Organizations that present aggressive softball enjoying alternatives for youth athletes residing in a particular geographic space are continuously wanted. These groups usually take part in tournaments and showcases past their instant locale, permitting gamers to realize expertise and publicity. For instance, a household in Dallas, Texas, would possibly search on-line to find aggressive softball applications primarily based in or close to Dallas to evaluate choices for his or her daughter.
Participation on such a staff can provide enhanced ability improvement, elevated collegiate recruiting visibility, and alternatives to compete towards larger ranges of competitors. Traditionally, most of these groups have developed from native leisure leagues to fill a necessity for a extra structured and aggressive setting. This trajectory has led to a major enhance within the variety of aggressive applications and the sophistication of teaching and coaching methodologies.
This text will delve into key facets related to figuring out and evaluating these aggressive youth softball applications. It’ll talk about elements resembling program construction, teaching {qualifications}, value concerns, and strategies for assessing staff match, to assist households in making knowledgeable selections.
1. Location Accessibility
The proximity of a aggressive softball staff to a participant’s residence, particularly the “softball journey groups close to me” designation, considerably impacts logistical concerns. Commuting time to practices and staff occasions turns into an important issue, affecting each the athlete’s schedule and the household’s availability for transportation. Extreme journey burdens can result in participant fatigue, diminished educational efficiency, and lowered household time. For instance, a staff positioned two hours away every manner necessitates 4 hours of day by day commuting for practices, creating a considerable pressure on the athlete and their household.
Moreover, accessibility extends past mere bodily distance. Visitors patterns, street circumstances, and the provision of dependable transportation strategies all affect the feasibility of collaborating on a given staff. A program comparatively shut geographically could also be rendered impractical as a consequence of constant site visitors congestion throughout peak hours. Due to this fact, evaluating location accessibility necessitates a complete evaluation of journey time, transportation infrastructure, and potential disruptions.
In conclusion, the accessibility of geographically handy aggressive softball applications instantly influences a participant’s capability to take part successfully and sustainably. Minimizing journey burdens is important for preserving athlete well-being, educational success, and household concord. Ignoring this part of a aggressive softball expertise will increase the chance of burnout and in the end hinders athletic improvement. Due to this fact, prudent evaluation of location accessibility is paramount when contemplating participation throughout the “softball journey groups close to me” panorama.
2. Teaching {Qualifications}
Inside the realm of “softball journey groups close to me,” the standard and credentials of teaching employees function a paramount determinant of participant improvement and total staff success. The efficacy of teaching instantly impacts ability acquisition, strategic understanding, and the cultivation of a constructive aggressive setting. Due to this fact, cautious analysis of teaching {qualifications} is important when deciding on a program.
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Expertise and Certifications
Teaching expertise, each on the journey ball degree and doubtlessly larger, supplies perception right into a coach’s capability to handle staff dynamics, develop particular person expertise, and implement efficient sport methods. Related certifications from organizations like USA Softball or the Nationwide Fastpitch Coaches Affiliation (NFCA) reveal a dedication to ongoing training and adherence to finest practices. For instance, a coach with a Degree II ACE certification from USA Softball has demonstrated information in areas resembling security, damage prevention, and ability improvement. This qualification is efficacious with softball journey groups close to me.
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Enjoying Background
Whereas not all the time important, a coach’s enjoying expertise, notably on the collegiate or skilled degree, can lend helpful perception and credibility. Former gamers usually possess a deeper understanding of the sport’s nuances and may present firsthand information of what it takes to succeed at larger ranges. A coach who has navigated the faculty recruiting course of can provide invaluable steering to gamers aspiring to compete on the subsequent degree. It is a particular benefit, particularly with softball journey groups close to me.
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Teaching Philosophy
A coach’s philosophy shapes the staff’s tradition and strategy to participant improvement. It is essential to know a coach’s priorities, whether or not it is solely centered on successful or emphasizes a holistic strategy that includes ability improvement, sportsmanship, and educational success. A coach who prioritizes long-term improvement over short-term features could also be a greater match for gamers in search of sustained enchancment and a constructive expertise. Teaching Philosophy is efficacious with softball journey groups close to me.
