Girls Benefit From Playing Softball

To the Editor:

Since 1971, when Title IX was enacted, there has been an explosion in the number of girls participating in sports and an overall increase in athletic opportunities open to women and girls of all ages and levels of ability.  

Although soccer has received a lot of attention in the past few years, softball is actually the No. 4 ranked female sport in the USA [after basketball, track and volleyball], with more than 400,000 girls participating each year. Overall, almost 17 million people play softball in the USA, and many colleges now recruit and offer scholarships to the top high school athletes in softball. 

The advantages of sports have long been established, including physical, social and emotional benefits. It is especially important to young girls as they struggle with self-esteem, body images, social pressures and academic demands. 

There are many benefits of softball:

• Provides Total Body Conditioning: Unlike other sports, softball is an activity that requires multiple skills, and therefore provides total body conditioning. There are aerobic benefits from running; upper body development from batting, throwing and catching; lower body conditioning from fielding; and an increase in arm and shoulder strength from pitching.  In addition, softball develops hand-eye coordination and sharpens mental focus.
• Improves Self Esteem: Girls involved in sports, like softball, generally feel better about themselves, both mentally and socially. Practicing, improving skills and gradually achieving goals help build confidence, reduce stress and make them more resistant to social pressure. Often, lifelong friendships are formed on the field as the girls learn to trust and rely on each other.  
• Teaches Teamwork: But the benefits of sports go beyond school and athletics. Working with coaches, trainers and teammates to achieve goals is great practice for the real world where teaming up with others to meet goals are keys to success.
• Develops Leadership Skills: Girls usually receive more benefits than they expect from participating in sports. They get attention and respect that they may not receive elsewhere, and participation provides them with opportunities for leadership and socialization, as well as the development of skills for handling success and failure.

Bridgewater Softball League registration is now open for Spring 2012. We offer girls in grades one through eight the opportunity to serve as leaders in a competitive yet friendly environment. The program is open to residents of Bridgewater, Raritan and surrounding towns. Games are played on three well maintained fields. We offer both competitive and non-competitive leagues.

So, while the weather is getting colder and winter approaches, think spring and register your daughter in the Bridgewater Softball Recreational program.

Go to bridgewaterbaseball.com to register.

Sincerely,

Taya Friedman

President, Bridgewater Baseball and Softball leagues