Scott Kuhnen
New Member
For consideration in Ohio: After decades serving with USSSA, some local Directors and programs are now affiliating with WSL (World Sports League). In my own case, having also served at one time as a USSSA Youth Slow Pitch National Director, and still believing that there is a place for slow pitch in our local communities, I'd like to now gauge interest in bringing the slow pitch game back to life at local levels?
The switch to WSL, which has never previously offered youth sports but is now offering Girls Fast Pitch under the leadership of Beavercreek's Terry Folino, offers a fresh start to bringing back youth slow pitch as a great starting point (at younger ages) and alternative to fast pitch (at older ages), and has the potential to keep kids playing the game rather than being left behind.
It's always important to stress...especially to the fast pitch community...that this is not being done to create competition to fast pitch, but designed to complement it. Most especially at the younger ages, slow pitch offers more hitting, more defensive plays, more base running, more scoring...in a teaching environment which is fun and sets a solid foundation for the more competitive game they may choose to join as they get older.
Having said that, a goal which I believe stands only to help our kids and our communities is to maintain (not abandon) the slow pitch game for those who either choose not to move into fast pitch or find that they simply are not competitive enough. Keeping kids playing is the goal. Good for them and good for our communities.
WSL in Ohio will be looking to hear from and work with community programs which have an interest in creating and/or sustaining youth slow pitch. Could be girls; could be boys; could be mixed girls and boys (like the highly successful Beavercreek Youth Softball Association).
If interested, please feel free to reach out for further discussions: Kuhnen@PlayWSL.com
Thank you!
The switch to WSL, which has never previously offered youth sports but is now offering Girls Fast Pitch under the leadership of Beavercreek's Terry Folino, offers a fresh start to bringing back youth slow pitch as a great starting point (at younger ages) and alternative to fast pitch (at older ages), and has the potential to keep kids playing the game rather than being left behind.
It's always important to stress...especially to the fast pitch community...that this is not being done to create competition to fast pitch, but designed to complement it. Most especially at the younger ages, slow pitch offers more hitting, more defensive plays, more base running, more scoring...in a teaching environment which is fun and sets a solid foundation for the more competitive game they may choose to join as they get older.
Having said that, a goal which I believe stands only to help our kids and our communities is to maintain (not abandon) the slow pitch game for those who either choose not to move into fast pitch or find that they simply are not competitive enough. Keeping kids playing is the goal. Good for them and good for our communities.
WSL in Ohio will be looking to hear from and work with community programs which have an interest in creating and/or sustaining youth slow pitch. Could be girls; could be boys; could be mixed girls and boys (like the highly successful Beavercreek Youth Softball Association).
If interested, please feel free to reach out for further discussions: Kuhnen@PlayWSL.com
Thank you!