Welcome to the SYAC Girls Softball Instructional League Home Page

Associate Commissioners	Phone Numbers	Instructional League Links
Janine DeStefani	270.6543	Instructional League Team Directory
Sari Rauch	677.0037	Instructional League Schedule
Margaret Schrader	508.2075	Instructional League Fields, Permits & Directions
		Online Registration

Trophy Night a blast!

Syosset, NY 16 June 2009—It was nearly standing room only as SYAC held its annual Instructional League Trophy Night ceremonies last night at Thompson Middle School. The school’s cafeteria was filled with more than 150 people as families cheered on their teams and individual girls as they each received a trophy and team photo to remember the very successful 2009 season. The ceremonies also included pizza and Italian ices for all.

It was nearly standing room only as SYAC held its annual Instructional League Trophy Night ceremonies last night at Thompson Middle School. The school’s cafeteria was filled with more than 150 people as families cheered on their teams and individual girls as they each received a trophy and team photo to remember the very successful 2009 season. The ceremonies also included pizza and Italian ices for all.

The League’s Commissioner, Frank DiCostanzo, acted as the evening’s emcee and, with rousing music playing in the background, called up each girl to receive their trophy and photo which were handed out by the League’s new Associate Commissioner, Sari Rauch.

The turn out was indicative of a very successful season for the Instructional League and of the terrific support exhibited by the parents and families of the girls all year long. With enrollment up 50% over last year and two terrific indoor clinics conducted in the pre-season, the IL enjoyed it’s best season in years and is excitedly looking forward to an even better season to come in 2010!

Thanks to all of the parents, sponsors and, most of all, the coaches who volunteered their time and efforts to make 2009 a wonderful year for SYAC’s Instructional League. Have a great summer...we look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

Play Ball!!! SYAC Instructional League Kicks Off the 2009 Season

Syosset, NY 27 April 2009 — On an absolutely gorgeous evening for softball, the SYAC Instructional League ushered in the 2009 season with two terrific games Monday night.

There was a great turn out as families and friends came out to support their girls when the Helix Raiders played the The Smile Station Mighty Molars at Baylis Elementary. While a similarly enthusiastic crowd at Schoolhouse North watched Woodbury Country Deli take on the Little Rascals.

The girls exhibited surprisingly good skills for the first game of the season with some terrific hitting and solid fielding.

The weather should be just as beautiful tomorrow night when the Helix Raiders play again, this time matching up against Printables Inc. at Schoolhouse.

iLeague Clinics a big success

Syosset, NY 17 April 2009--The first two weekends of April 2009 brought two Instructional League clinics that were run by Cristina Anderson. Not only were they very instructional, but they were also very well attended, as the photograph below clearly shows.

The SYAC Board was so impressed with the turnout it agreed to make these two events a regular feature for the future of the Instructional League. We're also working on ways to provide more clinics for this group and the other SYAC divisions both before and during the season.

Thanks to all the girls and parents who attended.

About the Instructional League

The focus of the Instructional League is to give girls in our community who are in Kindergarten or 1st Grade as of January 1st the opportunity to learn a sport they can enjoy for the rest of their lives and learn what it means to be part of a team, all in an environment of learning and fun.

At this level, the first half of the season is T-ball. In the second half, children learn to face pitching, which is done by coaches and, if available, parents, who are always encouraged to assist and participate.

In setting up teams for the Instructional League, we try as hard as we can to keep kids together with their friends. We encourage parents to sign their children up for this league with the names of up to three other children they'd like to be with. At this age, when many of these girls can be quite shy, we find this to be a good way to get them to come out and learn this game.

However, once they move up to our Pony League, they will be placed on teams based upon their skills and abilities rather than on who their friends are or how they get to the game. While the other leagues are not considered "competitive" by school standards, they are certainly more competitive than the Instructional League, where we don't even keep score in the games.

The 2010 season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday, April 26, 2010. Registration takes place in January. Once placed on a team, your child will be contacted by her coach sometime around the beginning of April.

All games take place weeknights at 6:15pm and go until they end (6 innings) or it gets too dark or too cold to play. Cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced on the web on the home page and on this page and on the SYAC Girls Softball Weather Line (516) 733-4066.