Play ball! The girls’ softball league in Guttenberg opened its season last month with a grand opening at the ball field at the intersection of Palisade and Woodcliff avenues in James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park.
Four teams filed proudly onto the field to show their colors, and League President Michele Vazzona tossed out the first pitch before being presented with a team ball signed by every player in the league.
The four teams were the Royals, the Cardinals, the Red Sox, and the Pirates. “There always were six teams but things got started a little bit late,” said Vazzona, also the coach of the Red Sox. “This is the first year there are four.”
Players range in age from 9 to 16. Games take place every Tuesday and Thursday night at six, with two games on Saturday, at 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. “I believe June 20 is our championship game,” said Vazzona.
Guttenberg’s ball field is built on property owned by the county and leased to the town for 99 years at $1 a year.
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The property leased by Guttenberg extends eastward all the way to the intersection of Woodcliff and JFK Boulevard East at the northeast end of the park.
Drasheff gave a pep talk to the kids to kick off the season, and thanked the parents in attendance for their support. Also attending the event were all the Guttenberg Town Council members, Director of Recreation Patricia O’Connor, and Scott Jeffrey, the coach of the Royals, among others.
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.