Portage hosts fall high school softball league

The days are getting shorter, and temperatures are starting to cool.

Autumn's right around the corner, but that doesn't mean there isn't time to squeeze in some quality softball.

Practice for the Elite Softball League will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Portage High School complex, with games to follow on the next five Sundays.

"There's nothing going on in the fall," Portage athletic director Jeff Smith said. "Once you get to Labor Day, travel ball's generally done, and we've still got some nice weather left."

Smith started the high school league in 2004 while he was still coaching at Portage. He continued his involvement after becoming A.D.

"It's a way to keep my hands in it," Smith said. "These kids are used to competing against each other. Now they're playing with each other. They realize, 'Hey, they're just like me.' That's the cool part. It's competitive, but it's not cutthroat."

The league, with talent ranging from raw freshmen to Division I  seniors, drew players from 25 schools last year, pulling in kids from as far as South Bend and Lafayette. Smith tries to accommodate those driving a long way by keeping them together, though IHSAA rules allow a maximum of five students from any one school to be on the same team.

"There's a very wide skill level," Smith said.

Evaluations will be held Sunday from which teams are chosen. Each roster is given an experienced varsity pitcher in an effort to keep things balanced. Pitchers can not throw more than four innings in a game, and no one can sit out for more than one inning at a time. To encourage hitting, all at-bats start with a 1-1 count and games are capped at 90 minutes.

"Every kid gets fair playing time," Smith said.

Doubleheaders start next Sunday, punctuated by a tournament Oct. 16. There are no practices.

"They just come to the field, warm up and play," Smith said. "We have it on Sundays, so athletes in other sports can get some swings and not have a conflict."

Because high school coaches are not allowed to be involved, there is a need for volunteers to take teams. Anyone with experience, whether in youth or travel ball, who is interested should contact Smith or show up Sunday.

"(Portage coach) Tim (Pirowski)'s got the baseball league going here, so it's nice to see our fields being used, to showcase our complex," Smith said.