Thanks, Rich.
We're a public charter school in Chicago. Of the girls who played for us last year, only three had played regularly before. A couple others had experience in PE or playing on a park district team for a year, but most had never played. There aren't many softball opportunities in the area for the younger kids, though there are a few, and I've already started getting to know those people.
I like your idea of holding the all ages meeting. We are planning to start a junior high team, but generating interest among all levels and getting them to sign up for the local park district leagues is something I want to do. I think doing multiple clinics for younger ages is a great idea, and that's something I'll look into setting up for the summer.
So here's the big question: How do I get them to WANT to play outside of school? We had a hard time getting them to sign up for the summer league (only 3 joined, and I believe 1 quit). They're all about playing for us during the spring, but I honestly think a lot of them are afraid to venture out into the vast softball wilderness to see what's out there.
CoachJD, thanks for the note back. I think you have to keep being creative and exposing girls to opportunities. I'm in the Chicago burbs would be happy to connect you with people in the area...you might want to touch base with the assistant softball coaches at Loyola, DePaul and Northwestern and see if they'd send a player or coach to do a clinic or a meet and greet. I know some local college girls now graduated that might help too (feel free to private message me). Maybe you could do a "field trip" to a local travel or exposure tournament to let them see how big and fun softball is. If numbers are an issue, maybe you could do a clinic and bring together a bunch of charter schools if you have a conference or affiliation you can leverage and build a rec team that way?
Good luck.