New Canaan, CT Softball saw over a 60% increase in participation this past spring season, bringing with it an influx of positive energy and enthusiasm by the players and parents.
With a strong showing of girls during the 2015 fall season and a league introduction to winter skills training at the YMCA and Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy, girls in grades K-8 were more ready and excited than ever for spring softball. Word-of-mouth promotion by parents, social media engagement, and marketing support by the local schools helped propel the league to record high participation across programs.
During the Spring 2016 season, New Canaan Softball fielded 16 teams, 8 of which competed in our town and against Darien, Rowayton, Wilton and Norwalk: one in the Juniors division, two in the Majors, two in the Minors, and three in a combined AA/AAA division. The “Rookie” program welcomed 48 new players (six teams) in grades K-1 that learned the basics of the game and scrimmaged each Saturday morning for 8 weeks. After the success of the 14u travel team in 2015, the league added a second travel division at the 12u age level. Both competed throughout Fairfield County.
We are proud to send teams of select players from our house program to represent New Canaan at the 14u and 12u levels in the Little League Softball National Tournament – another instance of increased participation! Last year’s 12u team brought the District Championship back to New Canaan and the league looks forward to defending the title in July.
Other summer programs include participation in local tournaments at the 9u and 7u levels at the end of June. These fun local events give our girls an opportunity to continue working on their skills, extend their playing time into the warmer weather, and meet new teammates.
The league is fortunate to have an enthusiastic partner in the New Canaan High School Softball program. Coaches and players from NCHS are offering a softball camp for entering 1st – 9th graders at Waveny for each of the first two weeks after school is out. Visit ncramsboosterclub.com to register! This is a great opportunity for our experienced girls and those new to the sport. Players will be divided by age level.
No matter the weather this spring, our New Canaan Parks & Recreation Department worked tirelessly to prepare our town’s two girls softball fields for play. Their diligence helped us accommodate the playing season for all 16 of our spring teams, as well as the NCHS Varsity and JV programs. Additionally, we are thankful for their efforts in providing important safety enhancements including raising a backstop and installing a designated bull pen area. With the town’s permission and assistance with installation, New Canaan Softball provided dugout canopies at Waveny’s Orchard Field. Previously open to the elements, the dugouts now provide protection from the sun and rain for players in our recreation and high school programs.
With added players came the need of more volunteers and sponsors. The league recruited new coaches and board members with softball experience and is grateful for their support, as well as that of our parents who helped make the season such a positive experience for our girls.
A special thank you goes out to our 2016 local sponsors: Camsan Electric, Pennyweights, GoGo Fit, Darien Orthodontics, New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry, She LaLa, Frangione Engineering, Togs, Hoyt Livery, Modell’s, Swirl, and Cherry Street East. With their financial support the league was able to subsidize winter clinics, provide need-based assistance for registration fees, purchase equipment and uniforms, and make field enhancements.
Registration for Fall Ball will open in July. Please check our website next month for details. The league invites all new and returning players to learn more at: http://newcanaansb.leag1.com or by visiting our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewCanaanSoftball/.
Contact: Rob Moore, President, New Canaan Softball
Robin Biasotti, Vice President, New Canaan Softball