Fast-Pitch Program Continues to Grow at Sandy Plains

As Sandy Plains enters the 2008 season, it’s important to note that the Association continues to be one of the best sports programs in the Atlanta Metro area. Our slow-pitch program continues to be very strong, averaging between 35 and 40 teams each spring, and our fast-pitch program continues its very strong growth, with over a 300% increase in fastpitch players in the Sandy Plains program over the past 3 years.

I am looking forward to another promising year for the fast-pitch program, whereby we will be striving to field teams in all levels of play, from ages 10u through 16u. Our approach the past three (3) years will continue, with the park having “A” level fast- pitch travel teams in some age groups, “B” level fast-pitch travel/league teams, and “C” level league teams. The long term goals for our Fast-Pitch program are unchanged, and include:

1. Develop a first class program for fast-pitch softball across the various skills levels of play at Sandy Plains.
2. Develop and educate top notch coaches to support our fast-pitch program. We welcome those that are willing to give their time and energy to coaching, and Kevin Kayler (fast-pitch coordinator) and I are committed to educating and teaching coaches new to fast-pitch the skills they need to be a talented and organized coach. In this regard we conducted an in-depth coaches clinic this past fall, and will have another series of clinics this spring under the leadership of Bill Adams, our Coach/Player Development Coordinator.
3. Provide player development clinics and seminars for new and existing fast-pitch players. We continued this trend in the fall with a series of pitching clinics, and this Spring we will continue pitching programs, as well as add clinics for hitting, fielding, and other aspects of the game.
4. Provide a great place to play the fast-pitch game for the girls in our community. With the addition of Bells Ferry Park facility in 2006, we truly now have ample field space and facilities to give ALL of our teams adequate practice time. As we continue to grow the programs, Bells Ferry will be utilized even more, with some practices and games being played at both Sandy Plains and Bells Ferry Park in 2008.
5. Make Sandy Plains Softball a leader in the fast-pitch game as it has been for years in slow-pitch. This is an ongoing goal and can only be accomplished with the hard work of our board members, coaches, parents and players.
6. Continue to refine the alliance with the Georgia Fire to ensure that it fits the needs of Sandy Plains Softball and the Georgia Fire organization.

As some of you may know, the Lassiter Trojans Fast-Pitch team won the 5A State Championship a few weeks ago. As the team was on their march to the State title, I watched them with great pride as 13 out of the 15 players BEGAN their softball career at Sandy Plains in the 6u and 8u slow-pitch program, eventually making their transition into the fast-pitch world at Sandy Plains or via the Georgia Fire, our alliance partner. In addition, the Pope Slow-pitch program captured another Slow-Pitch state title (I’ve lost count on how many they have won, but I think its over 7 in the past 9 years). This team again was comprised of about 90% “Sandy Plains” players. These two (2) great accomplishments highlight what a truly GREAT program Sandy Plains Softball has become.

Please feel free to contact Kevin Kayler or me if you have any questions about our fast-pitch program, or are interested in coaching a team at Sandy Plains.