BOISE, ID – While it is said that in many parts of the country the number of adult women who take part in recreational slow pitch are dwindling, the ladies of the Boise valley have been creating and enjoying a unique, vibrant, active community who feel fortunate to live and play where they do.

In the Treasure Valley slow pitch players are passionate about their involvement; within the Boise city limits alone roughly 8,700 men and women participated in league play and over 12,000 participated in tournament play in 2008.
The softball program offered by the city offers several types of leagues and tournaments that can accommodate all levels of ability, with the mantra for adult sports programs focused on providing opportunities for exercise and socialization through healthy use of leisure time. Softball programs are sanctioned with the Amateur Softball Association in general and are offered at various park locations and are played nearly eight months out of the year.

Lady ball clubs, in particular, have spent the last year reinvigorating their program by expanding and diversifying the number of players. Women age 16 and up play alongside an amazing cross-section of diverse ladies and it’s a number of innovative approaches toward recognizing their efforts and generating excitement that is drawing attention to a growing program. These same vivacious ladies also continue to set an example for similar athletic programs; oftentimes the slow pitch leagues serve as a networking gateway into other activities such as basketball, volleyball, and even hockey.
For most lady players, the competition has fallen second to fellowship as the years have gone by. Catch up with just about any veteran player and they will share with you that we are lucky to be a part of such a lively community and join the many adult activities with as much variety as Idaho has to offer.

Two of the biggest obstacles when recruiting new players are getting the word out to women of all ages & skill and being able to make a connection with the younger girls coming out of high school or college. It’s also been a challenge reversing the myths associated with a fast pitch-turned-slow pitch player. Over one third of the women who come out to play have benefited from a fast pitch history and contrary to popular belief, the slow pitch competition itself is not “slower,” nor is it detrimental to the fast pitch model. With increased participation and diversity, however, it is thought that a fast pitch offering would definitely be in the cards at some point.

Boise ladies will play host to at least six tournaments in 2009 including the annual Polar Bear in April, a “Token Male” tournament in May, three USSSA events in the spring and summer, and the Ladies Only Superdraft meet and greet mixer in June, held in conjunction with the Bud Light Men’s State Qualifier.

Sure, we love to play, but our slow pitch ladies are also vested in raising the overall bar and sharing the enthusiasm and ideas with other lady organizations in the state, region or nation. We make it possible to further our own fun message by organizing awareness off the ball field such as recruiting booths, merchandise, poker and ping pong tournaments, white elephant sales, recruiting and referral incentives, business punch cards, dinner and dance events, and hitting clinics to name a few.
There is a great deal of enthusiasm building locally and we ultimately hope to become a premier softball destination for visiting teams from around the west and beyond. In due course, we hope to reach many more players as well as promote the sport for women – anywhere – who also refuse to accept that adult lady softball is lifeless.

Jenn Andrews lives in Boise and volunteers with the Softball Advisory Board alongside Boise Parks and Recreation personnel. Contact her at 208-919-0419 or hurricane_jen@yahoo.com.