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2026–27 SEASON · 12U TRAVEL TEAM CONFIRMED · FEEDER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS OPEN Rent the Clubhouse →
AGES 7–11 · YEAR-ROUND · EAST HARTFORD, CT · UP TO 30 PLAYERS
The most important years in your daughter's softball career are right now.
Internally, we call it Little Gems — a competitive development environment built to identify, train, and develop the next generation of Diamond Club athletes.
Built for the years that actually matter.

Ages 7–11 are when habits form — good ones and bad ones. A player who learns to think the game at 9 is a different athlete at 12 than one who was just warming a bench at tournaments. We built this program because we've coached both kinds of players, and we know exactly where the gap starts.

This is not a travel team. It's a purposeful, competitive development pathway — not a tournament schedule. The point is serious, structured coaching twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays — indoors at Clubhouse 220, outdoors at McAuliffe Field when weather allows — with coaches who take this age group as seriously as any 16U program does.

A year-round skills program designed to develop young athletes through systematic instruction, character-first coaching, and progressive skill-building — with the possibility of placement on a Diamond Club travel team in future seasons, based on skill, effort, and family fit.

Program at a Glance

Season
Sept 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
First session Wed, Sept 2 at 5:30 PM
Practices
Wed 5:30–7:00 PM · Sat 9:00–10:30 AM
1.5 hrs each, 3 hrs weekly
Capacity
Up to 30 players
Waitlist when full
Facility
Clubhouse 220 (indoor)
McAuliffe Field (outdoor, weather permitting)
Practices are never cancelled. Indoor for bad weather. Outdoor when it's nice. Your family can plan around this.
Bat rack with Diamond Club values

Who Coaches Her

Every coach on this staff played college softball — Division 1, 2, or 3 — and comes back knowing exactly what the pathway takes.
Alison Rossi
Head Instructor & Club Owner
Adriana Quealy
Assistant Coach
Madison Tessmer
Assistant Coach
Madi Vera
Development Program Assistant · 12U Head Coach
12U Diamonds Black players provide occasional assistance and mentorship.
Meet the full coaching staff →

Skill. IQ. Character. In that order.

Every session has a plan. We don't show up and wing it. Over the course of the program, players build all four layers.
Physical Fundamentals
Hitting mechanics and bat path · Fielding footwork and hands · Throwing arm care · Baserunning reads and decisions
Softball IQ
Watch the game, not just wait for your turn. Know what's happening before it happens. Understand situations, not just positions.
Mindset & Character
Mistakes are how we learn — we don't hide from them. Effort matters more than perfection. Team-first is the standard at 8, at 10, at 16.
Alumni Mentorship
Former Diamond Club players — some now in college — are coming back to help coach. That's a direct line from where she is to where she can go.

How We Evaluate

We continuously assess every player on two things — because culture matters as much as talent.
Her Skill & Effort
Progression and improvement over time
Competitiveness and resilience
Mental approach to the game
Coachability and willingness to be challenged
Your Family's Fit
Supportive and encouraging
Understanding that failure is part of the game
Trust in the coaching process
Committed to the journey, not just the outcome
This is where the path starts.
This program prepares players to compete at higher levels, with the possibility of placement on a Diamond Club travel team in future seasons — based on skill, effort, and family fit. Whether she continues with Diamond Club or moves forward in the sport elsewhere, we're committed to her development the whole way.
Diamond Club player in action
What to Bring & Dress Code
She Must Provide
Bat (age-appropriate)
Glove (properly fitted)
Helmet (with cage or face mask)
Fielding face mask
Large water bottle, every session
Uniform for Every Practice
Diamond Club team shirt
Softball pants (regulation length)
Indoor at Clubhouse 220: turf shoes or sneakers only — no cleats
Outdoor: cleats, turf shoes, or sneakers
Check the practice schedule to confirm whether a session is indoors or outside so she wears the right footwear — we'll provide the schedule at enrollment. Club equipment (balls, cones, training aids) is provided at every session.
Signing Day
On a date to be announced, we'll host a Diamond Club Signing Day for every Development Feeder Program player and family — a milestone where she's officially signed to the program. At Signing Day, you'll:
Officially register your daughter and sign all waivers
Get her sized for future team apparel
Browse equipment and merchandise available for purchase
Meet other families in the Diamond Club community
Take part in events designed for our young athletes
A team jersey may be available for purchase for identification and unity — optional, not mandatory. Pricing and ordering details come at Signing Day.
What's Included & Pricing
Year-round indoor + outdoor facility access · Systematic curriculum · Individual evaluation and feedback · Alumni mentorship · Possibility of placement on a future Diamond Club travel team
Monthly Plan
$225/mo
Due by the 15th of the prior month
Save $200
Pre-Pay
$1,825/9mo
Pay by August 15, 2026 for the full season
Drop-In
$35/session
No commitment required
Our Commitment
If you bring your daughter to the Development Feeder Program, you're investing in:
Coaching from former college players who've competed at the highest youth levels
Hundreds of reps in game-like situations designed to build real skill
Individual attention and assessment for competitive development
Mental toughness training and adversity management
The possibility to compete at higher competitive levels in future seasons
A community of families committed to development, not shortcuts
Continuous growth and goal-setting with measurable progression
What We Require
Supportive Parents
Failure is part of the game. Encourage her to embrace challenge.
Consistency
Show up. Development happens through repetition and presence.
Trust in the Process
Let our coaches coach. Our job is to push her to her limits.
Belief in Her Potential
She's capable of more than she knows.
Alignment with our values: we build excellence through consistency, challenge, and mental toughness.
Common Questions
Is this a travel softball team?
No. The focus is 100% development and evaluation — not a tournament schedule or a roster spot. It's a purposeful, competitive development pathway designed to prepare her for whatever comes next, whether that's a future spot with Diamond Club or another program.
Can my daughter play on another team?
Yes. No exclusivity requirements. She can play school softball, rec ball, or other programs simultaneously — and we encourage it. Little League softball builds real confidence and a love for the game that complements what we do here.
When does the program start?
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM. The season runs through May 31, 2027.
Will my daughter make the travel team?
There's no guarantee — and that's by design. We continuously evaluate skill, effort, and family fit throughout the year. This program gives her a full season to develop and be seen, whether her path leads to a future Diamond Club roster spot or somewhere else in the sport.
Do we save money with monthly vs. drop-in?
Yes. Pre-paying the full season by August 15, 2026 saves $200 versus paying monthly, and both options work out to less per practice than the $35 drop-in rate.
What if we need to cancel?
Monthly membership cancels with 30-day written notice. Registration fee is non-refundable. No refunds for missed practices.
What if I have more questions?
Email alison@diamondsoftballclub.com or call (860) 550-0970 — we're here to help.
Up to 30 players.
Hit the Apply Now button and tell us about your daughter, or attend one of our Friday clinics to be seen.
Apply Now Attend a Clinic First
Questions? Contact us — we'll get back to you within 24 hours.