DALLAS, TX - The Summer Fun Softball program, a complete softball instructional program for boys and girls, reported 46 programs around the country, with over 10,000 participants nationwide. This is double the number of participants registered in 2002.

Summer Fun Softball is looking for support from the major softball associations, and has set high expectation for growth in the future. They are anticipating over 100 events in 2004 by pushing forward with national partnerships. According to E. Shawn Aylsworth, Softball Program Coordinator for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) and Baseball/Softball Participation Committee member, "_we are expanding our outreach to include not only the major softball associations and the National Recreation and Park Association, but also other children-oriented organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Afterschool Alliance, YMCA, and Major League Baseball’s "RBI" program, which focuses on assisting kids inner cities."

"The youth, coed, slow-pitch recreational program was our top 2003 priority (and) remains so for 2004, along with our re-introduced Free Agent program to boost sagging adult-league numbers. Now is a critical time to identify and establish candidates for potential programs for this summer," he says.

The Summer Fun Softball program is designed for children who are interested in a fun and relaxed alternative to competitive sports. Aylsworth adds, "We want to get as many kids, both girls and boys, as possible indoctrinated to the game of slow-pitch softball at a level that is non-competitive and for fun only. That way, if they decide they like it, they may go on to enjoy the game at the adult level for years to come." This sports camp type program was modeled after the Youth and Pony Tail softball program created by the City of Sparks, NV Parks and Recreation Department over 20 years ago. Tom Smedes, Publisher of Softball West Magazine and prior coach for the Pony Tail program, presented the idea to Aylsworth when the SGMA was looking for youth softball activities to support. When Smedes wrote the training manual, still used today, the emphasis was on developing basic slow pitch softball skills for beginning players in a coed environment. Currently the program’s main goals are positive reinforcement, sportsmanship and encouragement.

The program is designed in an eight-week format, utilizing two or three hours each day, three times a week. It focuses on kids ages 7 to 14 and teaches throwing, fielding, running, drills and hitting. By focusing on slow pitch softball, boys and girls are learning skills that can be used in adult leagues and tournaments.

For more information on these programs, go to http://www.sgma.com/committees.