OTTO-Boy's Fastpitch League forming in Missouri
September 10, 2009
Yucaipa, CA
WINSTON, MISSOURI - In northwest Missouri several coaches are making
a determined effort to promote boy's and young men's fastpitch
softball by starting summer boy's fastpitch leagues in 2010.
Besides recreation, competition, and the joy of playing fastpitch
softball, youth leagues serve another very valuable purpose:
Providing a feeder system - a minor league of sorts - for the men's
game.
Eric Lewis of Winston is spearheading the drive behind the youth
leagues. His plans call for three leagues: A Senior League for 9th -
12th grades; A Junior League for 8th grade and younger; and an age 10-
Under League.
When Lewis informed me of his plans, I did some map checking. Winston
is about 50 miles from the central Iowa border. And Iowa has a long,
distinguished history in the sport. And another 50 miles south of
Winston lies Kansas City.
Just a thought. Surely, this idea of boy's (I repeat boy's) fastpitch
softball leagues must intrigue at least a few Iowans and Kansas
Citians. And since Lewis is doing most of the work organizing the
league, wouldn't it be a great service to Iowa and Kansas City boys
if a team or two were formed to join his leagues?
This appears to be a golden opportunity to get involved. I believe
that if enough men and women unite to support Lewis' effort, great
things could happen for fastpitch in the midwest.
Here's a few details:
The league will start about mid-July. (Aren't most of the Little
League baseball teams finished playing about that time?)
The Senior League: For grades 9-12 with a pitching distance of 46-
feet, using 12-inch softballs.
The Junior League: For 8th grade and younger, pitching from 40-feet
with 12-inch softballs.
The Age 10-Under League: Age deadline is January 1. (An 11-year-old
can play "10 and Under" if he turns 11 after Jan. 1, 2010) Pitching
from 35-feet with 11-inch softballs.
All three leagues will use 60-feet between the bases.
By starting in mid-July, "The summer basketball and baseball leagues
are over," Lewis said. And that means no conflicts with other sports,
so the boys can move right into playing fastpitch softball.
If interested, contact Eric Lewis for more information. He welcomes
your support and ideas, along with bringing your boys into the
wonderful sport we call fastpitch softball.
Eric Lewis
elewis@winston.k12.mo.us
(660) 749-5348
