NRPA announces Youth Summer Fun Softball partnership. (National Programs)."We must make softball safe, affordable and enjoyable for our players." Those were the words of Frank Taylor, Amateur Softball Association president, at the 2002 ASA Asa (ā`sə), in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Abijah. He was a good king, zealous in his extirpation of idols. When Baasha of Israel took Ramah (a few miles N of Jerusalem), Asa bought the help of Benhadad of Damascus and Annual Council Meeting in Reno, Nev. A youth slow-pitch softball partnership among ASA, NRPA NRPA National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Natural Resources Protective Association (Staten Island, NY) NRPA Niagara Regional Police Association (Canada) NRPA National Rifle and Pistol Association and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) is a trade association that represents sporting goods manufacturers, retailers, and marketers. Founded in 1906, as of 2007 it had more than 1,000 members representing over 3,000 business locations and employing more than 375,000 plans on doing just that. Summer Fun Softball is a grassroots, recreational program designed to get girls and boys away from their video games See video game console. and outside for some, well, summer fun. Based on the overwhelmingly successful Beavercreek Youth Softball Association in suburban Dayton, this low-key, noncompetitive softball program encourages kids to pick up a bat, field some grounders and just have a good time hanging out with their friends. Summer Fun Softball welcomes the kid who wasn't quite good enough to make the varsity. Or the two friends who played wiffle ball Noun 1. Wiffle Ball - (trademark) a hollow plastic ball with cutouts Wiffle ball - round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games; "the ball travelled 90 mph on his serve"; "the mayor threw out the first ball"; "the ball rolled into the corner when they were younger but don't want to participate for eight months out of the year on a traveling team. Or even the more serious athlete who's just looking to do some recreational, off-season activity with his or her friends. It's a program for everyone, at all skill levels. Here's how NRPA members can get involved: What's offered: Slow-pitch, co-ed, recreational softball for kids in the summertime. Take your pick from seven age groups; there are customized rulebooks for each one, so feel free to establish a league based on your specific demographics. The age groups include kindergarten, grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Incentive: The SGMA's Baseball/Softball Participation Committee will provide the first 50 leagues registering 100 or more players a starter kit consisting of three bats, three dozen balls and an equipment bag for May/June 2003 delivery. What it costs you: Nothing. All that's required is your participation numbers following the season. That way, the SGMA SGMA Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association SGMA Southern Gospel Music Association SGMA Sierpinski Gasket Monopole Antenna can monitor what programs have been effective and where it might pursue opportunities in 2004 and beyond. Ideally, Summer Fun Softball brings boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. together in a co-ed, recreational format that's less for competition and more for fun. But the program won't turn away boys--only or girls-only programs. For more information, check out all the SGMA's free softball participation programs online at www.sgma.com/sports_ development/bbsb/bbsb_index.html or contact E. Shawn Aylsworth at 317-879-2085 or esaylsworth@mac.com. |
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