Registration Is Open. 2026 Begins Now.
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
They asked if we were still running.
They wondered why it was quiet.
Here’s the answer:
We weren’t quiet.
We were building.
And now, the gates are open.
Registration for the 2026 season of the New England Deaf Softball Organization is officially live.
This is not a casual sign-up period.
This is the beginning of roster formation, regional assignment, and postseason positioning under the most structured season NEDSO has ever implemented.
Phase I: Deaf Priority Registration
Now through April 10
From today through April 10, registration is reserved exclusively for:
• Deaf participants
• Hard-of-Hearing participants
• CODA (Children of Deaf Adults)
• SODA (Siblings of Deaf Adults)
• Qualifying spouses
This period exists for one reason:
To protect Deaf-centered roster formation.
During this phase:
• No non-exempt hearing registrations will be accepted
• No Legacy Free Agent processing will occur
• No coach-only registrations will be processed
• No hearing roster spots may be reserved
All verified local participants receive first priority in team assignment.
This is not symbolic.
It is enforced.
How to Register
Go to www.nedso.org
Click “Sign Up”
Select “Player”
Complete the official registration form
Submit documentation if requested
Pay the $150 seasonal registration fee
Registration is not final until:
• Payment is completed
• Waiver is signed
• Eligibility documentation (if requested) is verified
• Commissioner review is complete
Every roster is reviewed for:
• Primary residence verification
• Regional integrity
• Eligibility compliance
• Competitive balance
There are no automatic team placements.
All assignments are subject to Commissioner approval.
Why Residency Matters
NEDSO is regionally structured.
Team assignment is based on verified primary residence.
Temporary addresses.
Seasonal housing.
Strategic relocation.
None of that qualifies.
Documentation may be requested to confirm:
• Government ID
• Proof of residency
• Lease agreements
• Utility bills
This protects regional identity and competitive fairness.
After April 10 — What Changes?
Once the Deaf Priority Registration Period closes:
All Deaf/Hearing-Exempt players are assigned first.
Rosters are balanced.
Only then may hearing participants be considered.
Non-exempt hearing participants:
• Must be recruited by a team captain
• Must reside within that team’s regional territory
• Must submit a written captain endorsement
• Are capped at five per team (or fewer at the Commissioner's discretion)
• May have approval revoked if integrity is compromised
Hearing participation is not a right.
It is a structured, controlled allowance.
And it exists only after Deaf-centered formation is complete.
The Commissioner may choose not to open hearing registration at all.
What This Means for the Future
This structure creates something rare:
A Deaf-led league with firm governance and defined cultural priority.
It allows:
• Competitive growth
• Controlled inclusion
• Regional pride
• Long-term sustainability
The goal is not chaos.
The goal is durability.
From roster lock to postseason Gauntlet, everything is connected.
The Bigger Picture
Registration leads to:
• Regional team identity
• Commissioner’s Challenge matchups
• The Coin of Fate
• The Gauntlet Playoffs
• The Crown Series
Seeding matters.
Preparation matters.
Every registration shapes the season.
Final Reminder
All decisions regarding:
• Eligibility
• Roster placement
• Free agent status
• Hearing participation
• Residency verification
Are made in good faith by the Commissioner and are final and binding under the 2026 Governance Guidelines.
This league is structured to last.
And it starts with who registers now.
If you’ve been waiting.
If you’ve been watching.
If you’ve been asking whether NEDSO is still running.
This is your answer.
Registration is open.
Go to www.nedso.org
Click Sign Up
Select Player
Secure your place in 2026.
The Gauntlet awaits.
— Commissioner Chris Marchese
Founder & Commissioner
New England Deaf Softball Organization (NEDSO)
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