Athletes range in age from 4 to 18
Published in the Jan. 21 – Feb. 3, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Marty Cheek
Photo by Marty Cheek
Three girls practice in preparation for the softball season which starts March 7.
On a foggy Saturday on the ball fields at San Martin/Gwinn Environmental Sciences Academy, more than 100 girls trained at a “clinic” to get ready for the upcoming fast-pitch softball season. As they were coached in hitting, catching and other skills for the opening of the Spirit of Morgan Hill’s softball season March 7, the excitement of coming together to build a team and play a game they love filled the morning session.
The Spirit of Morgan Hill softball program athletes range in age from 4 to 18. They come together on weekends as well as sometimes one day a week from Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill to strengthen their game skills in a friendly, non-competitive learning environment. The main mission in the youth sports league is to promote “the fun and enjoyment of any girl, at any skill level, to come and play softball.” The athletes play in four divisions depending on age and skill: T-ball, Minors, Juniors and Upper.
Morgyn Tilton, a 10-year-old fourth-grader at San Martin Gwinn, is in her third year with Spirit of Morgan Hill. She said one of the things she’s learned to be successful in softball is to make sure she communicates with her teammates and always pays attention to where the ball is located.
“It’s fun to play with all the girls because we all get along and have a fun time and make a lot of friends,” she said. “I just tried out for the Minors two years ago and I made the team.”
Marcia King, Tilton’s mom, said the focus on fun and not being over-aggressive on winning makes Spirit of Morgan Hill a good place for youngsters to learn life lessons and socialize with friends while enjoying the competition of softball games.
“They like to win the game, of course, but if they lose, that’s fine too because they’re cheering for their friends,” King said. “They’re learning it’s a sport and it’s not the end of the world if they lose because you have to take the losing with the winning. They’re learning all that. It’s nice to see these kids not completely melt down because they lost the game. You know what, they learn to brush themselves off and go to the next game.”
Socializing and building a sense of camaraderie is an important part of being involved in Spirit of Morgan Hill, she said.
Even though they might be on separate teams, the friendship of the girls becomes well defined as they play softball together. The girls have a tradition of wearing silly socks to add to the fun of being part of the team, she said.
Bella Altamirano, a 9-year-old fourth grader at Barrett Elementary School, exemplifies that camaraderie. “I like that we cheer for each other and we all get to play different positions, it’s not just one assigned position,” she said. “Last year, I was first baseman and I wanted to play pitcher and I got to play pitcher … It’s hard work but there are a lot of benefits that come from being either offense or defense.”
Gia Tawney, an eighth grade student at Britton Middle School, said being part of Spirit of Morgan Hill and competing in softball games helps to build her confidence in her sports skills.
“It’s fun and you get the aggressive part out of you a lot,” she said. “You can get your game on.”
The girls softball league is a family-oriented group where moms and dads participate in coaching as well as taking care of the snack shop and fund-raising events, said Tisha Altamirano, Bella’s mother. Being involved with sports helps the girls both on and off the field by developing their character and giving them an incentive to do well with their academic performance, she said.
Photo by Marty Cheek
Two girls toss the ball around during a recent clinic for Spirit of Morgan Hill softball. The league’s teams begin play March 7.
“Kids do better in school when they’re doing some kind of sport,” she said. “Studies have shown that girls who play sports tend to stay out of drugs and stay out of trouble. If they’re playing sports and have something to look forward to, I think they tend to do a little better in schools, too. If you’re not doing well in school, you can’t play in sports and you can’t play in softball.”
Also, when girls are around other girls, they grow in their confidence and work with teammates and cheer them on and have fun, she said. One lesson that is important for the girls to learn is to have a positive mindset and not let self-doubt interfere with taking action.
“Last year, there was a girl who said, “Coach, I can’t do it,’” Tisha recalled. “And I told her, “If you’re already in that batter’s box (with that doubt), then you’re defeating your own self. You need to take a deep breath and tell yourself ‘I think I can. I think I can.’”
Spirit of Morgan Hill has been in existence for more than 30 years, always using the San Martin/Gwinn sports fields during that time. Between 250 to 300 girls play each year at the various division levels.
The cost to participate ranges from $125 to $240 a season depending on the division level and when the girls register. Participation ranges in level from just-for-fun recreational games where they learn a softball skill set to competitive games where they play against teams in other cities in the Bay Area as well as faraway locations such as San Diego.
The community has been extremely supportive of Spirit of Morgan Hill over the years, Tisha said.
This was demonstrated in October 2013 when about $5,000 in sports equipment from the San Martin/Gwinn shed was stolen by two thieves. A custodian at the school saw the men driving a stolen golf cart loaded with the equipment including a pitching machine, sweatshirts, cases of soda and helmets. A small amount of money from the cash register was also taken. To replace the equipment, Spirit of Morgan Hill held a community fundraiser which was widely supported by local residents.
Parent participation is another important part of building the Spirit of Morgan Hill league, said John Tawney, a softball coach whose daughter Gia has participated for several years including in this year’s season. The league asks that parents set good sportsmanship examples for the girls to follow, he said. The focus is on making sure the girls learn a healthy attitude about sports — that it’s simply about having fun together.
There are many ways adults can contribute to the success of Spirit of Morgan Hill, he said. Great role models, attitudes, and support are always needed to make a youth league successful.
But adults can also help as managers and coaches, assistant coaches, chaperones, score keepers, board members, and with field preparation and grounds maintenance.
Tisha remembers the fun she had when she was her daughter’s age and playing for Spirit of Morgan Hill. That’s why she wanted Bella to participate as a player and she continues to enjoy helping the league’s athletes learn to play fast-pitch softball.
“For me it’s nice how it’s come full circle,” she said. “I played when I was a kid and now I’m coaching and getting involved with my kids … These are friendships that are most likely going to last a lifetime. And it’s a great experience — an experience of playing a sport and cheering together; the different uniforms and the silly socks and having a great time together.”
