At GOALS Athletic League, girls are doing much more than swinging bats and throwing curveballs – they are learning valuable skills that can be applied both on and off the playing field.
“Young girls have been playing the same type of softball in Queens for over 40 years, not much has changed since I was their age,” said founder and president Ginny Peiser. “For the most part, they are still playing on concrete, still not playing windmill and there is no stealing or bunting. They are so far behind the rest of the state and the country. I decided it was time to change that and give the girls ‘a league of their own.’”
Located at 59-14 69th Lane in Maspeth, GOALS (Girls Organization of Athletics, Leaders in Sports) Athletic League (GAL) is a not-for-profit Amateur Softball Association (ASA) fast-pitch softball league for girls ages six to 14. The volunteer-run organization’s mission includes helping underprivileged and underserved girls “effectively compete for scholarship dollars available on the college level” all at a low cost.
All members are given free windmill pitching and catching lessons during the season, which begins in April and finishes at the end of June with a championship game. All games are played on weekends and practices are held during the evenings of the week in Cunningham and Kissena Parks.
Since its opening in 2009, Peiser said fundamentals and fun have always been stressed in the league. She also said because GAL is a not-for-profit organization, “all money goes back into the program to benefit the girls.”
When asked why softball enthusiasts should choose GAL over other leagues, Peiser said girls will learn fast-pitch softball just like how it is played in high schools and colleges.
“We have a policy that all players play in every game and we avoid parents coaching,” she said. “Some of our coaches are former college players and all are ASA-certified to coach fast-pitch softball.”
All girls ages six to 14 who live in Queens are invited, and no experience is necessary. Online registration is currently underway at goalsathleticleague.com. In-person registration will take place March 12 at De Phillips Sports in Bayside from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on March 27 at Cunningham Park Field 21 (210th Street and 73rd Avenue) from 1 to 4 p.m. Girls are advised to bring gloves and cleats if registering these days since it also coincides with draft evaluations.
Visit goalsathleticleague.com for more information. – Alexa Mae Asperin
