Westside Youth Athletic Association Girls Fall Slow Pitch Softball League

Did you know?

At the youth level, softball is a game primarily played by girls. Its rules are quite similar to baseball's, in which one team attempts to score runs by hitting a ball with a wooden or metal bat, and the defending team attempts to limit hits or runs by fielding or pitching. 9.8 million people participated in softball in 2007, 5.6 million of which were female.

Slow Pitch softball is a fast-paced game that requires strength and patience. Although the pitcher throws the ball underhand at a slow speed, the ball is easier to hit. The ball used in slow pitch softball is smaller and denser than it is in fast pitch, making slow pitch softball a much more high hitting game. Therefore, a slow pitch softball field is typically larger, to make it more difficult to score.

A softball game can last anywhere from four to nine innings, depending on the league and rules. Softball is the most popular participant sport in the United States with almost 60 million people participating at some level each year!

Objective:  To increase participation in Whitfield County Youth Athletics by offering a Westside Sponsored Girls Fall Slow-pitch Softball League for youth age 7-14.

Program Rationale:  With the surge in popularity in Travel/Select Team Fast-pitch Softball for Girls and declining enrollment in the WCRD Spring Fast-pitch softball Program, The Westside Youth Athletic Association has proposed to sponsor a Westside League, independent of. but in support of, WCRD. In evaluating the reason for a decline in participation in Girls fast-pitch programs, we have learned that many girls are simply not interested in fast-pitch softball, because the pace of the game is highly contingent on the quality of a team’s pitcher and catcher. It is a two-player game-even at the collegiate level.  This has never been more apparent than with the recent cancellation of softball as an Olympic Sport.  Few hitters reach base by hitting safely and few fielders have the opportunity to field hit balls.  Fast-pitch magnifies the difference in skill level between players and creates a high player drop-out rate between the start and end of each season.  Slow-pitch softball provides a much slower paced action for girls with limited skills, but encourages increased participation.  More active player engagement produces more participation.

This Fall league should not interfere with or compete with Spring-based fast-pitch leagues.  Girls who play travel ball will continue to play Select ball.  However, if WCRD assists by promoting this Fall league, as they most certainly should, enrollment could easily compete with Spring Program enrollment.

Other Program Information

1. Uniforms not required.  Only t-shirts or jerseys with player numbers to reduce costs to parents.

2. Each Association may sponsor team(s) in each age group (7-14).  Age groups will be determined by participation (9 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 or individual age groups depending on participation.  Communities may combine age groups (12 and under) with the oldest player determining the age classification. (Our first year goal is to get a league off the ground. Participation will increase in years to follow as more girls learn about the league.)

3. Player registration may occur at each local community which decides to participate.

4. Any association that chooses not to participate may allow players to register directly at Westside and will be placed on Westside teams or at-large. Fees will be $50 for all Westside Registration.

5. Association teams may be made up of (combined) 9-12 year olds and play in the 12 year old league

6. Independent teams will be allowed to join the league with teams of selected players.  This should improve the level of competition and improve the quality of play for all youth in the years to come.

7. All Teams will be given a website to track their stats, scores, upload images and design as they wish.

8. Team practice will be held for two weeks following registration and then league play will begin. Each community team will practice at their own field complex or we can make arrangements for Edwards Park Fields.

9. Games will be scheduled Monday through Friday at Edwards Park to allow central access and for WCRD field maintenance purposes.

10. We will try to organize a 10-12 game season beginning Sept 1 and ending around Oct 18.

11. Voluntary post season seeded bracket tournament will begin after season ends.  There will be a fee per team plus gate admission to cover trophy costs.

12. The league will be open to Whitfield, Murray, Catoosa, Gordon, Walker etc county teams and the league will be promoted with local newspapers or a cooperative agreement will be worked out with the local Recreation departments to field their own teams.

13. Each Whitfield County Athletic Association will receive a portion of the fee charged for Registration to be used for reasons defined by their Executive Committee.

14. This league will be offered on a continuing basis each Fall and successive Leagues will take place at the New Westside Fields complex, once completed.

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