Advice about Softball
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Girl's summer softball camps and clinics
May 2014
Hello and thanks. I am looking for Girls softball summer camps and clinics for my 15 year old teen/daughter. Also any ideas on opportunities for her to play this summer would be appreciated. We live in Alameda, so East Bay would be best. All suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks from Carol
The UC Berkeley Women's Softball Team runs a summer camp. http://www.ussportscamps.com/softball/nike/nike-cal-softball-camps/ You might also inquire at the Alameda Girls Softball Association of upcoming tryouts for their summer travel team at http://alamedagsa.com/
Pam
Softball for 8-year-old girl
Oct 2006
Any recommendations on where I can sign my 8 year old daughter for softball or any sport? We are especially interested in playing with teams around the Maxwell Park area in Oakland, if possible. Kellie
Try the Oakland Girls Softball League (http://www.ogsl.org/) for starters. If you're looking for soccer, Jack London Youth Soccer League (www.jlysl.org) has leagues all over Oakland/Alameda. JP
If your daughter wants to see what's up with softball, women coaches from the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League are leading free softball clinics for beginning and experienced players in grades 1-9 (special introductory clinics just for first graders). The clinics are Sunday Nov. 5 and 19, 9 AM-1 PM at Grove/Russell field (Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Russell Street in Berkeley). RSVP required to clinics [at] abgsl.org For more information, see http:// www.abgsl.org/ or call 510-869-4277. It's fun! Bring a friend and make new ones!
Softball for 6-year-old girl
Dec 2005
Hi. My six year old girl really wants to play softball. We just moved to Albany, and I'd like recommendations for any organizations in the East Bay we could check out. Thanks!
I don't know if this is too far afield for you or what their residency requirements are, but both Alameda (www.alamedagsa.com) and Piedmont (www.piedmontsoftball.com) have girls' softball leagues. J
Check out the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League at 510-869-4277 or www.abgsl.org/
Both my daughters play, and they love it. It's open to girls in grades 1-9. No experience is needed. Even if your daughter's never picked up a bat before, she'll learn how to play! I can't say enough good things about the league. It's fun and supportive. All the girls get to play, rotating through the different positions -- so no one spends the whole season on the bench or way, way out there in extreme outfield. There's plenty of action for everyone.
These days, you hear (or see) a lot of negative things about sports parents and competition, how parents sometimes carry things too far. This isn't the case in ABGSL. One of the greatest things is how encouraging the parents, coaches and players are. I'll never forget the game when a young player hit the ball. She stood there, half in shock, and then finally dropped the bat. In her excitement, she started running towards third base (!). Instead of yelling at her, her coach congratulated her on hitting the ball and showing good hustle. Afterwards, she walked away, grinning from ear to ear.
Last spring, my first grader started playing tee-ball (it's called Micro). It's very low- key and oodles of fun. Play time and snacks -- What more can you ask for? softball madre
I would highly recommend the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League. My Izzy has been playing since she was in first grade and is now in sixth grade. She just loves it and has developed excellent softball skills and has made many, many friends. ABGSL takes girls at all age and skill levels and the play is in a non-competitive atmosphere. ABGSL can be reached at the www.abgsl.org. Howard