ORONO - Fall marks the time when leaves change and temperatures drop. For most University of Maine students, autumn provokes a new wardrobe of fleece jackets, mittens, and hats.
For the girls on the Fast Pitch Women’s Softball Club, autumn provokes digging out cleats, cleaning skinned knees, and throwing ice on their arms.
The University of Maine in Orono maintains many Varsity level sports, including a Softball team. However, UMaine possesses far more athletic club organizations. Among them, the Fast Pitch Women’s Softball Club practices from the Fall semester straight through until the end of the fiscal year.
Alyssa Vitale, the Softball Club President, stressed the importance of practicing in the fall.
“Our season is short compared to Varsity teams. We don’t get the opportunity to start early, since most of our players aren’t on campus until a few days before classes begin,” she said. “But the fall season is definitely better for us. We get to use the field longer than in the spring because of the snow.”
The Fast Pitch Women’s Softball Club already played four games this season. Although no victories have been recorded, the team remains hopeful for their double-header against Unity College.
Terri Bastarche, a second-year student at UMaine, expressed her excitement for the upcoming games.
“I’m really pumped,” she said. “We won both games against them last year, so we’re hoping that it will be a nice boost for our confidence after losing our last few games.”
The games against Unity College will wrap up the club’s Fall season. However, the cold weather only provides the girls with more opportunity for practice and bonding.
The club fastens in on recruiting during the winter months, ensuring that the club keeps the numbers high. Setting up booths at student organizations, fairs, and centers allow them to make their club name known throughout campus.
Vitale added that the club’s numbers increase each year, a great improvement since she joined the club three years ago.
Haylea Ledoux, the Club Treasurer, displayed her concern for the Club’s funding. Ledoux mentioned that a lack in girls means a lack in money.
“We don’t have club dues, so our money either comes out of pocket or we have to organize fundraisers,” she explained. “We had a car wash this past Sunday at Burger King.”
Although the girls admitted that they plan on advertising more next time, the Car Wash proved to be successful in profit and friendship.
Bastarche laughed about the team’s strength and commitment, acknowledging the girls as her new friends.
“I’ve met some great girls,” she said. “This club has been so much fun. I can definitely do this for the next two years.”
The UMaine Women’s Fast Pitch Club Softball team looks forward to their games at Unity College this Sunday. As long as their numbers stay as high as their spirits, the University of Maine will be seeing much more from their club.
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