by Amber Stuckey
Board Member of Elm Street Little League
Some of my fondest memories from childhood were connected to my years playing softball. Each season brought opportunities to learn lessons about sportsmanship, perseverance and friendship. Families and their girls had the chance to celebrate wins and losses, and the chance to dream about a future where girls can play, too.
Softball is a fantastic sport that welcomes players of all ages and skill levels. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. 2022’s Women’s College World Series saw an average of 1.7 million viewers according to ESPN, far surpassing the Men’s College World Series. Why, may you ask? Here are the top 5 reasons why softball is a great sport to play (and watch).
-- Keeping kids healthy through regular exercise is important. This sport will have your girl running, jumping, sliding, and swinging her way into an active and healthy lifestyle. The best part about it? She will be having so much fun, it won’t even feel like exercise.
-- Softball is a great way to improve self-esteem and teamwork skills. Each year your player will notice an improvement in her skill level. When she sees herself getting better and better, she can’t help but develop a sense of pride, knowing that her hard work and commitment is paying off. Likewise, working together as a team to achieve a goal will instill the importance of goal setting and working towards success. This life skill will continue to serve her well into the future.
-- Softball can contribute to positive mental health. Team sports are a great way to keep kids mentally healthy, too. Involvement in team sports fosters a sense of community. Kids will form positive memories by encouraging each other and lifting each other's spirits. Team sports are fun!
-- Softball is a great way to develop and improve key life skills like leadership skills, time management and facing adversity. Softball is a superb way to develop key life skills starting at a young age. Your player will learn to face adversity and meet challenges while cheering on their teammates. Each player can lead the team and foster team building through positive attitudes and good effort. Together, they will meet adversity and work together, all while having fun.
-- Softball is a fantastic way to promote lasting friendships. My dad, Ernie Stuckey, was a coach for decades. In that time, he worked with countless kids in both softball and football. As adults, these former players still share the impact that he had on many of their lives. Many of my favorite memories from childhood include slumber parties with my softball teammates, or swimming in the pool and playing elevator tag while staying in hotels during a softball tournament over the summer. Softball has a piece of my heart, and it always will.
Want to sign your girl up for softball? Elm Street Little League registration window for the Spring 2023 season is fast approaching. Follow Elm Street Little League on Facebook and Instagram for updates or go to https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/ElmStreetLL. We hope to see you in the spring!