Softball

GYS Softball is a recreational softball program for girls currently enrolled in 1st-6th grade at Gilbert Schools in Gilbert, Iowa. Players who live in the Gilbert School district but attend an area private school or homeschool are also eligible to participate. The grade level is the child’s current grade at the time of registration. All teams are coached by parent volunteers. Practices are held at the softball field located at Gilbert Middle School or the Gilbert Elementary School fields and schedules will be communicated by coaches. The teams are part of the Story Baseball League which is coordinated by the Central Iowa Recreation League (CIRL). The league includes Ames, Colo-Nesco, Collins Maxwell, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story and South Hamilton. Games will be held in Gilbert and in other CIRL communities.

Uniform & Equipment

Registration fee includes a jersey and visor. 

Players will also need black softball pants, cleats and red socks. Most players also wear a black belt to complete the uniform (optional). All players will need a softball glove. For sanitary reasons, please provide your own black helmet.  Most players also provide their own bats, although bats can also be shared among teams. 

If you have equipment needs, please email Hannah Schmidt, schmidth@gilbertcsd.org, as we have a nice selection of donated equipment and may be able to help. 

Season Information

• Double A (1st/2nd Grade)
  • Season Dates: May 11 - June 30, 2026
  • Games begin the week of May 25 and are held on Tuesday/Thursday nights. 
  • Weekly practice times will be determined by coach and field availability. We will NOT know practice times/dates until teams have been formed.
• Minors (3rd/4th Grade) & Majors (5th/6th Grade)
  • Season Dates: March 23 - June 19, 2026*
  • Minors Games - Monday/Thursday nights beginning the week of April 20.
  • Majors Games - Tuesday/Friday nights beginning the week of April 20.
  • Weekly practice times will be determined by coach and field availability. We will NOT know practice times/dates until teams have been formed.
• *Weather permitting, the end of year tournament will be held the week of June 8-12. If there are a lot of rainouts, the tournament will be held the week of June 15-19. 

Minors & Majors Open Gym (3rd-6th graders)

• Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 and Tuesday, March 24th
• Gilbert Intermediate East & West Gyms
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. Minors (3rd/4th)
• 7:00-8:00 p.m. Majors (5th/6th)
• GYS coaches will have a variety of stations available for players to rotate through.  
• These dates are optional for any girls wanting to get a head start on the season.

Minors & Majors Skills Night (3rd-6th graders)

• Tuesday, March 10th 2026
• Gilbert Intermediate East & West Gyms
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. Minors (3rd/4th)
• 7:00-8:00 p.m. Majors (5th/6th)
• Players will participate in a variety of drills to assess skill levels to create balanced teams.
• It is highly recommended that players attend this session! If your player is unable to attend they will still be placed on a team.

Minors & Majors Pitching Open Gyms (3rd-6th graders)

If your daughter has interest in pitching this season, these open gyms are great opportunities to learn the basics (for beginners) or to get back into pitching before the season starts (returning pitchers). It is recommended that, if you plan to pitch this season, you attend at least 2 of the 3 sessions. A parent is required for these sessions to catch for their pitcher.

Please fill out this GOOGLE FORM to communicate interest in pitching and to get signed up for a 30 minute time slot. You will receive an email to inform you of your specific time slot on the following dates:

Monday, March 2nd

Monday, March 23rd

Monday, March 30th

Gilbert Intermediate West Gym