New Player Information
Interested in playing softball at The Villages? Before you can join a team, all new players must complete the Villages Recreation Department evaluation process. Here's what you need to know.
Where
Buffalo Glen Softball Complex
305 Tatonka Terrace, The Villages, FL 32162
West of The Villages Charter School Buffalo Ridge Campus on CR-466.
When
Every Tuesday at 8:00 AM, except for holidays, rainouts, and maintenance closures. Sign-in begins at 7:45 AM.
Listen to radio announcements on Tuesday mornings for cancellations (AM 640 or FM 102.7), or sign up for E-Notifications online at districtgov.org.
Eligibility
Open to all Villages residents and renters with a valid ID, age 50 or older. Men and women are both welcome.
What to Bring
- Your Villages ID card
- A photo ID
- Your telephone number and Village name
- A glove (bats are provided)
- Proper softball attire and shoes — rubber cleats, turf shoes, or tennis shoes are acceptable. No metal spikes.
Participants will sign a waiver of liability and the VCDD Recreation Department Code of Conduct on their first visit.
The Process
Three days of evaluations must be completed within six months of your first session. Each evaluation lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the number of participants.
After Evaluation
Once you complete the process, you'll be eligible to sign up as a substitute in the Recreation and Neighborhood leagues immediately. For your first season, you'll play in the division you were evaluated for. You'll then be eligible to enter the next season's draft as a full-time player. Players may move up or down one division after their first season.
Players who have not played in three calendar years must attend a re-evaluation before signing up to play again.
Questions?
For Division 1 new player evaluations, contact Randy Bayliss at randyrags@yahoo.com.
For general softball evaluation questions, contact the Saddlebrook Recreation Center at 352-259-5377.