8U Softball "Warming up The Spring" at Sugrue!

8U Dedham Girls Softball Building Skills and Having Fun at Sugrue this Spring!

            As we watch our ball players from the Defending Champs Red Sox to the Tournament Bound and League Title Challenging Dedham High Varsity Softball, it’s easy to forget they likely had to be exposed to the game at a much younger age. The mix of great sponsors and great coaches, when combined with a love and fun for the game, probably “sowed the seeds” for the stars of today at all levels.  Those seeds in 2014 for Dedham Girls Softball are defying gardening logic as they are “growing on the turf” of Sugrue Field every Tuesday and Thursday this spring. Forty –two of Dedham’s future softball stars are learning how to play the game as well as enjoy the game under the great supervision of DGSL’s 8U “Commish” Brian Mitchell.

            Brian would be the first to tell us that the help of his coaches that have allowed for so much fun and teaching to go on. Melissa Egan, Adam Smiles, Chuck Stronach, Maria Martin, Amy Cokinos Jeff Flavin, Neil Roberts, and Patricia McNamara have teamed up with Brian and members of the DGS Varsity Program to help all of the players develop a solid foundation of skills that will allow them to be the best players they can be, but at all times emphasizing a fun and exciting environment for all players regardless of age or experience.

            Tali Catlin, Elizabeth Gormley, Michela Cokinos, Alaina Martin, Cailyn Purdy, Grace Bender, and Olivia Sally have been “leading the charge” around the bases when the coaches have been emphasizing running drills. They look ready for the pros thanks to the great uniforms that great perennial sponsors like TGI Friday’s and Trethewey Bros helped provide with their support. Further running skills have been worked on in games of “pickle” that have seen Megan McNamara, Joslyn Roberts, Cassandra Beers, Payton McDonald, Allyson Guilfoyle, and Liana Florio hustling back and forth across the diamond donning the jerseys of, amongst others, brand new but greatly appreciated sponsors like Doctors’ Express and Ron’s Ice Cream.

            Running is only one part of the game of course, so watching Ella Beers, Brynne Londeragn, Julia Ray, Nuala Rodgers, Alison Stack, Janeliz Rivera, and Alyssa Georgilas refine their throwing motions and learn the proper technique that will some lead to great defensive put outs has put a smile on all the coaches faces and lets sponsors such as Whole Foods and Play it Again Sports know that supporting youth leagues like DGSL is a commitment that will give back to the town’s teams for years after this spring.

            Another sponsor who has always stepped up when needed is Andrews Trucking, and we know that Nicole Andrews is wearing her jersey with pride as she works on proper hand and glove work to catch and receive the ball both off the bat and throws. Her fellow “8Uers” like Sophie Piro, Miamaria Akiki, Jovie Flavin, Alison St. George, Mary Stronach, Cassie Londergan, Brenna Smiles, and Grace Bunker are also “flashing some leather” at a real young age in such a way that bodes well for the future DGSL teams at the 10U and 14U level.    

            No matter what though, good hitting is fun to watch, and the coaches are making sure that proper footwork and technique is followed at this young age so that scoring runs hopefully will never be a problem for Dedham. Taking that advice to the fullest are “big boppers” Mia Owens, Ailish McDonough, Alyssa Holton, Aleigha Arpino-Bishop, Hannah McAdam, Isabel Sorozano, and Jennifer Trundley, while solid contact and top notch bunting and “small ball” skills are being displayed on a nightly basis by Jessica Ataya, Morgan McLean, Priscilla Pouliot, Mary Megan, Lily Grace Zahka, and Scarlett Kaskeski. For most of the players this has been their first time swinging a bat, and a thank you and shout out goes to American Legion Post 18 who as a great longtime sponsor allows for our equipment to be safe and secure for these great players to use and enjoy to its fullest.

            Before you know it the season will be over, but hopefully the memories will remain and instill future playing and love for the game. Trust us when we say there may no better way to enjoy a nice Spring Tuesday or Thursday evening than watching DGSL (especially if you have a future player!!!)  and its coaches and sponsors work with these great young girls in starting them on what will hopefully be a long and successful softball career!!