Ripping into the ball

Region - If you are a girl who plays softball and you love the game, chances are you will find your way onto an Amateur Softball Association (ASA) team or similar. This is pretty much to softball what Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball is to that game.

While many ASA-like programs are for only "very" serious players, an upstart local program hopes to invite a new mix. Last fall, Shrewsbury's Jay Hummer helped start the Riptide Youth Fastpitch softball program for girls - U10, U12, U14 and U16. That program, competing this summer in its first season, has proven to be a winner. Hummer said the program went about things a little differently when starting up.

"In putting together the teams last fall, we didn't recruit like some softball organizations looking for only the best players," Hummer said. "We accepted players who wished to improve their game, players with great dedication to a sport they love."

According to Hummer, the program has five teams based in Central Mass. playing this summer including a U10, U12, U16 team, and a pair of U14 teams. Teams play in ASA, National Softball Association (NSA) and Pony divisions.

The Central Mass. program has also been working with the New England Riptide of the National Professional Fastpitch league. The New England Riptide women's pro team won the league championship in 2006.

After forming the youth Riptide teams last fall, several members of the women's professional team, including Lisa Iancin, Jenny Scavone, Kristin Allain and K.J. Kelly, worked with the girls on their game, emphasizing fundamentals and mechanics. After a fall tournament, workouts continued at indoor facilities over the winter for many.

Steve Cook coaches the U10 Riptide team, recent winners of the state championship.

"The training with the pros brings a new perspective to teaching," Cook said. "The girls look up to the pros and respect what they have achieved."

Cook's team was slated to compete in the National championship this summer. Local members of the team include Elise LaCasse and Amber Melideo, both of Shrewsbury.

The U12 team, coached by St. Peter-Marian coach Jim Shugrue, stresses a positive attitude.

"The girls are representing the Riptide organization and remember that each time they put on a uniform," Shugrue said.

Locals on the team include Shrewsbury's Michaela Hummer, Danielle Deraney and Jacqueline Kraemer, Westborough's Jenna Casello, and Northborough's Dani Edmands. The girls advanced to play in ASA regional tournament action this summer.

The U14 "blue" team is one of the most competitive in the state and has earned two invitations to the Pony National tournament, and was slated to play in the NSA National tournament in North Carolina.

The program's "red" U14 team showed tremendous improvement over the summer under coach Derek Broszeit.

"The base of this team has never competed in the travel circuit, and a couple of these girls never played softball," Broszeit said. "To see them compete at the A level is a real thrill. Shrewsbury's Katie Cruz, Remy Talbot and Kristy Ross all contributed to the team's success. Michaela Hummer and Danielle Deraney were bumped up in mid-summer to play up with the team."

The U16 program fielded a very young team, with more than half the lineup eligible for the U14 division. Shrewsbury's Caitlin Hummer joins a lineup made up mostly of girls from Hopkinton.

The program is already looking forward to its second season. Tryouts for the 2007 fall tournament season and the 2008 season will be held later this summer.

Send mail and sports ideas to ron_woodcock@charter.net.