Lacrosse

The Vashon Lacrosse Club is gearing up for its 24th season with five competitive teams, including the (grades) 3/4 boys’ team, coached by Scott Rice, making its competitive debut. Additional youth competitive teams include 5/6 boys coached by Eric Hecht and 7/8 boys coached by Mark Paridon.

The Valkyries, the high school girls’ team coached by Larry Dubois, will return to JV competition this year with a predominantly senior team.

The Vultures, the high school boys’ team coached by Daniel Macca, will return to Div. II competition, anxious to regain the momentum of last season and their hard-won trip to the state semifinals.

The club is also offering a grades 3/4/5 girls’ lacrosse fundamentals program coached by Karen Stendahl and an option for 6/7/8 girls to practice with the high school Valkyries, an opportunity to be mentored by some experienced lacrosse athletes.

Registration is open now for a limited time. Visit team home pages for more information or to register: vashonlacrosse.net.

— Laura Neuman

Baseball and softball

Registration for Vashon Youth Baseball and Softball (VYBS) programs will be open for a limited time, Feb. 16 to March 16.

All registrations must be done online at korrio.com.  Limited scholarship assistance will be available. VYBS serves island youth ages 4 to 14.

T-ball is a co-ed program for children ages 4 to 6.  The Pinto League features machine-pitch baseball for girls and boys ages 7 and 8.

Mustang and Bronco levels practice on island and split their time playing in West Seattle on weekday evenings and on Vashon most Saturdays.

The oldest age groups, Pony and girls U-14, play an extensive off-island schedule, also with home Saturday games. For girls, VYBS offers fast pitch teams (starting at age 8) that compete in the West Seattle League with Saturday games on Vashon.

VYBS is currently taking applications for coaching positions at the T-ball and Pinto level. Contact Jennifer Bonaventura at jenbonaventura@gmail.com or vashonyouthbaseball@gmail.com for more information.

Teams will be drafted March 18, with practices beginning shortly after, and games will begin in mid-April. This year’s annual Opening Day extravaganza will be Saturday, April 25.

Scott Hitchcock, president of VYBS, is pleased to report that the new indoor baseball facility located in the old Mukai fruit barreling plant is now up and running, and the group is working on fundraising to meet its half of a generous matching donation to complete the project.

On the high school front, baseball coach Steve Hall is itching to get his team onto the field. The players have spent a lot of time working out during the off-season so when they take the field they will be ready to go on day one. A player to watch is senior Josh Hruska-Myer, who looks to be the dominant pitching force in the Nisqually League this year.

Head softball coach Jackie Merrill is going into her fourth season and will be building on the success the team had last year. A large group of experienced juniors and sophomores is positioned to get the team back to the playoffs this year.

— Cheryl Pruett