Kids & Family
Fall Softball kicks off Tuesday
Blue Island Park District welcomes residents to come out and support their team
Going from winning only one game to winning 11 is a huge jump, but it is one the eight-year-old Blue Island girls' softball team made this year going 11-6-1.
Now, the team is looking to improve on their win total with the start of the fall leagues next week.
"Our girls put the work in and made tremendous strides during the spring season," said Coach Alvaro Valenzuela. "We had 13 girls on the eight-year-old team in the spring and now we have 17 girls. The word is getting out about the accomplishments of our team and we are getting more participants, which is exciting."
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Coach Valenzuela is coaching his second season of softball. He said he got into coaching because his daughter wanted to play and the team needed a coach.
"I played baseball up until high school and I know the game," Coach Valenzuela said. "So when my daughter came to me asking to play, I made the decision to get involved and it has been one of the best decisions I have made. I have really enjoyed seeing the growth with this team and I am looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish during the upcoming fall season."
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Coach Valenzuela said his approach is to encourage the girls and more than anything increase their confidence which will help them both on and off the field.
"What I tell the girls is that everyone can play ball," Valenzuela said. "Win or lose - they are still champions. Sports can open up so many doors for kids. They get to be a part of a team and what they do now can help them with scholarship opportunities and get their tuition paid. There are so many opportunities. I encourage more kids in our community to get involved."
The Park District is fielding a team for eight-year-olds and a team for 10-year-olds. The first games of the fall season will take place at 6 pm at Centennial Park.
"I encourage everyone to come out and support our teams," Valenzuela said. "These girls are working hard and it would be great for the community to come out and support them."
Call us at (708) 385-3304 for more information!
