This weekend GCAA Garden City Softball closes its Spring Recreation season with its 6 annual Softballapalooza Event.  This year we have a record number of teams partaking in our own Pineapple Cup Tournaments throughout the day at GC Community Park fields and Pavilion.

Looking forward, here’s what to expect after we wrap-up our season on June 19th Softballapalooza:

Softballapalooza: June 19th at Community Park Fields, ALL ages, ALL players close the Spring with Season ending Tournament and Event. Details to follow.

Summer Nights: Expanded summer opportunities listed below

Fallball:  9U/10U/12U/16U  “Sundays are for SOFTBALL” Fallball is the best time of year to enjoy the great weather, and work on Teamwork Skills through our Sunday Afternoon FallBall Program.  Fun, Relaxed and Focused on Skills & Scrimmages.

Winter Batting Cages:  9U/10U/12U/16U, Saturday Mornings from January – March, is the best time to refine and focus on Batting, with Open Cage work with Coaches and Clinics throughout the Offeason.

Typically we combine Fallball and Winter Batting Cages into one Registration. 

Additional Details for Summer will be sent later in the month, but here are some quick details:

6U (K-1) :  See you at Softballapalooza June 19th, then we’ll look forward to seeing you again NEXT SPRING!

8U: Summer: 4-Week “Extended Spring Season” for our 8U teams wishing to play some more evening games in July, combined with a weekly Skills Clinic.   8U Teams wishing to Extend their Spring into Summer can register.

Registration is currently open with All details about the program, clinics and fundraisers to be found on our website: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter (anybody with information on the origin of the softball program please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com

Garden City has launched the most exciting Spring Softball Season yet as this year’s program has been marked by another significant increase in enrolment with another record number of Spring Softball Players.  This has required increased allocation of resources, and extensive planning, and program coordinators where heartened when multiple parents stepped up without hesitation, allowing us to move forward with the best K-1 and 2-3 programs we’ve ever hosted.  The more players and coach volunteers we have, the more fun we are able to coordinate for the Teams, such as focusing the 6U and 8U seasons together at Garden City Community Park, rather than spread around town fields.

Key to this seasons success is the dedication and commitment of our K-1(6U) and 2-3(8U) Coordinators Michael Bennett and Peter Trimarchi, who have devoted significant amount of time ensuring these programs are fun and exciting.

Coach Bennet shares that “This has been a special spring as we get back to on the diamond with our K-1 girls.  They bring great energy and spirit to the field and are having so much fun together.  The girls are learning the fundamentals of the game, teamwork, and determination as they learn new skills from an awesome group of parent volunteers.  It is amazing to watch the girls improve week over week.”

This year’s Season Ending Softballapalooza Event (June 26 at Community Park Fields) will also be the best ever as the teams will all be able to compete in a Mini-Tournament, introducing players to increasingly appropriate competition.

Thank you to all families in their never ending support in what has been an extraordinary Year. All details about the program, clinics and fundraisers to be found on our website:

www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter.  We are working on a History Project relating to Garden City Softball, so if you have any historical stories or pictures, please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com

When the state of New York permitted softball and baseball to open up this past summer in July, players, coaches and families had no idea we would be embarking upon a record setting 16-week long season with nearly ideal weather throughout the summer and the fall. With the full support of the Village of Garden City, the Recreation Department immediately prepared fields and were ready to go for youth sports and activities. This summer and fall’s extraordinary season was reliant upon the unwavering commitment and dedication of the Garden City Recreation Department. Coaches, Players and families partook in over 50 games, a summer camp, clinics and over 200 outdoor practices for an astonishing season.

In mid-July, it began with what is best defined as nervous excitement, as coaches and their families were eager to get outside together and have as much fun as possible. GCAA Softball initially resumed play with tournament teams that had been suspended since the first week of March. All teams played with electricity and excitement that continued beginning in July throughout the final playoff weekends in November.   To close out the summer, GCAA softball invited the Adelphi coaching staff and team to lead an all-ages summer camp.

Immediately after Labor Day, GCAA softball resumed FallBall Skills and Scrimmage Program, and expanded the program to all ages, in order to accommodate heightened community interest. This year’s Fallball Program was highlighted by weekly guest coaches from Long Island High Schools and Colleges.

“GCAA would like to express our deepest gratitude to the coaches and families, without whom we could not have coordinated perhaps the greatest, most meaningful season of all time for our kids. By trusting one another in an uncertain environment, and through our willingness to responsibly engage with each other, we all produced a truly extraordinary 16 weeks. Over the years, coaches and organizers always habitually mention that we ‘do it for the kids’ but this time, we did it for all of us.

“When asked about willingness to proceed in July, coaches demonstrated a special type of courage and volunteered their time and their presence, without question, doubt or hesitation. Deserving special mention are Sandy Young, Garden City Rec Dept, and Mary Sievers, GCAA. And special thanks for our Coaches Callie Osbourne, Pete Trimarchi, Adam Karol, Aneesh Lele, Naresh Rajpal, Paul Quinlan, Cesar Cabral, Pino Garufi, Dave Mirabella, Mike Santopietro, Rob Ingersoll, Joe Grimpel, Justin Coons, John Dichiara, Paul Pogozelski, John Sievers, Dan Donohue, Joe Setiadi, Tom Kelly, Adelphi Coaches Carla Campagna, Brenna Martini and the entire Adelphi Softball Team. For this I am eternally grateful.”

