Back on the diamond: Windsor West Little League swinging for relaunch of girls’ softball program

A free girls softball clinic is being viewed by organizers as a key step toward rebuilding girls’ softball in the Windsor area, following years of limited local options and a renewed spotlight on the sport at higher levels.

Windsor West Little League President Yvette Temple says the clinic is part of a broader effort to restore a program that once had deep roots in the community.

“We used to have a great softball program here at Windsor West, and it dwindled off,” Temple said.

According to Temple, there was a time when Windsor West once sent teams to the Little League World Series — but over time, neighbouring leagues stopped fielding girls’ teams.

“So they cancelled the citywide little league for girls,” said Temple, adding the decline began more than a decade ago and was exacerbated by cost barriers, with many families unable to afford travel ball.

“Once they hit around nine years old, they don’t want to go up and play with the boys, and we lose them,” she said. “Travel ball is a great league and a great organization, but it costs a lot more money, and a lot of families can’t afford it, so we were losing them from baseball altogether.”

But organizers say increased visibility for women’s softball beyond the local level is helping reshape interest in the sport.

The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUFL) kicked off its first season last year in the United States, featuring six city-based teams competing in a season that includes national broadcasts and growing fan interest.

Approximately 80 girls registered for the clinic inside the St. Clair College classic gym Sunday, which runs for the next four weekends.

Francine Stadler, head coach of the University of Windsor Lancers softball team, says the emergence of the AUFL has led to higher-profile opportunities for players beyond youth leagues.

The increased visibility of softball at the professional level has helped fuel enthusiasm among young girls, she adds.

“The girls are so excited to be here,” Stadler said of the clinic participants. “You go to the park, especially Mic Mac, on a weekend and you’re seeing all these girls on a diamond, and it’s like going to a candy store with the buzz and the excitement, and these girls love it.”

Kelly Paquette, a board member with the Windsor Lady Expos, says the turnout at the clinic shows demand has been there for some time whenever opportunities are available and affordable.

“There’s tons of interest in softball, and if people find out about it, the more that find out, the more that will come out,” Paquette said. “You’ve just got to keep people promoting it.”

She added, “There’s more places for girls to play now. Some girls don’t make the travel teams, but in the house leagues, they get a playhouse league, so it’s giving everybody a chance to play.”

Organizers say the clinic’s turnout will help determine how many teams and age groups Windsor West can offer in future seasons, with hopes of gradually rebuilding a full girls softball program in Windsor.