The Optimist Club of Miami Lakes is seeking to restart its fall softball program, which has been dormant for two seasons for lack of girl's participation and volunteers.
Longtime club member Jim Hamilton said the 58 year-old organization is calling on girls between the ages of 12 and 14 to sign up to play softball and help recruit their peers to join the program as well.
The Optimist Club needs at least 20 girls to resume the program and keep it running.
The organization also is seeking coaches and volunteers and sponsors to help finance the program, including scholarships and other means of financial aid for kids whose parents can't afford the registration fees.
The club wants parents to get involved with their kids’ softball, as the program offers to bring families together and making new friends.
Mia Riobueno, an eighth-grade student at Miami Lakes K-8 Center, plays softball in Pembroke Pines but would love to play in Miami Lakes if the club can assemble the teams.
She’s encouraging her peers to come out and play softball at Miami Lakes Optimist Park.
“Softball can keep you very active and helps kids who are not sure about themselves do better in certain things,” she said. “Softball helps you achieve many things like becoming a faster runner and having quick reflexes. Softball can do it all for you.”
Softball registration dates are on Saturdays, July 28, August 4 and August 11 at Miami Lakes Optimist Park, 6425 Miami Lakeway North.
Registration fee is $160 per player and the organization is offering a family discount of $10.
Softball practice begins in August and the regular season commences on Saturday, September 8.
For more information, call 305-216-9516 or 786-390-7884.