Chittenango Central School District has a need for a second modified girls’ softball team given the number of student athletes in seventh and eighth grade playing softball. Twenty-three girls went to the initial spring softball meeting, with several other girls unable to attend. With this number, and the number of established pitchers and catchers playing in seventh and eighth grade, Chittenango is capable of fielding two competitive modified teams. Having two modified teams benefits junior varsity and varsity programs by developing strong foundational skills in younger players, creating a sense of community, and leading to a larger pool of talented athletes, including critical positions at pitching and catching.

     Chittenango already has a precedent of fielding two modified teams for other sports where there is sufficient demand for two teams, such as for boys’ modified soccer, boys’ and girls’ modified basketball, and boys’ and girls’ modified volleyball. Other sports, such as cross country, track, and tennis, do not limit the number of players on their teams. Therefore, fielding two teams is not necessary. 

     According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, by the age of 14, girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys. One of the key contributing factors to girls dropping out of sports is lack of opportunity, with girls having 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play sports than boys. Yet, the advantages to providing girls opportunity to play sports are numerous. According to an article from PennState ProWellness, in a survey of 10,000 girls in grades five through twelve, female athletes use social media at lower rates than their peers and also experience less sadness and depression. According to the Children’s Medical Group, girls who participate in sports have fewer chronic illnesses, higher body esteem, stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis, reduced risk of obesity, healthier menstruation, and reduced cigarette and illicit drug use and less sexual activity. Young female athletes also perform better in school, have a lower drop out rate, are more involved in the community as adults, and have higher self esteem and better self-image. A 2009 study by the Oppenheimer Mutual Fund found that 82% of top women business executives surveyed reported playing sports while growing up. 

     A second modified girls’ softball team is an investment in our girls and community now, as well as an investment in their futures. It will provide additional opportunities for our girls to remain in sports longer, reaping physical, mental, emotional and social health benefits now and into their adult lives.

     Chittenango Central School District has already demonstrated its commitment to keeping students in school sports as long as possible through second modified sports teams for fall and winter sports as needed. A need has been demonstrated to expand this commitment to include girls’ modified softball and the time to act is now.

 

1 “Do You Know the Factors Influencing Girls’ Participation in Sports?” Women’s Sports Foundation

2 “7 Reasons to Get Your Daughter Involved in Sports, According to Science” PennState ProWellness January 5, 2023

3  “Sports Benefit Girls in Many Ways” Children’s Medical Group Jan 31, 2019