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More fields needed for softball girls
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Every year there is a girls high school-age softball league in Bakersfield. The past six years it has been put on by a local nonprofit group.

But it seems that our recreation departments have decided that putting on adult and boys programs are more important than programs for girls. In talking to the city, county and NOR about playing facilities, it seems that after the adult and boys programs there aren't enough fields available for the girls. NOR and the county have one field each, six miles apart.

A girls' program is needed in Bakersfield. Anything to keep our youths busy and out of trouble during the summer months is a good thing.

The girls need an affordable softball complex. The cost of one of high school facility (upwards of $1,500-plus per month and no lights) is prohibitive. Recreation department field rent is $50 to $75 per night!  Add the cost of umpires, field prep and equipment and the amount is excessive.

The city has given the Southwest Baseball 40 acres (which is good) to build a new complex for the boys to play on. But where are the girls going to play? There are very, very few girls who play baseball, but in Bakersfield there are over 2,500 girls who play softball each year.

Youth softball is played eight to 10 months out of the year locally. Metro Bakersfield has its youth spring recreation softball and high school season from February to the end of May; the "A-B-C," metro, regional and national tournaments (all out of town) during June, July and August; the high school-age summer softball during June and July; the youth fall recreation softball leagues during September and October; and its year-round youth "A" tournament travel league softball.
 
Due to lack of softball facilities in Bakersfield all teams must travel out of town for tournaments. Youth tournaments bring thosands of dollars into the local economy.

Bakersfield girls have a ton of talent and are getting better every year. Every year we send teams to the Valley High School Championships and to the ASA Regional and National Championships, the highest level of play available for youth girls softball. Every year a number of local girls receive softball scholarships to attend college.

The girls of Bakersfield deserve equal treatment with the boys and adults when it comes to recreation opportunities and facilities.  
 

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