A girls softball team comprised of athletes from all parts of Whidbey Island is expanding.

The Island Vipers, which last season played a 14-and-under team, is adding a 16-and-under team when their new season starts in September.

“Our philosophy is family and school,” said Jodi Strevel, a parent of Kennedy, who pitches and plays outfield for the Vipers. “We really wanted to bring the North End and South End together.”

The team is coached by Grant VanDyke, Aaron Lucero and Mason Strevel; the teams will travel to tournaments throughout Washington.

The Vipers held tryouts in July where about 40 girls showed up and 12 girls on each team were chosen.

Kennedy started playing T-ball when she was 5 and then softball.

“I like doing exercise and having fun with my friends and playing the game,” said Kennedy, who is 13 years old and going into the eighth grade at South Whidbey Middle School.

Kennedy Strevel said the team did really well last season. “We won a few tournaments, and we had a really good bond throughout the season.”

The bond was developed through hanging out together outside of softball, seeing teammates together in school, practice and enjoying a team barbecue.

She added that participating in the Vipers leaves her time to compete in track and field in the spring at South Whidbey Middle School. She competes in the high jump, long jump, relays and 100-meters.

The Vipers generally practice at the ball fields at Rhododendron Park and, during the winter, South Whidbey Primary School, Jodi Strevel explained.

The program provides a supportive environment based on character development, ethical conduct, teamwork, and adaptability, and “make kids shine through sports,” Strevel said. The team also leaves time for the athletes to be active in school too.

Team members decided on the name of the team, Strevel said. The team wanted to have a powerful name. They also like Pit Viper sunglasses.

With the new team, there will be new faces on the Vipers when the season begins.

“We’re getting a few new players and I’m helping them get to know the team more,” Kennedy Strevel said.

While the season hasn’t started yet, people involved with the Vipers are busy raising money and finding tournaments in which to compete. Jodi Strevel said the fundraising covered about 80% of the costs and the team wants to participate in tournaments every other month.

For information about the Island Vipers and how to donate to the team, go to islandvipers.com.

A player for the Island Vipers slides into a base during a recent tournament. The Island Vipers are based on Whidbey and are fielding two teams for the season that starts in September. (Photo courtesy of Jodi Strevel)