This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Palos Power Softball Welcomes In A New Season

The Palos Power Softball League was lead to the playing fields by the Palos Height Fire Department on Saturday.

Palos Heights Power Girls Softball kicked off the season with the help of a Palos Heights Fire District engine, which lead a caravan of league players and coaches from Palmer Park to the playing fields on Saturday, April 30.

Following the parade each of the 17 Power teams got in their first games of the season. The Power are going on just 18 months in existence after taking over the recreation league. They have seen a huge increase in interest, from 77 girls last season to 250 this season.

Michael P. Case, chairman of the Palos Heights Girls Softball League adivsory board, said that he attributes the growth to the board of parents that now run the league and the Power's ability to keep games in Palos Heights as the divisions gain teams.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I also think some people have a bad experience in other leagues as most of the funding and effort is directed towards boys leagues,” Case said.

Case also highlighted the Power umpiring training programs, allowing league girls to officiate the games of younger divisions and eventually earn an accreditation to umpire statewide.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The girls are paid and it is a great summer job,” Case said.

The day also marked the Power's first complete season on their new field which was constructed last year next to City Hall.

Case said he expects the league to continue to grow and was confident the volunteer leaders could continue to keep local girls playing on local teams.

“I have three girls and when the youngest started playing I thought, we should be able to do this here,” said Case. “We'll take it wherever it goes now.”

Correction - The original version of this article misspelled Michael P. Case's name. We regret the error.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?