Players Get Ready to Slug It Out on the Diamond

It’s almost time to root, root, root for the home team—all 56 of them—as Galloway’s recreational baseball and softball leagues gear up for opening day.

Nearly 600 kids from Galloway and Port Republic are already on the fields practicing, getting to know their teammates and coaches and preparing for the season’s kickoff.

Softball starts up first, on April 9, while baseball’s opening day is April 14.

It’s a huge undertaking to get the seasons going. Every person involved in the league is a volunteer, notes Christine Waszen, league president.

“The kids really feel that generosity. In an age where people might need to work two jobs—if they even have a job—it’s wonderful that so many people would give back in the community,” she says.

Those volunteers include the 130 coaches, plus the league officers, concession stand workers and more.

“Our motto is that kids are number one. It doesn’t matter what their abilities are or how talented they are. If they want to play, we give them a league to play in,” Waszen said. “There are so many negative influences out there, but we give kids an outlet. If we’re helping just one child avoid getting into trouble, it’s worth it.”

Galloway rec league baseball and softball has been a community staple for generations. The league started up in 1959, Waszen noted.

The league breakdown this year is:

Baseball

425 players, 90 coaches, 41 teams

T-ball: 5 teams

6U: 6 teams

7U: 5 teams

8U: 5 teams

9/10U: 9 teams

11/12U: 5 teams

Babe Ruth: 6 teams

Softball

170 players, 40 coaches, 15 teams

T-ball: 3 teams

7/8U: 3 teams

9/10U: 4 teams

11/12U: 3 teams

16U: 2 teams