Softball Information
Thank you for visiting the Village Community Development Districts (VCDD) Recreation Softball website. The Villages Softball Program is the premiere senior softball league in the United States! The goals of The Villages Softball Program are exercise, fellowship, and friendly competition.
The Villages Recreation Softball Program is a program offered to residents of The Villages and is organized by VCDD Recreation and Parks Department. The age requirements to participate in senior softball are; a male or female player must become at least 50 years of age during the calendar year to be eligible to play in Senior Divisions that calendar year. All players must undergo Player Evaluations before they can play Softball. Evaluations are volunteer coordinated and are held every Tuesday during season play at 8AM at Buffalo Glen Softball Complex. Under the direction of the District Manager and the Executive Director of Recreation, the softball program is staffed by a full time Recreation Manager – Sports, Recreation Area Supervisor – Sports, and Recreation Supervisor - Sports
The Villages Recreation and Parks Department manages fifteen softball fields at five separate locations: Knudson, Buffalo Glen, Saddlebrook, Soaring Eagle, and Everglades Softball Complexes. Three locations have fully stocked concession stands: Saddlebrook, Buffalo Glen, and Everglades Softball Complexes. The fields are available for first come, first serve practice during non-league times and can be rented for special occasions and tournaments. The Villages Softball Program is highly dependent on the help and support of its volunteers. The evaluation team, division representatives, umpires, and scorekeepers are all volunteers. Through the efforts of countless individuals working as a team, the softball program continues to thrive and grow.
Players are strongly encouraged to consult a physician before participating in rigorous activities such as softball.
General Softball Facility Rules
The softball complexes are programmed facilities. All games and practices must be scheduled through the Recreation Department.
- Hours of use are 7:00am – Dusk
- For your safety please wear shirts and shoes at all times
- Recreation equipment is available in the equipment sheds, please return after using
- Play at your own risk
- Residents must have their Resident ID
- Guests under 19 years of age must be accompanied by a Villages resident or a Villages guest 19 years of age or older with a valid Guest ID Card and photo ID
- Dogs must be on a leash
- Dogs are not permitted on the playing fields
Recreation Department Responsibilities for Softball Leagues
- Operation and support consistent with the Recreation Facility Guidelines
- Policy Creation
- Field Maintenance
- Staffing
- Scheduling of fields
- Disciplinary Issues
- Safety Concerns
- Create and maintain softball budget
- Purchasing of equipment & supplies
- Player Discrepancies
The Recreation Softball Procedures are an in-depth look at the policies and procedures created by the Recreation Department for the softball program. These policies are global policies that govern all Recreation and Neighborhood Softball Leagues. The Recreation Softball Procedures cover new player placement, current player placement, softball player eligibility, etc.
In an effort to provide all available softball information, links to all available Recreation or Neighborhood websites are listed below.
** The official Policies and Procedures for the Recreation and Neighborhood Softball Leagues are provided by the VCDD Recreation Department. Each division governs their own rules of play.**
The Division links below will navigate away from the districtgov.org website. The Recreation and Parks Department is not responsible for the content. Each Division website is updated and managed by resident volunteers.
For a general schedule of league play, polices, procedures, and other information please check the Recreation Publication or browse the links below
Information regarding use of fields, participating in softball, becoming a volunteer, or other general softball questions can be directed to 352-259-5377,
352-674-1800, or softball@districtgov.org.
Softball Information Links
VCDD Recreation Softball Policies & Procedures
VCDD Recreation Softball FAQ’s
Fall 2024 Softball Schedule
Softball Season Dates 2024-2026
Softball Evaluation Information
Senior Softball USA Website/Rules