Pitchers Clinic Cancelled...But wait, there's more....

Unfortunately, Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association's 2009 pitchers clinic, scheduled for March 21st has been cancelled.

However...instead of a one-time, two-hour clinic, league pitching coach, Hannah Whitlow, will be conducting weekly pitching lessons for Mad River pitchers beginning in March and running through the season. Two pitchers per team will be eligible to participate in these lessons. Lessons will be scheduled for specific age divisions (10U, 12U, 16U). If you're interested in participating, please talk to your coaches.

The 1st Arcata Area FastPitch Umpire Clinic - March 21-22

The Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association is excited to announce our first annual

Arcata Area Fastpitch Umpire Clinic

March 21 and 22

8 am - 4 pm

at Pacific Union School

on Janes Road in Arcata (next to Mad River Hospital)

Registration is $25 for both days

and includes lunch on both days, free t-shirts,

and certificates to all who complete the training.

Click right here for your downloadable registration form!

Registration deadline is Saturday, March 14th.

Late registration is possible, but will not guarantee a t-shirt or lunch.

Please send a an email of your intent to register to umpiringisgreat@gmail.com.

Advance registration is required for this first-of-its-kind umpire training in Humboldt County. The registration deadline is Saturday, March 14th. Contact league Umpire-in-Chief Gary McLachlan at 707-502-9361 or via email at umpiringisgreat@gmail.com to register.

This special clinic will develop basic fastpitch softball umpiring skills for the participants, regardless of previous experience. We will focus on correct field positioning, umpire movement on each play, responsibility as part of the team of umpires on the field, basic rules, pitching positioning. Umpire decorum and how to handle coaches and players will also be covered.

While ASA Fastpitch umpiring standards will be emphasized, the clinic is open to all umpires, regardless of experience or affiliation, in area fastpitch softball programs, including ASA, Little League and High School programs.

Please join us for this important training.

Meet Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball's new Umpire-in-Chief: Gary McLachlan moved to Humboldt County from Atlanta last summer. An active umpire for many years, Gary has officiated ASA, High School and Junior College level softball. He has umpired in three national tournaments in his 40 year career. Gary's emphasis is to assist the recreational softball umpiring in the Arcata-Eureka-McKinleyville area.

Opportunities for umpiring in Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball Association's spring season are available now! Contact Gary at umpiringisgreat@gmail.com or the league at madrivergirlssoftball@gmail.com for more information.

Calling All Coaches! Mandatory coaches' meeting on Sunday, 3/16

Our 2008 Spring Season Coaches' Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 16th, from 2:00-5:00 at St. Mary's School (Janes Road in Arcata).

If you're planning on being (or interested in becoming) a head coach, assistant coach, or team parent, please plan to attend this important organizational meeting.

Our agenda includes:

• How to organize an effective practice,
• Update on critical dates (practices, jamboree, games, and tournaments),
• Discussion of the April 5th player assessments and April 6th team draft,
• Update on league rules for the 2008 spring season,
• Season schedules and effective in-season communication,
• Reserving practice fields and times,
• Upcoming coaching clinics and ASA certification requirements,
• And....
• Our renewed emphasis on positive coaching techniques and sportsmanship, including the league's new sportsmanship award program.

In addition, Arcata High varsity coach Kelly Helms will join us to discuss the essential skills we should be teaching at the youth level to have our players ready for high school softball.

We are still looking for positive and committed coaches and assistant coaches in all divisions. If you are interested in coaching or helping coach a team this year, please call us at 822-3575 or email us at madrivergirlssoftball@gmail.com and/or attend the March 16th meeting.

We'll see you there.