GIVES NEW MEANING TO “YOU THROW LIKE A GIRL!”
Let’s face it, in the United States, sports are predominantly male—young boys grow up expecting a variety of sports to be available throughout their learning years. Colleges recruit top male athletes for football programs (and other sports) that generate millions of dollars for universities. Pro athletes garner astronomical salaries. TV revenues for male-dominated sports generate billions of dollars for players, owners, coaches, and TV executives—all within the auspices of a male-dominated sports world. Even primetime television is reserved for male dominated sporting events. If that’s your perception of athletics in the United States, then the Havasu Girls Amateur Softball (HGAS) league, right here in Lake Havasu, is going to throw you a real curve. Sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), HGAS provides girls, ages 4-17, an opportunity to participate in organized sports—in this case, softball.
The only all-girls softball league in Lake Havasu, HGAS promotes a zero tolerance, drug-free environment with emphasis on health, fitness, and good sportsmanship. Heather DeLong, president of HGAS, notes that the organization is like family, “The coaches are all volunteers, and they come from within our community: parents, teachers, grandparents, business owners. Everyone pitches in to help the girls out.”
The season runs from January through May, so now is the time to get involved. Always in need of sponsors, a team can be backed for an entire season for as little as $380. DeLong noted, “Sponsorship fees include uniforms (with the sponsor’s name on them), city fees and equipment.” In addition, volunteers are always needed for coaching, board members, operation of the snack stand–there are a wide range of opportunities to volunteer.
HGAS works closely with the Lake Havasu Unified School District to help create a unified softball community. This promotes a helpful environment to increase a player’s skill level so that they can compete at different levels. Many girls that start softball at an early age not only become fine, all-around athletes, but they also learn the discipline required to become topnotch students. With the growth in interest in softball, there are many fullride scholarships available for girls at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Another reason that cultivating the HGAS program in Lake Havasu is so important is that it helps the growth and development of young girls throughout the area. The mission of HGAS is to serve the community by providing an environment for girls to learn and enjoy the game of softball. This provides girls the opportunity to develop skills that will give them lifelong success, such as sportsmanship, team work, honesty, courage, self-discipline and fair play. It is also HGAS’s goal to help shape these girls to be positive and optimistic ball players, while creating memories and friendships never to be forgotten.
One of the premier, girls fast pitch teams in the league, RAGE—an acronym for Real Athletes Give Everything — is led by coaches Mike and Nina Mersing. RAGE has 13 players ranging in age from 9-13 years old. Formed in June 2012, this team is looking forward to the new season. Last year, RAGE traveled to tournaments throughout Arizona. Since their start up, they have played a total of 35 games, many against the Colorado River team from Parker.
All of the girls take softball seriously and put many hours in to practicing each week—typically practicing 2-3 days per week, plus hitting up batting cages—all on a year round basis. The immediate goal of RAGE is to take the State Championship in July. Coach Mersing pointed out, “Our focus with these girls is teaching them teamwork, good sportsmanship, hard work, dedication; to enjoy wins without gloating while learning from their losses. These girls are the future of our country. They earn their positions and work hard to keep them.”
Team RAGE has a motto they’re proud off, “Blood, Sweat, Tears, Loyalty” – That’s the RAGE Nation!
For more information please contact:
Mike Mersing (928) 486-3053
Havasu Girls Amateur Softball
P. O Box 2089
Lake Havasu City AZ 86405
www.havasugirlssoftball.com
or havasugirlssoftball@hotmail.com