If you happened to have stop by the ball fields at Mill’s Pond recently, you may have noticed a slight change in things. I’m not talking about a different color grass or more parking; I’m talking about the players on the field. The boys of summer are gone, but the ladies are in full swing and only the ladies.
The Sports Foundation of South Florida kicked off their women’s softball league two weeks ago on Sunday August 22. The league, which is part of the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America, has fielded twenty two teams for this season. Many of the teams are sponsored by local business, much like the teams in the men’s league. Bill’s Filling Station, Georgie’s Alibi and New Moon are just a few of the establishments that have sponsored teams in both the men’s and women’s leagues this summer. League Commissioner Carol Moran, who’s New Moon Bar has sponsored seven of the teams, said the jump to an all-female league was just a matter of time. “As time moves on, things change. This was just the natural progression of things.” Now while this is a female-only league, the league will continue to work with their male counterparts. “Working together will always be important. We all need to succeed,” said Moran.
Games take place every Sunday at Mill’s Pond. There are four divisions of slow pitch play, but no player rating system and no gay/straight ratio rule. Just looking for something fun to do on Sundays or never
Courtesy, Sports Foundation of South Florida
played before, there’s a spot for you in the D- Recreational Division. Are you a balls-to-the- wall, win-at-all-costs player? You’ll fit perfectly into the upper division. There’s a division for everyone, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be on a team in one of the largest leagues in the country. Since SFSF Softball is associated with ASANA, it affords the ladies the same privileges as the boys. They’re able to compete locally, and in tournaments on a national and international level. That means that teams from right here in Fort Lauderdale will be competing at a softball World Series of their own. This year’s event will take place November 2-8i n Las Vegas, Nevada.
Anyone interested in playing or maybe becoming a sponsor can contact league officials through their website, www.sfsfsoftball.com. And be sure to stop by Mill’s Pond this Sunday and cheer these ladies on. First pitch is at 10 a.m.