VIDALIA — Most high school and college softball programs around the country specialize in fast pitch.

However, many softball players in Mississippi are still playing slow pitch, which means they might be behind if they want to continue to participate in the sport as they get older.

It is that reason that Concordia Parish District 3 Recreation Director Mike Bowlin has started a fast pitch softball league in Vidalia.

The league will have its second season this summer and Bowlin said he is in need of having more girls sign up for the league.

“Last year we had about 120 kids participate and about half of them were from Natchez,” Bowlin said. “We have about 75 kids signed up now and would like to have about 35 to 40 more.”

There are three different age groups in the league, 8 and under, 11 and under, and 12 and over.

Bowlin said he hopes to have four teams per age group.

Bowlin said his main motivation for starting the league last year was to develop fast pitch softball players, especially pitchers.

“We’re trying to get fast pitch started,” he said. “We’re behind when it comes to fast pitch. If you want to play any kind of high school or college softball, it has to be fast pitch. Mississippi is about the only state left that still has (high school) slow pitch softball.”

Signups are at Hometown Sports in Vidalia and will last through next week.

The season will start of June 30 and run through the end of July with two games per week.

For more information about the league, contact Bowlin at 601-431-9783.