ROYAL CITY - The Royal Knights fastpitch program has been progressing the last two years and is committed to taking its game to the next level.

That means raising funds to pay for camps, clinics and other off-season training. Team members are raising money now through the sale of holiday gift packs of oranges or grapefruits or oranges and grapefruits.

The Knights' goal for the 2014 season was to earn a trip to the district tournament. They achieved that goal, and that fueled their desire to take their game to the next level and go to state in 2015.

"The team realizes that to compete against teams with girls who play the game year around, they need to bump up their off-season training," coach Heather Verhey said.

Part of that effort includes attending costly camps and clinics. The athletes are taking responsibility for these expenses by raising their own money.

The money raised at their Softball Prom last spring sent 11 players to CWU fastpitch camp during the summer and funded a fall clinic hosted by Next Level Fastpitch, which is the Royal fastpitch team's club.

The club brought in a pitching instructor who worked with 16 athletes from 4th through 12th grade. A number of community volunteers ran an afternoon clinic that focused on defense, base running and hitting. Plans for another clinic are in the works for February.

"We are really determined this year, and we are excited to get additional training in," pitcher Ashley Valle said.

The team's current fund raising effort is the sale of 20-pound boxes of California oranges and Texas grapefruits for $30. The ladies are taking orders through Dec. 1, and the fruit will be delivered and available for pick up at Verhey's Peaches on Road 10 SW on Dec. 11. Arrangements can also be made for delivery to homes and businesses.

"The team is happy to offer a healthy, delicious product for sale in their community at a time when people are looking for Christmas gift items and end of the year employee gifts," Verhey said.

A 25 percent discount is available for bulk orders in increments of 10. The girls are also offering 1/2 & 1/2 boxes (half oranges, half grapefruit).

You may place an order with any softball player or at deana.freeman@chsinc.com 509-346-8262. She can also direct you to a softball player.