THE JAMES "ACE" MORABITO MEMORIAL INVITATIONAL SOFTBALL  TOURNAMENT 

NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL'S PREMIER IN-SEASON HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL EVENT

THE LONGEST RUNNING AND LARGEST 'IN-SEASON' HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

&

THE NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL INFORMATION WEB SITE

 

(THIS SITE IS "NOT" ASSOCIATED AT ALL WITH  NYSSCOGS, THE MUDVILLE SOFTBALL COMPLEX, NOR ITS' PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN, IN ANY WAY !!! ) 

The James "Ace" Morabito Memorial Invitational High School Softball Tournament was founded, at Port Chester High School (Section 1) back in 1980 by former Port Chester HS Athletic Director, the late Tony Zimbalatti, along with former Port Chester HS Softball Coaches Bill Shaw (New York State High School Hall of Fame Inductee - Class of 2012) and Kathy Federici. This tournament, considered to be the "Grand-Daddy" of all "In Season" High School Softball Tournaments in the Eastern United States, has showcased some of the top elite players ever to come out of New York State. In 2003, the tournament moved to the Binghamton, New York area, where multiple State Coach Of The Year Selection and 2014 New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Coach Dale Cook along with BAGSAI Complex Director, Lou Bishop, continued the excellence in competition, with the tournament being held at Schurnbush Park in Conklin, NY and then at the Nationally Reknown BAGSAI Softball Complex in Binghamton, New York. In 2012, upon Dale Cook's retirement, Coach Cook gave the tournament over to Perry Novak, President of NYSSCOGS and thus it moved to the Mudville Softball Complex in Herkimer, New York to which it was held between 2012 thru 2023. In 2024, former Tournament Director Lou Bishop was given the rights to the James "Ace" Morabito Tournament name, image and likeness by members of the original Morabito Organization and subsequently was given back the responsibility for the direction of the Tournament and the Tournament returned back to Binghamton, New York at the New "State of the Art" Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park (fka: Broome County Softball Complex/BAGSAI).  The tournament was named after and dedicated to the memory of James "Ace" Morabito, who was a former Port Chester High School Baseball Player, whose life on this earth was cut well too short. In the days where Boys Athletics were considered "KING" ACE Morabito pushed for equal rights for GIRLS SOFTBALL, pressing the school to ensure that the Girls Softball Team received just as much support from the school and community as the Baseball Team did. With this drive and passion for Girls Softball, when he passed, the Tournament was created and dedicated to his memory. Below is a complete listing of the long history of this outstanding event:

Thru The Years:

1980 thru 1983 – The Beginning:

Back when the tournament was first started, the tournament was a simple 4 team tournament, from within the Sound Shore Area of the Westchester County portion of Section 1, which featured, in addition to host Port Chester High School, neighboring Rye High School, Harrison High School and Mamaroneck High School. Port Chester High School's 4 Year Varsity All Section Standout, Dayna DeCarlo was the individual who made her mark on the early days of the Morabito Tournament. Unfortunately, not until 1987, the tournament did not hand out Tournament Most Valuable Player Awards, but if there ever was one to hand out Dayna would have been a lock. She was that dominant.

1984 thru 1988 – The Formative Years:

It was during these years that the tournament became a true battle between Host Port Chester High School and neighboring Mamaroneck High School. The Lady Tigers captured the 1984 and 1986 Tournaments, while the host Lady Rams of Port Chester captured the 1985, 1987, and 1988 Tournaments. Port Chester's Marie Bellatoni and Tracy Snidack both had strong tournaments for PCHS during this period. During the 1987 Tournament, it was Port Chester High School's All Section Pitcher, Pamela Francella, who was instrumental in their ability to retake the Tournament Crown. However, it was the bat and fielding of Port Chester 3^rd Baseman, Kelly Anderson that earned her the very first Tournament MVP Award in 1987. The Iona College bound standout, had 3 home runs in the 2 games played that year and made a diving catch in the hole between 3^rd and Shortstop on a line drive hit by Rye High School All Section Standout Susan Hughes to preserve the no hitter pitched that day. In 1988, Port Chester High School continued its Tournament dominance, winning its 2nd consecutive championship, led by Tournament MVP and Binghamton University bound Catcher, Chris Moody.

1989 – The First Expansion:

It was in 1989, when the tournament went from a 4 Team Tournament to an 8 Team Tournament, played over a Friday Afternoon and the following Saturday . It was the intent of the Tournament Directors to utilize the tournament as a ‘Showcase’ event for some of the strongest pitchers in Westchester County (Section 1). Irvington High School proved to be the best that year with former Concordia College Standout Pitcher, Cathy Toolan, leading her team to victory over the 3 games played. 

