Girls softball team takes NHP bow

Richard Tedesco

It was a homecoming celebration on Saturday morning as the New Hyde Park all-star girls softball team was honored at the kick-off of the annual village street fair for their Little League Softball World Series appearance this season.

Eight team members turned out with their coaches to receive kudos in front of New Hyde Park Village Hall from state, county, town and village officials as the first Long Island team to reach the softball World Series since 1993. The ceremony was a prelude to a big league spotlight on Wednesday at Citifield where the softball all-stars were to be honored before the New York Mets play the Philadelphia Phillies.

“On behalf of the village family, I can’t tell you how proud we are,” said New Hyde Park Mayor Daniel Petruccio.

Petruccio, who teaches history at Chaminade High School, told the players, “Forever, the Village of New Hyde Park will remember your accomplishments. Don’t ever underestimate the tremendous accomplishment that you’ve done.”

“You’ve reminded us that with hard work and integrity we can accomplish anything,” Rev. Jimmy Coffey of Trinity Lutheran Church said. 

State Assemblyman Edward Ra praised the players’ support group, saying their achievement is “a great tribute to the parents who supported you along the way.”

Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell echoed Petruccio’s sentiments, saying, “You will forever be an integral part of this community. You have made history here in New Hyde Park.”

Town Councilwoman Lee Seeman and Town Clerk Leslie Gross presented a proclamation from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli acknowledging the girls’ achievement.

“There is nothing like team sports, working together, playing together,” Gross said.

Maria Lykos of City Line Florist presented a bouquet of flowers to each of the players. 

Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink said as a former softball player and current coach of his seven-year-old son’s baseball team, he had a special appreciation for what the New Hyde Park girls team had accomplished.

“I hope you keep playing softball for the fun of it and for the love of it,” Wink said.

Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello was also present for the ceremony.

Outgoing New Hyde Park Little League President Tom Pellegrino told the players “I’m very proud of you and very proud of what you did.”

Team manager Tom Donnelly said officials at the Little League Softball World Series in Portland told him the east region had never been so well represented before.

Donnelly said the team’s trip, winning the state championship and eastern region tournament and its fifth-place finish in the world series had been “an exciting run,” and he thanked all those present for their support.

The 11- and 12-year-old players were visibly pleased to receive the accolades – and the flowers – but their thoughts were also on their second trip to Citifield for pre-game honors. Most of the same players were honored there in 2010 after winning the equivalent of the world series in their division at that time. 

“You remember the players playing that game later have had many accomplishments and its good to see them work,” said first baseman Kayla Fitzpatrick.

The players will get time on the field to watch the Mets take batting practice before the game and the ceremonies honoring them.

“They’re like role models and it’ll be really fun to be on the field with them,” said third baseman Maggie Donnelly.

Pitcher Melissa Ward said she was looking forward to a chance to meet her “favorite baseball player in the whole entire world,” Mets’ third baseman David Wright.

Wright took time to talk to New Hyde Park’s softball stars the last time they visited Citifield, according to Tom Donnelly, who succinctly summed up his team’s excitement about revisiting the big ballpark in Flushing.

“It’s just exciting,” he said. “How could you beat that?”

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