Softball Gets "Field Of Dreams"

by Margie Lyons; photography by Fred Levine

(April 19, 2007) The sun was shining, spring was in the air, and for a change, the community could crow about a new athletic field, as the Mamaroneck Athletic Department unveiled a new girls’ softball complex at Central Elementary School on Friday, March 30. Almost 60 girls in the softball program, from the modified team to the junior varsity and varsity, celebrated the opening of the new complex with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the first softball tournament held at Mamaroneck in as long as anyone can remember. The new facility was funded by a grant from the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation and matching funds from the Mamaroneck School District.

MHS varsity softball team captains cut the ribbon to open the new field at Central School.

For Joan George, longtime softball coach and physical education teacher at Central, “it’s a dream come true.” It was Ms. George’s vision for a place the girls’ program could call its own that led to her partnering with Mamaroneck Athletic Director Bari Suman and longtime softball parents Kayla and Jon Serrano to submit the grant request to the foundation. Diane Campbell, varsity softball coach, shared Ms. George’s enthusiasm, “This is such an exciting day for the whole program.”

The MHS varsity softball team with coach, Diane Campbell, were at the ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the new complex.

Now, with new fencing, infield, dugouts and backstop, the Central field is “a lot nicer,” smiled Lynn Greenberg, a freshman center fielder on the varsity team.

“This is a tremendous upgrade from the Harbor. It’s about time the girls had a field they can call their own,” agreed her dad, Andy Greenberg.

The complex will soon include a second softball field on the site nearer to the school. This field has been renovated to serve both softball and other field sports such as soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. The two-field complex makes this an ideal place for Mamaroneck to hold tournaments. In addition, and as in the past, the fields will be available for Little League for boys and girls in the evenings and on weekends.

As parents, school administrators and school board members enjoyed the improved surroundings, the varsity team scored a resounding victory over visiting Gorton High School in the first game on their new diamond. It appears that the new field is a home run.

Post-Flood Update: Coach George reports that the field survived the April 15 nor’easter with only minor effects.

Margie Lyons volunteers with the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation, a non-profit community organization that provides public schools in Larchmont and Mamaroneck with funds for innovative programs, materials and enhanced facilities and equipment beyond the scope of the regular school budget. The foundation can be reached at (914) 698-9079, or at www.MamaroneckSchoolsFoundation.com

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