1990 thru 1993 – The Second Expansion:

It was in 1990, where the Tournament Directors took a major step in the development of the event, and expanded it once again to a 16 Team – 4 Game Tournament, that was played over 2 days. It was during this time that the tournament utilized both the 2 fields at Lyons Park as well as its New Port Chester Middle School Softball Complex, that allowed games to be played at night. It was also during this time that that the field of 16 expanded outside of Section 1, with teams from neighboring Section 9 being included. Finally, these were the years that the tournament champion went on to win a State Softball Championship within its respective enrollment classification. Eastchester High School (Section 1) was the first school during this period to win "Back to Back" Tournament Championships, as well as to go on to win "Back to Back" NYSPHSAA State Softball Championships, in 1990 and again in 1991, coached by 2013 NYS High School Softball Hall of Fame Inductee Thomas "Skip" Walsh. Their 1990 Team was led by Tournament MVP, Fordham University Pitching Standout Pitcher, and 2018 NYS High School Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Jennifer Satriale. The 1991 Eastchester High School Championship Team was led by Tournament MVP, University of North Carolina - Charlotte All Star and Inaugurial 2012 NYS High School Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Bonnie Bell. In 1992, Minisink Valley High School (Section 9) entered the tournament, and subsequently went on to win "Back to Back" Tournament Championships, and in 1993, going on to win the NYSPHSAA State Softball Championship. Their 1992 Team was led by Tournament MVP, USMA/West Point Standout Pitcher and 2013 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee Carolyn Copcutt. Minsink Valley's 1993 Tournament Championship Team was led by Tournament MVP Cindy Hartman.

1994 thru 2002 – The Final Expansion:

It was in 1994, that the Tournament Committee, which now included Jerry Federici, who would eventually take over as Athletic Director at Port Chester High School, made its boldest move to date. In addition to the 16 Teams participating in the Morabito Tournament, to which the field of 16 teams invited, was expanded out to all High Schools throughout the entire State of New York, making it “The Grand-Daddy” of all High School Softball Tournaments in the entire State of New York. The Tournament Committee also formed a “Sister” 8 Team Tournament, called the Charles Bambace Memorial Invitational Softball Tournament, named after one of Port Chester High School’s former Athletic Directors, to coincide with the Morabito Tournament. This ‘Sister Tournament’ was meant to allow 8 locally based teams to the Port Chester Area, to participate in a competitive event, while being able to watch some of the elite teams in the state play right next to them. These were the years that Section 4 (Southern Tier Area) dominated the event. In 1994 and again in 1995, Binghamton Seton Catholic High School captured the Tournament Championship and subsequently went on, both years, to capture the NYSPHSAA State Softball Championship. The 1994 Team was led by former Canisius College great, Joy Judski. In 1995, they again went on to win the tournament and was led by former Louisiana State University Standout Pitcher and 2012 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Julie Stashko. In 1996 Horseheads High School, from Section 4, helmed by 2013 NYS High School Softball Hall of Fame Coach Warren Conklin, captured the Tournament Championship as well as the NYSPHSAA State Championship. The Lady Blue Raiders were led by 2013 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee and St. Joseph’s University All Star Pitcher, Christina Kowalski. In 1997, Susquehanna Valley High School, led by NYS HS Softball Hall of Famers, Pitcher and former UCONN Standout Pitcher Barb Cook (2012 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee) along with her dad, former Morabito Tournament Director and SVHS Coach Dale Cook (2014 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee), continued Section 4's dominance during this period of time. The 1998 Tournament was cancelled due to rain all weekend long. In 1999, Horseheads High School captured its 2nd Tournament Championship, with Tournament MVP, and St. John's Fisher College bound, Amanda Kent dominating the competition. Unfortunately, in 2000, Mother Nature came in and forced cancellation of the event. Section 1's North Rockland High School and St. Thomas Aquinas College great and Tournament MVP, Megan DeLalla, came into the 2001 event and dominated it from start to end. In 2002, the rain once again spoiled what would be the last year that Port Chester High School would host the famed tournament, forcing cancellation of the tournament for this year. 

