Panther Valley School Board heard from a young softball player ahead of its decision Wednesday to approve junior high softball as a sport.

Head softball coach Tara Yuricheck read a letter from Paige Goida, who was unable to attend.

Goida related how her teammates gave her the confidence to overcome her fear as a youngster stepping into the batters’ box for the first time and taking a swing.

“This is what junior high softball can do for Panther Valley,” she wrote. “Give girls the confidence to step out of their comfort zone and try something new, like I was standing there with my friends and teammates.”

Goida said the board might be concerned about cost, but some girls may play because there is no registration fee.

Goida also got the OK from the Anthracite Little League board members to use their facilities at no charge, she said.

“Equipment can be passed down, as well as uniforms,” she wrote. “Also with the junior high working with the high school, we can fund raise as one, and also build a foundation for Panther Valley softball for years to come.”

The board approved a junior high softball program with a $600 equipment budget and coach.

Athletic director Kristin Black said there were nine schools in the Schuylkill League last year.

“We’re going to be the 10th team,” she said before the meeting. “The next closest is Weatherly.”

This week, Tamaqua Area School Board heard a pitch for a junior high softball program, and will consider approving a team at its meeting in August.

“We’re excited to start the junior high girls program,” Superintendent David McAndrew Jr. said after the meeting. “We have a good group coming up that has been working really hard and our numbers have grown.

“It’s one more sport that our seventh and eighth grade students can participate in,” he said, adding that schools with consistently winning teams have junior high feeder programs.

Board President Daniel Matika asked Yuricheck about her catcher this year, who was chosen first team All-State and is also her daughter, Mikayla.

Yuricheck said it was a huge honor for softball, considering she has another year to play.

“We have a lot of personal accolades for Panther Valley this year,” Matika said.