Team Maryland Awaits Italy

Team Maryland is weeks away from its trip to Italy.  (Tom Thompson)

By: Ben O'Brien

For most high school softball players the chance to play on an all-star team of any kind is an experience to remember. For the 15 girls that have been selected to play for Team Maryland Softball this summer, it will be an experience of a lifetime.

North County coach Tom Thompson and a team comprised of girls from 13 schools in Maryland will pack up their bats and gloves and board a plane headed to Italy July 25. The team is slated to take a 10-day tour of the country while competing against the best softball players that Italy has to offer.

Team Maryland will play a total of six games, comprised of three double headers, against local club teams in Rome, Florence and Verona.

"It is exciting that these girls can use their skills in the game of softball to get this opportunity," Thompson said. "It will be an international and cultural experience."

When the team isn’t on the diamond, they will tour Vatican City, take a walking tour around Florence, see the Coliseum in Rome and walk through the Sistine Chapel with a local guide.

A typical day involves a doubleheader match, sightseeing or a local excursion for half the day and free time for the rest of the day. During free time, players may explore a museum specific to their interests, shop for souvenirs or stick with the tour manager for in-depth commentary and touring.

Brigham Joy, recruiting director for the company that sponsors and facilitates Team Maryland, America's Team International, said that the program is experience-focused and will give each player a chance to make lifelong memories.

"Yes, these kids will play softball, but that is not really the main objective," he said. "These girls can play softball 365 days a year, but how many times can they travel to Rome and see the Coliseum?"

Joy said the process of selecting the players and coaches who will participate is intensive; coaches that are targeted provide resumes and at least three references. It is important to him and everyone at America’s Team International that the participants are not only talented but can serve as ambassadors as well.

“We look at the coaches first,” Joy said. “We are looking for proven leaders. It is not all about the actual coaching aspect, it is about whether or not we think the individual can lead a group of young girls overseas and be their coach, tour guide and really their primary guardian.”

For Joy and his colleagues, someone like Thompson is perfect for the job.

“I had submitted some players for consideration a couple of years prior,” Thompson said. “Early this year one of the parents recommended me for Team Maryland, ATI called me, and I quickly accepted. I have been coaching for 11 years, 10 of those have been at North County, and I would like to think I have a good reputation.”

From there, Thompson put together a roster of the most talented players from all over Maryland.

“I had some players in mind to start off with,” Thompson said. “We sent letters out to the athletic directors for some area schools, and they gave us some good nominees. We had to call the parents first and get the go ahead, and most of them were very cooperative. The main obstacle was the cost.”

Players are asked to pay $3,400 for the trip, which includes the flight, all accommodations, all the sightseeing and some first-class amenities during their stay in each city.

To help players and their families raise money, America’s Team International assembled a fundraising package designed for individuals and a list of group-oriented activities that the team can use to gather funds.

After receiving commitments and solidifying fundraising efforts for his team, Thompson was pleased to have 15 girls that best represent this country and the sport of softball.

ELIZABETH BEALL (Pitcher-OF-IF)
Winters Mill High School

GIANNA CAMPITELLI (Pitcher-OF-IF)
Westminster High School

ANGELA COOK (SS-OF-IF)
Patterson High School

SAM FISHER (Catcher-OF-IF)
Chesapeake High School

MALINDA HUTCHERSON (Pitcher-IF)
Queen Anne’s High School

BRITTANY McNALLY (Catcher-IF-OF)
North County High School

KAYLA MOHR (Pitcher-IF)
Institute of Notre Dame High School

HOLLY MOORE (UTILITY)
Winters Mill High School

RACHEL PRESTRIDGE (IF)
Old Mill High School

ERICKA RANDOLPH (IF-OF)
Seton Keough High School

MEGAN SAUBLE (IF-OF)
Glen Burnie High School

KAYLA SCARDINA (CATCHER-IF)
North County High School

HANNAH STRASSER (PITCHER-OF)
Mount De Sales

LINDSEY SUMMERS (PITCHER-OF-IF)
Seton Keough High School

TAYLOR WIGMORE (PITCHER-IF-OF)
Our Lady of Good Counsel

Each player was selected and approved according to ATI’s standards of integrity, character and overall athletic ability.

The team has been practicing once a month at the new Sandlot-BWI Academy on Ordnance Road in Glen Burnie, which includes a new batting cage and baseball/softball training facility.

“These players have gelled together, and this will be an experience to remember for this team,” Thompson said. “What I am most looking forward to is the chance to go over there and coach some of the great players from this area.”

As the excitement builds, Thompson knows that his team is about the make memories and bonds that will last a lifetime, all while playing a game they love, softball.

***
For more information about the team or to nominate a player for a future trip, visit www.myamericanteam.com.

Posted July 7, 2008