Raptor Rec 2012 Info!

Happy New Year everyone!! We are excited for the 2012 Rec softball season. Look for Registration to open in February with clinics starting in March. We will again be playing with Cottage Grove - but with a new twist - What's new?? The Minors league (grades 6, 7, 8) will include not only Raptor and Cottage Grove teams but also Woodbury. See the press release for more information. We intend to add Woodbury teams to younger leagues in future years if everything works well.  Our first and foremost goal is to provide East Ridge girls with the best possible softball experience - and for the girls to have FUN!!  If you have any questions or want to get involved with Raptor Rec Softball - just contact our Rec Director Bruce Bialka at bbialka@comcast.net

Press release regarding 2012 Rec softball

WAA, CGAA AND ERAA SOFTBALL ASSOCIATIONS ANNOUNCE 2012 IN-HOUSE LEAGUE COMBINED LEAGUES

COTTAGE GROVE AND WOODBURY, Minn. (January 2, 2012) – Woodbury, Cottage Grove and East Ridge Athletic Associations today announced that their two most senior in-house softball leagues, consisting of girls in grades 6-8 and 9–12 would play in a combined league for the 2012 season.  Each organization will continue to form teams under the banner of their respective affiliations but league and playoff games will be mixed between all associations. The two combined upper level leagues may have teams from Cottage Grove, Woodbury, East Ridge, St. Paul Park, Newport and Oakdale. 

The combination is in response to the Woodbury fields’ policy, which spurred discussions between the associations to further cooperate and improve opportunities and experiences for girls.  “We are excited about bringing traditional rivalries into our in-house programs which we believe will benefit all the associations”, stated Jill Miller, WAA Softball Director.  “This is a good first step”, noted Justin Voerster, CGAA Softball Director, “and making changes to align fundamental program aspects such as season duration and league age brackets opens the door for additional combinations for the younger ages in the future.”   Jeff Bria, ERAA Softball Director, added “The level of cooperation and sharing of ideas in the best interests of all the girls has been phenomenal.  East Ridge rec softball has played in the Cottage Grove in-house league since inception, so we are looking forward to adding WAA to the mix.”

For the 2012 season, the younger leagues (girls in grade 5 and younger) will play as in 2011 – with WAA being separate from the CGAA/ERAA in-house league.  “If things go smoothly we will look to expand the combination to younger leagues in the future”, said Voerster, “For now though we will work out the kinks and ensure that we continue to offer quality programs for the girls.’

The associations plan to open registration for 2012 In-house softball in February.  Please contact your respective athletic association with any questions.