What will your daughter or granddaughter be doing this summer?
Perhaps you should consider enrolling her in one of the local youth softball options. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, girls who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression. Girls who play sports also have a more positive body image and experience higher states of psychological well-being than girls and women who do not play sports.
For many girls, the first experience with the diamond sports comes with t-ball. The La Porte Park and Recreation Department offers t-ball for boys and girls ages 5-6. The season runs for six weeks beginning June 10 with participants practicing and playing games two nights per week. The focus of the program is on development of physical, mental and social skills as they relate to the game.
Beyond t-ball, parents and participants have two options: fastpitch or slowpitch softball. Through a first-year collaboration, both programs will be offered at our city parks this season, although the La Porte Fastpitch Club (LPFC) continues to oversee the fastpitch program.
“We believe each sport has something to offer girls in our community,” said Mark Schreiber, Recreation Director for the La Porte Park and Recreation Department. “We are pleased to be able to offer a slowpitch program as well as help support fastpitch, giving parents a choice to decide which level is best for their child.”
As the names suggest, the major difference between fastpitch and slowpitch is the speed and manner in which the ball is delivered to the plate. However, many of the same skill sets apply to both versions.
While both levels are considered recreational, slowpitch takes emphasis off pitching by delivering the ball on an arc. Through the removal of the high-speed offering from the pitcher to the batter, slowpitch by definition is both a safer and an easier game to play. The slowpitch format allows for more action in the field which leads to development of defensive skills.
Fastpitch softball, made popular in recent years by success of the U.S. Olympic team, is played with many of the rules of traditional baseball and therefore employs very similar strategies. The ball is delivered underhand but on a straight plane, curving and diving to the left, right, top and bottom of the strike zone. Offensively, hitters are allowed to bunt or slap at the ball and runners can steal bases.
“One of the most attractive features of fastpitch softball is the speed in which the game is played,” said Mike Pearish, President of the La Porte Fastpitch Club. “It is a very fast-paced game and keeps all players engaged on both offense and defense. Fastpitch takes the game of softball to a higher level and allows girls an opportunity to prepare for their respective high school softball teams.”
LPFC will hold registrations for fastpitch softball on Saturday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Dunham’s Sports in La Porte. Fastpitch age divisions are as follows: 8U (ages 7-8 only), 10U, 12U, and 14U (the “U” indicates “and under”). The age cutoff for all divisions is April 30, 2013. The registration cost for 8U is $40 per player and $50 for all other divisions. For participants in the 10U and 12U divisions, the second child in the same household would cost $45, with any additional children in the same household costing $40 each. Please note that discounts to not apply to 8U participants. For more information on the fastpitch program, please visit the La Porte Fastpitch Club Facebook page or contact Mike Pearish at (219) 851-0855 or via email at laportefastpitch@gmail.com.
The La Porte Park and Recreation Department offers three age divisions for slowpitch: Coach Pitch (ages 7-9), Junior (ages 10-12) and Senior (ages 13-17). Registration takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, and Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Civic Auditorium. The cost of each program is $45 for first child and $35 for each additional child in same household. For more information on the La Porte Park and Recreation Department youth softball program or other recreation programs, contact Recreation Director Mark Schreiber at (219) 326-9600 or by e-mail at mschreiber@cityoflaporte.com. Information can also be found on the La Porte Park and Recreation Department Facebook page.