History

The Memorial Ashford Girls Softball Association (MAGSA) began in the late 1960s when the Memorial Ashford Youth Association (MAYA) began. At its origin, the association served boys and girls and offered a multi-sport offering that included football, basketball, baseball, and softball. However, with plans to build Ray K. Daily Elementary School, the association had to reduce its offerings to baseball and softball.

The baseball side of the operations, which was bigger than the girls, focused on boys' baseball at the time. Because of that focus, the girl's side of the operations (softball) did not receive as much funding, board representation, and facility upkeep as the boy's.

The baseball side of the operations decided to become part of the Little League Baseball Association. Because of this, the boys' league had to follow the guidelines established by the Little League Baseball Association. This action brought further division between the boys' and girls' sides of the operations because softball is, in fact, a different game than baseball.

Around 1999, board members of MAYA and parents who had children in the league decided that it was time to form an independent league that could operate separately from the baseball offering. A 501 (c)(3) was filed around 2000, and the Memorial Ashford Girls Softball Association became officially established. MAGSA is a member of the USA Softball Association (Formerly American Softball Association).

Because this split brought the opportunity to be independent and not subject to the rules and regulations of Little League baseball, MAGSA decided that the team's names would align with the teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), characterized in the film "A League of Their Own"  released in 1992. Currently, the names of the teams in the T-ball (six and under) and softball divisions (8 and Under, ten and Under, and 13 and Under) are the Belles, Blue Sox, Comets, Lassies, Peaches, and the Sallies. 

Purpose

MAGSA strives to provide young girls in our community with a fun and competitive environment where they can learn to play softball, make friends, and participate in an activity that teaches sportsmanship, teamwork, and responsibility.

We are located in the Energy Corridor behind Ray K. Daily Elementary School. MAGSA is one of the few remaining softball leagues that operates inside a community instead of in a Harris County or City of Houston Park. In addition, MAGSA operates solely on the dedication of parents and volunteers and relies on the financial support of personal and corporate sponsorships to maintain and run the league. It receives o support from the City of Houston, Harris County, or HISD.

MAGSA hopes to continue building its organization and invites girls of all skill levels to consider joining the league. Regardless of athletic ability, experience, or skill level, every girl who registers will play on a team.