Oak Valley Youth Softball Association (OVYSA) staged a clinic at Oakdale High School on Saturday, March 14 for their upcoming season. OVYSA begins their season on Saturday, March 21 at Oakdale’s Kerr Park located at 840 N. Stearns Road. Opening ceremony is set for 9 a.m.

“We are very excited about the start of our season. This organization is looking forward to a new year,” said Bret Word, who is commissioner of the league for the first year.

OVYSA has 249 girls signed up for the 2015 season, and they were all able to take part in the clinic with the OHS softball girls. On the current junior varsity and varsity high school teams, every one of the girls began their softball journey with OVYSA.

“All of the girls started playing T-Ball at OVYSA and are now taking time to help, coaching these young girls who want to play,” said varsity coach Larry Loger about the high school girls who helped out with the clinic.

The young OVYSA players broke off into age groups and headed to both the junior varsity and varsity fields. There the girls worked on stretching, throwing and fielding.

“It is very important to the girls to be a part of this clinic. It gives them role models to look up to. It gives them something to look forward to and we appreciate their help. They are an important part of what we do,” Word said of his appreciation of the OHS girls and coaches who helped out with the clinic.

The OVYSA 10 and Under teams play Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m.; 12 and 14 Under teams play Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. and T-Ball and coach pitch play Saturdays with all games to be played at Kerr Park.

Also, OVYSA travel ball team is now under a new name. The team that was known as the Valley Magic, is now Oakdale Magic. The girl’s season is currently under way.

All are invited to come out to support the girls for opening day, and volunteers are also encouraged to get involved.

For more details or ways to become a sponsor, coach or social media correspondent of OVYSA log onto ovysa.com.