Newbury Baseball Furthers Feud With Newbury Softball

In the time between the early morning to the late hours of February 11 and 12, a piece of equipment was stolen from the shed that is shared by both the Newbury Baseball and Softball teams.

Upon realizing that their new hitting tee was gone, the girls on the softball team quickly pointed their fingers to who they thought was responsible.

“For years, the baseball team has taken our things and never given them back,” said softball team member Alina Milauskas. The stealing of the tee felt like the “last straw” for the girls, especially as they continue to train for their spring tournament.

Ultimately at many points in the past, the Newbury baseball team has taken the girls’ pitching mats, throw plates, hitting tees, medical kits, and water coolers. All of these things are key pieces of equipment that the girls need in order to succeed in their sport. With the tee costing upwards of a $100, the softball team could not easily replace it without the funding of the Athletic Department.

Taking matters into their own hands, the softball team investigated further into the situation. The initial contacting of the boys was vague, and they claimed they had nothing to do with it. Senior Matthew Peluso then sent an email to all members on the baseball team trying to weed out the culprit.

“If you know where it is, return it immediately,” said Matthew in the email.

Head Coach Casey Butler was not amused and made it known to the girls that she didn’t care who had the tee, and that it just needed to be returned. Determined to find the tee in order to save their legs at practice the next day, the girls pushed on further.

A day after Peluso sent the mass email, the tee showed up the morning of the 13. This seemed to confirm the girl’s notion that the boys had taken it, so they worked to narrow down who would have been able to put the tee back before everyone was up.

“It had to be a freshman that lives on campus, no one who lives off campus could have put it back without our knowing,” said Senior Sam Libby when she found the tee that morning.

With help from eager boys ready to sell out their teammate and continued pressure put on the baseball team, the girls found the thief to be freshman pitcher Ronald Zabala.

“We had taken it initially not knowing, and when he was supposed to put it away he just kept it and took it to his room,” said Matthew Peluso.

Ronald would not comment on the matter due to intense ridicule from both teams.

“On behalf of the whole team we’d like to apologize for the actions of one, it was truly a ‘rookie move’,” said Senior captain James McGrorry.

While the softball team members said they appreciate the gesture, many girls said they feel it is only a matter of time before something else goes missing.