SoftballLocal Practice Info

Softball practice began on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Practice is held every Sunday through June 5, from 4:30 -6pm, however the 1st Sunday of every month it will be 5:50-7pm.

We practice at Phillip Park on Marine Blvd (behind Dunkin Donuts).  The park is located at 150 Phillips Road, Jacksonville, 28540.

We are currently seeking athletes interested in participating in our 2011 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer games.

If you are interested in participating in softball or would like more information please Contact Us.

You can also view the information below, beginning with the History of the sport, all of which is available from the Softball resource section on the SONC website.

Special Notes

  1. All athletes must have an updated participation form on file in our office and at the SONC state office BEFORE they can begin ANY practice.
  2. All athletes who hope to advance to state games MUST attend a softball qualifier.
  3. Athletes MUST be able to travel and stay with the delegation without parents.
  4. Also, while all athletes interested in softball are welcome to train and participate in local events, not all athletes will be selected to attend the state games.

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The information below is taken directly from the documents available from the Softball resource section on the SONC website.

History

The SONC softball program began modestly in 1984 when four teams participated for the first times at the Summer Games. The program has grown significantly since then, with both its numbers and popularity.

Events Offered

SONC offers two types of softball competition: individual skills and slow-pitch team.

Individual skills competition allows Special Olympics athletes to develop sports skills in a competitive format. This event is designed to serve as a stepping stone for athletes to become a member of a team as they master skills and learn team concepts. The individual skills offered for softball are base running, throwing, fielding, and hitting.

Athletes participating in traditional team competition learn the fundamental skills of softball, appropriate social behavior and functional knowledge or rules enabling them to successfully participate in a game. Slow-pitch team competition is played on a softball field, with modified base paths and pitching mounds for lower divisions.

Competition Opportunities

Special Olympics Forsyth hosts a softball invitational in May. Contact the local program coordinator for registration information.

Divisional Qualifiers are designed to division teams for the state-level event. Attendance and participation in a qualifier is mandatory for athletes and teams in order to advance to state-level competition.

SONC Summer Games is a state-level competition featuring six sports and held in Raleigh the first weekend of June.

Rules & Resources

Please see the Special Olympics of North Carolina Softball Page for a full list of current rules and resources.

SONC offers two types of softball competition: individual skills and slow-pitch team.

Individual skills competition allows Special Olympics athletes to develop sports skills in a competitive format. This event is designed to serve as a stepping stone for athletes to become a member of a team as they master skills and learn team concepts. The indvidual skills offered for softball are base running, throwing, fielding, and hitting.

Athletes participating in traditional team competition learn the fundamental skills of softball, appropriate social behavior and functional knowledge or rules enabling them to successfully participate in a game. Slow-pitch team competition is played on a softball field, with modified base paths and pitching mounds for lower divisions.