Youth Softball in Overland Park
Youth Softball Leagues & Camps
Play Ball!
Blue Valley Rec is your go-to destination for youth softball in Overland Park. With grade-specific leagues and high-quality camps, we offer the perfect blend of skill development and team experience. Whether your child is new to the game or looking to grow, our programs provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment where every player gets to be part of a team. From fundamentals to friendships, Blue Valley Rec softball helps young athletes enjoy the game while building confidence on and off the field.
Youth Softball Opportunities
Flexibility for Busy Families
Blue Valley Rec offers softball across multiple seasons as it offers numerous benefits for kids. To begin with, it supports both physical and mental health by keeping children active and engaged. In addition, the sport fosters teamwork, allowing players to collaborate and build strong social connections. As they practice and play, kids also enhance important motor skills especially hand-eye coordination.
Most importantly, these positive experiences help boost confidence both on and off the field.
Summer Youth Softball
- Grades Pre-K to 8
March – July
Open to all girls in grades Pre-K through 8 during the current academic year, this program provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for young athletes. Moreover, we are committed to maintaining high standards for both coaches and parents, recognizing their important role as positive role models for our youth.
Premier League
- Ages 8U to 18U
March – June
Managed by Blue Valley Rec, this league is designed for teams seeking a higher level of competition, including A, B, and C skill levels. Specifically, the Blue Valley Premier Fastpitch League features divisions for 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, and 16U–18U teams. The age cutoff date is September 1 of each year, ensuring consistency across all divisions.
Within each age group, teams are further divided by competitive level to create fair and balanced matchups. Additionally, players on a BV Premier Fastpitch team are not permitted to play for or substitute on a lower-division team within BVRC leagues. Please note: this league is for team registration only.
Fall Softball
- Grades K to 8
August – October
Get ready for an exciting season with Blue Valley Rec’s Fall Youth Softball League—open to girls in grades K–8 for the upcoming academic year. This team-registration-only league offers a fun, structured environment where young athletes can build skills, stay active, and enjoy the spirit of competition. In addition, we hold our coaches and parents to high standards, knowing they play a key role in setting a positive example for our players. Whether your team is new or returning, this league is the perfect way to keep your athletes growing and playing this fall.
Softball Camps
- Ages 6 to 16
Year Round
Blue Valley Rec softball camps in Overland Park offer a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to grow and have fun. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills, try a new sport, or simply enjoy being part of an encouraging atmosphere, these camps provide the perfect blend of learning and excitement. In addition, participants build confidence, make new friends, and develop a love for the game.
Tournaments
- Ages 6 to 18
April – October
In addition to hosting several tournaments of its own, Blue Valley Rec also rents the Sports Complex to outside organizations for their tournament events. This dual approach allows for a wide range of competitive opportunities throughout the year.
Learn More About Blue Valley Rec Softball
responsibilities
This committee supports areas requiring programming recommendations and administrative review. It is composed of an odd number of members—at minimum, three—each serving three-year terms.
Specifically, the committee:
- Conducts interviews and selects coaches
- Deliberates and acts on formal protests
- Reviews rules, policies, post-season evaluations, and surveys
- Recommends changes for staff consideration
- Evaluates and advises on special requests from parents or players regarding team changes
- Holds hearings on incidents—as defined in the current Official Rules and Policies Handbook—and recommends appropriate actions
Through these responsibilities, the committee plays a vital role in ensuring program integrity, fairness, and continuous improvement.
Current Council Members
- Amber Rindom (12/31/25)
- Tyler Dickerson (12/31/25)
- Mark Jenkins (12/31/25)
- Jason Whitaker (12/31/26)
- Brent Haag (12/31/26)
- McKenna Oldson (12/31/27)
- Brian Patenaude (12/31/27)
- Ted McBride (Commissioner)
The Role of Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship plays a foundational role in youth sports, going far beyond the final score. It fosters character development, emotional growth, and a positive team environment—values that benefit young athletes both on and off the field. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Builds Character and Integrity – To begin with, practicing good sportsmanship teaches respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Moreover, it instills honesty, humility in victory, and grace in defeat—all of which contribute to shaping a child’s moral compass.
- Encourages Respect and Teamwork – When athletes demonstrate sportsmanship, they begin to appreciate the contributions of others, communicate more effectively, and prioritize team goals over individual recognition. As a result, this behavior fosters mutual respect and significantly strengthens team cohesion.
- Promotes Emotional Control and Resilience – While youth sports can often be competitive and emotionally charged, sportsmanship plays a vital role in helping players navigate these challenges. Specifically, it encourages them to manage frustration, recover from setbacks, and approach adversity with maturity—ultimately equipping them with life skills that extend far beyond the game.
- Creates a Positive Playing Environment – Although youth sports can be both competitive and emotionally intense, sportsmanship provides a framework for managing those pressures. In particular, it helps players control frustration, recover from setbacks, and face adversity with maturity. Consequently, these skills prove valuable not just in sports, but in many areas of life.
- Reinforces Lifelong Values – Ultimately, the habits developed through sportsmanship—such as fairness, accountability, and perseverance—stick with young athletes long after their playing days are over.
In short, sportsmanship transforms youth sports into a powerful vehicle for personal growth, community building, and lifelong learning.
Resources
- Code of Ethics Roster
- Role of Parent
- Role of Coach
- Role of Player
- Issues to Address
- Parent Summary
Seminars/Training
- Parent Sportsmanship Seminar with Bill Severns (Fall 2023)
- Parent Sportsmanship Seminar with Bill Severns and Chris Tallent (Spring 2024)
PARNTERS
POLICY
Blue Valley Rec and its partners reserve the right to use all photographs and video footage of participants for promotional purposes. Specifically, this includes materials used in print, digital media, advertisements, and social media promotions. Moreover, drone footage is also included under this policy.
Waiver
In addition, by participating in our programs or events, individuals acknowledge and accept the potential use of their image for marketing purposes. As a result, these visuals help us showcase the energy and excitement of our leagues and activities across various platforms.