2003 thru 2006 – The Move – Part 1:

It was in 2003, that due to Port Chester High School no longer being able to host the event, that the Morabito Tournament moved to the Southern Tier Area of New York State. Susquehanna Valley High School and Coach Dale Cook, agreed to become the New Host School for the tournament. The tournament was held at both Susquehanna Valley High School and Schnurbusch Park in Conklin, New York. Susquehanna Valley High School ended up being the winner of the tournament in 2003 and again in 2005, led by 2003 Tournament MVP, Fordham University All Star Pitcher, and 2016 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Rachael Wiggins and 2005 Tournament MVP and former Seton Hall University Standout, Shannon Pease. In 2004, Cicero North Syracuse High School, led by All State Catcher, Binghamton University great and 2016 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Jessica Phillips, took the title. In 2006, Brewster High School (Section 1), led by Tournament MVP and former University of Buffalo standout, Kristen Gallipani won the event. It was in 2005, that after a torrential downpour of rain, that the Tournament Committee utilized a “Helicopter” contracted from the Nearby Airport to hover over the fields to help dry them out. This was a spectacle that amazed everyone who was in attendance that year and is still talked about today (See Photo Below)

2007 thru 2011 – The Move – Part 2:

It was in 2007, that the tournament was moved from Conklin, New York to the BAGSAI Softball Complex in Binghamton, New York. This would be the last year that Founding Tournament Director, former Port Chester High School Softball Coach, and Inaugural 2012 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Bill Shaw, would be Co-Chairman of the event, as he announced his retirement following the 2007 Tournament. Tappan Zee High School from Section 1 won the event that year, with UCLA bound Julie Pacino winning the MVP Award, hitting 4 amazing home runs, one clear over a "mysterious tour bus" parked just outside the Right Center Field Fence on Field 2, during that tournament. The side story of that year’s tournament was the presence of that very large tour bus with the windows all shaded, located beyond the Right-Center Field Fence outside of Field 2 at BAGSAI. No one, other than the Tournament Directors knew why this bus was parked there. It was a mystery all weekend long, until the tournament was completed, and Tappan Zee High School was handed their Championship Trophy. The individual who was inside that tour bus watching the event all weekend long was Julie Pacino’s father, the famed Academy Award Winning Actor, Al Pacino.  In 2008, Victor High School (Section 5), captured the tournament championship, led by Tournament MVP and St. Bonaventure University bound Erin Nargi.  In 2009, Chenango Valley High School out of Section 4, with Tournament MVP, former Marist College standout, and 2019 New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame inductee Dani Koltz leading the way, went on to take the tournament crown. In 2010, led by 2020 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Tournament MVP and former Syracuse University standout, Mary Beth Dombrowski, Bethlehem High School out of Section 2, capture the Tournament Championship. Finally, in 2011, which was to be the last year that the tournament would be held at the BAGSAI Softball Complex, it was Cicero North Syracuse High School from Section 3, who would garner the their 2nd Tournament Championship Trophy. Their Tournament Championship Quest that year was led by their 4 Time All State Pitcher, 2011 Tournament MVP, Syracuse University and NCAA Record Setting Standout, and 2018 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, Sydney O'Hara. 

2012 thru 2019 – The Move – Part 3:

It was in 2012, upon the announcement by Tournament Director Dale Cook that he was stepping down as Tournament Director, and that Mr. Perry Novak, Owner of the Mudville Softball Complex and President of NYSSCOGS (New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports) was asked by Coach Cook to take on and host the Morabito Tournament in Herkimer, New York. In 2012, led by Shippensburg University great, 2020 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee and Morabito Tournament MVP, Quincy Lewis, that Corning High School from Section 4 captured the Tournament Championship. In 2013, it was Section 3's Cicero North Syracuse High School, who won their 3rd Morabito Tournament Championship Crown, with Tournament MVP and Edinboro University bound Kate Lenart leading the way. In 2014, Brockport High School from Section 5, led by Tournament MVP, 2020 NYS HS Softball Hall of Fame Inductee and former Liberty University Standout Pitcher Julia DiMartino (who was coached by legendary NCAA and USA Olympic Great, Dr. Dot Richardson), took claim of the Tournament Championship. Valhalla High School, in 2015, played in its very first Morabito Tournament, and brought back the Tournament Crown to Section 1, with University of Wisconsin bound Kaylie Dymek being awarded the Tournament MVP.  Then in 2016, North Rockland High School, captured its 2nd Morabito Tournament Championship, with former Manhattan College Pitching Standout, Kayla McDermott being awarded the Tournament MVP. In 2017, unfortunately, with the torrential downpour of rain on Saturday Afternoon, caused the event to be called to a halt during play and subsequently forcing the event to be cancelled. The 2018 Tournament proved to be a very competitive and unique tournament. Rain in the forecast forced the teams to only play 1 game each on Saturday, pushing the tournament to 3 - 5 Inning games to be played on Sunday to complete the event. However, the sun came out in all of its glory and the grit and determination was evident throughout the day. In the end, it came down to 2 former Morabito Tournament Champions, both from Section 4, Suquehanna Valley High School and Corning High School, playing in the Championship Game. Corning HS came out on top, by a score of 4-1. Also, for the very first time in Tournament History, Co-MVP's were named, as Corning's Laura Bennett and Susquehanna Valley's Sophia Pappas (2024 New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame Inductee) were selected as Co-MVP's for the 2018 Tournament. Section 4's Deposit High School, led by Tournament MVP, MacKenzie Stiles, dominated the 2019 Tournament, by winning their 4 games by scores of 4-3, 7-0, 4-0, and 1-0 in the final game. Sadly, the 2020 Tournament was cancelled due to the World-Wide Covid-19/Coronavirus Crisis.  Between 2021 and 2023, under the direction of then Tournament Director, Perry Novak, the event ended up being a shell of what it was prior to this period of time, and was a totally different event, similarly named, while being held at the Mudville Softball Complex, to which none of the original founders of the event were involved in between 2020 and 2023.

