GALS HISTORY
Caldwell Girls’ Athletic League Softball, Inc. (GALS) is a non-profit organization created in 1983 to develop a summer softball program for Caldwell’s female youth. The purpose of GALS is to encourage the development of citizenship, friendship, sportsmanship, and leadership in the community through organized, safely equipped, and properly coached softball activities for female youth. GALS began as a cooperative effort between concerned parents and the Caldwell Parks and Recreation Department. Initially, the City of Caldwell subsidized the program financially and provided facilities for GALS use. GALS began play in 1983 with six teams under a slow-pitch format. In 1998, the format was changed to a fast-pitch game under Amateur Softball Association rules to keep pace with the changes in the game that were occurring across the country. In 2002, Parma Softball joined with GALS, bringing the total teams to 19. News about the league spread and we have been growing ever since. Since 2011 to the present day, GALS has had on average, seventy (70) Idaho and eastern Oregon fast pitch teams per year participate in the GALS summer league under Idahosoftball.com rules of play.
Over the past few years with more competition, the GALS Board, coaches, umpires, and parents have noticed significant improvement in softball skills at all age levels, great teamwork developing, friendships developing between girls from different cities, and better sportsmanship throughout the league.
GALS has been a self-sufficient program for over 20 years.
BOARD OFFICERS
AL MENDIOLA / PRESIDENT
MELISSA DIBBEN / viCe-president
MELISSA DIBBEN / viCe-president
Al is the head coach of the College of Idaho Softball team. He is involved in so many things at the college that he stays plenty busy. But in his small amount of down time you can find him grilling for 8U in April and chatting with the parents, encouraging the up and coming stars.
MELISSA DIBBEN / viCe-president
MELISSA DIBBEN / viCe-president
MELISSA DIBBEN / viCe-president
Melissa has been on the GALS board for 3 years. She is a wife, mom of 2 girls, and works as a Home Loan Processor. Her favorite place to be is in McCall, but with both girls playing softball, you’ll find her at the a ball field most days. On her free time, she enjoys bowling, painting, and photography.
JANET EMERY / TREASURER
MELISSA DIBBEN / viCe-president
JANET EMERY / TREASURER
Janet is retired from a career in Workforce Development and Human Performance Improvement. She played fastpitch softball with the Idaho College Women's Sports Association and Boise women's club teams. She has coached softball teams in Kuna, Nampa, and Caldwell. In her spare time, she enjoys photographing wildlife and playing guitar.
LISA FLETCHER / SECRETARY
LISA FLETCHER / SECRETARY
LISA FLETCHER / SECRETARY
ERIK RANGEL
LISA FLETCHER / SECRETARY
LISA FLETCHER / SECRETARY
MEMBER AT LARGE
Eric has been a part of the GALS board for 7 years. Not only does he umpire softball games, but he has also officiated basketball and volleyball for 18 years! On Eric’s spare time you can catch him on the golf course.
Larry Taylor
LISA FLETCHER / SECRETARY
Larry Taylor
MEMBER AT LARGE
Larry has over 40 years of coaching softball, volleyball and basketball, for high school teams and recreational teams.
KATINA DRAMAITINOS
KATINA DRAMAITINOS
KATINA DRAMAITINOS
MEMBER AT LARGE
Katina is new to the GALS board and has a daughter in softball. Kat quickly saw the positive impact softball has had on both her daughter and herself and is excited to give back to the softball community.
JOE DIBBBEN
KATINA DRAMAITINOS
KATINA DRAMAITINOS
MEMBER AT LARGE
Joe is a 3 year GALS board member. He fills his time being a dad, a husband, a full time CDL driver, and coaching both high school and club ball. You won’t find Joe sitting at the games, he is either in a dugout or on the dirt. Coaching his daughters has been his favorite part of being a dad.
bill fletcher
KATINA DRAMAITINOS
bill fletcher
MEMBER AT LARGE
Bill works as a construction superintendant and has over 25 years of coaching and umpiring experience. He uses his skill and positive style to bring out the best in athletes. His motto is, “Giving back to our community is what we should all strive to do”. Outside of softball Coach Bill spends time outdoors with his wife, ch
MEMBER AT LARGE
Bill works as a construction superintendant and has over 25 years of coaching and umpiring experience. He uses his skill and positive style to bring out the best in athletes. His motto is, “Giving back to our community is what we should all strive to do”. Outside of softball Coach Bill spends time outdoors with his wife, children, and eight grandchildren, and indulging in the restoration of vintage cars.
MELISSA RIEKE
MELISSA RIEKE
MELISSA RIEKE
LIAISON
Melissa is a proud mom of five kids who have all been in sports. Softball became more than a game where she found family, great partnerships, and a community she loves to give back to. When she's not on the field, her family can be found in the great outdoors, hot springs, and camping & traveling.
JESUS DURAN
MELISSA RIEKE
MELISSA RIEKE
LIAISON
Jesus has lived in Idaho for nearly 40 years and never imagined he'd become a softball dad. Now he wouldn’t trade it for the world. He works in the construction industry and enjoys camping, traveling. When not at the ballpark he can usually be found at the dog park.
DON ATKINSON
DON ATKINSON
DON ATKINSON
LIAISON
Don is a founding member of the GALS board from 1983. He coached for many years and now supports the board and the City of Caldwell in keeping Girls Softball alive and well in the valley.
GABY BAILEY
DON ATKINSON
DON ATKINSON
LIAISON
Gaby has been assistant coaching softball going on 3 years. She has 2 daughters and works as a full-time Senior Project Coordinator for an architecture firm. When not working, she can be found practicing and coaching her girls. She loves working with her community and showing her players the value of hard work, perseverance, and self confidence.