What began in 2015 with just six young athletes and a passion for the game has grown into one of the region’s most dynamic and fastest-growing fall sports programs. Today, the Lebo Softball Club fields more than 100 players across nine teams, serving athletes from 8U through high school varsity.
Leo Orelli founded LSC when his daughter Lexi and her teammates wanted to play slow-pitch softball at a more competitive level than what the Mt. Lebanon Girls Softball Association recreational league offered. LSC joined the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Softball League, a regional fall-based travel league for junior high and high school athletes known for its fast-paced style and constant action. At the time, the WPISL consisted of 17 districts with 43 teams.
“Playing in WPISL really opened my eyes to what other districts are doing. I saw so many young athletes out there on the field competing, having fun and being part of a team and knew there was a real opportunity to grow travel slow-pitch softball here in Lebo,” Orelli said.
Team by team, LSC continued to grow. A major turning point came in 2022, when the LSC high school program earned official high school athletic club status. This recognition elevated the varsity experience and granted athletes eligibility to earn a varsity letter, a dedicated high school yearbook spread and inclusion in the fall sports recognition night alongside all varsity athletes. This validation from the school community marked a key milestone for the club and its mission to elevate slow-pitch softball.
As the program enters its 12th season, it is clear that LSC does not just play in the WPISL — it helps lead it. Orelli now serves as WPISL president, and LSC hosts the annual WPISL preseason junior high and junior varsity tournaments over Labor Day weekend, drawing teams from across the region to kick off the fall season. Later in the year, LSC also serves as host of one of the league’s marquee events: the WPISL varsity playoffs, held annually the weekend before Halloween. These tournaments bring the community together and showcase the strong organizational leadership of the club.
“Hosting the league’s biggest tournaments is something we take a lot of pride in,” Orelli said. “It brings our community together, gives our athletes a big-stage atmosphere and highlights what makes slow-pitch softball such an exciting sport.”
The WPISL has grown to 70 teams across all divisions, including 12 varsity high school programs.
For those looking to get involved, LSC holds spring clinics for players through eighth grade at the Greentree SportsPlex, where coaches, alongside experienced players, teach fundamentals such as batting, fielding and sliding. The clinics are open to all levels, including new players to the sport.
“We encourage everyone to participate in the clinics, play in the spring and then join LSC for that next level of competition. The fall-season format makes it a strong option for multisport athletes or those looking to try something new,” Orelli said.
With supportive coaching, a welcoming culture and an emphasis on both fun and competition, LSC continues to attract new families each year. To learn more and to register for any of LSC’s programs, visit www.LeboSC.org.
