YUCAIPA – I read today that the Midland Explorers men’s fastpitch softball team will field a Junior Explorers age 21-Under team for 2012.

From the news release, I gathered the purpose two fold: to have a host team for the Under-21 young men’s tournament that will be a part of the 2012 ISC World Tournament in Midland, and as an effort to help revive a sport that has been in rapid decline since the mid-1990s.

I commend Dave Lach for undertaking the effort as the manager of the Junior Explorers. Persuading boys’, and young men – high school and college ages – to join the fastpitch game during their baseball playing days, or after their hardball careers are over, has been a daunting task.

Many well-intentioned coaches and sponsors have undertaken the tremendous task of starting boys’ and young men’s teams. Some have found success. But many more have failed. Finding the recruiting, training pitchers and players, too difficult and time-consuming a task. Ultimately conceding the sport to the female side in which fastpitch has flourished.