Theresa Evans, Dave Evans, Ilene Dranoff and Lee Harrington were honored at Fort Hunt Softball Opening Day Ceremony.
The Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association (FHYAA) Girls Softball Program held its opening day ceremonies on Sunday, April 16 at Walt Whitman softball fields. More than 450 players, coaches and family members attended the event. FHYAA has 154 girls signed up to play softball this season in three different leagues: U9, U12 and U18.
This year’s opening day ceremony included team and individual player introductions, a feast of hot dogs and hamburgers, games and activities throughout the day, a special visit from the West Potomac Varsity and Junior Varsity softball teams and a recognition program for three lifetime FHYAA softball volunteers.
West Potomac Varsity Head Coach Craig Maniglia also spoke to all the players and reminded them that many of today’s West Potomac players originally played in the FHYAA softball program. Manigilia also stressed the importance of practicing often and having fun and hoped to see many of the girls tryout for West Potomac softball when they get to high school.
“The event put on by FHYAA for the girls softball program really made the players feel special and acknowledged the coaches for the many hours of volunteer work they put in to our program,” said Miriam Miller, assistant coach of a U12 and U18 team. “It was great to see all the girls interact with each other throughout the day regardless of what league they play in or what team they are on. Everyone looked like they had a great time, and the weather really cooperated, too.”
The event was sponsored by the FHYAA softball program and was free to all participants.
In addition to all the softball activities, three volunteers in the Fort Hunt community were honored for their years of service to a local girl’s softball league with the Lifetime Volunteer Award. Ilene Dranoff, commissioner; Lee Harrington, and Dave Evans have been a part of Fort Hunt Softball for over 15 years.
“So many young women in the community have benefited from their contributions. We feel it important to recognize them in this manner,” said Cindy Jackson, 18U league manager.
Fort Hunt Softball is a fast pitch softball program for girls ages 6 through 18.