RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – A sea of excited young athletes, proud parents and community leaders filled the Mills Middle School Softball Complex on Saturday, March 22, as Cordova Girls Softball League (CGSL) celebrated its 60th anniversary season with a spirited opening day ceremony.

The event began with a player parade, where nearly 300 girls from 26 teams took to the fields in full uniform, proudly carrying team banners and high-fiving local leaders. The energy continued as Mayor Siri Pulipati and Rancho Cordova City Council members joined league officials, families and longtime supporters for a ceremony reflecting on six decades of empowering young female athletes in Rancho Cordova.

“This league is about so much more than softball; it’s about teamwork, confidence and lifelong friendships,” said Rod Borba, Cordova Girls Softball League President. “Seeing these girls out here today, playing on first-class fields made possible by this community, shows just how far we’ve come.”

The celebration took place at the Mills Middle School Softball Complex, a 15-acre regional facility featuring seven new fields, spectator seating, a snack bar and a community plaza. The complex was made possible through a unique partnership between the City of Rancho Cordova, Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) and Cordova Girls Softball League. The city contributed $3 million from its Community Enhancement & Investment Fund (CEIF) to ensure that Rancho Cordova’s young athletes have top-tier facilities to develop their skills.

“This project reflects what’s possible when a community comes together to support its youth,” said Pulipati, who later took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season. “We’re not just celebrating a league today; we’re celebrating a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of young athletes.”

After the ceremony, the excitement carried into the afternoon as Cordova Girls Softball League teams took to the field for opening day games. Parents, coaches and fans filled the stands, cheering as players showcased their talent on the state-of-the-art fields that have become a regional hub for girls’ softball.

As Cordova Girls Softball League embarks on its milestone season, Rancho Cordova continues to lead the way in supporting youth sports and ensuring that opportunities for female athletes remain a priority. With a renewed commitment from the city and a new complex to call home, the future of girls’ softball in Rancho Cordova looks brighter than ever.