2024 – The Move – Part 4:

In 2024, Former Tournament Director, Lou Bishop along with assistance from Tournament Founding Director, Bill Shaw, revived the James "Ace" Morabito Memorial Invitational Softball Tournament, thus bringing it back to its original glory and structure. The event is now held back in Binghamton, New York at the "New" Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park. For the 2024 Tournament, was 'Rain-Shortened' by 1 games, Co-Champions were crowned, with St. Anthony's High School (CHSAA-Long Island) along with Fredonia High School (Section 6) name Co-Champs. St. Anthony's High School's Mila Fiordalisi, was named the Tournament MVP. Fredonia High School's Jordan Lucas was the receipiant of the Inaugural "Coach Kerry Bennett Sportsmanship Award".  

TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN:

1980-1984:

TONY ZIMBALATTI
KATHY FEDERICI
BILL SHAW

1985-1994:

TONY ZIMBALATTI
BILL SHAW

1995-2002:

BILL SHAW
JERRY FEDERICI

2003-2006:

BILL SHAW
DALE COOK

2007:

BILL SHAW
DALE COOK
LOU BISHOP
JIM TESTA

2008 - 2011:

DALE COOK
LOU BISHOP

2012 - 2023

PERRY NOVAK

2024 - PRESENT

LOU BISHOP
PAUL RICHMOND

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OVER THE YEARS, THE JAMES "ACE" MORABITO MEMORIAL INVITATIONAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT HAS SHOWCASED SOME OF THE FINEST HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAMS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. SINCE 1990, A PARTICIPANT OF THE MORABITO TOURNAMENT HAS GONE ON TO CAPTURE THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE ENROLLMENT CLASSIFICATION. SOME OF THOSE GREAT TEAMS HAVE BEEN:

HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

DEPOSIT HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

ARDSLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

JOHN JAY (EAST FISHKILL) HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

CHENANGO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

MINISINK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 9

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

BAY SHORE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 11

EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

ORCHARD PARK HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 6

BINGHAMTON SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

CICERO NORTH-SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 3

SOUTH GLENS FALLS HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 2

AFTON HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL - CHSAA

VICTOR HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 5

MOORE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - CHSAA

FALCONER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 6

BINGHAMTON HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

MECHANICVILLE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 2

WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 6

PEARL RIVER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1
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HERE IS THE LISTING OF THE MORABITO TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS OF THE PAST YEARS:

2024 - ST. ANTHONY'S (CHSAA) AND FREDONIA HIGH SCHOOL (SECTION 6) - RAIN SHORTENED BY 1 ROUND

2023 - NARDIN ACADEMY - CHSAA (ALTHOUGH THE TOURNAMENT FORMAT WAS MUCH DIFFERENT THAT IT WAS UP TILL 2019 AND NOW IN 2024)

