It was a beautiful day for playing softball on Saturday, May 19, when the Prince William Girls Little League Softball held its Bat Bonanza in the fields behind Tyler Elementary School in Gainesville.
Not only did the athletes have a lot of fun, they earned more than $20,000 for their softball league.
The Bat Bonanza is an event in which all 19 teams in Western Prince William County -- rookies, minors and majors, ages 6-16 -- hit 20 softballs delivered by an automated pitcher. Depending on where the hit lands, the batters earn anywhere between 1-10 points per hit.
The more points a team scores, the more money they earn for their league. The athletes raise money by soliciting sponsors, who donate either at a flat rate or an amount that corresponds with the team’s score.
Cory Cripe, vice president of the Prince William Girls Little League Softball and coach of the Blazes, said the money will go back into the league to maintain the fields. They are also saving their money for funds that will hopefully bring in future revenue.
“(We’re) building up a small reserve to buy the concession stand from the Grizzlies,” Cripe said.
He would also like to see his teams play in a lighted park. However, 10 percent of the funds go to the Bat-A-Thon (R), a fundraising company based in Northern Virginia, which created the Bat Bonanza model.
But while the adults thought about the logistics of the fundraiser, the girls enjoyed the sporting event, and a chance to practice their swings.
“[I like] that you get to hit the ball, and you get to be with your friends,” said Madison Dibenedetto, who plays for the Lightning.
Elyce Edwards of the minor league Piranhas could not say enough about the sport she loves.
“It’s fun being first base. I love being catcher too. Everything in softball is fun. It’s fun learning new things,” Edwards said.
The Bat Bonanza was an all day event that began for volunteers at 6 a.m. and wrapped up just before 6 p.m. Cripe estimated 1,000 people attended throughout the day.
Most of the athletes return season after season, building their skill set. They also meet new friends who might not attend their particular school, as the league includes girls from Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket, Manassas, Nokesville and Lake Ridge.
Besides fundraising events, the league has corporate sponsors, the biggest supporter amongst these being Harris Teeter.
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