SoCal Dreams, A New Girls' Youth Softball League, Focuses On Giving Players A Chance At College Scholarships

Inland Valley area of Southern California is home to a growing girls' softball league that attempts to give talented young girls the same chance at college scholarships as young boys get.

Moreno Valley, CA (I-Newswire) January 5, 2013 - SoCal Dreams, a relatively new girl's softball league, is fast gaining a reputation in Southern California for fielding some of the best athletes in the area. The Moreno Valley-based organization was founded in 2011 to offer a higher level of competition to girls who either had a higher skill level than was generally available in other softball leagues, and based on their results already, the proof of their talent has already been shown. In their very first year of operation one of the SoCal Dreams teams qualified for the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Championship Tournament, placing in the top tier. And that was just the beginning.

"We are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish in a really short time," said Dan Avalos, one of the founders of the league and it's co-president. "But what we have been able to accomplish on the field in terms of wins is only part of why we are so proud of SoCal Dreams. One of our primary reasons for existing is that we want to give our girls a better chance to be noticed and excel on high school teams and thereby giving them a chance to go to college on softball scholarships. That's why we put such an emphasis on both skill level and grades at the same time. We are trying to change their lives, to give them a chance, in some cases, to escape their circumstances."

SoCal Dreams currently has about 60 girls playing on its teams, the girls ranging in age from 10 to 16. There are five teams but as the organization grows they will expand that number. But in keeping with the mission, as Avalos alluded to, their organization is not designed to grow simply for the sake of growing. The quality of the player and the commitment to the sport of softball and school matters most. SoCal Dreams is a year round league and the girls and their families do have to make a real commitment as there are on average three games a week plus practices. But that much time with dedicated coaches and players is what makes the girls so much better.

"But what we never lose sight of," Avalos added, "is that these are young girls and above all we want them to have a good time and enjoy the sport. We make sure the program is also a lot of fun and the young ladies get to make really solid friendships, and with the help of our parents, get a chance to grow into great young ladies."

SoCal Dreams is a non-profit organization and every effort is made to make sure the fees are affordable for area kids. The goal is to provide scholarships as well for those families that cannot afford the fees so that every girl that has the skill and desire to play, can. The organization is already working on finding sponsors and grants that can make that dream a reality.

Avalos provided the mission of the league:

"SoCal Dreams is to develop fully rounded amateur players who exhibit character, integrity and elite athletic performance. It is SoCal Dream's vision to take good, dedicated athletes and help them develop to their maximum potential, and ultimately, to create strong high school and college prospects. Therefore, all players must maintain a 3.0 GPA to participate with the organization.  Academics first, attitude second and ability third are of the utmost importance."

For more information or to join the league, contact Dan Avalos at danavalos@msn.com or go to www.socal-dreams.org.