Registration is under way for the new Palmer Girls Softball Association, which is under new stewardship.
Submitted photo – Tracey L. Cole poses with her daughter, Madison, 7. Tracey Cole is the coordinator of the new Palmer Girls Softball Association. PALMER – A local woman has stepped up the plate to ensure that there will be softball for the girls in town.
When Tracey L. Cole heard that Margaret R. Ferry was retiring as director of the Palmer Lil’ Girls Softball League, leaving the future of girls softball up in the air, she decided to do something about it.
“When I saw the news that Maggie was stepping down, I was surprised. I said, ‘I’m going to jump right on it,’” Cole said. “This will benefit the kids in town.”
She is the coordinator of the new Palmer Girls Softball Association, and is accepting registrations in the recreational league for girls in grades two through nine.
Cole grew up playing softball under Ferry and has many memories. She said her daughter Madison, 7, played last year for the Palmer Lil’ Girls and also loved it. Cole said Madison “is thrilled” that there will be softball again.
Cole, who is director of pharmacy at the Holyoke Health Center, was an assistant coach last year. Kenny Johnson, another coach from last year, is helping her with the endeavor, she said.
They are also working with Palmer Baseball, which has provided a link to the Palmer Girls Softball Association on its website, www.palmerbaseball.org, where applications can be downloaded.
Applications for girls softball also can be found at the Palmer Public Library on North Main Street, Nick’s Sports Shop on Park Street, and at the schools. Applications can be dropped off at Nick’s, or mailed to PO Box 762, Palmer, MA 01069.
The softball group also is partnering with Palmer Baseball for in-person sign-ups at the library on March 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and March 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The registration fee for the Palmer Girls Softball Association is $60 and covers umpire fees and uniforms. Cole said they will play teams in Belchertown, Chicopee, Granby, South Hadley, Monson and Ware, and practices start next month with the first games in early May.
She said the Palmer Softball Association, Palmer Baseball and Palmer Soccer Association also are working together and brainstorming ways to see how they can improve the fields in town.
Cole also has two sons, Tyler, 10, and Ben, 17. Tyler plays for Palmer Baseball.
For more information, email Cole at palmerglsoftball@comcast.net.
Ferry announced last month that after 35 years, she was stepping down as president of Palmer Lil’ Girls Softball League. Ferry said she is glad that Cole and Johnson are offering the sport again, and called them “good people.”
“The girls are in good hands and I’m glad to see it,” she said.
Ferry has donated equipment to the new organization, and has been there for Cole when she has questions. She said she started the softball league because there were no other opportunities for girls to play the sport in town. The new Softball Association publicly thanks her on the Palmer Baseball website for her dedication and years of service.
Cole said she is happy she can continue the tradition of Palmer softball.
“My goal is for lots of teams, and lots of girls playing,” she said.