CARROLL GARDENS — Girls who want to play softball don’t have to wait until the spring season to join a team.
The South Brooklyn Baseball League is offering a more relaxed season of girls softball during the back-to-school season. The season will run from Sept. 8 through Oct. 28, and the league is seeking girls between the ages of 9-17 to join its teams.
“We’re always trying to get girls into sports,” said Steve Pisano, director of SBBL. “Girls don’t look at sports the same way as boys do. When you ask our girls what they do, even the ones that are really good athletes will say ‘I dance’ or ‘I’m an artist.'”
Although all games will be held at Dimattina Field, located on the corner of Hicks and Rapelye Streets, the league attracts teams and players from Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
In Brooklyn, participants include teams from the Prospect Park and Bay Ridge spring leagues.
Experienced players can join a team to polish up for playing in the spring, and new players can join a team to learn how to play a new sport. Last year, the league included 11 organizations, which made up about 20 teams of nearly 300 girls.
“For some it’s their first game, and others have been playing for four or five years,” Pisano said. “There won’t be any trophies and no playoffs. It’s mostly for fun.”
Games will be played for six weekends for a total of 12 games in the season. Players will have to commit to one game per week, which are held on Friday nights, Saturdays or Sundays. All practices are optional, to accommodate busy school schedules. Girls who want to be on the same team as their friends will be obliged.
Players should have their own gloves, but all other equipment will be provided. The cost for the entire season is $100, which includes a uniform. Existing teams can join the team for a fee of $400, or $25 per player. Although deadline for applications have ended, the league still is looking for players up until the first game of the season.
For more information, visit www.sbblcardinals.com. To find out how to register, contact Steve Pisano at spisano1@nyc.rr.com or call (718) 243-1025.
