the field with the players, but their role shifts from teaching every motion to letting players make their own plays.
The result: an inning of 8u looks a lot more like softball than T-Ball did, but our coaches are still right there beside the kids when they need a tip, a high-five, or a reminder to grab a glove.
10u
At a Glance
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Game Length: 7 Innings or 75 minutes
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Roster Size: 12 Player Max
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Kid Pitch
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10 Fielders (4 Outfield)
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Introduces Stealing (Except Home)
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Expanded Strike Zone
10u is the first division in which players pitch to one another. The transition from machine pitch to live fast-pitch is the most significant developmental jump in our league, and 10u is built around it. Batters face live pitching, runners read the play, and the game opens up to a fuller set of rules.
Walks count, lead-offs are permitted once a pitch reaches the plate, runners may advance on overthrows, and a batter is out on a dropped third strike. Stealing is allowed, with the exception of stealing home from third base. Coaches step further back, and players are expected to make more of their own decisions at the plate, on the bases, and in the field.
10u places a particular emphasis on developing pitchers and catchers. Any player who expresses interest in either position is given the opportunity to play it during the regular season. Players who develop these skills at 10u become the foundation of CGSL's pitching depth at 12u and above.
12u
At a Glance
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Game Length: 7 Innings or 75 minutes
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Roster Size: 12 Player Max
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Pitching at 40ft
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12 inch ball
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Introduces Dropped 3rd Strike
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Real Leads and Stealing
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5 Run/Run Ahead Rule
12u is the first CGSL division that plays under the full USA Softball rule set. Pitching moves out to forty feet and the larger 12-inch ball comes into play. Stealing home is permitted, and the pitcher's role becomes substantially more demanding. Games are decided as much by defense and base-running as by hitting.
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12u and above are governed by USA Softball's rules and CGSL's league-wide playing rules. There are no division-specific rule modifications at this level.
14u
At a Glance
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Game Length: 7 Innings or 75 minutes
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Roster Size: 12 Player Max
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Pitching at 43ft
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5 Run/Run Ahead Rule
14u is the last standard-age division at CGSL before Uppers. The game at this level plays like middle school softball — pitchers are throwing real heat, defenses are executing, and at-bats are won with approach as much as contact. Many players use this season as a step toward their school programs at the high school level.
The only physical change from 12u is the pitching distance, which moves out to forty-three feet. Ball size, base paths, and rule set are the same as 12u.
Uppers (16u/18u)
At a Glance
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Game Length: 7 Innings or 75 minutes
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Roster Size: 12 Player Max
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Pitching at 43ft
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5 Run/Run Ahead Rule
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Most Competitive Division
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Historically Larger in the Fall Seasons
Uppers is CGSL's home for players in high school — ages 15 through 18 on the same roster. The skill and competitive level are the highest at CGSL, with many players returning from their school spring seasons.
This is real, standard softball.