Game Notifications: All registered players will get an email sent to them with game reminders on Wednesdays. The emails go to the email address you signed up with. If you are not getting the emails, let us know so we can check to see if they are being sent back to us.
We also strongly recommend that you download the “League Apps Play” app. This is available on iOS and Android devices. Through the app you can see your entire season, Extra Inning events, as well as set up messaging with your manager and team in the app. All league messages will also appear in the app.
You can also see the whole schedule (with filters by team, divisions, etc.) at our website Schedule : SSBL Milwaukee
Support our Sponsors: Most of our teams are sponsored by LGBTQ+ bars, but we also have some non-bar field sponsors. You are encouraged to support your individual team sponsor bar (if you have one) after your games. Not all sponsor bars open at the same time, and some won’t be open when you finish playing. Some teams will make a point of visiting their own bar first and then go to one of their opponents’ bars. Some teams will coordinate with their opponents, and each shows up together at each of their sponsor bars. Each week we will have also designated an “Extra Innings” Sponsor bar as our league wide designated social event. These events are from 3pm-7pm. Some teams will choose to build off their “Extra Innings” and include games, drink specials, raffles, but some will just be social events. Sponsors are how we keep our player registrations affordable. Please help us and thank them for supporting us!
Player Equipment: You are responsible for any personal equipment you wish to use on the field, but it must follow our league and USA softball rules.
Bats: Must have a USA Softball or ASA Stamp on the barrel of the bat to be used in our league. If you are planning on purchasing a bat, I strongly recommend checking with a SSBL Board member to be sure the bat meets the requirements. We don’t want you spending $300+ and not be able to use it. The league has 8 bats that are shared bats that all players can use. Request the bats at the concessions table before your game.
Cleats: These are not required but they are helpful when running and fielding balls. If you are purchasing cleats, they can NOT be metal cleats. If you are planning on playing multiple years or traveling to out-of-town tournaments, I recommend getting cleats.
Gloves: Very few requirements for this but after you get a glove, recommendation is to take a used softball (ask, we can get you one) and during the week between games, tie the glove shut with the ball inside to help condition the glove to be flexible. There are other tips that you can look for on the internet on how to condition your glove to get the best use out of it.
Face mask: These are not required, but more and more pitchers are wearing face masks to protect themselves from injury. SSBL does NOT provide face masks, but if you would like to purchase one, we can help with recommendations.
Uniforms: Eventually these are required, but we have a grace period in place for new teams. Shirts and Logos is a sponsor of our league and provides discounts for SSBL teams. Check out some of their designs at ShirtsandLogos | American Made Sportswear and Apparel Reach out to a board member if you need information or financial assistance with getting new jerseys for your team.
Weather Issues: For those that have played with us before, the beginning of our season usually is a battle with mother nature to get our games in. We pushed back our season 1 week this year to hopefully get some nicer weather. We are at the mercy of Milwaukee County Parks as to if we can play after a night of rain. As soon as we are notified that games need to be cancelled or delayed, we will send out an email and a text message (text comes from 844-718-2346). We will also post a message on our socials. We have players traveling in from Madison, Appleton, Rockford, and Chicago so we try to get this information out as soon as we can but again it’s all dependent on when Milwaukee County lets us know.
Rain Dates: We have 2 dates on our schedule that are classified as Rain Dates. June 29th and August 10th. If we have no games that are rained out, these will be Off days. If there are more than 2 rainout dates, additional weeks will not be made up.
League Standings: League standings will be updated weekly and can be found in your Player dashboard or at this link: League Standings : SSBL Milwaukee We will also post the standings on our socials.
Music at the park: A lot of teams will have music playing in the dugout during your games or in the common areas. The rules on this are pretty basic. We have kids at the park so no music with inappropriate lyrics and keep it at a reasonable level. If you are asked to change songs, turn the volume down, or even turn it off, please just do it. Remember what is inappropriate for me may seem fine for you.
Concessions and Carry Ins: Wilson Park Recreation Center allows carry-in but please do not bring glass bottles. Even better, you can help support our league and Milwaukee area non-profits groups. SSBL operates concessions at the fields each week. Most weeks this includes brats, hot dogs, burgers, chips, soda, water, beer, and Gatorade. There are theme weeks scheduled as well for tacos and loaded hot dogs. Our concessions will have a suggested price, but we operate on a “Pay what you can” philosophy so those with financial difficulties can still get a meal. We accept Cash, Credit Card, Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Zelle. We also invite local non-profit organizations to help run our concessions through our #SSBL4MKE program of giving back. Ask a board member for more information or if you have a non-profit that would like to raise some money for their group just by supplying 2-3 volunteers to help at the park.
Dogs at the park: Dogs are allowed in Wilson Park recreation Center however they are NOT allowed on the softball field at any time (before, between, or after games). If you bring a dog, please be sure they are leashed, and you clean up after them.
Lost and Found: We will maintain a lost and found at the concession table, so if you leave something behind, check with us and we will check what we collected. At the end of the season, any lost and found items that remain will be donated to a local charity.
Sportsmanship: I hate that I even have to put this in here, but I want to be clear on this. We strive to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all players, fans, umpires, and staff at the fields and at our extra inning sponsored events. This is a fun league, and verbal or physical violence will not be tolerated. From your players waiver that everyone was required to agree to: Disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion and disqualification from SSBL Milwaukee and/or league events without refund, loss of game(s), financial sanctions, or other sanctions not listed here for violations of the following:
A) Unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, verbal or physical violence, towards other players, staff, umpires, volunteers, fans, or any other person(s) preceding, during, or after any league play or events.
B) Any act of fraud, deception, or misrepresentation by any person, whether player or team manager, of the legal and true identity of a person(s) and/or the true and accurate assessment of the athletic skills & ability of that person(s).
C) Any overtly hateful, discriminatory, vengeful, and/or injurious statements, acts, depictions, or writings disparaging any individual, groups of persons, or team on the basis of race, ethnicity, orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, age, sex, weight, height, or other distinguishing factors.