OPINION: Everything Enfield + More

This opinion column written by Enfield twentysomething Alyssa Cannella is featured periodically on Enfield Patch. She seeks to discover and write about “anything and everything different, fun and new” in Enfield and the surrounding area. The opinions expressed are strictly hers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Enfield Patch.

For the Love of Fireballs

By Alyssa Cannella

Growing up I played sports. I was always involved in something. I played soccer until I realized I hated running. I danced until I realized that my parents were kidding when they called me "Grace." Eventually I fell into softball, which required no running and some strength. Perfect!

I quickly realized softball was my thing. I played a lot of it. I played school teams and travel teams for years. I went to camps and met a lot of people. Through all my years, no team stuck with me as much as the Enfield Fireballs.

The Fireballs weren’t just teammates, they became family. We laughed when we faced each other on the high school teams (even when I was striking them all out) and were giddy when summer came. Similar to the movie The Sandlot, we were inseparable. We spent every dayon the field and every night rotating houses to sleep in. We taunted opposing pitchers, rode in the back of Ford Rangers and hated our seasonal farmer tans together. We went from a ragtag team people looked forward to facing, to the league champions and a force to be reckoned with, together.

These are Enfield memories and friends I will always have. We all went our separate and are currently spread all over the country but will always be connected through all of those summers. We were and always will be Enfield Fireballs.

Because of that, I am writing this. The Fireballs, the camaraderie and the unforgettable summers wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the parents and coaches. The dedication and investment every single one of them put into us and the team. They sat at every game, funded our obsession with orange accessories (which I still have), brought lunches to tournaments and then went home and parented us. Without them, I wouldn’t have the experiences and memories I cherish from those summers.

Can you guess where this post is going yet? Parents and coaches play a huge role in the success of the Fireballs, but there is one other thing that is a big help. The 11th Annual Fireballs Dance! This dance provides a large portion of the funding for the team. I have gone every year because this is my family and it’s a great time. I did promise you local fun, so you should go too! Go because you want to donate to the next generation of Fireballs. Go because you love to dance to an RTM cover of Separate Ways (like me). Go because for these girls, softball isn’t just a thing to keep them busy, it is an experience with friends that last a lifetime. No matter what part of the country they live in.

I'll see you there!

The dance is Saturday, April 2, 6 p.m. until midnight at the Enfield Elks Club on North Maple Street. Tickets are $15 and it is BYOB and food. For tickets please call 860 670 3664.