As spring temperatures rise, parks are filling up with youngsters ready to play ball, including the Hamburg Area Girls Athletic Association.
The Hamburg Area Girls Athletic Association Golf Tournament will benefit the league.
The fundraising event will be held at Rich Maiden Golf Course, Fleetwood, on May 21, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Entry fees cover a hot-dog lunch and catered dinner as well as beverages, and each contestant will get a picture of their four-some team as well as a chance to win prizes. Players must register by May 7 and may contact Tommy Krick for details at 717-824-0258 or kricktom@hotmail.com.
Fundraisers like the golf tournament cover league expenses.
The non-profit organization oversees youth softball in the area, and its board oversees field scheduling and maintenance, equipment purchase and maintenance, concessions at events, communication with parents and coaches and fundraising events. HAGAA officers include Krick (vice president) along with President Kim Swartley, Treasurer Tonia Krick and Secretary Cory Reader.
The Hamburg Area Girls Athletic Association, which in turn is part of the Berks County Girls Softball League, includes seven teams arranged by age groups (up to age 15) which play other teams from Berks County.
Most teams practice several times a week and aim for two games per week. Indoor clinics are planned for players and the organization rents the Field House in Hamburg to allow indoor practice in cold, icy weather. Expenses also include updating and replacing equipment like balls and bats, maintaining fields and paying for umpires. Coaches volunteer their time, as do HAGAA board members.
Tommy Krick and assistant coaches Derek Hoover and Tracey Reader coach the 8U (eight and under) team. The players, some as young as 6, come from Shartlesville, Tilden and Hamburg.
“I try to make the game of softball enjoyable yet still teach the girls how to play the game,” Krick said. “We have some type of fun drill or exercise built into practice so the girls don’t get bored and lose interest. This is harder than you may think, especially when dandelions are in full bloom in the outfield.”
In 8U games, coaches pitch to the girls on their teams, with each player getting up to five pitches each time she comes to bat. There are no wins or losses at this level, Krick explains, and no umpires. As the players gain experience, umpires arrive, scores are kept and the girls get to pitch. For now, however, the 8U “Hamburg Hawks” are learning to enjoy the sport without those complications.
Molly Krick, a second-grade player, says, “I like traveling to other fields, meeting other teams and playing softball with my friends.”
“I like playing softball,” teammate Katie Mengel (a third-grader) adds, “because it’s fun to hit the ball and run the bases.”
“I hope that these girls continue to play sports and softball,” Krick says, “and that more importantly they learn respect, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the season that will carry on with them both on and off the playing field.”
To participate in the annual HAGAA Golf Tournament, register by May 7. Contact Tommy Krick at 717-824-0258 or kricktom@hotmail.com.
