The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Play ball all summer
Girls of Summer Softball League offers sports skills, friendships
The Lorain Girls of Summer Softball League provides young girls with opportunities to improve their skills while having a bit of fun for a few days a week during the summer.
“We just want them to have fun and for them to learn how to play,” said Sarah Hall, the league’s chairperson, who first signed her daughter up for the league seven years ago and joined the committee three years ago.
The league invites any area girl from ages 5 to 16 to play and learn specific skills and positions. Registration starts in March and the season runs from May to July.
Hall works with seven other committee members to organize the teams each year.
Players are divided into four age groups for teams: T-ball for ages 5 to 6, rookie for ages 7 to 9, intermediate for ages 9 to 12 and minor for ages 13 to 16.
“We try to have all the teams ready to go by May 1,” said Hall.
Last season, the league had 19 participating teams: four T-ball, four rookie, seven intermediate and four minor.
Each team is led with at least three volunteer coaches: one head coach and two assistant coaches.
A petition to include a draft in the creation of team is still awaiting approval by the league’s counsel. Hall said having coaches participate in a draft could make teams more competitive.
Teams mostly practice a few times each week in May. Games start in June and occur a two or three times a week as well.
Games are scheduled on the four fields in Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave. in Lorain and practices can take place at any park in the city.
Although there are no playoffs in the league, allstar teams chosen by team and coach vote compete in their age range.
For T-ball and rookie levels, coaches pitch or set up tees and are stationed in the outfield in order to help direct players.
Once players enter the intermediate stage, Hall said the players are out on the field by themselves.
“When they get to the intermediate league, they pitch and that’s all the girls,” she said. “It’s up to them.
“Pitching is the main difficulty. Big sisters or people that wanna come out will come to practice and teach them too.”
By the intermediate age range, Hall said the players are assigned outfield positions based on what they are most familiar with. She said the league makes sure they all get plenty of play time.
“We have a rule that they can’t sit on the bench for more than one inning,” Hall said.
Participation fees remain low because equipment is provided by the league and most of the funding comes from the city of Lorain, Hall said, adding that registration does not exceed $40.
This past season’s T-ball fee was $10.
A recent raffle fundraiser held by the league provided funds to purchase new catcher equipment for the past season as well.
Hall said the league provides a good alternative for families who may not want to invest in a travel league during the summer.
“You don’t have to pay for
travel, registration is cheap and it’s better for parents’ pocketbooks,” she said.
After playing softball all her life, Ashley Reardon of Lorain started as an assistant coach for her stepdaughter Natalia Woskobunik’s rookie team two years ago.
“She really enjoyed it,” Reardon said. “The coaches at that level were very encouraging and just wanting to teach the basics of the games. It was her first year ever playing and for a lot of girls it was their first time
too. She had a blast with it.”
Reardon said the league holds a balance of competitive spirit and a fun, positive learning environment, which keeps her bringing back to coach each season.
This past season, Reardon was the coordinator for the minor division in the league.
“I liked coaching because (softball) was such a big part of my life,” she said. “I’ve been playing since kindergarten, T-ball age basically ... To learn how to be a team player and respect are important to pass on.”