SISLT HOME OF GIRLS SOFTBALL
“Something happens when girls play sports — they embody the experience not just of winning, but the critical experience of losing. It’s that process of carrying on and clearing hurdles that really builds confidence. It’s an incredibly useful proving ground for business and leadership.”
— Claire Shipman, TV journalist and co-author of The Confidence Code
A Legacy Project for Girls in South Lake Tahoe
Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) has been saving for more than a decade to fund a legacy major project that fulfills our mission to empower women and youth.
Soroptimist Stadium: Home of Girls Softball was created to send a clear message that our girls deserve facilities, equipment, training, and resources that support their success and wellbeing.
SISLT originally allocated $325,000 to renovate the softball field at South Tahoe Middle School to begin bringing the facility closer to parity with the adjacent boys’ baseball field, with the goal of advancing Title IX gender equity for girls’ athletics.
Since the initiation of the project, more than $100,000 of additional funds have been raised for field improvements.
Along with facility improvements, SISLT remains committed to supporting girls through mentorship, encouragement, and long-term community investment.
Thank You to Our Donors
Click here to view our donor recognition page
Why SISLT Chose to Sponsor Softball
- Promotes greater gender equity in youth athletics
- Supports mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Builds confidence, discipline, and resilience
- Teaches teamwork, self-reliance, and leadership
- Encourages perseverance through setbacks
- Fosters strong, supportive female relationships
- Supports healthy lifestyles and physical wellness
- Opens doors to future athletic and academic opportunities
Why Ongoing Support Still Matters
SISLT’s original investment launched this important project, but the full vision has required broader partnership and continued community support. We invite you to be part of the team through sponsorships, contributions, and ongoing encouragement for the girls and women who use this field.
Phase 1: Field Renovations and Major Site Improvements
SISLT began this work in Spring 2020, with improvements continuing over several years as funding, approvals, and partnerships developed.
In Fall 2025, a major milestone was reached with the completion of the new permanent dugouts and the renovated parking lot at Soroptimist Stadium, including a safer parking and drop-off area and newly added ADA parking spaces.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday, November 21, 2025, in partnership with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD).
To secure approval for dugout construction plans from the Division of the State Architect, the project was required to include complete repair of the adjacent parking lot, path-of-travel accessibility improvements, and compliance with current environmental codes. These requirements significantly increased the total cost beyond SISLT’s original budget.
To complete the work, SISLT partnered with LTUSD, which used Measure U funds to help complete the approximately $1 million project, with SISLT contributing approximately 10% of the final cost.
Renovation Upgrades
- Replaced infield soil
- Added outfield sod
- Constructed 2 permanent closed dugouts with storage
- Installed 3 new sets of bleachers with safety backing
- Purchased new electronic scoreboard
- Built warning track and installed outfield fence cap for player safety
- Repaved parking area including a drop-off zone and ADA spaces
- Put in new perimeter fencing to separate field from parking with gated entry
- Added new backstop and purchased new bases and home plate
- Constructed ADA path to overflow parking
- Purchased PA system
- Included erosion control BMP’s and vegetation
Old Bleachers Were Located in the Parking Lot
The original bleacher placement and parking setup created safety concerns for players, families, and visitors. The updated layout has greatly improved safety, circulation, and access around the field.
New Bleachers with Safety Backing
The new bleachers provide a safer and more functional viewing area for families and community members attending games and events.
New Electronic Scoreboard
The old scoreboard had a timer that had to be set before each game.
The new electronic scoreboard provides real-time updates visible from the stands and is highlighted by the new warning track.
Closed Dugouts with Benches and Storage
The new enclosed dugouts with benches and storage represent a major milestone in the long-term vision for Soroptimist Stadium. Their completion reflects the shared commitment of SISLT and its partners to create a safer, more supportive facility for girls and the broader softball community.
Renovated Parking Lot with Drop-Off Zone and ADA Spaces
The parking lot renovation was a critical part of the final project, providing safer vehicle flow, improved accessibility, and a designated drop-off zone for players, students, and families.
Community Impact
Soroptimist Stadium serves a wide range of youth and adult players in our community.
Current users include:
- High Sierra Girls Softball
- South Tahoe High School Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Softball
- South Tahoe National Little League
- South Tahoe Middle School students through PE classes
Together, these youth users account for approximately 1,000 young people. In addition, the field also supports approximately 100 adult women who participate on co-ed and adult league teams.
With improved field conditions and stronger support infrastructure, SISLT is hopeful that USA Girls’ Club Softball will also be able to resume in the future.
We expect this field and its continued improvements to serve well over 1,000 youth and adult players annually, with ongoing potential for growth as the upgraded facility attracts more league participation, tournaments, and community use.
“One of the most awesome things about sports, particularly team sports, is that everything you need to do to be successful on the playing field carries over directly into life. In a team sport you have to learn how to work together, to set goals, and then work towards those goals in a productive way. You learn to be responsible and you learn how to not only depend on others, but also be independent so you can support others.”
— Sheila Cornell-Douty
Sponsor a Banner
Banner sponsorships help fund field improvements, scholarships for local girls, and ongoing softball programming.
Your support helps create opportunities for young women to build confidence, resilience, and leadership—on and off the field.
Future Phases Can Only Be Accomplished With Your Help
Phase 2: Score Booth and Storage Building
A future Phase 2 may include construction of a score booth and equipment storage building. Funding is not currently available for this next step, but it remains an important part of the long-term vision for the facility.
Phase 3: Concession Building, Additional Parking, and Expanded Amenities
A future Phase 3 could include additional improvements such as a shared concession building for softball and baseball, restrooms, programmable field lighting, additional parking, and other shared-use facility enhancements.
Because of the scale and expense of these improvements, Phase 3 would likely require multiple partnerships for planning, funding, and implementation.
Potential partners could include the City of South Lake Tahoe, High Sierra Girls Softball, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, South Lake Babe Ruth Baseball, USA Club Softball, adult softball leagues, and the broader community.
Softball remains a powerful vehicle for helping girls build self-reliance, confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. Investment in this program supports not only physical health, but also personal growth, teamwork, academic opportunity, and future leadership.
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