The ninth annual Momball Softball Tournament may have been delayed a week, but it would take a lot more than a rainstorm to dampen the spirits of the participants.
Moms flocked to Harry Ball Field all weekend long with kids and dads cheering them on. A host of colorful signs decorated outfield fences with sentiments like "We love Momball," "Panther Pride" and "Go BHS Moms."
It was all in good fun to raise money for charity and support the 10 teams representing all Beverly public schools, two Catholic schools in the city and an alumni team. While they all took the event seriously and had been practicing for the past three weeks, the scoreboard results weren't top priorities on anybody's list. Having a good time, raising money for a worthy cause and forming lasting friendships were more important. Defending champ and unbeaten St. Mary's had to go to extra innings to beat the Cove School to win it all again.
Brenda Berry kept the book for the North Beverly entry, but when they took on the Hannah School on Saturday she had mixed feelings. In this double-elimination tournament teams don't fall into the loser's bracket after the first setback, but rather the second chance category.
"I'm keeping the book for North Beverly, but I am also a fourth grade teacher at the Hannah so I'm rooting for both teams," said Berry. "It's just a wonderful event, and I want both to do well."
The 15 to 25 player rosters ranged from some with a softball background to those new to the sport. All were equally welcome to join in.
"We have people on our team that didn't know how to hold a bat when we started practicing," said Shari Kane of the Hannah School. "We're all parents, who just want to help out. My son Ian is in the second grade, and this is my first year playing. Everybody on our team is interchangeable. I am one of the pitchers, but I'll play anywhere to help out. The main thing is we're all having a lot of fun. We even had a good time at practices and scrimmages getting ready."
Proceeds from the tourney, which is sponsored by the Beverly Recreation Department, go to the Beverly Education Foundation and Bootstraps (people were asked to donate a nonperishable canned good item). Over the years many other worthy causes have been helped.
"The friendships that are made during this tourney really bring our community together," said Anne Flaherty, Momball coordinator. "We had an amazing weekend, and raised a lot of money."
While Hannah and North Beverly warmed up on the front field at Harry Ball, it was impossible not to notice the pink shirts of both teams playing on the back field. Centerville School sported hot pink shirts while the Alumni squad was in lighter pink.
"We're wearing pink because some of us are breast cancer survivors," said Sarah Rossetti, the third baseman for Centerville. "We're all Moms, just having a good time, and the best part is this is all for charity. And we definitely have the best cheerleaders here."
Olivia Curreri, a sixth grader at Briscoe Middle School, had the honor of dressing up in the beaver mascot costume while team captain Sue Whalen wore her beaver hat on the mound, making Centerville the most colorful team.
"This is my first year being the beaver," said Curreri. "Before that I coached the cheerleading group for three years, but now I'm not at Centerville any more so my sister is the coach."
Pitching for the Alumni team was Peabody High girls basketball coach and Beverly resident Jane Heil, who believes she is the oldest Momball player. Heil, who will be 61 next month, has been participating for the past seven years. In fact, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of September five years ago, she still played a couple of weeks later, determined not to miss Momball.
"One of the first things I asked the doctor was if I could still play softball," said Heil, chuckling at the memory. "I had my surgery and first chemotherapy which made me tired, but I still played. Being an all women event, I had a lot of support. Over the years the excitement has grown with balloons, signs, and all the kids cheering for their mothers. Last night when I walked in I had to weave through the crowd to get to the dugout. It was incredible and wonderful to be a part of.
"So many of the same people come back to play every year, and the people running it are great, Trish Pinciaro and now Anne Flaherty. Many of us (on the Alumni team) were together on the old High School team," Heil said. "We started off with a back and forth battle in our first game, but lost in the ninth inning. Afterward I had a lot of my teammates over to the house. We all watched the Red Sox, and unlike us they held on to beat the Angels."
