Mandarin Fast pitch Softball at MAA

Welcome to Mandarin Athletic Association’s (MAA) Softball Program. MAA is an official Babe Ruth Inc. Softball Association located in Jacksonville's Mandarin area.

MAA Softball is one of Jacksonville's oldest and most respected Babe Ruth Softball Organizations. Our softball programs, ranging in age from 4 to age 16 are organized and operated at Greenland Park in Mandarin.

If you are interested in your child participating in our softball programs, you can Register Here online with your major credit / debit card, or you may register in person at Burnett Park and ask any questions about our softball program while you are there. Check out the Registration Section for dates and times for our on-site registrations (They change from season to season).

MAA Softball Seasons

MAA offers two Softball seasons each calendar year; Spring Softball and Fall Softball. Our Spring Softball season tends to be the larger of the two seasons primarily because the Spring Softball season is followed by the Babe Ruth Inc. Softball All-Star Tournament Season. Plus our Spring Season does not compete with our Football and Cheerleading season. The Spring Softball season begins with registration in late December and runs through the end of January. The regular season takes place during the months from February – May. As mentioned earlier, the regular season is followed by Babe Ruth Inc. All-Star Tournaments ranging from area tournaments to District, State and Regional Tournaments. These tournaments can last through June, July and possibly August depending on how far the All-Star team advances in their respective city, state, regional and national championships.

Whether you are just starting to consider youth athletics or are a returning parent or player, thank you for your interest in Mandarin Athletic Association. We are truly committed to creating a positive impact for both you and your child.

Our Fast Pitch Softball Programs

4 to 7 year old T-ball

For players four to seven years old, MAA fields instructional softball teams following the guidelines suggested by Babe Ruth, Inc. MAA T-ball softball allows young players the opportunity to experience the recreational and team nature of softball while developing the fundamentals of softball and to allow them to learn the necessary skills to compete at a more competitive level. Generally, the diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and an 11”, optic-yellow softball is used during practices and games. Additionally, a combination of coach-pitch and a batting tee is used to help develop the hand-eye coordination necessary to hit the ball. The batter is delivered five hittable pitches by her coach. If the ball is not batted into play after the five pitches, the ball is placed on a tee and the batter proceeds until the ball is successfully put into play. Base running is controlled to encourage confident defensive play. Rosters may be composed of between 7 and 12 players, but most teams have rosters in the 8-10 range.

7 & 8 Year Old Pitching Machine

Pitching Machine Softball is a developmental and instructional division for players seven and eight years old. MAA teams build upon skills leaned in TBall through the utilization of a pitching machine. The purpose is to develop player’s skills and confidence so they will be ready to move up to the next division. A goal of this division is to develop pitchers at an early age with the help of the coaches. The pitching machine exposes the players to faster pitching (32mph + 2mph) while providing more accuracy. Batters receive five (5) hittable pitches. If the ball is not batted into play after the fifth pitch, the batter in effect strikes out. Teams traditionally field ten (10) players on defense, including four outfielders. The rules allow for an additional pitcher. An overthrow rule helps to control base running. Of all age-divisions, this is the most active since batters rarely strike out. Rosters may be composed of between 10 and 13 players. Pitching Machine teams use a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 35 feet. Only players aged 7 and 8 as determined by Babe Ruth Inc. age limits will be eligible for the Spring Season All-Star team.

9 & 10 Year Old Fast Pitch (10U)

For players 9 and 10 years old, MAA fields fast pitch softball teams with live player pitching. Emphasis for players in the 10U age division is recreational, but more competitive than previous age divisions. These teams use an 11" softball, a 60-foot diamond and a pitching distance of 35 feet. During the fall season and the first two or three weeks of the spring, no walks are allowed. If the pitcher throws a fourth ball, the offensive coach comes to the mound to pitch. The batter retains her strike count and receives coach delivered pitches until she bats the ball into play or strikes out. Teams field ten (10) players on defense, including four outfielders. This is perhaps the most challenging level of play because pitchers are just learning to throw strikes and the batters no longer receive consistently thrown pitches from a machine. Pitchers are allowed to pitch up to five (5) innings per game. In tournament play, they are allowed only six (6) innings in two consecutive games. Pitch speeds range from the low 30s to the mid to high 40s. Rosters may be composed of between 11 and 14 players. Only players aged 9 and 10 years old based on Babe Ruth Inc. will be eligible for the Spring All-Star team.

11 & 12 Year Old Fast Pitch (12U)

For players 11 and 12 years old, MAA fields fast pitch softball teams with live pitching. Emphasis for players in the 12U age division is more competitive than previous age divisions. In this division, pitching competency has been established. The pitching rubber is moved to forty (40) feet. Pitchers are allowed to pitch up to five (5) innings per game. In tournament play, they are allowed nine (9) innings in two consecutive games. Pitch speeds range from the low 40s to the low 50s. The defense consists of the traditional nine (9) positions. These teams use a 12" softball, a 60-foot diamond and a pitching distance of 40 feet. Rosters may be composed of between 12 and 15 players. Only players aged 11 and 12 years old based on Babe Ruth Inc. will be eligible for the Spring All-Star team. At this level, All-Star teams can advance as far as the World Series which is held in early August.

13 & 14 Year Old Junior Fast Pitch (14U)

Pitching often dominates at this level. There are no pitching restrictions. Pitch speeds can approach the mid 50s and pitch selection often includes balls that move in any direction. The girls play with the same ball used by the 12U girls. For all players wishing to continue to enjoy competitive Fast Pitch Softball. MAA fields teams in these age divisions when possible.

15 & 16 Year Old Senior Fast Pitch (16 U)

Most of the girls that play at this level are also playing on their high school softball team. At this level, All-Star teams can also advance to the World Series. For all players wishing to continue to enjoy competitive Fast Pitch Softball. MAA fields teams in these age divisions when possible.

Advanced Ball – 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U

For those girls who are looking for more games and additional competition, during the Spring and Fall seasons, a single Advanced Ball team is assembled in each of the divisions; 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U and competes against teams from our own District #1 and District #2 which is west of the St. John’s River. Similar to an All-Star team, the Advanced Ball teams play double-headers on four (4) Saturdays during the Spring and Fall seasons. The Rec-Ball and Advanced Ball schedules are coordinated so girls playing on both teams won't have any softball conflicts.

Our Softball Director is John Rego
John.Rego@letsgomaa.org
904-305-9972