Fall Ball sharpens skills
Cape Coral youth baseball organizations have pressed on, despite the struggling economy and the threat of a “pay to play” organized sports city fee.
After going through the regular season in the late winter and spring – and all-star competition in the summer – the organizations are getting ready for the next phase: Fall Ball.
Cape Coral National Little League and Cape Coral Cal Ripken Baseball have already begun taking registrations. Cape Coral American Little League and Cape Coral Softball Little League start taking registrations Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, respectively.
Though some games are played during the sessions, Cape American president Jeff Koza said it’s a time for more instruction and one-on-one work with players looking to improve their skills, so that they’re not behind when the regular season arrives.
“It’s more for the newer kids coming in,” said Koza, who is serving in his first year as league president. “It’s more laid back.”
At Cape American, which operates at Koza-Saladino Park, there are T-ball and baseball leagues for ages 4-12. The Fall Ball season begins Sept. 21.
Koza said despite the economic situation, the league has not seen a decrease in participation. They had approximately 380 kids this past regular season.
Cape Coral National Little League has several different registration dates for Fall Ball, including Aug. 22 and 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Jason Verdow Memorial Park. The Cape Coral Cal Ripken Babe Ruth organization holds registrations weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation athletic office at City Hall.
Cape Coral Softball, which operates at Burton Park, has seen a decrease in participation, dropping from around 350 members a few years ago to 287 players last year.
First-year president Dyan Thompson said it’s been the combination of families moving out of the area and the economy.
She added, though, that the league sponsors families that can’t afford it.
“We’ll do fund-raising to make sure nobody is left behind,” she said.
A similar approach will be taken in Fall Ball. The goal is to help new players or even returning players improve their skills so that they’re more prepared for the regular season.
In addition to the regular sessions, Cape Softball plans to hold two separate seminars where older players mentor the younger players.
The Lee County Rage Fastpitch Team, which consists of several players from Class 5A state qualifier North Fort Myers, is hosting an instructional camp at Cape Softball’s Burton Field Sept. 12.
Florida Gulf Coast University is also expected to host a seminar for the Cape Softball players during the fall season.
“It’s good for anyone, from beginner to advanced, because they can work on their skills one-on-one,” Thompson said. “Whatever position they want to play, that’s what they’ll be learning.”
Though Thompson took over as Cape Softball president in April, she brings significant experience as a player and coach.
She played collegiately at Orange County Community College in New York, a team which reached the Junior National World Series, and later at Division I Indiana State. Thompson pitched for the Sycamores during the same time basketball great Larry Bird was in college.
Thompson stressed the desire to build a strong program with the older players setting a positive example for the younger players.
She added that the recreation (Little League) programs help build a foundation as the players move on to travel ball, high school and so on.
“It’s where relationships are built. It’s where they learn their skills and learn how to play,” she said.