Sports
Melrose Women's Softball League Continues to Compete Before Playoffs
The league's six teams continue the countdown weeks until the playoffs start on Aug. 28., with three teams at the top vying for first-place.
In a two-game play at Common 1 and Common 2 fields last Thursday, the Melrose Women's Softball league kicked up the red-diamond dirt for competition and fun.
There are now three contenders to watch in this 30-year-and-over women's softball league: Melrose Glass (Team Navy), Absolutely Fabulous (Team Teal), and Serena's Restaurant (Team Yellow). Last week, the two teams tied for second place with matching 8-8 records — Absoultely Fabulous and Serena's Restaurant — competed against other teams on separate diamonds at Melrose Common.
Melrose Glass is currently in first-place with a 10-6 record; Serena's Restaurant were the league champions last year and have recently risen to second-place.
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On Thursday, the two teams tied to second place kept pace with one another by each notching another win. Absolutely Fabulous defeated Family Practice (Team Maroon) by a score of 5-1, while Serena's Restaurant defeated J.J. Grimsby's (Team Green) in an 11- 7 victory.
Lisa McGovern, coach for Serena's Restaurant, described the diversity of the league's players age and ability.
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"Our league is 30-years-old and over, but the majority of the women that play are 40-years-old and over," McGovern said. "In that over 40-year-old category, there are some amazing athletes."
Seeing the players leave the field after each game is interesting. There are shouts of glory; hugs to opposite team members; laughing; jovial harrassment; and some talk of what's on the menu for dinner at another player's home.
Linda Salines, coach for Family Practice, says the teams enjoy great camarederie.
"We all come to enjoy playing softball as much as for a social gathering," Salines said. "It's often that we will wind up on other player's back porches for snacks, or to cook dinner for our families."
Spectators are made of families. Friends and family caring for young children of the team players, teenagers related to the players, friends with their own children and various umpires from other men's baseball games in Melrose hang around to watch the games.
When does the current number-one team go against one of the two teams tied for second place? Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the Melrose Commons. Melrose Glass will take on Absolutely Fabulous at 6 p.m. on Common 2 field.
On Thursday, Aug. 19, both current second-place teams will meet at Hesseltine Field in Melrose at 6 p.m.
Playoffs for the Melrose Women's Softball league are on August 28th. The full calendar schedule can be accessed on their website at www.quickscores.com.
