Since it was founded three years ago, the Cayuga County Babe Ruth Softball League has been growing steadily season after season.

At its inception, the league had just four teams. Today, it has eight, including teams from nearby Port Byron, Weedsport, Cato-Meridian, Moravia, Skaneateles and Oswego.

League president Bill Miller said the league began with a basic mission - find something for young girls to do after Little League.

“There was nothing for these girls,” Miller said.

“After they were 12 or so there really wasn't a league for them to play in. They could go to travel leagues, but there was nothing here for them. So we decided to start this.”

The overall league growth has been reflected at the team level.

The weekend of July 12, the Cato-Meridian team played host to teams from all over the state for the New York State Babe Ruth Softball Tournament.

Last season the team finished with a strong finish - third overall.

But this time around it was time to make a move up the ranks.

Going six innings before a heavy rain storm set in, Cato-Meridian lost 3-2 in the title game to Jamestown, the defending state champion. The final score was made even more impressive by the fact that Cato-Meridian lost to Jamestown 11-1 earlier in the tournament.

For Miller and the Cato-Meridian team, the event was a success on more than one level.

“This is the first time we've hosted this,” Miller said. “I think everyone had a really good time and really enjoyed the whole experience. I think all the girls were still excited about it by the time our next game rolled around the following Tuesday.”

Miller serves as an assistant coach on the team along with Rick Marriam and head coach, Scott Terpening.

Terpening has a long history with many of the 13 girls that comprise this season's team.

“I've been coaching most of them since T-Ball,” Terpening said. “I've known most of them since they were young kids. As soon as I heard they were going to be doing this league I knew that this was something I wanted to be part of.”

In those years, Terpening has seen the strength and determination that is evident when the Cato-Meridian squad hits the field.

“They are very dedicated players,” Terpening said. “A lot of them go to camps and play and practice year-round. They are very dedicated players and very good athletes. Most of them play three sports, but have a real focus on softball.”

And that focus has paid off.

Terpening said that when the team first joined the league, it struggled through its first few seasons.

But not this year.

“The first two years I don't think we won a game,” Terpening said. “Now this year I think we've only lost one game all season. We have made a lot of really good progress.”

The league is designed for all ages, ranging from 12 to 16, and it gives players the opportunity to develop and hone their skills as well as prepare for JV and varsity softball in high school.

“The focus is on having fun,” Miller said. “It is competitive, but we try to focus on having fun and teaching the girls the game and letting them know that winning isn't everything.”

The team took this ethos with them into the tournament.

And while the Cato-Meridian team finished in second place, it was still a triumphant accomplishment.

“I think if we hadn't been rained out we could've come back,” said Chelsea Townsend, 14, the team's first baseman. “We were all playing really well and I think we could've done it. But we're all still happy we played so well and got second place.”

Veteran player Chelsea Terpening, 15, hopes the experience with Jamestown will continue to serve as motivation.

“I hope the younger girls see what we've done,” Chelsea said. “I hope it inspires them to keep playing and I think there is a lot of potential on this team and if we keep it up and keep the younger players developing, I think we can do really well in the future.”

Julia Pratt leads the team in batting average (.636) and pitched all five games in the state tournament. She tossed a no-hitter against Camillus and has an ERA of 1.11.

The squad's other pitcher, Phoebe Shelton, broke her ankle sliding into home plate earlier in the season.

Jordan Keysor is batting .500 and Townsend has a .364 average.

The accomplishments and the team's attitude have given Scott Terpening hope for a bright future.

“Hopefully they keep this going,” Scott Terpening said. “There is a lot of talent on this team. The younger players are coming along well and the older girls are very good players. I think we can keep progressing and keep growing and have really strong teams down the road.”

Cato-Meridian and other Cayuga County Softball League teams will be competing today in the league tournament at CIMARF Field in Cato.

The tournament will conclude tomorrow.