Beech Tree News Network

A new fastpitch softball league for girls ages 9-12 is in the process of organizing for the 2018 spring season.  Eligibility will be determined by a player's age on January 1, 2018.  The new league - Butler County Jr. Pro Softball - is being organized under the Butler County Board of Education with the Butler County High School softball program in charge of running the league.  Regular season games will be played at the Charles Black City Park in Morgantown beginning in April with an end-of-season tournament set for Saturday, June 2, at the BCHS Softball Complex. 

"We felt like this was a good time for the school district to get involved with the youth softball program and bring it under the Jr. Pro umbrella," said BCHS head coach John Embry.  "With the support of the local school district, we plan to offer a quality, well organized softball league for young girls and their parents." 

The league will formally be under the direction of a Jr. Pro Coordinator - a position that is being posted by the local school district.

"We hope to have that position filled very soon," said Embry.  "Once that happens, we'll be moving forward rather quickly with additional planning and organization, including the selection of head coaches."  

However, some dates have already been set for the upcoming season:

          - Tuesday, January 2 official sign-ups begin. 

          - Saturday, March 3 will be an evaluation and draft day. 

          - Thursday, March 8 will be 1st official practice day.

          - Saturday, April 14 will be Opening Day.

          - Saturday, June 2 will be end-of-season seeded tournament.

As for right now, league organizers are circulating Jr. Pro Intent Forms at local schools for those players interested in playing in the league.  No money is needed with the intent forms - registration fee will come later when official sign-ups start on January 2, 2018.  There is also a volunteer section on the intent forms for parents who are interested in coaching, serving on a committee, etc.   Those forms may be picked up and returned to Megan Miller at NBES, Kim Grubb at MES, and Coach Embry at BCMS. 

Embry said he is also considering a clinic day in November for those interested in playing in the league.

"This is something that we're looking at weather permitting, especially as a way to identify potential pitchers and catchers, which we know will be a challenge our first year," said Embry. 

A Remind account for Butler County Jr. Pro Softball has already been set up and will be made public soon.  Also, Jr. Pro Softball information will be posted on the Butler County Bears Softball Facebook page. 

For more information about BC Jr. Pro Softball, you may call or text Coach John Embry at 270-526-7945.  He can be reached by email at [email protected].