What an honor and privilege it has been to run the league for the past 6 years. Softball
is a sport, which I truly love. Growing up with three brothers, I’ve been around sports practically all of my life.
The youngest of six children, I had no choice but to compete at a very early age. I went to college on a swimming and diving
scholarship, but I played softball in high school. When I enrolled my daughters in the League 16 years ago, I first volunteered
as a coach, but soon became a serious, fast-pitch student myself. As a result of weekly, private hitting and pitching lessons
for my youngest daughter, Alex, I had the privilege of being exposed to the methods of two truly great teachers: Julie Bolduc
and Angel Manguel.
Helping Alex excel has allowed me to gain a plethora of softball knowledge. I coached
her CYO team at The Villa Maria Academy, bringing home the Bronx CYO championship trophy. Then, as I moved on to coach at
Preston High School, I brought home five Bronx/Westchester JV titles and three Preston Varsity Softball titles. Preston’s
2009 season for example, which ended with an undefeated 12-0 Bronx/Westchester title, was the best one ever. In 2012 we were
15-1 Two of the biggest honors for me consequently were being named All Bronx Coach of the Year by the Bronx Times Reporter
in 2008 and 2012 Being named the 2012 CHSAA Bronx Softball coach of the year by the NY Post and being named the NYC
CHSAA softball coach of the year by the Daily News.
I work
to impart not only what knowledge I can bring onto your children, but the League’s coaches as well. I try to be
involved as much as possible. I’ve also brought in pitching experts to teach our girls proper pitching techniques.
Although good pitching requires patience and steady practice, our girls eventually learn to pitch like the great players on
TV. With the hard work our pitchers put in our league is just getting better and better and now we actually have players coming
from boroughs and counties to play in our league. With great pitching we can really built a good reputation as a league.
We make our pitching program available to all ages but they must commit the time and effort that needs to become a great
pitcher.
For the League’s more experienced players,
we created successful travel teams in an effort to expose our girls to better competition. Some of our travel teams have enter
some very competitive tournaments and have done well. Our 10u and 12u Little League teams were district champs this
spring season. The 10 year olds will be going to the little league tournament in hopes to make into the little league world
series.
We have some wonderful people helping us this year. I appreciate everyone's great
sacrifice. Without our volunteers for example, there would not be a Throggs Neck Girls Softball League. So here's to the up-coming
2012 season. Please join me in making it the best one yet.
Play ball!
Rachel
