×

Softball Team Provides Constructive Outlet For All Ages

The Ecko Fin and DiMarco’s Softball Team poses for a group picture before their first game of the season. P-J photos by Eric Zavinski

A light mood and laughs pervaded the atmosphere of a sunny field in Bergman Park last week when the Ecko Fin and DiMarco’s Softball Team took to the plate for the first time this season.

Since the 2015 softball season, this team has been giving locals a chance to play ball in the co-ed softball league through Jamestown City Parks.

Team captain and catcher Felicia Cardone said she put the team together in order to give friends, family and strangers something to do on Thursday nights. Ecko Fin and DiMarco’s team has been wearing black and yellow for three years’ time, has composed their own theme song and played together in practice and games with smiles on their faces and jokes free-flowing among them.

“It’s become a family thing,” said Cardone, who welcomes her cousin, mother, grandmother, uncle and brother as either members of the team itself or major supports.

The team’s members also cover a wide age gap. The youngest member and Cardone’s brother, Luke Kelsey, is only 15 years old whereas the oldest team member pitches and is 53.

“Everyone on this team is nice,” Kelsey said, “and it’s a fun event to get things off your mind.”

“We’re here to have a good time,” Cardone added.

Without the aid of sponsors Ecko Fin and Tooling, Inc. and DiMarco’s Vein Centers, Cardone said there would not be enough funds to pay for the equipment, including certified bats and balls needed for the softball league.

Despite the fact there are only five teams competing in this year’s softball league, Cardone would like to recruit enough members to have two teams participate next year.

“I can find more sponsors,” Cardone said. “(The team) really did help me focus on something else.”

She said she would like to do the same for others who are looking for something to do and to enjoy the outdoors.

So far, the team has 20 active members and others who are interested. The team has a Facebook group that can be found at 2018 Ecko Fin & Softball.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today