Dear Players, Coaches and Parents,

   Please allow me to again take this opportunity to welcome you to another season of Billerica Girls Softball. This year, the BGSA consists of over 600 players, 41 teams, 120 Coaches, 15 Board Members, several Associate Board Members, many volunteer parents and a crew of Umpires all working to fulfill our Mission Statement which is for girls to “Learn the game, make new friends, and have fun.” These three principles have been the basis of Billerica Girls Softball for well over 30 years.

   I’d like to take a moment say “Thank you!” to all our volunteers listed above without whose efforts this league would not be possible. Your countless hours of effort and leadership by example are an investment that will pay off handsomely. We say that we are teaching girls the game of softball but what we are really doing is teaching young ladies to become adults. By your instruction and example, you are teaching them how to win, how to lose, how to play fair, grace under pressure and a whole slew of other skills they will need later in life. When you look at it that way it is an awesome responsibility but one you take on willingly. The great thing is we are able to pass on these life lessons in a safe, supervised environment. As many of you have heard me say, years from now these girls won’t remember whether they finished 5-10 or 10-5. What they will remember is they played softball and their Dad/Mom/Aunt/Uncle/Neighbor/Somebody Significant coached/umped/cheered them. And, guess where many of those girls will be twenty or so years from now? They will be on the sidelines coaching/umpiring/cheering their kids, whether it be at softball, baseball, soccer or whatever. Why, because that is the example you showed them. For the rest of the girls, you will be remembered the rest of their lives too, the experiences you gave them will be something they will always remember, even if it is the trip after the game for Ice Cream. Of course that’s the public image of coaching we like to project. The real reason we all do what we do is where else would you be able to kid, tease and just plain have fun with a bunch of super girls?

    In our Junior League we are particularly grateful to our volunteer umpires. Due to umpire availability, Junior teams will at times need to supply an umpire for their games. This is the responsibility of the home team. You can make the coach’s job a lot easier by volunteering to umpire a game. Our rules are rather simple and we have an umpire’s guideline sheet that can be read before the start of the game. Junior League coaches will be informative, supportive and don’t forget grateful so as the commercial says, “Consider yourself asked.” The girls will sincerely appreciate it as will the coaching staff.

   We ask that all parents, family, friends and fans enthusiastically support the efforts of ALL the players as they develop their softball skills and have fun. Cheering for each and every girl’s efforts would be an appropriate way to demonstrate your recognition and support the mission of the BGSA. Positive reinforcement is always a game-winner.

All Junior, Middle, and Senior League teams are eligible for the play-offs. Following the regular season game schedule, teams will be seeded and the play-offs will immediately begin to determine each league's Town Champion.

The BGSA “book” and web-site http://www.billericagirlssoftball.com have all the information needed to keep you well informed about league schedules, activities, weather & cancellations, etc. I hope you will take a moment of your time to become familiar with both and the information provided. Please don't hesitate to bring any comments or suggestions to improve the BGSA to any coach, Board Member, or myself. Let's “play ball” and have another great year!

	See you 'round the fields,
	Rick Heckbert
	President, BGSA