Ross Township Girls Softball League sees drop in participation

MERRILLVILLE — Softball appears to be striking out as a sport of choice for girls in Merrillville, prompting league officials to find other ways to recruit.

After several sign-up sessions, only about 26 girls ages 6 to 18were on board to join the Ross Township Girls Softball League this spring, almost half of them 8-year-olds, Mark Magiera, president and founder of the league, said.

Magiera said there are enough girls for the league to play this year since they are part of the Crosstown league, which includes teams from several communities in the region. Still, this year’s participation is a stark drop from 2009, when the Ross Township league had 109 girls, Magiera said.

“The numbers are extremely low. I think it may be the sign of the times; we need to promote the league differently,” Magiera said.

He said in previous years, the league would just send fliers to schools and put up a couple of banners and the kids would come to sign-ups. He said he is now looking at one avenue he had not previously tried — pounding the pavement to ask businesses for sponsorships and to let the league post fliers there.

“We need to get the word out that we’re the only softball league in town,” Magiera said.

He doesn’t believe cost is a factor; the $175 fee, he said, is comparable to previous years and the girls can get some of that money back by doing fund-raisers.

In 2006, the fee was $130, he said.

Hesaid the league also welcomes girls from Gary, which doesn’t have a girls softball team.

Ross Township Trustee Joseph Shudick said the lack of participation in girls softball is more noticeable in Merrillville than other areas.

“I don’t know what to attribute it to. Soccer and basketball are growing. I’ve been told there’s been a gradual decline in girls softball here over the past 15 to 20 years,” Shudick said.

He said it becomes a problem because league softball is a feeder system for the high school team.

Shudick has done his part to help the local league, which has used four fields in the township park, by waiving about $2,000 in fees.

He said park employees also have been manning the concession stand during the girls softball games since there haven’t been enough girls or parents to do it.

Michael Puente, of Merrillville, is helping to get the word out about the league. Not only is his 14-yearold daughter, Stephanie Puente, a player in the league, Puente joined the volunteer board of directors, as well.

“If you want something done well and want it to survive, you’ve got to get involved,” Puente said.

He said the league has been a positive experience for his daughter.“

Stephanie’s coaches were really patient with her and made her feel comfortable. There’s no yelling or screaming at players. It’s all about teaching the kids the game, having fun and getting exercise,” Puente said.

Stephanie, an eighth-grader at Pierce Middle School, said she enjoys traveling to different towns and playing different teams.

Magiera said he will have another sign-up this Saturday and will keep the door open after that, accepting new players up to midMarch.

The team starts practice at the end of April. It plays Monday through Thursday from early May to mid-July.

Shudick said he would have to re-evaluate the league if a number of its members reside outside Ross Township.

“But I’mmore interested in helping to get the league to survive,” Shudick said.