Fast-pitch softball league preps girls for college
By Mike Hamson
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: February 3, 2016
BRANDON — Dan Carney, coach and president of the Brandon Softball league, said no one goes undrafted in this fast-pitched softball league. On a recent Tuesday night under the lights of Rogers Field at Sadie Park in Brandon, girls in the Ponytails division practiced fielding the ball, pitching and running the bases.
Carney said the league is affiliated with Dixie Softball, which has a motto: “For the fun of the game.”
His goal is to pitch the benefits of the game to more young people who might not realize they can earn a softball scholarship. In February of their senior year, fast-pitch softball players apply for Dixie softball scholarships.
“We need more girls to come out and play softball,” Carney said. “All of the leagues are challenged with that. It’s a fantastic sport and a lot of fun.”
Carney said fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball share similarities. But with fast-pitch, girls can attempt to steal bases and the balls travel at a higher rate of speed, not an arch. He said many parents love the fact their children aren’t subjected to a cut list at try-outs.
“Everybody plays,” said Carney, adding girls come from all over Hillsborough County to play in Brandon. “We have tryouts but everyone gets on a team. This is rec ball.”
His goals include adding a T-ball team for younger children under the age of 6.
“With these teams, I’d like to see participation more than double,” he said. “I’d also like to have a complement of travel ball teams of all the different age groups and make sure we have enough teams to fill all the different age groups.”
Gyia Carney, his wife and coordinator, said no one gets cut from the team or kept on the bench.
“One of the ultimate goals is not only having fun, building camaraderie among the girls and teaching them how to work together, but prepping girls who do want to play competitively,” Gyia Carney said. “We allow them the opportunity to do that and maybe get a college scholarship.”
Tournaments for the Brandon Softball league began in mid-January and run through the end of February for different divisions. The divisions include 8U Darlings; 10U Angels; 12 U Ponytails and 18U Debs.
Girls participating with the league learn about teamwork and improve their skills and take it to the next level. They may also be eligible for private coaching, batting and pitching, which is not required but is recommended.
For information on the league, call (813) 376-2753 or email brandon softballpres@gmail.com.
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: February 3, 2016
BRANDON — Dan Carney, coach and president of the Brandon Softball league, said no one goes undrafted in this fast-pitched softball league. On a recent Tuesday night under the lights of Rogers Field at Sadie Park in Brandon, girls in the Ponytails division practiced fielding the ball, pitching and running the bases.
Carney said the league is affiliated with Dixie Softball, which has a motto: “For the fun of the game.”
His goal is to pitch the benefits of the game to more young people who might not realize they can earn a softball scholarship. In February of their senior year, fast-pitch softball players apply for Dixie softball scholarships.
“We need more girls to come out and play softball,” Carney said. “All of the leagues are challenged with that. It’s a fantastic sport and a lot of fun.”
Carney said fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball share similarities. But with fast-pitch, girls can attempt to steal bases and the balls travel at a higher rate of speed, not an arch. He said many parents love the fact their children aren’t subjected to a cut list at try-outs.
“Everybody plays,” said Carney, adding girls come from all over Hillsborough County to play in Brandon. “We have tryouts but everyone gets on a team. This is rec ball.”
His goals include adding a T-ball team for younger children under the age of 6.
“With these teams, I’d like to see participation more than double,” he said. “I’d also like to have a complement of travel ball teams of all the different age groups and make sure we have enough teams to fill all the different age groups.”
Gyia Carney, his wife and coordinator, said no one gets cut from the team or kept on the bench.
“One of the ultimate goals is not only having fun, building camaraderie among the girls and teaching them how to work together, but prepping girls who do want to play competitively,” Gyia Carney said. “We allow them the opportunity to do that and maybe get a college scholarship.”
Tournaments for the Brandon Softball league began in mid-January and run through the end of February for different divisions. The divisions include 8U Darlings; 10U Angels; 12 U Ponytails and 18U Debs.
Girls participating with the league learn about teamwork and improve their skills and take it to the next level. They may also be eligible for private coaching, batting and pitching, which is not required but is recommended.
For information on the league, call (813) 376-2753 or email brandon softballpres@gmail.com.
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