Maplewood South Orange Girls' Softball Day

On June 13, 2010, the MSO Girls Softball League celebrated another successful season, culminating in the coronation of the new champions on Softball Day. Well, almost—the senior championship game was postponed due to Mother Nature not cooperating. 

The MSO Softball Committee (Lisa Nolet, Gerry O'Connor, Dave Garaban, Tom Kerns, Henk Zona and Mike Paradis) along with a crew of volunteers put together a great day of softball, charity and good-ole community fun.

From 9:30 a.m. to the close of Softball Day, there were 12 games that were played.  From T-Ball (Kindergarten), to the Rookie American (1st Grade), Rookie National  (2nd and 3rd grade), Junior (4th and 5th grade) and the Senior Division (6th, 7th and 8th). The attendees were treated to some great games.

The T-Ball girls competed in a team relay race won by the Scriveners Toys girls and a hitting for distance tournament won by Marra Altamont of Scriveners Toys. The Scriveners Toys girls defeated Village Ice Cream Parlor for the 2010 T-Ball championship.

In the Rookie National Division, all ten teams (Fleet Feet Sports, HK Community Fund, Hotline Redhots, KDH Home Design, Lowenstein Sandler Thunder,  Maplewood Memorial VFW, Marine Agency, Quick Check, Rocket Ship and Print & SO Chiropractic) combined for an all star game which was heavily doused in rain. However, the girls played through the wet and messy conditions to a 12-12 tie. It was amazing as the more than 30 players and their parents braved the rain even though they were given the option to not play but the girls were fired up and ready to play. It was really heart-warming and very exciting to see the future of MSO Softball out there in the pouring rain, playing their hearts out.  

The Junior Division featured two semi-final games: Roman Gourmet vs. Anthony Garubo and Christopher Street Financial vs. Core Mind & Body; and, in the consolation game, Maplewood Patch played Investors Bank. Roman Gourmet defeated Anthony Garubo and Christopher Street Financial prevailed over Core Mind & Body to set the stage for the championship game. Investors Bank defeated Maplewood Patch.

The Junior Division Championship between Roman Gourmet and Christopher Street Financial lived up to its expectations as the two teams battled back and forth. The family and friends were glued to their seats as they were treated to some great softball. After the dust settled, Roman Gourmet roared ahead for a 9 – 4 victory.  Both teams celebrated a great season!

The Senior Division began the day with two hot, contested semifinal games and a consolation game.  laying in one semi-final game, SOS Foundation was looking to best Mack Cali as SOS had to beat the South Orange Lions Club this past Friday to advance to today's semi-final game. This game featured two of the best pitchers in the league Siobhan Nolet (SOS) and Lienne Harrington and they did not disappoint with their respective performances.  Lienne also treated the fans to a monster home run during her 2nd up at bat.  Mack Cali went up 2-0 but SOS fought back to tie the game. 

In a key moment in the game, Mack Cali with the bases loaded scored a key run off a well placed bunt.  At the top of the 6th inning with a 4-2 lead, Lienne struck out two straight batters and got the third out as the batter grounded out to secure the victory for Mack Cali.

In the second semifinal game for the Senior Division featured Maplewood PBA Local #44 vs. Valley National Bank. Valley National Bank—on a winning streak at the end of the season—continued their winning ways with a victory over Maplewood PBA Local #44 to set the stage for the championship game with Mack Cali. YouthNet defeated the South Orange Lions Club with a rally at the end of the game to capture their victory.

The crowd was ready for a great championship game between Mack Cali and Valley National Bank and while the rain was light both teams agreed to move forward with the game. As the game got underway the rain got much heavier, so to protect the players from injury, the game was suspended. 

The Senior Division Championship Game was played on a warm Monday night (June 14). Chris Dickson, the coach of Mack Cali, was looking forward to playing Valley National Bank, coached by Dave Garaban. Both teams played well but Valley National Bank prevailed as the Champions of the 2010 MSO Girls Softball Senior Division.

The 2010 edition of Softball Day was very successful thanks to players, their parents and the volunteers (committee, coaches and parents) who work very hard to make the program more competitive each year.  A couple of residents posted their positive comments on Maplewood Online.

And there is more fun to come—Summer softball has started. So if you missed the Softball Day, visit the MSO Girls Softball site for the upcoming summer league games.