Spring is here, and Petra Wohlers says there is no better time to get Tauranga youngsters involved in softball.

Petra is the Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association junior softball co-ordinator, and has been involved with the sport for two years since her son Arnold Rueben started playing.

Arnold Rueben, 11, loves playing softball. Photo: Supplied.

Arnold is an 11-year-old from Matua Primary School who loves playing softball and is looking forward to this year's season.

According to Petra, softball is a great sport for youngsters, and she's encouraging parents to get their children involved.

'Softball gives you a variety of skills,” she says. 'You can run, you can play with the ball, you have to catch the ball, you have to throw the ball – it's what kids like to do. It feeds all the requirements for kids.”

On September 12, the Association will hold a Summer, Sun and Softball event at Carlton St Reserve on Ngatai Rd, Otumoetai. The event will have T-Ball and softball for youngsters, ranging from primary school level through to secondary school.

Petra says it's about getting children involved, and no experience is needed.

'We even supply the softball gear,” she adds.

The event is a prelude to the season, which gets underway on October 17. There are four grades in the competition. T-Ball for Year 1 to Year 3, softball for primary schools Years 4 to 6, intermediate grade and secondary school grade.

'We start with the kids from primary schools,” says Petra. 'They play T-ball, which is a very simple game of softball.

'There is no pitcher, they have the tee and you put the ball on top. Then you hit the ball and you run.”

Petra says there are about six teams per age group and is hopeful they will have more teams this year.

'Because more schools are interested in getting a T-ball team now into the competition,” she explains.

Softball has seen a surge in interest in the last couple of years, says Petra.

'It's getting more and more popular. If people play the sport they tend to stick with it.

'There are a lot of family clubs around the region, and some have been playing for 20-odd years.”

For more information on how to register for softball or about the Summer, Sun and Softball Day, contact Petra on: 021 220 8345 or click here.