Welcome to the Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association Website!!

We are a family oriented volunteer organization that provides a fun environment, quality facilities, expert instruction, and the highest level of coaching to ensure every child has an enjoyable learning experience with the opportunity to reach their full potential.   We realize that the success of any organization requires various leaders at all levels. We certainly could not operate or be successful without the endless commitment of all administrators, coaches, volunteers, and you, the valued members of the organization.

We hope this website will provide useful and valuable info for all MARA sports. We provide current key contacts, schedules and tournaments for the upcoming or current seasons. Please be sure to visit regularly to get the latest updates.  Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association is an equal opportunity organization. We also offer sponsorship for disadvantaged children.

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8U Challenge Softball - MARA Mustangs

Parents, MARA is excited to offer a new opportunity for girls softball - MARA Mustangs an elevated level of play.  MARA Mustangs will be a new challenge softball team open to girls ages 7 and 8 as of January 1, 2010.

Girls are required to play regular season rec softball at MARA.  This team is in addition to regular season play.

Tryouts:
Tryouts will be Saturday, Jan 23rd 2-4 at MARA Softball field #4 at Arthur Goodman (MARA).  Girls will be assessed on the basic softball skills: throwing, catching and hitting.  A make up tryout date will be held on the 27th at 5:30 same location, should we have girls who can not quite make tryouts on the 23rd.

Tournaments:
The team will participate in 3 pre-season tournaments as noted below.  Additional tournaments may be added into the regular season, depending on the girls regular season game scheduling.

Umpire Training Day
Feb 27th, Concord, Rocky River

World Series "NIT"
March 6th & 7th, Concord, Rocky River

Spring National NIT
March 20th & 21, Concord, Rocky River

Tournaments typically will be held in Concord and may involve more than one game on both Saturdays and Sundays.  Additional travel costs (gas, meals, entrance fees to tournaments ($5) etc.) are not included in the team fee.

Parctices:
Practices will be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at MARA until regular season starts.  Once regular season starts it will move to one day a week practice.

Fee:
Team fee is estimated at $130, with additional tournaments during the season costing a little extra.  The cost includes:

Skills clinic with Winthrop University Softball Coaches.  Team shirt, Team Hoodie , & Visor.  Three tournament entry fees.  Interested girls should plan on being at tryouts on the 23rd.  A parents & answer and question meeting will be held during the tryout to answer all of your questions.  Team roster will be announced on the MARA web site shortly after tryouts.  If you will be attending tryouts or for more information or questions, please contact Sherri Silvia at