It is the mission of the Northridge Girls’ Softball Association, (NGSA) to provide a safe, nurturing, organized, and instructive environment for girls to enjoy and learn the game of softball and sportsmanship in general. The above statement explicitly and implicitly addresses a number of important issues. First, the safety of every young person is most important to the success of NGSA. While the game of softball has inherent dangers, we will try to minimize those dangers whenever possible. We will also try to encourage policies that protect young people from non-softball related dangers. Second, every young person will be nurtured equally, regardless of natural talent. This nurturing implies both physical and emotional growth. Third, we will provide the best softball instruction that our volunteers are capable of providing. Fourth, since the game of softball is played for fun that will be our primary objective. Teamwork, fair play, empathy, and good sportsmanship will also be overriding objectives. Developing a competitive spirit, determination, and the desire to win are important objectives and will be developed, but not to the detriment of the nurturing of any individual player. NGSA recognizes that all children develop at different ages. We encourage positive parental involvement, teach children to respect all other individuals, and teach that rewards come from hard work, not necessarily just from accomplishment. NGSA programs are a place to learn and play the sport of softball regardless of the skill level of the individual players.