LDMBA introduces Girls Under-11 fast-pitch

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — There will be a brand new division of fast-pitch softball in Leamington this season. The Leamington District Minor Baseball Association is running a U11 fast-pitch division for girls softball.

The league will consist of four house league teams, which totals the 44 girls playing in that age group.

For years, the girls house league divisions have played slo-pitch softball, but girls aged 9-10-11 will transition to fast-pitch softball — or fastball as it was previously known.

Leamington Whitecaps pitching coach Julie Schell provides grip instruction to Avery Hill at last week’s gym workout

SUN photo

Ryleigh Biekx prepares to throw a ball.

SUN photo

Division convenor Mark Epplett and a bevy of volunteers held an optional workout last week at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex gymnasium, as they introduced about 30 girls to the finer points of fastpitch softball.

The recent surge in popularity for fast-pitch softball has created an interest locally that can only be met with trying out the sport on a local level.

“It will be really exciting for girls’ baseball here in town,” said Epplett. “Pitching and catching will be the most challenging part of the transition.”

Having four teams will allow Leamington to have

their own league without being tied to other centres and the possibility of different rules.

“This allows us to manage and tailor our division to what we feel the girls need developmentally,” said Epplett.

There will be a home-and-home series with LaSalle Turtle Club later in the season to bring some variety to the girls’ season.

Epplett has the help of former Leamington softball standouts, Jordyn and Madison Clark, who went on to play fast-pitch in Windsor and for St. Clair College. The sisters have offered to help in any way they can as long as their schedules allow.

“Having Jordyn and Madison involved is huge,” said Epplett.

It’s expected that pitching machines will be utilized for the first few weeks until live pitchers and catchers can be properly trained.

Meanwhile, the workouts continue at the complex with an emphasis on teaching the proper pitching and catching techniques for the girls who are interested in playing those positions. Workouts for other fundamental skills will also be held before they hit the diamonds.