Mariposa Girls Softball celebrates season with Skills Showoff event

The Mariposa Girls Softball 4U and 8U teams celebrated their season with a Skills Showoff night before the 10U, 12U and 14U teams played their final tournament of the season.

Skills Showoff

On Friday, May 29, the 4U and 8U players gathered for a final time to show off what they’ve learned this season.

“These kids don’t really go to tournaments so we wanted to celebrate their season and all of the growth and advancement they’ve made,” said league president Jaqui Winsor.

“This gives them the opportunity to come and showcase the things they’ve learned.”

Each of the players got to show off their base running skills, catching, throwing and hitting among other things.

“They’ve really been working on throwing, catching, stopping the ball and not being afraid of the ball,” Winsor explained.

“Also being fast and listening to directions. This gives them one-on-one attention to celebrate all of the skills they’ve learned.”

After players moved around the field through each skill station, they completed the day with a dance party, bubbles, medals and cupcakes.

“Our recognition is for things like pop fly princess, home run hitter, queen of the diamond and it gives each of them their own special medal,” Winsor said.

“The dance party with bubbles and cupcakes is just another fun way to celebrate their season.”

This was the first season Mariposa Girls Softball has had the age group of 4U.

“The 4U group was brand new this year where every player hits, runs the bases and they throw the ball to first,” continued Winsor.

“It’s just about getting them on the field to get them used to coming out and being a part of it. They’re three, four and five year olds.”

The first season of 4U has been a successful one.

“We had an amazing turnout,” Winsor said.

“We had about 25 kids sign up. If we get that many next year we’re going to split it into two teams for more one-on-one time.”

The 8U group practices once, sometimes twice a week and they play full games.

“The only difference between 8U and 10U is they don’t do a lot of stealing and they do more coach pitch,” explained Winsor.

“They’re a little more experienced but still working on confidence and skills.”

In her fourth year as league president, this is the first year Winsor has not been a coach.

“It’s about the kids,” Winsor said.

“I do it for the high fives and the players who tell me how much of a great time they have during softball. It’s special to have kids come up to me at the store to tell me about something that happened in a game. I love it.”

Mariposa Mountain Match-up

Mariposa Girls Softball 10U, 12U and 14U competed in the Third Annual Mariposa Mountain Match-up Tournament to finish out the season on May 30-31.

“This is the end of the season and then we’ll have our awards ceremony,” Winsor said.

For the 10U group, first place went to Mighty Wolves while the Red Rebels took second. Coming in third were the Purple Pirates and finally in fourth were the Diamond Divas.

For 12U, first place went to the Firecrackers while the Blue Bombers came earned second place.

For 14U, Maroon Mayhem came out on top in first place and Hulk Smash placed second.

“Thank you to all the players, coaches, families, volunteers and fans who helped make the Mariposa Mountain Match Up a success,” organizers said.

“We loved watching these athletes compete, grow and make memories on the field!”

As the season concludes, there is always talk of more softball.

“We have some coaches talking about fall ball and possibly travel teams,” Winsor explained.

“There are some things in the works.”

For more information about Mariposa Girls Softball, visit www.mariposagirlssoftball.com or visit the group on Facebook.