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20 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, December 29, 2011 Ladies' Powderpuff league saves girls' minor softball By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer The Georgetown Ladies Powderpuff League (GLPL) has stepped up to the plate. For 40 years, the recreational ladies' softball league has been providing fastball and three-pitch softball to local ladies 19 and older and, starting next season, the league will be adding a minor division for girls aged 5-18 in an effort to fill the void left by the disbanded Kinsmen Girls Softball League. With the blessing of the departing Kinsmen Girls Softball League executive, the GLPL has committed to a two-year guarantee that minor ball will be offered under the established GLPL executive. At the end of the 2012 season, the GLPL will evaluate the minor division and decide the division's future in the organization. Should the GLPL executive and members decide to not continue with the youth division at the end of that first year, the GLPL will still continue to provide minor ball for a second season, giving parents and volunteers plenty of time to form an organization of their own if necessary. "We believe in minor ball and we don't want to see it go away," says GLPL past president Sue Subject, who oversaw the successful addition of the three-pitch division 10 years ago. "We've come full circle. Forty years ago, the GLPL was born out of the Kinsmen league and now, 40 years later, we're able to pay it back." At a girls' house league softball information meeting in October, GLPL representatives announced the league's two-year minor ball commit- SPORTS & LEISURE ment, which was met with enthusiasm by the coaches, parents, Kinsmen and concerned citizens in attendance. The Town of Halton Hills also fully supports the addition of a new youth division. Since making the decision to start a minor division, the GLPL executive has been in touch with other youth baseball associations in the area to see how their leagues operate. Based on that research, the executive determined that the new minor division will be open to all girls of all skill levels aged 5 to 18 with the age divisions being re-aligned so that girls of a similar age will play against one another. Registration fees will be slightly higher than those of the disbanded Kinsmen Girls Softball League due mainly to umpiring fees, which the old league-- with its volunteer umpires-- didn't incur. The girls will also be required to buy their own helmets, however the league is negotiating a special discounted rate with local sports store EndZone Sports Exchange. The 2012 GLPL executive is committed to revitalizing girls' minor ball in town and that relies heavily on early registration. Registration for all minor and adult divisions is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at the Georgetown Market Place. Minor ball players are encouraged to register at this time so the executive can make informed decisions on the direction of the youth divisions, how to align the age groups and how to move forward for what is sure to be an exciting year of softball. For more information, visit the GLPL website at www.glpl.org or email GLPL President Dee Dee Haynes-Ridley at deedeeridley@gmail.com. Top novice racer The Waterloo Regional Kart Club recently held its year-end awards banquet and Georgetown racer Andrew Whelan received the 2011 Novice Championship Trophy, awarded to the driver in the class who had accumulated the most points during the year. The 12-year-old finished up on the podium in 17 of 20 series races, 10 of which were wins, a personal best for Whelan. He also finished second in the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship, consisting of drivers from Ontario, Quebec, New York and Michigan. This marked the first year Whelan raced for prize money and he will receive his trophy and cheque in January. Submitted photo Hot Shots capture Bedpan Cup Goalie Janette Jensen of the Halton Hot Shots blocks a shot by the Mighty Docs' Don Trant in the second-annual Hospital Heroes' Hockey Challenge held last week during the first intermission of the Ontario Junior Hockey League contest between the Georgetown Raiders and Oakville Blades. The Hot Shots, made up of Georgetown Hospital staff members, defeated the Mighty Docs 2-1 to claim the Bedpan Cup. Approximately $1,200 was raised for the Georgetown Hospital Foundation and the Raiders contributed $1 for each game ticket sold. 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