Almost 200 softball players will fill the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex on Saturday as Valley Isle Softball Little League hosts its season-opening ceremony.

The new league was founded to build confidence and skills while teaching the fundamentals of softball in a fun, supportive environment. The opening ceremony will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at field 4, featuring a parade of 17 teams, an all-female color guard and more.

Top home run hitter, former Oklahoma Sooner and current Athletes Unlimited Softball League player Jocelyn Alo will serve as a special guest and kick off the day by throwing out the first pitch.

Residents are being encouraged to take part in the event showcasing Maui’s young softball players.

“We provide a very organized, supportive environment where all skill levels are welcomed,” said Keri Paison-Salas, coach of the Blaze junior team. “This will hopefully get girls motivated and inclined to try the sport. Softball has dwindled here, and we need to do everything we can to increase the number of girls participating.”

Michelle LaRose, head coach of the Blaze Player Pitch team, said the league is focused on making new connections.

“It gives girls the chance to play with athletes from all over the island, allowing them to learn from each other and improve together,” LaRose said. “We also focus on reaching girls who are brand new to the sport, giving them the foundational skills and confidence they need to eventually move into competitive play.”

In early 2025, a group of passionate individuals, including former players, had a vision to grow the sport of softball on the island. They joined together to create an official chartered little league and partnered with the Maui Girls Softball Association.

“We noticed that softball had significantly declined over the years, especially after COVID, and some of us in the community were trying to figure out different ways to give opportunities for girls on the island,” said Stacy McGuire, president of Valley Isle Softball Little League. “We felt like the baseball little league is such a strong organization being widely known, that we felt it was in everyone’s best interest as a great organization to be a part of — that is why we decided to build our league under them.”

The new league brings hope to Marla Cockett, coach of the Volts Major team, for the future of softball on Maui, as well as for her players in becoming great athletes and individuals.

“I hope that this league will open the eyes of the girls on Maui and show them that softball is coming back,” Cockett said. “Maui baseball has grown and made a name for itself on a national level, now it’s time for the girls to do the same. We have so many talented athletes here, but for a long time there weren’t any local leagues for them to play in. Valley Isle Softball Little League was created to keep our talented girls home, build from the bottom up and give them the opportunity to grow without the need to travel off island.”

The league features 17 teams with age groups ranging from 4 to 6 years old up to 13 to 14 years old. For more information, go to leagues.bluesombrero.com/valleyislesoftball or follow the league at @ValleyIsleSBLL on Instagram and the “Valley Isle Softball Little League” onFacebook.

“We want to be able to provide opportunities for the girls that come with being on a team, sportsmanship and having fun like we did back in the day,” McGuire said. “That is our mission — to grow a love for the game of softball here on Maui.”

Valley Isle Softball Little League Board members

Brandon Arakawa – Member at Large

Brenna Nakamura – Information Officer

Chanel Galam – Advertising Manager

Hoku Laloulu – Coaching Coordinator

Jandy Gaoiran – Treasurer

Kapono Thibodeaux – Umpire-in-Chief

Keri Salas – Safety Officer

Mallory Josh – Sponsorship Manager

Marla Cockett – Player Agent

Maydoria Malaikini – Vice President

Michelle LaRose – Secretary

Rayna Allosada-Singson – Equipment Manager

Stacy McGuire – President