Girls’ Babe Ruth Softball Readies For Spring

Winter’s grip may still be strong, but for Newtown parents, it is never too early to start thinking about spring activities. For girls ages 6 to 16, the Newtown Babe Ruth Softball League is gearing up for another great season of play.

This spring, more than 300 girls are expected to turn out to play in the league’s softball program, which was established in 2000 to include more age groups, a summer travel program, and tournament play.

“Our program is available to every young lady with a desire to learn and play the game of softball,” League President Joe McEnaney said. “In addition to learning the game and advancing the athletic skills of our players, we emphasize the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal effort. In many ways, we’re more interested in developing the skills necessary for a life off the diamond.”

In preparation for the eight-week season that begins in mid-April, the league sponsors a series of winter training clinics, including pitching instruction from Yale softball Coach Barbara Reinalda. Launched in 1954 as a youth baseball organization in Trenton N.J., the Babe Ruth League has grown to include more than one million players on more than 56,000 teams across the United States and Canada. In 1984, the league expanded to include fast-pitch softball for girls between the ages of 6 and 16. Today, Newtown’s is the second largest of the state’s 19 Babe Ruth Softball Leagues. The league owes its success to the many coaches and volunteers who turn out every year, dedicated to providing a positive playing experience and improving the skills and confidence levels of all participants, McEnaney said.

“Like all the other youth sports programs in town, the league enjoys wide support throughout the community,” said League President Mark Kuligowski. “Our generous volunteers are the backbone of the program, but we are also fortunate to have a great base of loyal and local business sponsors. Park and Recreation does a great job maintaining the many diamonds throughout town and the high school softball program supports our efforts with valuable training resources.”

This year, league officials are hoping to expand regular-season play to include a few games with Babe Ruth teams in neighboring towns. Girls in the 10-, 12-, and 14-year-old age groups will also have the chance to try out for a competitive eight-week summer travel program that runs through July. Travel teams will compete in state, regional, and World Series tournaments as well as the Fairfield County Fast Pitch League and an end-of-the-season tournament hosted in Bethel.

“The Babe Ruth League is committed to the principle of doing what’s right in order to benefit the most number of girls,” said Director of Operations Jim Post.

“Our team selection process is designed to build evenly matched teams that include players of all skill levels. We believe this not only encourages developing players to improve their game, but it also improves the overall caliber of league play, reinforcing our commitment to the majority of our girls rather than just a few. Having said that, though, we do provide opportunities and outlets for those girls who want to take their games to higher levels ”

Registration for the 2008 Spring program is underway. For more information, visit the Newtown Babe Ruth Softball League website at www.new townsoftball.org and get the specifics on upcoming clinics, training opportunities, meetings, events, and board meetings.