Spring into Scotch Plains Girls Softball

Spring is just around the corner. The sun is shining, the temperature is rising. For many parents, the time has come to dig that old baseball bat and glove out of the garage and head out into the back yard to practice aim and pitch with the kids. Eager to help your children become more active and make new friends? For over 25 years, Scotch Plains girls, Kindergarten through eighth grade have been playing Rec League softball.  

Organized by the Scotch Plains Recreation Department, the Girls Softball League is divided up into three divisions: K – second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth through eighth grade.  Players within each division are split up into several teams. These teams will go on to play each other in April through June. The oldest division normally consists of eight to nine teams and the younger divisions usually consist of five to six teams each.

The Rec Department is still looking for volunteer coaches and assistant coaches, no experience necessary. There will be a few coaching clinics in April so that first time coaches can learn essential skills and techniques.

“We never turn away coaches. If anyone wants to volunteer we will certainly set that up. The coaches and the parents who participate in this program are very encouraging,” Recreation Supervisor, Stephen Dahl said. “This is a fun league. We have established that everyone gets a chance to play, so it is not as cut throat as a competitive team that travels to different states. We have never had any issues with our coaches or parents.”

Softball girls, who sign up for the K-2 division will focus on learning how to play the game, learning the rules of softball as well as how to hit, throw and play in the field. The practice schedule for this division is to be determined. The third through fourth grade division will meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday mornings.

“We have about 100 kids signed up so far,” Dahl stated. “The K – 2 division will focus on the fundamentals of softball, while the older girls will have the opportunity to compete in a playoffs game at the end of the season.”

The oldest softball girls will begin the season with a few practices and then spend the rest it playing two to three games a week, competing against other Scotch Plains Rec league teams in their age division. This division meets on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday mornings. Dahl expressed that parents should not hesitate to enroll a nonathletic or first time softball player in the program.

“The philosophy of our league is that everyone participates and every team makes the playoffs. One of the good things about the Recreation softball program is that our rules state that every player has to play a designated amount of time. Just because your child has never picked up a softball before does not mean that they will be sitting on the bench and just watch other kids play. Everyone gets a chance in this program,” he said.

Softball registration will end on March 16. The registration fee for the two oldest divisions is $80. The fee for the youngest division is $65. Scotch Plains residents can register online by visiting www.scotchplainsnj.com, and clicking the Community Pass link on the left hand side of the page. You can pay online using a Visa or Mastercard or you can visit the Recreation Department in the Scotch Plains Municipal Building on Park Avenue. You can also register by phone by calling (908) 322-6700 ext. 223.

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