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Communication and Management Expertise
Efficient communication and management are important for fostering a constructive and productive staff setting. A coach should be capable to clearly talk expectations, present constructive suggestions, and inspire gamers to achieve their full potential. Sturdy management abilities are essential for managing staff dynamics, resolving conflicts, and constructing a cohesive unit. A staff with softball journey groups close to me, and wonderful communication and management abilities, may give efficient suggestions and attain objectives.
In conclusion, the {qualifications} of a journey staff’s teaching employees considerably affect a participant’s improvement and total expertise. Evaluating expertise, certifications, enjoying background, teaching philosophy, and communication abilities is significant when contemplating “softball journey groups close to me” and deciding on a program that aligns with the athlete’s objectives and values. Thorough evaluation of those elements will increase the chance of a constructive and rewarding expertise.
3. Crew Popularity
The repute of a aggressive softball staff inside an outlined geographic space, generally known as “softball journey groups close to me,” serves as a crucial indicator of its total high quality and suitability for potential gamers. Crew repute encompasses varied components that collectively replicate this system’s values, competitiveness, and organizational stability.
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Aggressive Success and Participant Growth
A staff’s win-loss file and event efficiency present tangible proof of its competitiveness. Nonetheless, repute extends past mere wins; it additionally features a demonstrated dedication to participant improvement. Packages recognized for persistently enhancing athletes’ abilities and getting ready them for larger ranges of play usually garner a constructive repute. For instance, a staff persistently putting gamers in collegiate applications establishes a robust repute for participant development throughout the softball journey groups close to me panorama.
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Teaching Ethics and Integrity
The moral conduct of coaches considerably influences a staff’s repute. Packages recognized for truthful play, respectful therapy of opponents, and adherence to established guidelines domesticate a constructive picture. Conversely, allegations of dishonest, unsportsmanlike habits, or unethical recruiting practices can severely injury a staff’s repute, affecting its capability to draw proficient gamers. Some of these behaviors are detrimental to any softball journey groups close to me program.
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Organizational Stability and Administration
A well-managed and steady group fosters confidence amongst gamers and fogeys. Components resembling clear communication, clear monetary practices, and constant management contribute to a constructive repute. Groups tormented by inner conflicts, frequent teaching adjustments, or monetary instability might wrestle to take care of a constructive picture, impacting their enchantment throughout the “softball journey groups close to me” search.
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Father or mother and Participant Satisfaction
The satisfaction ranges of present and former gamers and their households present helpful insights right into a staff’s total setting. Phrase-of-mouth referrals and on-line evaluations can considerably affect a staff’s repute. Optimistic testimonials highlighting the staff’s supportive tradition, efficient teaching, and dedication to participant well-being contribute to a positive repute. Conversely, unfavourable suggestions can deter potential recruits. Checking these testimonials is vital when taking a look at softball journey groups close to me.
In conclusion, the multifaceted nature of staff repute considerably impacts a program’s capability to draw proficient gamers and preserve long-term stability throughout the “softball journey groups close to me” market. An intensive evaluation of aggressive success, teaching ethics, organizational stability, and stakeholder satisfaction is essential for discerning a staff’s true repute and figuring out its suitability for aspiring athletes.
4. Monetary Prices
Participation in aggressive softball applications, usually found via searches for “softball journey groups close to me,” necessitates cautious consideration of related bills. These prices can signify a considerable funding for households and require thorough evaluation earlier than committing to a specific staff.
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Crew Charges
Crew charges usually represent probably the most vital expense. These charges cowl varied prices, together with teaching salaries, discipline leases for practices and video games, event entry charges, and insurance coverage. Charges differ broadly relying on the staff’s degree of competitors, the variety of tournaments entered, and the geographic location. For instance, groups collaborating in national-level tournaments might cost considerably larger charges than these competing primarily in native occasions. Consequently, evaluating staff charges is essential when assessing inexpensive choices throughout the “softball journey groups close to me” search outcomes.
