Dramatic Softball at Memorial Day All-Star Games

by Michael Glauber and Michael Gottfried

(May 31, 2007) Memorial Day means several things to the neighboring communities. On that day, local residents honor citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice defending this country. Beach-goers commemorate the “unofficial” start of summer. Memorial Day is also the day on which the Larchmont Mamaroneck Little League holds its All-Star games for girls and boys of different ages.

American League Game 1- Front: Susie Kahler, Olivia Gerringer and Courtlyn Cannon; Back:  Alexandra Campili, Emily Holzberg, Brianna Carroll, Jessica Messina, Giana Fanelli, Theresa Fabrizi and Alexandria Patti.

This past Monday, the girls' softball “Intermediate” division held two games at the newly refurbished Central School field. Forty girls from ten teams of fourth, fifth and some third graders from Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Rye Neck divided into four All Star teams. Two American League teams played two National League teams in back-to-back games.

NationalLeague Game 1 - Front: Lindsay Walther,  Julia Simons, Nicole Miller and Amanda Bayer. Rear: Kaitlyn Pillig, Karly Leno, Rachel Williams, Jen Gottfried, Emily Gerszberg and Briana Cefaloni

Bubba Fanelli, a coach of one of the American League teams, described the weather as “perfect for a ballgame: warm and clear.” He was especially impressed with the job the maintenance crew did preparing the field, stating: “The field was in great shape, complete with flags, balloons and freshly-painted-white lines.” Commissioner Mike Reynolds orchestrated the festivities, which included pre-game introductions, the playing of the national anthem, and post-game trophy presentations.

American League Game 2 - Front: Karen Seid, Teddy Shirley, Chelsea Rose; coaches Bill Shirley, Tom Gerspach and Jerome Kogan.Rear: Annie Gerspach, Diana King, Bridget Johanson, Caroline Jensen, Jessica Kogan, Jesse Offenhartz, Lisa Reggio

In the first six-inning game, the parents were treated to diving stops of ground balls, catches of line drives and force plays made at each base. Before, during and even in between plays, the All Stars took turns serenading their opponents and the onlookers with demonstrative cheers. Four pitchers from each team combined to keep the score tied at four after four innings - after which the batters took over and both teams scored runs in bunches. The first game came to “a dramatic, almost-perfect ending,” according to Coach Fanelli, with the Nationals ahead 15-14 but “with the tying and winning runs on third and second base.”

National League Game 2 - Front: Genevieve Sambrook, Jessica Stingone, Jessica Degina, Emily Taub & Luciana Simone. Rear: Lisa Glauber, Surin Ahn, Kate Lynn Cotter, Shannon Liguori,  Samantha Yellen.

The All Stars who played in the second, six-inning game also impressed their many fans with solid pitching, fielding and “some shots heard around the community,” according to Larchmont resident James Offenhartz. He noted that unlike in regular season games, the parents were treated to a “fast-moving, well-played, exciting game.” There were extra base hits, stolen bases and stellar plays from the infield and the outfield. According to Mr. Offenhartz, “the All Stars showed that they can play with anyone from any team.”  The Nationals ultimately prevailed in what he summarized as a “high quality duel.”

More than anything, these games demonstrated two things to Bruce Simons, who coached third base for the Nationals in the first game: “Young girls, too, dream of playing in All Star games on Memorial Day;” and the future “looks very bright for these girls.” These sentiments were echoed by American league Coach Tom Gerspach who was also scouting both All Star games for potential players on the Summer Travel Softball teams that will play in June and July.

At the end of the game, the girls who were selected by their teammates to represent them in these All Star games received congratulations and a trophy. According to Commissioner Chris Plaut, the positive experiences are made possible because of the enthusiastic support of “our sponsors, the coaches, the league’s regular umpire, Howie Klein, Mike Reynolds and the many, many other volunteers who backstop the Larchmont Mamaroneck Little League organization.” The product of all this effort was clearly on display this past Memorial Day.

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