Creating an Adult Softball League at Your Sports Complex
For people looking to be active, a softball league provides an excellent opportunity to not only get a bit of exercise but also have fun and be social. The beauty of the adult softball league is that none of us are as good at recreational sports as we used to be, so the competition is much more balanced as we all hearken back to our glory days and trot out on the diamond one more time. If you have a sports complex that could host a softball league, you may be wondering if it would be worth the trouble of setting it up. Today, SFM will discuss what it takes to start an adult softball league at your sports complex and some of the benefits that come along with it.
Gauge Interest
First and foremost, you want to find out whether or not there is any interest in your potential softball league. You can ask friends and family, contact companies to see if they’d want to start a company team, or print flyers. Figure out which days and times would be most successful and how much people would be willing to pay.
Hire Help
Your league is going to need referees, scorekeepers, and groundskeepers. If you have a sports complex designed for softball or baseball this may be easier for you as it is likely that your staff is already in place for maintenance. It is also very likely you already have certified referees that have worked at your sports complex before. Be sure to factor in the costs of hiring these people when deciding on your enrollment prices.
Set the Rules
It is important to have a set rule system that you make available to each of the team’s captains. You will likely need to decide whether your league will be fast or slow-pitch. Fast-pitch is generally for a more experienced, athletic group. In general, we recommend slow-pitch as it is more inclusive and you will have more teams likely to join. Co-ed leagues also tend to be more popular compared to single-gender leagues. If you are unsure where to start with rules, there are a multitude of online rulesets that you can look to for reference, including the Adult Softball Association and World Softball League rulebooks.
Create a Schedule
Scheduling can be extremely complicated depending on how the weather impacts your games. It can be a good idea to schedule “bye weeks” ahead of time so that you have a built-in time that games can be rescheduled.
Market Your League
You have to get the word out once you have the basics set up. Contact companies and create social media posts to advertise your new league and your sports complex. The more teams you are able to schedule, the more likely you will break even on your investment. It also has the added benefit of advertising your sports complex!
Contact SFM for More Information
If you have or are planning a sports complex and are looking for expert advice, SFM has the experts available to help your plans become successful. Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly, expert representatives.
