The Rochester Youth Fastpitch Softball Association has been given the green light to begin practices, starting tonight.
The RYFSA had been waiting for Rochester Community and Technical College to get a look at how another association is operating — the Rochester Youth Baseball Association — with its safety measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The RYBA kicked off its practices last week. RCTC, which owns the land where both those youth associations practice, liked what it saw from the youth baseball association and the implementation of its safety plans.
Now, the youth fastpitch softball association will proceed similarly. The RYFSA has 80 teams, ages 8 to 18.
“We’re excited to get out there,” RYFSA President Eric Gapinski said.
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Gapinski still hopes that his association will be able to offer more than just practices for its players. He’s also got a schedule of games for them. But that next step can only happen if Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz allows it in the next phase of his Minnesota Stay Safe Plan.
Gapinski notes that the RYFSA is trying to stay flexible as it responds to the changing nature of COVID-19.
“We are continuing to modify our plans and adjust things as necessary,” he said.
