About

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the registration fees?

This seasons fees are as follows

Seniors	(18 years and over)	$215.00
Juniors	(13 to 17 years old)	$185.00
Sub Juniors	(7 to 12 years old)	$175.00
Benny Ball / Batter Up	(4 to 6 years old)	$80.00

Season Fees must be paid during registration process. To register for the 2023-24 season, click here.
We endeavour to place friends and family members together where their ability allows. Sometimes we have to split siblings, to ensure that they are in the correct team for their ability. Remember: all games are played at same location, next to each other, so parents can easily watch multiple games at once.

Question: What is the format of the games?

Games:

Our Competition season starts on Saturday October 7, 2023 and goes through to the 2nd of March 2024. Grand Final Wet weather back up day is Saturday 9th March 2024. We break for all school holidays including the 6 weeks break over Christmas, from December ? (TBD) and resume January 27, 2024. All games are played at Hayes Park, Galston Road, Galston (opposite Galston High School). Hayes Park is approximately 20 minutes from North Rocks Park. A draw is issued at the beginning of the season. Games are same time, same place, each week.

Game Times:

Batter Up 3-5 year olds
Teeball: Infants school
Modball: Primary School
High School: Divisional

8.30am Batter-Up, Teeball, Modball A
10.00am Modball B, Division 2
12 noon Division 1, Division 3
2pm A-Grade, B-Grade
4pm C-Grade, Ladies

Question: Are there any trainings provided?

All trainings are done at North Rocks Park, North Rocks Road, cnr Farnell Avenue, Carlingford. Park near tennis courts and walk towards oval. Training generally starts mid-September with the occasional skills clinics in August.. Once teams are allocated, you will be emailed your training time by your Coach. Training for our Junior teams is held on Wednesdays (inc Teeball teams).

Question: Are there any uniforms or equipment needed?

Uniform for Juniors:

(from Teeball through to Division 2). The registration fee includes a playing shirt and pants. Being summer, we allow the girls to play in dark blue soccer-style shorts (no white stripes). Blue shorts are purchased externally from the Club. You only need to purchase a playing cap or visor. Uniform will be issued at a training session closer to season starting.

Uniform for Seniors:

(including Division 1) A playing shirt and a cap or visor can be purchased through our website. 3/4 pants are also available, however as per Juniors, you have the option of wearing dark blue shorts. If you require uniform order it when you register to ensure it is available for the first competition game. Junior shirts or old style playing shirts cannot be worn.

Softball Personal Equipment

In our Association it is compulsory for all Junior players (up to U19s) to wear a mouthguard and shin-pads.

Mouthguard:

A simple “mould yourself” mouth guard from the Chemist will set you back about $10. For smaller children you may have to use scissors to cut the mouthguard down. A mouthguard is compulsory for all Juniors up until your 19th birthday. Your dentist can provide a fully fitted mouthguard if required.

Shin-pads:

Shins-pads / guards can be as simple as the ones that tuck into your socks. These are available at any sporting store, inc Rebel Sport. $10 Juniors, $20 Seniors. Shin-pads are compulsory for all Juniors up until your 19th birthday. Note: Senior players - Our Club highly recommends you wear shin-pads, it only takes one ball from a pitch or during fielding that bounces into your shins, to understand why.

Fielding Glove:

For the 2023-24 season, all new children and seniors will need to purchase a playing glove. A leather fielding glove for a Junior starts at approx. $50 and will last them 2-3 years. A playing glove for a Senior starts from $90 and will last you 10+ years. It is vital that the player try on the glove before purchasing as the pocket their hand goes into varies from glove to glove. A good quality LEATHER glove will mould to the players hand and make catching a ball easier as time goes on. All Seniors have a favourite glove, because it has moulded to their hand. Cheap vinyl gloves will not mould and long term are a waste of money. Speak to club before ordering.

Socks:

Seniors and Juniors - Our Club uniform is long white plain socks that cover the shin-pads. Shin-pads are to be worn under socks. Long white socks are purchased externally from the Club.

Shoes:

To start with, players of all ages can just wear sneakers. Long term or for older children and adults proper cleats are a safer option. Softball Cleats start at $60 or basic soccer boots from $40, making them often a cheaper option than sneakers. Our Club has no colour requirement for footwear.

Hair ribbons:

Our club has no colour requirements for hair ribbons, ties etc.
All other equipment, Batting helmets, bats etc is provided for the Club.

Optional personal equipment:

For new players: Before you buy anything, please speak to your coach for free advice.

Bat:

Bats are provided by the Club but some players prefer to purchase their own. Many people believe bargain bats can be purchased online from eBay, however, we strongly recommend you go to a softball store so you can swing the bat to ensure it is the correct size and weighting. Softball bats start from $60 for Juniors, and $100 for Seniors. Purchase a bat your child can use now, do not be tempted to purchase a bat your child can “grow into”. It will ruin their batting now, and it will be difficult for the Coach to fix later. At the game borrow some of the other bats to get a feel for your favourite size and weight. Your child’s coach can assist.

Batting Helmet:

Batting helmets are provided by the Club but some players prefer to purchase their own. Whilst our Club helmets are blue, it is recommend that a red batting helmet is purchased, as it can then be used for future Hornsby Association representative teams. It is preferred that a helmet with a metal faceguard, especially for Primary and High School teams. A helmet with face guard is compulsory for all Representative players.

Fielding facemasks:

There is a growing trend by our higher graded junior players to wear an optional fielding face mask. It is up to the individual player to purchase, as the club will not be providing these. The fielding facemasks are approximately $50, and will last their softball career. Your coach can advise.

Question: Do you provide any opportunities for members and supporters to be involved?

Parent involvement:

We are all volunteers, and we all have children. A such, as a parent, you will be expected to help in some way each week; scoring, umpiring, managing, helping with batting order etc. In addition, over the season each team is rostered for canteen duty by the Association and It is expected that all parents will take their turn in fulfilling this requirement. If you would like to learn the more technical elements of softball, Coaching, Scoring and Umpiring, our Association runs formal sessions throughout the year. Qualified umpires get paid per game.

Fund-raising:

Each year, the Club has several fundraising events. By supporting these event, we can keep our fees low. Further information to will follow from your Team Manager, and via Facebook.