Athletes are susceptible to injuries.

It doesn't matter if you're a young boy or girl just starting out or a veteran, injuries in sports do occur.

FastSports Photography

Last year the Valley Regional Girls Softball League had a close call with a player nearly getting injured on a line drive hit back to the pitcher's mound. Celine Podlesney was struck above her eye by a line drive that she had managed to deflect just enough to avoid a more serious injury.

Celine's mother and father, John and Jocelyn Podlesney, happen to sit on the VRGSL board of directors. They knew if their 13-year-old daughter, a girl who also played more advanced travel ball and middle school softball, was in the line of fire like that, then younger players were at risk every time they stepped on the playing field.

That close call was all the board of directors needed to see and immediately set out to come up with a plan to take away the scary thought.

"Players are put in a position where they could be hit with a (batted) ball," John McGran, one of the league's officers, said. "The way the game is played so close up, where you have a third baseman up in softball, and the first baseman, along with the pitcher, those are positions that a player could very easily get hit. It comes back at you so fast.''

So McGran and his follow league volunteers decided to offer parents and players the opportunity to purchase their own protective piece of equipment - helmets with face masks for fielders.

"If the (league) made it mandatory, then we would have had to provide the helmets with the masks," McGran explained. "But girls do their share of sweating so we come up with an idea of offering this piece of protection where the league would purchase the equipment and we would offer it at a discount."

The Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame board's Ray Saul Memorial Youth Sports Monetary Award helped to kick in a $1,000 to the league, and McGran said the organization applied for the award and when they received the money, they immediately put it to good use.

"We are extremely grateful to the Hall of Fame committee for the funding that allowed us to launch this program that was proposed by VRGSL board member John Podlesney," McGran continued.

"We strive to keep our players safe while they learn the game and have fun on the field. The masks will ward off any potential facial injuries for infielders and pitchers."

The league purchased more than 30 of the $34 face masks from Valley Athletic Supply and made them available to the players for $20. The proceeds will be invested in more masks until all the girls are outfitted.

McGran quickly points out that the protective gear isn't a novel idea, either.

"High school players, and players 14 and over and using these masks more and more," McGran allowed. "During the fall ball this past year, players were wearing them. Even coaches are using them at third base and first base. And it wouldn't surprise me to see a second baseman or a shortstop (start to) use them somewhere down the road."

For the first-time player, the league thinks it may not be a bad idea for the developing player in the outfield to wear the helmets.

"Some girls just starting out and learning how to catch a fly ball, and isn't use to it, well they could certainly wear them in the (outfield)," said McGran who serves as the media relations director.

The VRGSL voted 7-0 to support Podlesney's mask proposal. As the accompanying photo shows, the members of 10U Valley Regional Warriors travel team quickly embraced the offer.

"I had been thinking of ways we could invest that $1,000 award for the betterment of all players," John Podlesney said. "This incident really hit home for us. And it made it clear what was needed to keep all league players safe."

"It's become 'cool' to wear the masks," McGran added. "In fact, we expect the majority of players to be sporting these masks when the season starts this May. It's an amazing turnaround from a year ago when only a handful of our nearly 300 players wore a mask."

Source: StandardSpeaker.com

The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America, the National Governing Body for the sport of softball in the United States, announced today that Dan Pfeffer of Maple Grove, Minn., has been appointed the commissioner for Minnesota ASA. He will assume his responsibilities immediately.

'I am very pleased to be named the state commissioner for Minnesota ASA,' Pfeffer said. 'I look forward to assembling a team to take Minnesota ASA to great heights. Without a doubt the people of Minnesota are some of the most loyal and ambitious softball participants and partners around. It will be my pleasure to serve ASA and all softball participants in this capacity.'

Pfeffer started his career with the ASA in 1987 when he began playing in adult slow pitch leagues. Three years later, he began to tackle more roles in the organization, serving as an umpire, or league director. On the local level, Pfeffer has served on the Minnesota ASA Board as District III Board Member (1998-2002) and Vice President (2001-02). Since 2007, Pfeffer has taken an active role in the ASA National Council and has attended several national conventions. Currently, he serves on two different committees: the Restricted Players List (RPL) Committee, and the National Slow Pitch Player Classification Committee (At-Large member). Pfeffer also participates in the National Slow Pitch Task Force.

