The format for WMLL’s Junior & Senior League softball teams is significantly different than that used for WMLL’s younger softball leagues. Junior & Senior teams play in a regional league against other area teams – including games against other WMLL teams if more than one team exists. Home games are played at the WMLL ballpark and/or the Jefferson Middle School softball diamonds, while away games are played on the diamonds of the other area teams in the league. The season and schedule are determined by the regional league – typically with all games are on weeknights. While different, the Junior & Senior League softball format is exciting & a lot of fun!
Junior League softball update
After reviewing various options, West Madison Little League has decided to register our Junior League softball team(s) in the Greater Dane Recreational Softball League. The other leagues that were considered are the Madison Area Fastpitch League (previously the Greater Madison Metro Fastpitch League), the South Central Girls Softball League, & the Windmill League. The WMLL Softball Operations Committee made this decision because it seems like the best competitive fit for the WMLL Junior League team, is made up primarily of Dane County teams, & is committed to adhering to Public Health Madison Dane County orders even at locations outside of Dane County.
The Greater Dane Recreational Softball League (GDRSL) season will run from early June thru late July (likely June 7 thru July 23) with a tournament at the end of the season (the week of July 27). Teams will play two games a week (some as double headers) on weeknights (Mon-Thu) only over the course of the seven-week season. The GDRSL did not play in 2020, but in 2019 the following teams were in their Junior/U14 league – Middleton, Verona, Waunakee, Lodi & Sauk Prairie. WMLL’s home games will be played either at the WMLL ballpark or the Jefferson Middle School fields, while away games will be played at the opponent’s home field.
The WMLL Junior League team(s) will form in Mid-April along with WMLL’s other softball teams. WMLL is looking to schedule 3-4 additional games in the second half of May prior to the start of the GDRSL season. This would be similar to WMLL’s other softball leagues which have Opening Weekend on May 15-16.
In addition, WMLL has entered a Junior/U14 tournament team in the Middleton Melee tournament on July 9-11 & may register for a second tournament if there is interest. As with WMLL’s other tournament teams, participation on the tournament team is not guaranteed – players must tryout & be selected. Obviously, if WMLL has only one Junior League team, tryouts will not be needed.
Please feel free to reach out to Scott Fossum, WMLL’s VP-Softball & Junior SB League Coordinator, or Brian Beutter, WMLL’s Executive Director, if you have questions about any of this. We understand that WMLL’s Junior League experience is different from that of WMLL’s Rookie thru Major Leagues & want to make sure everyone is clear on what to expect. We are excited about the upcoming season & hope that your daughter & family will be part of the 2021 WMLL Junior League team!