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Journey Bills
Past staff charges, journey bills for tournaments signify a major monetary burden. These bills embody transportation prices (gasoline, airfare, rental automobiles), lodging, and meals. Tournaments usually require journey to distant places, necessitating in a single day stays and doubtlessly air journey for each the participant and accompanying relations. Due to this fact, households should think about these extra prices when evaluating the general monetary dedication related to a specific “softball journey groups close to me” program.
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Gear and Attire
Softball requires specialised gear, together with bats, gloves, helmets, cleats, and batting gloves. These things may be costly, notably for gamers in search of high-performance gear. Moreover, groups usually require gamers to buy staff uniforms and different attire, including to the general value. The bills of equipping a participant for aggressive softball ought to be thought of throughout the total monetary analysis of “softball journey groups close to me.”
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Non-public Classes and Coaching
Many gamers complement staff practices with non-public classes from specialised instructors to reinforce their abilities. These classes can considerably enhance a participant’s talents but additionally signify a further expense. Households ought to contemplate whether or not non-public classes are mandatory or fascinating and issue the associated fee into their total price range when contemplating “softball journey groups close to me.”
In conclusion, the monetary prices related to collaborating in “softball journey groups close to me” lengthen past preliminary staff charges. Journey, gear, and supplemental coaching contribute considerably to the general monetary dedication. Completely assessing these prices and creating a practical price range is important for guaranteeing that participation in aggressive softball stays financially sustainable.
5. Match Schedule
The event schedule constitutes a crucial part when evaluating “softball journey groups close to me.” The frequency, location, and caliber of tournaments instantly affect participant improvement, collegiate publicity, and the general monetary dedication required for participation. A strong schedule affords athletes alternatives to check their abilities towards various competitors, fostering enchancment and flexibility. For example, a staff collaborating in a number of showcases attended by faculty recruiters supplies the next chance of securing collegiate athletic alternatives in comparison with a staff with a restricted native schedule. The construction of such a schedule determines time administration calls for on gamers and their households.
Conversely, a very demanding event schedule can result in athlete burnout and diminished educational efficiency. Frequent journey might disrupt college attendance and scale back time obtainable for educational pursuits. Moreover, extreme event participation will increase the chance of accidents as a consequence of overuse and insufficient restoration time. Due to this fact, the best event schedule strikes a stability between offering ample aggressive alternatives and prioritizing participant well-being and educational success. An instance would possibly embody a schedule of 6-8 tournaments spanning the spring and summer season, incorporating each regional and nationwide occasions, whereas permitting for adequate relaxation intervals.
In summation, the event schedule serves as a tangible illustration of a “softball journey groups close to me” program’s aggressive aspirations and participant improvement philosophy. Cautious consideration of the schedule’s depth, geographic scope, and affect on participant well-being is paramount when deciding on a staff. A well-designed schedule maximizes aggressive publicity whereas safeguarding athletes’ bodily and educational well being, in the end contributing to a extra constructive and sustainable journey ball expertise.
6. Participant Growth
Participant improvement stands as a central goal inside any credible “softball journey groups close to me” program. Its effectiveness instantly influences an athlete’s long-term trajectory, encompassing ability enhancement, tactical understanding, and psychological fortitude, all important for fulfillment at larger ranges of competitors.
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Talent-Particular Coaching
A cornerstone of participant improvement includes focused coaching to enhance elementary softball abilities, resembling hitting, pitching, fielding, and base operating. Efficient applications incorporate structured drills, individualized teaching, and data-driven evaluation to determine areas for enchancment and monitor progress. For instance, a hitting program would possibly make the most of video evaluation to refine swing mechanics, specializing in bat velocity, launch angle, and phone level. This specialised coaching supplies gamers with the instruments essential to excel on the sector and differentiate themselves inside a “softball journey groups close to me” setting.
