Warren Central softball coaches and players are launching a project to bring little league softball teams to all elementary and middle schools in Warren Township. All first through fifth-grade girls are invited to join their school’s little league team to learn the fundamentals of the game, represent their school, develop confidence and teamwork skills and build relationships with older student-athlete role models.
“I want to create access and remove barriers that allow girls in Warren to play softball,” Head Coach Joanne Caroll said. “I want to build the future of Warren softball by creating a true feeder system. “I want it to strengthen our community. This league is bigger than softball. It’s about pride in our community.”
The program hosted a softball clinic for grades kindergarten to eighth grade on Feb. 8, helping to promote softball in the township and increase the number of registered children for the little league. The clinic gave children the ability to ask questions, practice drills and have fun. Senior Natalie Hilliard was among several varsity players to volunteer for the clinic.
“My key takeaway from the clinic is that practice makes progress,” Hilliard said. “All the girls who came in started at different levels, but we were able to help each and every one of them improve.”
To help inform others regarding the league, Head Coach Joanne Carroll and varsity players spent their time visiting every school in Warren Township to bring attention to the league, encouraging the program. There are currently around 200 elementary and middle school girls signed up to participate in the league, which starts on April 12th, with help of both the clinic and visits to the schools.
Each elementary school in Warren Township will consist of two teams each, one with first and second-graders and the other with third- and fourth-graders. Additionally, each middle school will have a team for fifth-grade students.
Games and practices will be held at the Warren Central softball fields on Sundays starting on April 12th. The season will wrap up with a single-day tournament occurring on May 17, where teams will play each other to win the township championship.
“I hope that the township championship reminds us that we aren’t just separate elementary teams, but one big Warren family,” Coach Carroll said. “I hope it builds a sense of pride for our elementary schools and for Warren as a whole. It connects youth players with the high school team, and the little girls get the opportunity to play on the ‘big kid’ field, so little girls can dream of one day representing Warren Central High School on the varsity team. I ultimately just want to see smiles on the girls' faces, our community in the stands and our high school players mentoring the players, and we can say that ‘we did it.’”
Under the supervision of the high school softball coaches, the varsity players will be selected to represent a team to coach. Along with the younger players connecting with the high schoolers, this gives the varsity players a chance to share their skills and experience to inspire the younger generation. Senior Jordan Warbinton is looking forward to getting to coach and mentor the younger players.
“I’m really excited for the creation of this league,” Warbinton said. “I think it gives a different view because not everyone is doing things like this, and since the players will be coaching, I think it gives a chance for us to bond with the youth on a new level. I hope to inspire them to find a passion in softball or any sport. I hope they can find a love for something and pursue it like I did with softball.”