American Legion Lady Fastpitch Softball League comes to Idaho
(Photo courtesy of Bill Anthony) Ken Oler (left) has been named the state director for the first sanctioned American Legion Lady Fastpitch Softball League in Idaho. The league will start in 2020 and KC MacDonald (right) will take over Oler’s position as the North Idaho Lakers general manager.
American Legion Baseball has been a premier summer sport for youth around the country for more than 90 years. Now, for the first time in the program’s history a sanctioned American Legion Lady Fastpitch Softball League will take roots in Idaho in 2020, according to a press release.
This past September, Idaho joined North Carolina as the first two states in the country to receive approval from the Americanism Commission and National Executive Boards to formally establish American Legion ladies fastpitch programs.
After more than a year of lobbying for the program and getting national approval, the state of Idaho nominated Ken Oler, North Idaho Lakers head coach and general manager, to become the state director of the fastpitch softball league and the Area A District 2 director for men’s baseball.
“A year and half in the works, reaching this milestone in order to create additional opportunities for our young ladies to compete after the high school season and outside of travel ball is historic,” Oler said in a press release.
KC MacDonald will replace Oler as the new NI Lakers general manager for the boys baseball program. MacDonald brings over 15 years of coaching and leadership experience to the program across multiple sports including basketball, football, soccer, golf and baseball.
“Anyone that has spent any time around [MacDonald] knows, as both an educator and mentor, his dedication to our kids and their growth is unsurpassed,” Oler said in the release. “Mac has done an outstanding job as a head coach for the Lakers for five seasons now and running the last two American Legion 19U District tournaments for us. Mac understands the challenges summer programs like ours face, exercises sound judgment and for him it is all about the kids. I am confident that the program will continue to grow and thrive under Big Mac’s leadership.”
Oler’s vision for a lady fastpitch league started a couple of years ago when youth softball players, many of whom had brothers that Oler was coaching in baseball, started asking him when he was going to add a softball team to the NI Lakers program.
“My initial thoughts were why not? This could be a really great way for our girls to come together, represent their areas and play against other talented, competitive teams from other counties,” Oler said in the release. “Ultimately, we want to afford ladies fastpitch the same opportunities as the men’s league to compete in a state championship and even a World Series.”
Oler will remain on the Lakers Board of Directors and take a year off from coaching while focusing on the growth of the fastpitch league. More information regarding the 2020 juniors and seniors lady fastpitch season will be announced over the coming weeks.
For answers to questions and/or additional information please contact Ken Oler at northidahodawgs@gmail.com and visit North Idaho Post 15 American Legion Baseball on Facebook.
“When I first started some 18 seasons ago, thanks MoJo, all I have ever really wanted to do is coach baseball,” Oler said. “However, sometimes life takes you in different directions and receiving these nominations has been a humbling experience. I am honored for the opportunity and ready for the challenges of getting ladies fastpitch off the ground in the Northwest while representing North Idaho’s men’s league at the state level.”