– Coach Drew

All current details about the program found on our website:

www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter. I am excited to announce we have recently been contacted by individuals with local information on the origin of the softball program. Anybody with contributions to GCAA Softball history, please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com

“I was never the biggest. I was never the fastest, but I always worked hard at being the best I could be, at whatever position my team needed me, and I have three Olympic gold medals for that reason.” – Leah Amico The GCAA Girls Softball majors team trained with 3 time USA Softball Olympic Gold Medalist Leah Amico, last Saturday. The girls learned strategic skills in hitting, fielding, throwing, and base running. The clinic was a fun experience for all involved. During the clinic, girls were told by Leah Amico, “Fundamentals matter at every age… Even when I was 27, my Olympic coach was constantly rolling me grounders.”

The event was an opportunity to interact with over 30 players in the league. Teams from all over Long Island practiced together for the day. GCAA Girls Softball has been working to connect with the wider community to assist in the development of young athletes. 

Prior events have brought together local teams to train with Adelphi College and the Mashers Inc. program. Each experience is a new opportunity to interact with higher level athletes in the sport.

As Ryan Sievers said; “It was amazing to meet an Olympian. She had real enthusiasm for the game and taught us a lot. We even got to wear her three gold medals!”

The program was sponsored by Manhasset PAL Softball. GCAA Girls Softball is open to all youth in Garden City, grades kindergarten through 8th.

GCAA will be hosting “Softball-APalooza” on the weekend of Saturday June 23rd (with a June 24th rain day) at Garden City Community Park Fields and Pavilion.

All details about the program, clinics, and fundraisers can be found at: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome. asp?url=gcaasoftball 

Once again, GCAA Softball set a new 10 year record for registrations for the spring season! This year, we’ve had particularly strong growth from St. Anne’s school, nearly outpacing the Stratford and Stewart Schools. The league also has record number of volunteer coaches which helps us ensure a special and exciting season is in store. GCAA Softball CEO Tim Gewert would like to thank all parents for their continued involvement in our youth program, and extend a special thanks to Coach and K-1 Director Michael Bennett for instituting a terrific newly improved K-1 Clinic.

GCAA Softball kicked off the season last Saturday on a day that started off absolutely gorgeous, but dropped a stunning 15 degrees towards the end. All 16 GCAA youth teams kicked off the season by facing each other before intertown play begins next week. While the K-3rd teams play a full season in-town Garden City, our 4th grade and up teams play other neighboring towns such as East Williston, Manhasset, Williston Park, and Port Washington. Travel is just far enough to be fun, but not so far that it’s problematic! 

All games over the weekend took place on the Garden City Middle School field, which is our home field for older players on weekends. This year, GCAA players Tiffany Rubio, Sophia Makrinos, Natalie Greiner, Mary Kate Logler, Emily Iudica, and Avery Hearon will make up the bulk of the Middle School 8th Grade team; GCAA players Ryan Sievers, Amanda DiChiara, Mackenzie Wehrum, Cate Rovelli, Ava Vicari, Maddy Hickis, and Rebecca Barry will make a strong showing on a terrific 7th Grade Middle School Team as well. GCAA will also be hosting “SoftBalla Palooza” on the weekend of Saturday June 23rd (with a June 24th rain day) at Garden City Community Park Fields and Pavilion.

All details about the program, clinics, and fundraisers can be found on our website: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and softball shortly thereafter (anybody with information on the origin of the softball program please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com). 

Garden City High School Softball players have been instrumental in assisting with GCAA Softball with a new series of Spring Clinics to kick off this season. This year GCAA Softball set about scheduling a broad series of skills clinics and with an overwhelming attendance. High School varsity coach Marissa Reichman, who has been continually helpful to the community program, set about to assist and she tapped the garden city High School varsity players to run the drills. GCAA players in Kindergarten, 1rst Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd grade worked with Varsity players on their fielding, throwing and working together on the field. GCAA youth players clinics will continue in the Spring specifically for all ages focusing on Pitchers and catchers. One of the prime directives of GCAA program is to introduce you players to proper softball skills, as the sport of softball had evolved so dramatically over the past few years. GCAA Board Member Tim Gewert shares that “as an organization, we really do our best to pull together and volunteer everywhere we can, and we have. When it comes to skills, we want to ensure they are given the opportunity to learn them properly.” As a sport, Softball has caught fire of late, and is experiencing renewed energy and growth for several reasons. As anyone will agree who has watched NCAA World Series now broadcast regularly on national TV, it has evolved into a dramatically different game than baseball. This recent national coverage has provided a spark at the right time, as parents and families are seeking sports that aren’t as overwhelming as other sport cultures and pre-requirements have become; it is also sport with minimal concussion concerns. Coach Drew mentions that it’s a Sport he can enjoy playing with his daughters together, with the simplicity of having a catch in the side yard. The official season begins April 7th. GCAA will be hosting “SoftBalla Palooza” weekend of Saturday June 23rd (June 24 rain day) fun at Garden City Community Park Fields and Pavilion. Registration for Spring is open for one more week and there are a few more slots available for each age group. All details about the program, clinics and fundraisers to be found on our website: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter (anybody with information on the origin of the softball program please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com

