Tucker mom launches girls' softball league after daughter quit boys' baseball

When Andrea Wahl's seven-year-old daughter said she was done with Tucker's baseball league, Wahl didn't just find another activity — she built one. This fall, Tucker gets a new recreational girls' softball league organized by Wahl through Tucker Parks and Recreation.

The boys are starting to get a little bigger, maybe a little bit rowdier. She just said, 'Mom, I don't want to do that anymore.'— Andrea Wahl, Tucker resident and league organizer

Wahl, a fifth-generation Tucker resident, pressed her daughter on what was really behind the decision.

I found out after talking to her a little bit more that it was really because she wanted to be in an environment where she could play with girls. I said, 'Okay, we've got to change that.'— Andrea Wahl, Tucker resident and league organizer

The community response validated the need, with enough girls signing up for the city to move forward with the program. The Tucker Rec Girls Softball League will offer coach-pitch and kid-pitch divisions, with possible expansion.

Player evaluations are being held at Kelley Cofer Park, and a parent meeting has already taken place. Registration remains open through September 17. A spring season is also planned.

Tucker previously lacked a dedicated recreational softball league for girls. Local girls who wanted to play had often joined mixed-gender baseball programs or traveled to neighboring communities. Changing demographics had caused prior programs to fade.

For families in Tucker looking for a local, girls-only athletic option this fall, the window to register is narrow.

Why it matters — Tucker families with girls who want a local, recreational softball option now have one — but the registration window closes September 17.

Reported by roughdraftatlanta.com, default.aspx, decaturish.com