New fields are home run moment for Vineland girls

Written by CODY GLENN Staff Writer

 

VINELAND -- It was the first inning, and Serene Santiago found herself on second base.
The 16-year-old took a decent lead, turned and watched her teammate sail a ball deep past the reach of the right fielder. After hustling in to score, she raised her arms in joy.
It was just a run, but it was one that could make generations of softball players before her envious.
The Vineland Pigtail League has been waiting for more than 50 years for their own fields. And on Saturday, Santiago plated the first of countless runs to come at the league's new facility.
The league held a big opening celebration to break in its new home at Fiocchi Fields. Two fresh fields, complete with green fencing, add more playable area to the large complex.
League President Dom Carpani, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew and Mayor Robert Romano shared an oversized pair of scissors for the formal ribbon-cutting. The league's nine board members applauded behind them.
The full day of fun included an alumni/coaches game, softball clinics run by Vineland High School coach Al Gomez, a home run derby and the burial of a time capsule.
A giant check for $39,051, in the form of a grant, was presented to the league from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Since 2000, the fund has awarded 550 grants totaling more than $20 million to youth organizations across the world in an effort to increase participation in youth sports.
The money will go toward lights on the second field, bleachers, scoreboards and other renovations.
"The city of Vineland was chosen because this community's support for their softball program has outshined other programs," Meghan Chisholm, senior grant coordinator, said.
The money for the bulk of the project came out of the city's recreation budget, plus funds from the state Green Acres program.
Carpani said it wouldn't have been possible without the cooperation and hard work of the mayor, City Council, Recreation Superintendent Dale Elbeuf, Supervisor of Grounds Bill Dechen and generous sponsors.
Romano tossed out the ceremonial first pitch to catcher Betty Merighi, who coached for the Vineland Pigtail League in the early 1960s.
"Our team always came in last because I let all the girls play," Merighi laughed.
To Merighi, the fields are long overdue.
"Girls sports always comes in last after boys' sports," she lamented. "But looking at these fields, it's worth the wait. Absolutely."
More than 300 girls make up the Vineland Pigtail League.
Prior to Saturday, the players shared the Cunningham Park fields with Little Leaguers. Before that, it was the fields outside Veterans Memorial Intermediate School.
Scheduling headaches for games and practices between the girls and the boys are a big reason why the Pigtail League needed its own fields.
Carpani said he came to Elbeuf three years ago with a petition that had 300 names on it. Past presidents Tom Landi and Joe Trovarelli also were instrumental in getting the ball rolling, and were on hand Saturday to see the results.
"Dale told me to relax," Carpani said. "He'd take care of it. And he kept his word. Right now I'm so happy I'm holding back tears. The dream has come true."
For the players themselves, it was an awesome experience Saturday.
Abby Abate, 13, has been playing in the league since she was 5.

"We never felt like we were at home before," Abate said. "But now it's all ours