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Tactical Acumen
Past elementary abilities, participant improvement additionally emphasizes tactical understanding, encompassing sport technique, situational consciousness, and decision-making. Gamers be taught to research opponents’ weaknesses, anticipate sport conditions, and execute strategic performs successfully. A well-structured program incorporates sport simulations, movie research, and tactical discussions to reinforce gamers’ capability to suppose critically and make knowledgeable selections below strain. This side of participant improvement is especially essential for gamers aspiring to compete on the collegiate degree the place strategic pondering is paramount.
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Bodily Conditioning
Optimum bodily conditioning is indispensable for peak efficiency and damage prevention. Participant improvement applications incorporate complete energy and conditioning routines tailor-made to the particular calls for of softball. These routines tackle energy, energy, velocity, agility, and endurance, whereas additionally specializing in damage prevention via correct warm-up strategies, stretching, and restoration protocols. Implementing periodization rules is essential for optimizing bodily improvement all through the season and minimizing the chance of overtraining. Bodily health is a key differentiator with softball journey groups close to me.
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Psychological Toughness
Psychological toughness performs a pivotal function in overcoming challenges, sustaining focus, and performing persistently below strain. Participant improvement applications incorporate psychological abilities coaching strategies to reinforce gamers’ confidence, resilience, and skill to handle feelings successfully. These strategies might embody visualization, purpose setting, constructive self-talk, and stress administration methods. Cultivating psychological toughness permits gamers to carry out at their finest even in high-stakes conditions and bounce again from setbacks, offering a aggressive benefit inside a “softball journey groups close to me” setting. Psychological fortitude is of supreme significance on the faculty {and professional} degree.
Collectively, these sides of participant improvement signify a holistic strategy to getting ready athletes for fulfillment each on and off the sector. Packages emphasizing skill-specific coaching, tactical understanding, bodily conditioning, and psychological toughness provide gamers a aggressive edge inside “softball journey groups close to me” and past, fostering long-term progress and maximizing their potential.
7. Faculty Publicity
For athletes in search of to pursue softball on the collegiate degree, participation inside “softball journey groups close to me” represents an important pathway. Faculty publicity, the method of gaining visibility amongst faculty coaches and recruiters, is considerably enhanced via strategic participation in choose journey ball applications.
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Showcase Tournaments
Showcase tournaments function major venues for school coaches to guage potential gamers. These tournaments appeal to groups from various geographic areas, offering coaches with the chance to evaluate a big pool of expertise effectively. A “softball journey groups close to me” program that prioritizes participation in respected showcase occasions affords its gamers elevated visibility and alternatives to work together with faculty recruiters. For example, occasions just like the Atlanta Legacy or Colorado Sparkler are recognized for attracting vital faculty coach attendance.
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Recruiting Profiles and Communication
Many “softball journey groups close to me” applications facilitate the creation of participant recruiting profiles, which embody educational transcripts, athletic statistics, and spotlight movies. These profiles function preliminary factors of contact between gamers and faculty coaches. Groups usually help gamers in crafting compelling profiles and initiating communication with faculties of curiosity. This proactive strategy enhances a participant’s probabilities of being evaluated and doubtlessly recruited. Packages with out this proactive system might not successfully place gamers for school recruitment.
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Coach-Recruiter Relationships
Established “softball journey groups close to me” usually domesticate relationships with faculty coaches, offering gamers with an added benefit. Journey ball coaches might function intermediaries, advocating for his or her gamers and facilitating communication with faculty recruiters. These relationships can streamline the recruiting course of and enhance the chance of gamers being thought of for collegiate alternatives. Coaches with established networks throughout the faculty softball group provide a major profit to gamers in search of publicity.
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Crew Popularity and Placement Historical past
A “softball journey groups close to me” program’s repute and historical past of putting gamers in faculty applications considerably affect its capability to draw and retain expertise. Groups with a monitor file of success in faculty placement usually appeal to extra faculty coach consideration. A program’s alumni community and documented success tales function helpful advertising instruments, demonstrating its dedication to participant improvement and faculty preparation. This historical past supplies proof of this system’s capability to facilitate faculty recruitment and affords potential gamers a clearer pathway to collegiate softball.
