WEST MILFORD — Are you ready for some softball?
Registration for the West Milford Girls Softball League will be held at Hillcrest Community Center beginning this weekend. Here are the dates:
Saturday Feb. 7, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday Feb. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The league offers teams for girls from kindergarten/5 year olds up through seniors in high school. The cost per girl for the 2015 season for each level is as follows:
T-Ball/Softball Introduction kindergarten/5 years old $80
Instructional Ages 6-7 $80
Minors Ages 8, 9, 10 $100
Majors Ages 11 through 8th grade $100
Seniors 9th through 12th grades $100
In addition to the in-person registration dates, registration forms and payments may also be submitted at the Hillcrest Community Center’s main office at anytime the building is open. Blank registration forms will be located in the Hillcrest main office; and completed registrations, along with payment via check made payable to WMGSA for the full registration fee can be left in an envelope in the WMGSA mailbox.
Registrations received after the Feb. 19 date will incur a $10 late fee.
The West Milford Girls Softball Association is a recreational softball program that teaches the game of softball and promotes good sportsmanship, health and active fitness in the outdoors.
Hillcrest Community Center is located at 1810 Macopin Road in West Milford
For more information, contact George Lane at gp1026@aol.com or call 973-714-3279.
About the League
Throughout the entire season, which typically begins in late March/early April (weather permitting) and ends in mid-June, skills are introduced and continue to develop during scheduled team practices and in games, which also provide an opportunity for a bit of age-appropriate, healthy competition. The WMGSA’s Annual Opening Day Event & Parade is scheduled for April 18 to officially kick off the start of the 2015 Season.
The WMGSA holds meetings open to all coaches, volunteers, and parents on the second Tuesday of each month at the Hillcrest Community Center beginning at 8 p.m. All interested parents and volunteers are encouraged to attend and be part of your daughters’ softball experience as she grows and meets new friends from all over town.
Parent volunteers and coaches are needed
The teams in each of the league’s age divisions are managed, coached and assisted by parent volunteers who are Rutgers Sports Safety-certified and also cleared through fingerprint background checks prior to approval to coach a team.
As with most recreational athletic organizations, the WMGSA depends on parent involvement and the help of parent volunteers in order to run a successful program for the girls. Team managers, coaches, assistant coaches, scorekeepers, team parents, and special event volunteers are needed to help keep the program running smoothly each year. Parents interested in volunteering should contact WMGSA Secretary Donna Fleming at dfleming@lseny.net for more information on volunteer opportunities and Coaching requirements, preferably prior to March 1.
“Senior League Division” continues to thrive and expand
In 2013, the WMGSA’s “Senior League Division” for high-school girls (ages 14 through 17) was revived to address increased interest for a recreational league as was expressed by girls in this age group. The Senior League is a progression into high school-age softball that allows girls the opportunity to continue playing recreation level softball from freshman to senior year. Game schedules are specifically designed to work well with the busy schedules of high school students, including those currently playing for a high school team.
“Even if you haven’t played softball in a few years, the Senior League encourages you to join for a fun-filled season," according to the league website. "The league is looking for girls who wish to continue playing softball in the West Milford Girls Softball Association recreation league throughout high school. Current or former high school or WMGSA recreation league softball players are all welcome.”
The Senior League had a very successful first season in 2013, playing against other recreation league teams from towns such as Sparta, Sussex/Wantage and Jefferson. In 2014, the Senior League completed a second successful season, adding a second West Milford team to their roster as well as additional teams from other local towns such as Vernon and Wallkill Valley. Organizers anticipate adding a third West Milford team to the roster this year, depending on registration numbers, and continues to expand to more surrounding towns offering opportunities for their recreational teams to join the League as well.
For any questions about the Senior League Division or Senior League registration, contact Laura Nilssen at lanil@juno.com, Tracey VanStrander at vstracey@gmail.com or Scott Quigley at skier6470@yahoo.com.