Adelphi University Softball teamed up with the local community youth for an amazing 3 hour long softball clinic, thankfully right before area temperatures plunged. The AU Panthers had just completed their fall season with a 0-0 tie against crosstown rival Hofstra. The following weekend, AU players led the youth clinic at Garden City Community park fields and pavilion. GCAA has been working toward finding ways to connect with the wider community to help teach young players proper skills for modern softball as the game has evolved considerably the past decade. High School players Jenna Ward and Abby Cox volunteered their time to assist as well. Fastpitch softball is an exciting alternative to other sports and is experiencing renewed growth both locally and on wider area.  Adelphi Coaches Ophir Sadeh and Monique “Mo” Roberge, designed 3 hours of action packed activity. The clinic was designed to be an advanced workshop covering specific skills like batting, throwing, and catching. Players had an opportunity to interact with college student athletes that specialized in areas of their greatest interest. While it was intensive, it was most definitely fun. Many kids like, 4th grade player Emily Ingersoll were originally scheduled to leave early, but insisted on clearing up plans to stay the full 3 hours. Youth were also given opportunities to ask college players about their experience as student athletes and the clinic closed with hot dogs and pizza for the kids, to which special thanks is directed to Garden City’s Town Meat Market and Garden City’s Novita.  Information on off season clinics can be found at www.mashersinc.com Additionally, GCAA Fall Softball includes Winter Batting cage clinics. All details about the program, clinics and fundraisers to be found on our website: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter (anybody with information on the origin of the softball program please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com

Garden City High School Softball players have been instrumental in assisting with GCAA Softballs Fall skills clinics this season. This year, GCAA Softball set about scheduling a broad series of team building skills clinics, and so far it’s been met with an overwhelming attendance. High School varsity coach Marissa Reichman, who has been continually helpful to the community program, set about to assist, and she tapped 11th grade softball players Emily Moody Butler and Jeanne Butler to help. So when Emily and Jeanne showed up to help, it was deeply appreciated. Over the weeks, the duo has worked with players on their fielding and throwing, and have also helped them develop their teamwork skills. It’s not an easy commitment, as clinics run weekly, and young players are serious about working on their skills. One of the prime directives of GCAA program is to help young players develop proper softball skills, as the sport of softball has evolved so dramatically over the past few years. GCAA board member Tim Gewert shares that “as an organization, we really do our best to pull together and volunteer everywhere we can, and we have. When it comes to skills, we want to ensure they are given the opportunity to learn them properly.”

As a sport, softball has caught fire of late, and is experiencing renewed energy and growth for several reasons. As anyone who has watched the NCAA World Series (now regularly broadcast on national TV) will agree, it has evolved into a dramatically different game than baseball. This recent national coverage has provided a spark at the right time, as parents and families are seeking sports that don’t have as overwhelming a culture or as rigid a set of pre-requirements. It’s also sport with minimal concussion concerns. Coach Drew mentions that it’s a sport he can enjoy playing together with his daughters as simply as having a catch in the side yard.

GCAA will be hosting a series of additional Youth Softball Clinics for the community, administered by the Adelphi Softball Coaches and Team, with the next clinic on Saturday, November 4. It’s community wide, and will take place at the Garden City Community Park fields from 3-6 PM on November 4th. Additionally, GCAA Fall Softball season this year includes Winter Batting cage clinics. All details about the program, clinics, and fundraisers to be found on our website: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter (anybody with information on the origin of the softball program please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com

GCAA Softball wrapped up the Summer with a three day summer camp to roll into the Fall Season. The Fall Season is a non-competitive season focusing on having fun while building up skills. Players scrimmage on weekends, and attend optional skills clinics during the week, led by Coaches that were former local Collegiate All- Stars. This seasons clinics will heighten the focus on “all-around play” rather than position specific skill sets, in an effort to keep both teams and players well rounded. While rain has been a somewhat disruptive to our schedule, players and coaches have endured the weather.

This year, the Fall season also includes Winter Batting cage clinics. New for this Season, GCAA Softball is working closely with Adelphi Softball and will be hosting a series of Youth Softball Clinics for the community, administered by the Adelphi Softball Coaches and Team. This will also include supporting and patronizing an Adelphi fund raiser on Sunday October 1rst, for “Unite for Her” cause. Additionally on November 4th, GCAA will host the Adelphi Softball Team and Coaches running a Community wide Clinic at Garden City Community Park fields from 3-6 PM.

All details about the program, clinics and fundraisers to be found on our website: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gcaasoftball

GCAA has run baseball in Garden City since 1955 and Softball shortly thereafter (anybody with information on the origin of the softball program please email gardencity.ny.softball@gmail.com