Johnston Girls' Softball Opening Day a hit

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 4/27/17

There was the traditional Opening Day Parade proudly protected by the Johnston Police and Fire Departments. There was the introduction of dignitaries and 141 girls ages 4 to 16 - and their super sponsors - who will make up the Johnston

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Johnston Girls' Softball Opening Day a hit

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There was the traditional Opening Day Parade proudly protected by the Johnston Police and Fire Departments.

There was the introduction of dignitaries and 141 girls ages 4 to 16 – and their super sponsors – who will make up the Johnston Girls Softball League during the 2017 season.

There was also, as several people suggested, a bit of history to go along with the traditional pomp and circumstance that included the playing of the National Anthem through a portable sound system and ceremonial first pitch thrown by Mayor Joseph Polisena, which was caught by Hannah Calabro.

Unlike Saturday, when the Johnston Little League opened its 2017 campaign, the JGSL opening was held under sunshine that perhaps made the girls’ new uniforms shine brighter than they were as they stood on the historic playing surface known as the Daniel E. Mazzulla Memorial Field.

During one of several special presentations, Dan Mazzulla, son of the legendary and late Johnston Parks and Recreation Director for whom the field is named, graciously accepted an embroidered short-sleeve shirt from Daylin and Caylee Allen.

Mazzulla’s speech, which is a tradition at the JGSL openings, was short and included the words, “Thank you to the parents for keeping your kids in this program.”

In the middle of it all was Lisa Calabro, the JGSL’s popular and tireless president, who kept smiling as she walked around the sun-splashed field with her clipboard, checking off each and every happening.

Although she didn’t speak, Calabro’s smile served as perhaps a magnifying glass as a special thank you of sorts to Mazzulla, who she later thanked for all he does to keep the playing surface at Mazzulla Memorial Field the best it can be – and safe – for each girl who’ll take part in what promises to be an exciting 2017 season.

Then, after she thanked Polisena, Town Councilmen Robert Civetti and Richard DelFino III, along with School Committee members Gena Bianco and Lauren Garzone, for attending, Calabro seemed to take a deep breath as this part of her labor of love was complete.

“This is a lot of work,” Calabro said. “But, the kids seem to really love it; so that makes it all worth while.”

That was the message Polisena offered during his brief speech as he thanked all the parents for keeping their children in sports after accepting an official JGSL shirt from Skye Andrews and Josie Torti.

Polisena feels so strongly about the JGSL he sponsors a team of younger girls who he later gathered for a photo that will soon be in his office along with the softball his catcher, Hannah Calabro, caught and later signed.

“This is great stuff,” said councilman DelFino – who once played in the JLL for the Orioles that is currently coached by Civetti, his council colleague. “This is where it all starts, the girls in our town have a nice facility where they can learn this game and have fun doing so.”

The JGSL, which is coordinated by a volunteer board of directors, is actively looking for additional sponsors to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine and have funds to help maintain the field, will also hold a Family Day at the ballpark in June.

Although there will be a banquet at season’s end and perhaps several “surprises” along the way, perhaps DelFino best summed up the fun-filled opening day ceremony.

“This is what programs like this are supposed to be,” DelFino said. “It’s all about family and fun as well as the future when many of these girls will represent Johnston High School in Interscholastic League Softball before they go off to college.”

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