Just saw the latest Aspen Institute youth sports participation figures (https://projectplay.org/news/youth-sports-participation-report-tennis-golf-see-biggest-gains-in-2025).

- Girls’ sports participation rose from 33% in 2019 to 38% in 2025 — the highest level since at least 2012.

- Softball participation amongst 13-17 year olds was down 15% over the past 6 years.

- Softball participation amongst 6-12 year olds was down 21% over the past 6 years.

Yet, at the same time: “The 2026 college softball regular season was one for the books as ESPN scored its most-consumed season on record with more than 2 billion minutes of game coverage consumed across its networks. Additionally, the season averaged 292,000 viewers, becoming ESPN’s most-watched college softball regular season since 2009. The season finished up 78% compared to the 2025 regular season.” (Source: ESPN)

Why are we starving the sport from the roots?!