In abstract, the extent and effectiveness of school publicity initiatives inside “softball journey groups close to me” considerably impacts an athlete’s prospects for taking part in softball on the collegiate degree. Participation in showcase tournaments, proactive recruiting help, coach-recruiter relationships, and a staff’s placement historical past collectively contribute to enhanced visibility and elevated alternatives for aspiring faculty athletes. Due to this fact, faculty publicity capabilities signify a crucial issue when evaluating potential journey ball applications.
8. Crew Chemistry
Crew chemistry, outlined because the interpersonal relationships and dynamic interactions amongst gamers, considerably impacts the efficiency and total expertise inside “softball journey groups close to me”. The presence of constructive staff chemistry fosters a supportive and collaborative setting, which, in flip, can result in enhanced communication, elevated participant motivation, and improved on-field execution. Conversely, poor staff chemistry, characterised by battle, cliques, or a scarcity of belief, can negatively have an effect on staff morale, hinder efficiency, and result in participant attrition. For instance, a staff characterised by open communication and mutual respect is extra more likely to successfully overcome challenges and execute complicated performs throughout high-pressure conditions.
The affect of staff chemistry extends past on-field efficiency. A constructive staff setting fosters a way of belonging and camaraderie amongst gamers, which might improve their total enjoyment of the game and promote long-term participation. This setting can even enhance particular person ability improvement as gamers really feel extra comfy taking dangers, in search of suggestions, and supporting each other. Actual-world examples embody journey groups recognized for his or her close-knit environment and constant success, usually attributed to the sturdy bonds and mutual help amongst teammates. These groups continuously reveal superior resilience and cohesion, notably throughout tournaments and difficult stretches of the season.
In conclusion, staff chemistry is an important, albeit usually neglected, factor of profitable “softball journey groups close to me.” Its presence cultivates a supportive, collaborative, and pleasant setting, enhancing each particular person participant improvement and total staff efficiency. Prioritizing the event of constructive staff chemistry ought to be a major focus for coaches and staff leaders. Understanding and nurturing staff chemistry can present a aggressive benefit, fostering a extra resilient and in the end extra profitable program. The absence of it may be instantly correlated with poor efficiency and fewer efficient teamwork.
Incessantly Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries relating to aggressive youth softball applications in an outlined geographic space.
Query 1: What age teams usually take part in journey softball?
Journey softball groups typically embody age divisions starting from 8U (8 years previous and below) to 18U (18 years previous and below). Particular age classifications might differ relying on the sanctioning physique (e.g., USA Softball, USSSA) and the person staff’s organizational construction.
Query 2: How do journey softball groups differ from leisure leagues?
Journey softball applications provide the next degree of competitors in comparison with leisure leagues. They usually contain extra frequent practices, a extra demanding event schedule, and a higher emphasis on participant improvement. Moreover, journey groups usually require tryouts to pick out gamers, whereas leisure leagues usually settle for all members.
Query 3: What are the standard prices related to journey softball?
Bills related to journey softball embody staff charges (overlaying teaching salaries, discipline leases, and event entry charges), journey bills (transportation, lodging, meals), gear prices, and potential bills for personal classes or specialised coaching. These prices can differ considerably relying on the staff’s aggressive degree, event schedule, and geographic location.
Query 4: How can a household consider the standard of a journey softball program?
Assessing the standard of a journey softball program includes contemplating elements resembling teaching {qualifications}, staff repute, organizational stability, participant improvement philosophy, and faculty publicity alternatives. Evaluating these elements supplies perception right into a program’s effectiveness and suitability for a potential participant.
Query 5: What degree of dedication is required for journey softball participation?
Participation in journey softball calls for a major time dedication from each the participant and their household. This dedication consists of attending practices, collaborating in tournaments (usually requiring journey to distant places), and dedicating time to particular person ability improvement. Journey softball usually requires a year-round dedication, with various ranges of depth all year long.
