SOS - Save Our Softball
The Vashon Island High School Fastpitch Softball team needs future players!
High School varsity sports are one of the greatest ways young athletes can stay healthy, bond with their peers, and develop self-confidence. For decades every Spring, the Vashon Pirates varsity softball team has wowed the crowd at Rochelle Munger Field. These players work hard to build not only their skills in fielding, batting, running, pitching, and catching, but their camaraderie and team spirit as well.
Unfortunately, the player pipeline into the Pirate fastpitch team is threatened due to several years of low enrollment in youth softball.
Unless middle-school and younger athletes begin playing recreational softball again,
Vashon High School risks losing its varsity softball team after the 2027 season!
VYBS is calling out an SOS to Save Our Softball!
Help us reignite our Fastpitch Softball program for ages 8-14
so that Island athletes can enjoy fastpitch softball at Vashon High School!
Scroll to the bottom for updates!
Make "Friends in Fastpitch" at our FREE Winter Clinics
VYBS is partnering with VHS to Save Our Softball by offering free "Friends in Fastpitch" clinics to kids in grades 3-8 (ages 8-14). These mentorship-based clinics are designed to build confidence, skills, and strong bonds between our high school softball athletes and our future players.
Led by VHS coaches and athletes, VYBS volunteers, and community members, this program offers younger athletes the chance to learn or refresh their core softball fundamentals, receive one-on-one and small-group coaching, and be inspired by mentors who have been in their cleats before. It also provides our high school mentors with the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with our community, as well as work toward earning VYBS scholarships for their time spent volunteering. Register your player today!How will it work?
We’ll host several clinics in Jan-Feb 2026, where VHS players will coach small groups of 2–3 younger athletes at a time. Each clinic includes small group drills, skill-building sessions, teamwork & mentorship moments, and fun group games to keep things exciting!
Clinic Location, Dates, & Times
Check back soon for the clinic schedule! Clinics are free but registration is required. Participants can also attend VYBS's batting clinics in March and register for the Spring softball season.
Grade Levels | Location | 2026 Dates |
3rd - 5th |
Chautauqua gymnasium,
4 - 6pm
|
January 23, 26, 30
February 9, 23, 27 |
6th - 8th |
McMurray gymnasium,
12 - 2pm
|
January 24, 25, 31
February 1, 7, 28 |
Why join Friends in Fastpitch?
✔ Builds leadership in high school athletes
✔ Develops future VHS fastpitch softball athletes
✔ Fosters mentorship and community
✔ Improves confidence and fundamentals
✔ Encourages a love for the game — even for beginners!
Whether your child is brand new to softball or ready to take their skills up a notch, Friends in Fastpitch will provide a positive, high-energy, and supportive space for them to grow.
Register your player today! Registration opens December 1, 2025.
Please email [email protected] with any questions. We welcome additional volunteers or sponsorships to help to Save Our Softball!
UPDATE (LATE FEBRUARY 2026)
Wow, we've had great turnout at the Friends in Fastpitch clinics! These girls are super excited to start the season. Our 3rd-5th Grade team is shaping up nicely, our 6th-8th Grade team is working on finding additional teammates, and we’ve begun scheduling games with off-island programs.
Our new teams need new equipment and uniforms (not to mention field fees) so we invite you to a community fundraiser to help the girls start strong. VYBS is partnering with the Vashon Theatre and Island GreenTech to show A League of Their Own (1992, rated PG) at the theatre on Tuesday, March 10, at 6pm. All donations at the door will benefit the youth fastpitch softball program. See you there!
UPDATE (MARCH 12, 2026)
After reviewing the registered players' birthdates and shuffling things around to get as many girls on a team as possible, turns out we're pivoting to a 12U team and a 10U team!! We are so excited to offer TWO NEW TEAMS for island girls!
The movie fundraiser was super fun and the girls did a fantastic job talking to the public and showing their enthusiasm for softball. Thank you, Vashon, for helping us raise $860 at this event! ....then we promptly spent it ordering new batting helmets, catcher's gear, and bats for our teams.
Moviegoers also voted on new softball jersey designs; the winning two are below. It was impressive that even the kids gravitated toward very "classic" colors.
Finally, we gratefully recognize the local businesses whose generous sponsorships will cover the entire cost of the girls’ uniforms--hats and jerseys and pants and socks, oh my! Huge thanks to Raab Construction for sponsoring 12U and to Sotheby’s International Realty for sponsoring 10U!
