West San Jose Resident

News

Campbell Girls Fastpitch needs help in rebuilding its facilities

By Alicia Upano

Campbell Girls Fastpitch Softball has torn down the aging snack shack at the Forest Hill Elementary School softball fields, and plans to erect four buildings in its place.

Fastpitch trustee Dan Jordan said the league hopes to have the first two structures--a snack shack and bathrooms--ready when the season opens in March. The additional two buildings, which will house equipment, are scheduled for construction during the next three years.

Fastpitch has raised $15,000 from the community, in addition to materials donated by subcontractors affiliated with fastpitch. The league needs an additional $20,000 to complete the project, including skilled and unskilled labor volunteers.

Fastpitch serves up to 300 girls between the ages of 5 and 16 each year, Jordan said. The girls "haven't missed a beat" since 2004, when controversy between Fastpitch and the Campbell Bobby Sox League began, he said.

In May 2004, parents voted 58-1 to break off from Bobby Sox League and form their own softball league, because parents wanted Campbell community assets to stay local, rather then being owned by the national Bobby Sox organization. In late 2004, both teams wanted to use Forest Hills' fields.

Campbell Bobby Sox sued Fastpitch, alleging Fastpitch illegally obtained equipment and finances of more than $35,000 from Campbell Bobby Sox.

Jordan said the parties reached a confidential settlement last year. Fastpitch now is the only softball league to use the Forest Hills fields in West San Jose, and is dedicated to making its facilities better.

Previously, the facilities included a wooden snack shack from the 1970s and a few portable toilets. The fastpitch league began working with the Campbell Union School District in 2003, when the district said the facilities needed an upgrade. The district owns the property, but Fastpitch is responsible for facilities.

To register for Campbell Girls Softball Fastpitch, visit www.campbellsoftball.com. For more information on how to help with donations, contact Tony Damore at CGFSsnackshack@sbcglobal.net.