Query 6: How does journey softball contribute to school recruitment alternatives?
Participation in showcase tournaments, that are attended by faculty coaches and recruiters, supplies journey softball gamers with elevated visibility. Moreover, many journey groups facilitate the creation of participant recruiting profiles and help gamers in speaking with faculty applications. These efforts considerably improve a participant’s probabilities of being evaluated and doubtlessly recruited for collegiate softball alternatives.
Understanding these facets permits for an knowledgeable determination when contemplating involvement in a aggressive youth softball program.
This understanding will inform the collection of a specific staff.
Navigating the Search
This part supplies sensible recommendation for finding and evaluating aggressive youth softball applications inside an outlined geographic space. A scientific strategy ensures alignment between program traits and participant aspirations.
Tip 1: Outline Clear Aims: Previous to initiating a search, set up particular objectives for participation. Decide whether or not the first goal is ability improvement, faculty publicity, or a mixture thereof. Alignment of targets guides the choice course of.
Tip 2: Make the most of On-line Assets Strategically: Make use of serps and related web sites (e.g., USA Softball, USSSA) to determine potential groups. Make the most of focused key phrases, resembling “aggressive youth softball [city, state]” to refine search outcomes. Cross-reference info throughout a number of sources to validate accuracy.
Tip 3: Attend Crew Tryouts for Evaluation: Taking part in tryouts supplies a direct alternative to guage teaching kinds, staff dynamics, and participant ability ranges. Observe apply classes to evaluate this system’s give attention to participant improvement and the general staff setting. Direct commentary affords invaluable insights.
Tip 4: Interact with Present Crew Members and Dad and mom: Soliciting suggestions from present gamers and their households affords helpful views on the staff’s tradition, teaching effectiveness, and organizational stability. Attend staff occasions or attain out to people instantly for candid assessments.
Tip 5: Scrutinize Teaching Credentials and Expertise: Examine the {qualifications} and expertise of the teaching employees. Contemplate elements resembling teaching certifications, enjoying background, and demonstrated success in participant improvement. Coaches possessing related experience improve participant improvement potential.
Tip 6: Consider the Match Schedule Critically: Analyze the event schedule to evaluate the frequency, location, and caliber of occasions. Contemplate the journey burden and the alternatives for school publicity. A well-structured schedule balances competitors and participant well-being.
Tip 7: Assess the Monetary Dedication Comprehensively: Receive an in depth breakdown of all related prices, together with staff charges, journey bills, gear prices, and potential non-public lesson charges. Examine prices throughout totally different applications to make sure monetary feasibility.
Tip 8: Prioritize Crew Chemistry and Tradition: Contemplate the staff’s tradition and its emphasis on fostering constructive relationships amongst gamers. A supportive and collaborative setting enhances participant enjoyment and contributes to total success. That is a particularly vital intangible high quality.
The following pointers present a framework for figuring out aggressive youth softball applications that align with particular person participant objectives and values. A scientific strategy to analysis maximizes the chance of a constructive and rewarding expertise.
This steering equips households with the instruments essential to navigate the choice course of successfully and make knowledgeable selections.
Conclusion
This exploration of “softball journey groups close to me” has illuminated the multifaceted elements influencing program choice. Location accessibility, teaching {qualifications}, staff repute, monetary concerns, event schedules, participant improvement philosophies, faculty publicity alternatives, and staff chemistry every contribute considerably to an athlete’s expertise and long-term trajectory. Thorough evaluation of those components is paramount for knowledgeable decision-making.
The pursuit of aggressive youth softball represents a considerable funding of time, sources, and dedication. Prudent analysis, guided by the rules outlined herein, ensures that the chosen program aligns with particular person objectives and fosters a constructive and productive athletic journey. Prioritizing complete due diligence optimizes the potential for fulfillment and maximizes the advantages derived from participation in “softball journey groups close to me”.
