Do softball leagues need a waiver?

Most do. Parks, field owners and insurers commonly require one, and it records that players understood the risks. Ask your insurer or association what they require.

Is a sample waiver legally enough?

Not on its own. Waiver enforceability depends on your state's law, so use wording from your insurer or association where you can and have a local lawyer review it.

Should players sign a new waiver every season?

It's good practice. A new signature each season ties every current player to the waiver version in effect.

Can players sign a softball waiver online?

Yes. Online waivers let players sign from their phone and keep a record of who signed which version and when.

Softball League Waiver Template: What to Include

By Patrick Poulin · Updated October 29, 2026

A softball league waiver usually names the league and the activity, states the risks of playing, has the player assume those risks, releases the league and its volunteers from claims, and covers medical treatment and photo consent, followed by the player's signature and date. Whether a waiver holds up depends on your state's law, so start from your insurer's or association's wording and have it reviewed.

Before you start#

This is an outline, not legal advice. Waiver rules are state law, and some states limit what a waiver can release. Many leagues get waiver wording from their insurance carrier or national softball association; if yours provides one, use it. Either way, have a lawyer in your state review the final version.

The sections most league waivers include#

1. Who and what

Name the league, the season, and the activities covered: games, practices, tournaments and league events.

Sample: "This agreement covers my participation in [League Name] softball games, practices and events during the [Season] season."

2. The risks

Say plainly that softball can cause injury: being hit by a ball or bat, collisions, sliding, uneven fields and weather.

Sample: "I understand that playing softball involves risks of injury, including from batted and thrown balls, bats, collisions, sliding, field conditions and weather."

3. Assumption of risk

The player confirms they're choosing to play knowing those risks, and that they're physically able to.

Sample: "I voluntarily choose to participate and accept these risks. I am physically able to play."

4. Release

The player releases the league, its organizers, volunteers, sponsors and field owners from claims for injury or loss, to the extent the law allows.

Sample: "To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release [League Name], its organizers, volunteers, sponsors and field owners from claims arising from my participation."

5. Medical treatment

Permission for emergency treatment if the player can't consent, and an acknowledgment that the league doesn't provide medical coverage.

6. Rules and conduct

The player agrees to follow the league's rules and its umpires' decisions, and that the league can remove players for unsafe conduct.

7. Photos

Consent (or a way to opt out) for the league using game photos on its website and social media.

8. Signature

Printed name, signature, date and contact information. Adult leagues may also ask for date of birth to confirm players are 18 or older.

Collecting signatures#

A waiver only helps if you can show who signed which version, and when. A paper clipboard at the first game misses late additions and subs. Collect signatures online before the season, keep each signature tied to the exact text the player agreed to, and have players sign again each season, so this season's roster is covered by this season's waiver.

On Softball.love, a league publishes its waiver once. Players sign it online, often as part of signing up for the season, and the commissioner sees each team's signed and unsigned players.

Common Questions

Do softball leagues need a waiver?: Most do. Parks, field owners and insurers commonly require one, and it records that players understood the risks. Ask your insurer or association what they require.
Is a sample waiver legally enough?: Not on its own. Waiver enforceability depends on your state's law, so use wording from your insurer or association where you can and have a local lawyer review it.
Should players sign a new waiver every season?: It's good practice. A new signature each season ties every current player to the waiver version in effect.
Can players sign a softball waiver online?: Yes. Online waivers let players sign from their phone and keep a record of who signed which version and when.

About the author. Patrick Poulin founded Softball.love and manages adult rec softball teams. More about Patrick →