By ALEX SPONSELLER The CLCF/CWLL youth softball league finished its summer season last week and is already getting prepared to hold a fall league.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, CLCF/CWLL has been able to have a fun, successful summer of softball while still abiding the state guidelines regarding the virus. The league had 180 players sign up for the summer and as of last week had 90 already committed to the fall season. They also restarted the Bombers travel team, which was put on hold.

“There were absolutely (growing pains), but a lot of it was working with and sympathizing with parents. We just always reminded them that this is for the kids and if we broke any rules it would ultimately be a detriment to the kids. Everything is for the kids. Parents were happy, we got many emails from parents thanking us and the atmosphere around here has been relaxed and caring,” said Caroline Crudale, who runs the league’s recreational program. “We really want to show the parents that we are dedicated to their kids and want to keep them as safe as possible.”

League representative Joe Tortolano felt that part of the success stemmed from its ability to offer a sport that has established guidelines, and expects the numbers to remain steady for fall.

“It’s a product that the kids truly enjoy and really like, we hope to see these kids come back (for fall). When you also look at other sports like lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading, many of those sports do not yet have a guideline, so we’re giving these kids a place to be and enjoy sports,” said Tortolano.

Tortolano also believes that providing families with a sense of normalcy has attracted them to the sport and getting involved.

“One thing is that win or lose, you very rarely see one of these kids not smiling. Sometimes you need to remind them of the intricacies here and there, keep their masks on, social distancing, but these kids are all excited to be here,” said Tortolano. “It’s one of the few things that is normal at this point, it gives these kids a sense of normalcy. They can just be kids for an hour and a half. We encourage anyone to help, anyone that wants to make a better environment for these kids and Cranston.”

Tortolano and Crudale hope to see families continue to support the league and local youth sports and are planning on offering other fun activities and events moving forward. The league’s focus will also be on safety … for players who register for the fall season, they will receive a free mask that includes the league and team logo. The fall teams will also have the same rosters as summer in order to keep players in stable groups. Other precautions will continue to be taken throughout the duration of fall as well, which is set to begin next week and run until mid October.

“It helped us as a board instill trust with the parents. Not only did the pandemic hurt everyone in some way, I think it also helped us here. It brought trust back in Cranston, it made girls want to give softball a try and hopefully fall in love with it, It gave us an opportunity to show the parents that we are here for their kids,” said Crudale. “We really took this as an opportunity that all nine members of the board and the coaches are here to make their kids happy.”