Established as a club sport in 2006, NA slow pitch softball is attempting to become a PIAA sport, the same as football or soccer. Although club sports do function similarly to those that are not, there are beneficial aspects of being a full blown sport that slowpitch wishes to attain.

In 2005, when only fast pitch existed in NA, Ralph Pagone (current slowpitch softball varsity coach), along with two others, wanted to make playing slow pitch for NA a reality. Since they all have daughters that played, they were resolute, and approached the NA athletic director, Bob Bozzuto, to ask for his support, which was given. With the four of their efforts combined, they winded up starting the first team a year later.

While they are adamant in their pursuits, turning into a PIAA does mean facing numerous challenges.

“…A majority of the school districts have to vote in favor of it, and right now we only have about 14 or 15 school districts in western PA that participate in this league… there is no active league in the eastern part of the state…or in the central part of the state,”

indicates Pagone.

Because PIAA is all of Pennsylvania, they still have a lot of ground to cover until they complete their goal. It has and will take many more years to come to accomplish.

Pagone says that some of the benefits of taking the next step include increasing the level of competition, receiving the opportunity of competing for the championship against the best team from the eastern part of the state, and giving slow pitch, “a greater level of acceptance among the other sports that are currently offered in high school.”

It is true that it is a club sport, but fast pitch is a different story. It is considered a PIAA sport in spite of the fact that slow pitch isn’t, for a reason unknown to Pagone. He says it could have something to do with how it used to be in the Summer Olympics, and that it can be played in college, unlike slow pitch.

Despite how it cannot be played in college, there are leagues that allow people of all ages to participate in some softball fun. There are over 21 and even senior leagues that have tournaments that give anyone and everyone opportunities to get involved. Slow pitch can often be found in churches and restaurants too!

As Pagone puts it,“It really is a lifelong activity…”