What are your office hours? Monday – Friday from 9am to 6pm.
How do I register? There are a few different ways to register. The quickest and easiest is to download our registration form from our website, www.capitalcityathletics.com and email it to PARDAthletics@austintexas.gov. Walk-ins are always welcomed.
What forms of payment are acceptable? We accept Visa, Master Card, AMEX, and company checks. We do not accept personal checks, money order or cash, only company checks. There can be a combination of payments, but it must all come together and must be the total amount. We do not hold any spots or guarantee any spots until the full amount has been received.
When can I expect to hear about my team or schedule for the league I signed up for? We typically send out all schedules via email to the team managers and post them on the website about one week before your team’s first game.
How long is the season? Our Spring I, Summer I, Summer II, and Fall is an 8-game regular season that run 8 to 10 weeks. Our Winter 1 Pitch league is an 8-game season that runs 6 weeks.
How do I sign the waiver? The waiver form is on the backside of your team’s batting lineup that is provided at the game. All players must sign the roster/waiver form before each game, including subs. If you print and sign the waiver be sure to give it to the USA Umpire at your game before playing.
How do I know when my team will play each week? Unless otherwise noted, all the games will be held at the same complex you chose during registration, however your specific field may vary each week. Game times will vary as we try our best to distribute the times equally.
What if it rains or is generally miserable outside? Rule of thumb: ALWAYS assume your game is on. We have played through rain and less than optimal conditions to make sure all games are played as scheduled. Of course, in special circumstances — blizzards, lightning, alien takeover, the Coronavirus pandemic — we will postpone the games. When in doubt, call the Rainout Line 512-978-2680 or check for updates on our website, www.capitalcityathletics.com
What are the age requirements for leagues? All players must be 18 years of age or older and out of high school to be eligible to participate in City Wide Sports. Players aged 16 and 17 years can participate but must come in to our office located at the Krieg Softball Complex (515 S. Pleasant Valley Rd. Austin, TX. 78741) and fill out the Minor Waiver form and provide a picture ID.
Do you require jerseys/uniforms for any of the leagues? For softball leagues we do not require any type of jersey or uniform.
Do you provide any equipment? No. Teams and players are required to bring their own equipment to play with (approved bats and balls).
What is the approved typed of equipment? Approved softballs must be factory stamped with an ASA licensed trademark for play. Final judgment left to the umpire (the stamp must be legible). A ball that is merely unreadable will be removed from the game at the time of inspection with no penalty to the offense. All balls must be OPTIC YELLOW and meet maximum COR and lbs. Women will hit the 11” ball COR 52 with 300 lbs. If a woman is playing in the men’s league, she must hit the 12” ball men softball. Men will hit a 12” ball. COR 52 with 300 lbs. All bats must obtain either the ASA 2000 Certification Mark, ASA 2004 Certification Mark, or ASA 2013 Certification Mark and must not be listed on the ASA Non-Approved Bat List with a 2000 or 2004 Certification Mark.
What types of leagues can we sign up for? We offer Men’s and Co-Ed leagues. Divisions among the league are divided into Recreational, Novice, Intermediate and Advance.
What does 0HR, 1HR, 2HR, and 3HR mean? The 4 offered divisions only allow a certain number of out of park home runs per game. Recreational does not allow any out of park homeruns, Novice allows 1 out of park homerun, Intermediate allows 2 out of park homeruns, and Advance allows 3 out of park homeruns. Any homeruns hit in access to the restricted numbers is an automatic out.
Do you have umpires? Yes. Our umpires are with the Austin Softball Umpires Association.
Is there staff available at night during softball games? There will be staff at each complex softball roaming during softball leagues & rentals. Staff can be identified in the navy-blue parks and recreation t-shirt with “Staff” on the back.
What skill level is required to play in the Capital City Softball leagues? City leagues are first-and-foremost-for-fun – we welcome players at all skill levels. We offer recreational, intermediate and competitive level leagues to accommodate players of all skill and experience levels. Though our leagues are divided by skill level, we expect all our members to play with a recreational, sportsmanlike and for-fun attitude.
I might be interested in being a Team Manager. What do Managers have to do?
Team Managers are asked to:
- Ensure all teammates have signed the line-up/roster waiver each game
- Understand all league information & rules (only for softball)
- Bring equipment (softball only)
- Ensure all team members know and play by the rules
Do you track scores and post standings? All score-reporting is tracked, and standings generated and posted on the website, www.capitalcityathletics.com
If my team wins, what do we get? At the end of each season, and for each league, the winning teams are awarded a League Championship plaque. Champions in each league also have the opportunity of ordering Championship shirts. T-shirt order forms and order deadlines will be emailed and posted.
What if my team can't make a scheduled game? Team Managers are recommended to inform their opponent that they will not make the game. Plus, to inform the PARD Athletics Office so we can notify umpires & all parties.
Can females play on a Men’s Team? Absolutely, the females will have to obey by the Men’s rules not Co-Ed. (Example: Females must hit the 12” softball)
My team needs a name? Feel free to be as creative or generic as possible when creating a team name. We ask that you please be respectful when deciding on a team name. PARD Athletics will not tolerate racist, sexist, or otherwise demeaning names for teams. We reserve the right to remove a name that we deem inappropriate.
Can we change our team name? Team names are reported to USA Softball, the National governed body of softball. Teams pay the sanction fees once a year, those wanting to change names will have to pay another $18.
What holidays does the Athletics Office observe? The Athletics Office will not play on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Games may be scheduled for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Halloween. Certain facilities will observe other holidays and we will work your game schedule around those dates accordingly.
Is alcohol permitted at our game? Yes, Krieg Athletic Complex is considered a park where alcohol is permitted. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited within the confines of the dugout and playing field at all times. Park rules also do not allow for glass bottles on the premises at any time. Failure to follow any of the facility policies will result in removal from any Athletic program.
Are barbecue pits allowed in the park? It is prohibited to have an open fire in the park. Fires in barbecue pits or grills are allowed if city parks or Travis county isn't in a burn ban. However, caution should be taken in disposing hot coals. It is prohibited to dump coals on any tree roots or plants.
Where is your office located? 515 South Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, Texas 78741. We are near Krieg #5 in the Brown Mobile Module.
How long do we play for? All of our leagues game time runs for 52 minutes, except for the Winter 1-pitch league game run 45 minutes. We list a window of time that each league runs for, and you will play within that time frame. Your game times will rotate each week throughout the season.
Can we switch the league or level we are in? Once a league starts, teams cannot switch leagues or divisions. We encourage our teams to sign-up for the correct skill level league. **Sandbaggers will not be tolerated**
Can I use my credits for future softball registration? Yes, our priority is to credit all households before we begin processing payments for any upcoming league.
How will I know if I got a credit and how much my credit is? Once we apply your household credits you will receive an automated email with a receipt detailing your credits. Your credit will be $48 for every cancelled game that was not rescheduled in all seasons except for Winter 1 Pitch which we credit $35 per cancelled game.
Is there a mercy rule in softball? A game is complete when a team is leading by 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings & 10 runs after 5 innings.
Are dogs allowed off leash at the park? By law, all dogs must be on a leash on park property and are not allowed in the confines of our softball fields.
Who is responsible for what sport programming at the Athletics Office?
Liz Tajchman – Supervisor (ALL)
Travis Golden – (Flag Football/Volleyball/Basketball)
JC Bernal – (Softball)