Pfeffer served as Director of Operations of the World Softball League (WSL) from 2007-2008. During his two-season term, Pfeffer handled the operations of the organization and helped grow ASA team participation in the WSL tournaments, including the WSL National Tournament in Panama City Beach, Fla. In 2009, Pfeffer created GoSoftball.com, a website through which tournament directors can advertise ASA softball tournaments. This site allows users to access tournament information, register teams and view real time brackets, rosters and player ratings.

With his new appointment as Commissioner, Pfeffer strives to ensure the future success of the Minnesota ASA. He hopes to increase team registrations for the adult and Junior Olympic (JO) programs while securing ASA's role as the standard of excellence in softball for Minnesota.

Aside from his role at the WSL, Pfeffer has worked as a GIS Portal Project Manager for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and as the GIS Manager for Scott County in Shakopee, Minn. He is currently employed as a Project Manager for Houston Engineering, Inc. out of Maple Grove, Minn. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in Geography.

Source: Amateur Softball Association (ASA)

The dozen or so parents and students at Monday's Daniel Boone School Board meeting had one thing on their minds: girls softball.

In past years, Daniel Boone Middle School had two softball teams that shared a coach and an assistant coach.

FastSports Photography

This year, budget cuts eliminated the assistant coach's position and unless something is done about it before team tryouts in March, one of the teams won't be able to play, said Janet Shackelford, a Daniel Boone parent.

However, the school will continue to have two boys baseball coaches and two boys teams, which Shackelford said is what concerned her and the others in the group.

They feel it isn't fair, especially when an estimated 30 girls are trying out for a softball team that can only accommodate about 15 students, Shackelford said.

In making their case for a second girls coach, the group invoked a law intended to create a fair and equal environment for female students in education and athletics.

"Part of the request for having a second coach brought in for the softball team comes under the foundation of the Title IX federal law," said Laurel Reno, whose daughter hopes to try out for the team in March.

Seventh-graders Madison Hegeman, 13, and Kayla Pogash, 12, were among five girls who came to the meeting with signs proclaiming their love for softball.

"We want to make sure women get the same rights men do," Madison said.

"And we love softball," Kayla said.

After the meeting, school board President Andrew Basile said the board will consult with legal counsel to determine whether the coach concerns are a Title IX matter.

"We have to address the first issue: Are we legally compliant with Title IX?" he said.

Depending on that answer, the subject of a new coach could become a budgetary concern.

"It is definitely an issue we'll have to look at in fairness to the program," added Dr. Gary L. Otto, superintendent.

Source: Reading Eagle

Augustana, the defending Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular-season and tournament champion, was picked first by the 13 league coaches in the 2012 NSIC preseason softball coaches poll.

The Vikings garnered eight first-place votes and 162 points. It's the first time Augustana has received the nod since joining the league in 2008-09.

Ashley Meyer, a senior from Rapid City, was named the 2012 NSIC preseason pitcher of the year. Meyer took to the circle for Augustana in 40 games during the 2011 season and made 36 starts, earning a team-best 29-7 record. She also led the Vikings with a 1.34 ERA in 241.0 innings pitched.

Senior catcher Elizabeth Murray, a native of Cottage Grove, Minn., was named a player to watch for the Vikings. Last season, the catcher started all 61 games and was second on the team with a.376 batting average. She was named All-NSIC second team, driving in 42 runs and belting 68 hits.

Minnesota State tallied 152 points and four first-place votes to come in second. Winona State was third with 145 points and one first-place vote, with Minnesota Duluth fourth with 133 points and a first-place vote

Source: Argus Leader

FastSports Photography

Five months after one ousted coach contended that the Cannon Falls school board is "out of control," the board gave another high school coach the ax.

Bombers softball coach Anthony Flemmons' two-year term as head coach ended Monday night when he was terminated by the Cannon Falls school board. He had been approved for a third season in late 2011, but the board reversed its decision for unknown reasons a few weeks later.

The Cannon Falls Beacon newspaper reported that Superintendent Beth Giese said the softball program was in "turmoil" and some of the girls refused to play for Flemmons after the Dec. 22 meeting. The board then terminated Flemmons' contract Monday after meeting in closed session for 24 minutes, according to the Beacon.

