High schools like John Dewey are bringing new attention to girls’ softball programs.
With the girls’ softball team gaining more recognition, more students are interested in joining, allowing the team to grow and improve creating new opportunities for players and bringing more attention to girls’ sports at the school.
Kayalina Hanish, a senior here at John Dewey who is also the captain of the softball team, seems to be very happy with the recognition the team has received this season.
According to Hanish, the recognition really does impact the team motivating them during the game to know there are others supporting them. Not only are students interested in the games but so are outside family members.
“The support of the students and school gets the team really hype because as someone who’s family rarely shows up, it feels nice to have people behind me,” said Hanish.
Coach of the softball team and physical education teacher Mr. Pelligrito emphasized their development in the face of experienced competitors, saying “I want people to understand that a ton of work went into the results of this season.”
Another important part of the softball program is the team manager, who helps the team behind the scenes.
Senior team manager Jenna Manzanal explained that she became manager after the coach wanted her involved with the team during her senior year.
As team manager, her responsibilities include setting up equipment, taking attendance, and helping the coach with lineups during games. She also explained that many people do not realize how much work the position takes. “It’s a lot of work sometimes, but you got to make sure you get what you need to get done,” she shared.
Although the season was not as emotional for her as the players themselves, she said she enjoyed becoming closer with the players in her managerial role. “The girls are all so amazing,” she said. One of her favorite memories was the team’s first win because “everyone was so excited and the weather was perfect.”
As the season ends, she says she will miss the girls the most and hopes people remember her as “a great manager.”
With the softball season ending and recognition they’ve been receiving, more girls’ will be interested in joining next season.
Various decorated banners celebrating graduating seniors on the Girls Softball Team.
Coach Pellegrito has a positive outlook on this year’s softball season and the future of the program, saying “Overall, this is the most competitive team we’ve had since being unfairly moved into the upper division. Multiple years of learning went into being competitive this year.”