Myer

PVGSL HISTORY

1971 to Present

Paradise Valley Girls Softball League is a non-profit, self-governing organization providing a supervised program of Softball for all girls ages 6 - 15 years old in northeast Phoenix. We strive to teach players the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship while developing increased softball skills.

This league conducts itself by the official ASA Softball guidelines (fastpitch) and the PVGSL Charter and Rules as determined by our Board and Officers.

PVGSL registration fees and schedule are set yearly by the Board and Officers.

Our Humble Beginning

In 1971, a small group of women in the Paradise Valley School District area got together to form an organized softball group. With help from a local Little League, we started with 4 teams. The Little League handled all of the finances, secured team sponsers, doled out equipment and purchased uniforms and trophies.

The next year we grew to 9 teams with the Little League still handling all of the finances.

In 1973, the small group of women withdrew from the Little League and organized and operated the softball teams on their own. A bank account was opened and five officers were selected. 15 teams were fielded. The teams were placed into two divisions. The divisions were 2nd - 5th grades and 6th - 12th grades. The girls held a candy sale and a raffle and raised $900.00 for their treasury.

By 1974, our league had grown to 22 teams with three divisions. The divisions were Mini (1st - 3rd grades), Midi (4th - 6th grades), and Maxi (7th - 12th grades). The league had proved it could support itself and operate on sponserships and registration money. $1,000.00, which was made by holding a raffle, was added to the general fund.

There was a dramatic increase in teams (31) in 1975. We started using a batting tee for the Mini division, which proved most successful as it teaches the younger players to play positions and learn the rules before they have to face a pitcher. Once again a candy sale was used as a fundraiser and $2,000.00 was added to our fund.

We Incorporate

In 1976 our league was incorporated. The number of teams grew to 37. We divided our Midi group into two geographical areas and created the Midi-East and Midi-West divisions. They played all their games at fields closest to their home. We continued with a batting tee for the younger girls. We changed our rules to allow every girl to bat whether they played defensively or not. We took our best high school players and put them together to form a team that we entered into City League competition. We used a total of eight fields and played games six nights a week.

We also realized that fields were becoming scarce. Since we were sharing the facilities with other organizations, we decided to install lights on the west diamond at Desert Shadows Middle School. We received help from one hundred people. Businesses donated money and electrical supplies. Moms and Dads from our league provided the labor, including digging ditches and pouring cement. We received full cooperation from the City of Phoenix and APS. The Parks and Recreation Department gave us invaluable assistance and helped solve many problems. The lights were dedicated on June 27, 1976.

Since then, our league has grown to as many as 50 teams of girls at times, beginning at age seven through middle school. In addition, we added a fall league five years ago that fields teams of girls who wish to play during the fall season. There are currently three divisions in the "Fall Ball" season; 6-8, 10U and 12U and this season runs from late August/early September through mid November.