Calls to Giese and Cannon Falls athletic director Lee Gisvold this week seeking further comment were not returned.

Flemmons finished with a record of 17-23 in two years, including a 9-9 mark in 2011.

Source: Post-Bulletin

Head coach Jessica Allister enters her second season at the helm of Gopher softball after posting the school's first 30-win season since 2004 in her inaugural year.

A total of 15 Gophers suited up and practiced on Monday as the University of Minnesota softball team held its first official practice of the 2012 season. Minnesota returns eight letterwinners from last year's 31-24 squad while it welcomes seven freshmen.

"It feels great to be back with the team," head coach Jessica Allister stated when asked about how it feels to be back with the team. "It has been a long break, and I think everyone has been anxiously waiting to get back on the field with one another."

FastSports Photography

The Gophers return five starters including a four-year starter in senior outfielder Dannie Skrove, who is one of the team leaders on a squad that adds seven newcomers to the roster. Even with having a youthful group, Skrove feels that this year will be a special season for Gopher softball.

"Everyone has come out and worked really hard at everything, from drills to conditioning," said Skrove. "It definitely shows that everyone worked hard over break, and we are on track to meeting our goal of making it to the postseason this year."

If the Maroon and Gold would reach their goal of qualifying for a NCAA Regional, it would be the eighth time in school history and first since the 2003 season. Skove's optimism on the upcoming season has spread throughout the team as even freshman Kaitlyn Richardson is hungry for postseason play after having only two practices.

"It has been so exciting, and everyone is pumped for this year," freshman Katie Richardson said. "We are a talented young group, and we have a pair of great leaders in Dannie [Skrove] and Alyssa [Koch]. We think of ourselves as the dark horse since not a lot of teams expect much out of us this year, but we know what we have and our goal is set on making it to an NCAA Regional."

Even with all the positive energy surrounding the Gophers' practices, junior catcher Kari Dorle thinks there is always room for improvement on the Gopher squad.

"Everyone has put a lot of effort into our practices so far, but we can never be satisfied with where we are at," proclaimed Dorle. "We just need to keep working hard and improving all season."

Minnesota will have four weeks of practice to fine-tune everything before they open up the 2012 season against UNLV at the Sportco Kick-off Classic, which is hosted by the Rebels. The Gophers will play four games in the six-team round-robin tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.

"Right now, we are working on getting game ready," Allister said when asked about preparing for the season opener. "We are making sure we take care of the little details and improving every day, and hopefully by February 11, we have everything in place for our first game."

Source: GopherSports

The annual meeting for the Minnesota Fastpitch League (MFL) has been set for Saturday, Feb 11, 1pm at the Dakota County library in Rosemount. A link to a map is on our website at http://mnfastpitchleague.com.

We have received an increase in interest in MFL during this off-season and will discuss league policies and fees at the meeting. We remain committed to a low-cost, low-overhead way for you to play how much you want and help you get where you want to go in post-season. Please direct any business matters to Joel or myself prior to the meeting for inclusion on the agenda.

There have been a number of changes during this off-season, with new directors in the state for both ASA and USSSA. While a new ASA Commissioner has yet to be named (but should be by the meeting), we hope to provide as much information that we can at the meeting.

We expect a registration meeting for the summer to be around mid April. If needed, an additional meeting will be added to help facilitate communication.

We hope to see you there.

Dave Hahn
Joel Lauterbach

FastSports Photography

Stephanie Barton has been named the new head softball coach at Century.

Barton, a 2004 Pine Island graduate, takes over for Tim Strain, who stepped down following the 2011 season.

"I think I've finally found a niche at Century and I'm excited about that," Barton said.

Barton, who's maiden name is Schroeder, was a varsity pitcher at Pine Island from 2000 to 2004. She then played three years of college ball at St. Cloud State.

Recently she has been doing clinics and giving pitching lessons. Barton, who just turned 26 on Friday, is a stay-at-home mom with two young children. She met with Century's captains on Friday to talk about uniforms and the upcoming season.

"I'm very excited and a little nervous," Barton said. "The more things come together the more excited I am and the less nervous I am."

Century will begin practicing on March 12.

"I'm looking forward to them going out and having fun," Barton said of her team. "That's the reason I stayed in the sport as long as I did, because I had fun and I enjoy the passion."

Source: Post-Bulletin