2016 Baseball/Softball Sourcebook 24
www.SportsEventsMagazine.com
Midwest
t
Softball
Organizations
Amateur Athletic Union
(
407) 828-3459
d
ebra@aausports.org
www.aausports.org
Amateur Softball
A
ssociation/USA Softball
(
405) 424-5266
www.asasoftball.com
D
ixie Youth Softball
(205) 785-2255
o
biedsi@aol.com
softball.dixie.org
I
nternational Senior
Softball Association
(
571) 436-9704
w
ww.seniorsoftball.org
National Softball Association
(
859) 887-4114
w
ww.playnsa.com
North American
Fastpitch Association
(503) 559-5398
nafafastpitch@gmail.com
www.nafafastpitch.com
PONY Softball
(724) 225-1060
www.pony.org
Senior Softball USA
(916) 326-5303
frand@seniorsoftball.com
www.seniorsoftball.com
Softball Players Association
(405) 376-7034
www.spasoftball.com
USSSA
(321) 697-3637
don.dedonatis@usssa.com
www.usssa.com
The Benefits Of Playing Ball
Whether physical, psychological or social, there are many benefits to playing baseball or soft-
ball. Team sports like baseball can create opportunities for children and adolescents to learn
important life skills, said Debra Horn, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) senior sport manager.
"Players learn not only the physical, mental and strategic aspects of the game, but they also
grow socially, learn responsibility and respect and what it means to be a member of a team,"
Horn said.
PONY Baseball and Softball President and CEO Abe Key agreed. "Kids who are involved in
athletics learn a number of life lessons that will help them become better adults, better citi-
zens for tomorrow. They learn things like sportsmanship, how to win and lose gracefully, how
to take orders from a manager, self discipline and teamwork. All of those attributes by partici-
pation in a team sport will make for better citizens."
Here are a few more advantages to consider:
‰ Opportunity For Physical Activity:
Physical activity is critically important, especially for children. If children are inactive, it
increases their risk for coronary artery disease, obesity, high blood pressure, stroke and dia-
betes. The American Heart Association recommends children have at least 60 minutes of
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. Baseball and softball are two great sports
for both activity types. Playing sports like baseball and softball could also help children bet-
ter develop muscle, flexibility and hand-eye coordination.
‰ Better Sleep:
The Mayo Clinic revealed that playing sports could actually improve the quality of sleep,
including falling asleep faster and maintaining a deeper sleep.
‰ Boosted Self-Esteem:
Participating in a team sport can help kids increase their confidence and self-esteem,
according to the Mayo Clinic, which also revealed that physical activity can improve mood
as well.
‰ Greater Focus:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that physical activity can help
athletes stay mentally sharp as they age.
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