2022 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO THE RESTRUCTURE OF THE TOURNAMENT BY PERRY NOVAK

2021 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

2020 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

2019 - DEPOSIT HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

2018 - CORNING HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

2017 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO RAIN

2016 - NORTH ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

2015 - VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

2014 - BROCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 5

2013 - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 3

2012 - CORNING HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

2011 - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 3

2010 - BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 2

2009 - CHENANGO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

2008 - VICTOR HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 5

2007 - TAPPAN ZEE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

2006 - BREWSTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

2005 - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

2004 - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 3

2003 - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

2002 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO RAIN

2001 - NORTH ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

2000 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO RAIN

1999 - HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

1998 - NO CHAMPION CROWNED DUE TO RAIN

1997 - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

1996 - HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 4

1995 - BINGHAMTON SETON CATHOLIC H.S. - SECTION 4

1994 - BINGHAMTON SETON CATHOLIC H.S. - SECTION 4

1993 - MINISINK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 9

1992 - MINISINK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 9

1991 - EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1990 - EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1989 - IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1988 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1987 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1986 - MAMARONECK HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1985 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1984 - MAMORONECK HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1983 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1982 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1981 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

1980 - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - SECTION 1

OVER THE YEARS, THIS TOURNAMENT HAS SHOW-CASED SOME OF THE TOP HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL ATHLETES THAT THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS EVER PRODUCED. HERE IS A LISTING OF THE PAST MVP RECEIPANTS OF THE TOURNAMENT:

2024 - MILA FIORDALISI - ST. ANTHONY'S HS (CORNELL UNIVERSITY ) 

2023 - ERIN NUWER - NARDIN ACADEMY (UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE)

2022 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO THE RESTRUCTURE OF THE TOURNAMENT  (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

2021 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS CRISIS (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

2020 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS CRISIS (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

2019 - MACKENZIE STILES - DEPOSIT HIGH SCHOOL (UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH)

2018 - LAURA BENNETT - CORNING HIGH SCHOOL (LE MOYNE COLLEGE) & SOPHIA PAPPAS - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY) *

2017 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO RAIN (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

2016 - KAYLA McDERMOTT - NORTH ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL (MANHATTAN COLLEGE)

2015 - KAYLIE DYMEK - VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL (UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN)

2014 - JULIA DiMARTINO - BROCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL (LIBERTY UNIVERSITY) *

2013 - KALET LENART - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL (EDINBORO UNIVERSITY)

2012 - QUINCY LEWIS - CORNING HIGH SCHOOL (SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY [FORMERALY AT LIU-C.W. POST]) *

2011 - SYDNEY O'HARA - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL (SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY) *

2010 - MARY BETH DOMBROWSKI - BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL (SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY) *

2009 - DANI KOLTZ - CHENANGO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (MARIST COLLEGE) *

2008 - ERIN NARGI - VICTOR HIGH SCHOOL (ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY)

2007 - JULIE PACINO - TAPPAN ZEE HIGH SCHOOL (UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - LOS ANGELES - UCLA)

2006 - KRISTEN GALLIPANI - BREWSTER HIGH SCHOOL (UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO)

2005 - SHANNON PEASE - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (SETON HALL UNIVERSITY)

2004 - JESSICA PHILLIPS - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL (BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY) *

2003 - RACHAEL WIGGINS - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (FORDHAM UNIVERSITY) *

2002 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO RAIN (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

2001 - MEGAN DeLALLA - NORTH ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL (ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE)

2000 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO RAIN (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

1999 - AMANDA KENT - HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL (ST. JOHN'S FISHER COLLEGE)

1998 - NO M.V.P. CROWNED DUE TO RAIN (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY APPLICABLE)

1997 - BARB COOK - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT) *

1996 - CHRISTINA KOWALSKI - HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL (ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY) *

1995 - JULIE STASHKO - BINGHAMTON SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY) *

1994 - JOY JUDSKI - BINGHAMTON SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (CANISIUS COLLEGE)

1993 - CINDY HARTMAN - MINISINK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY ATTENDED)

1992 - CAROLYN COPCUTT - MINISINK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (U.S. MILITARY ACADMEMY - WEST POINT) *

1991 - BONNIE BELL - EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL (UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-CHARLOTTE) *

1990 - JENNIFER SATRIALE - EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL (FORDHAM UNIVERSITY) *

1989 - CATHY TOOLAN - IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL (CONCORDIA COLLEGE)

1988 - CHRIS MOODY - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL (BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY)

1987 - KELLY ANDERSON - PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL (IONA COLLEGE)

1986 - NO MVP CROWNED

1985 - NO MVP CROWNED

1984 - NO MVP CROWNED

1983 - NO MVP CROWNED

1982 - NO MVP CROWNED

1981 - NO MVP CROWNED

1980 - NO MVP CROWNED

* INDUCTED INTO THE NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME

"COACH KERRY BENNETT SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD" WINNERS

2024 - JORDAN LUCAS - FREDONIA HS  (ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY)

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HISTORY OF SITE LOCATIONS:

1980 thru 1989:

PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL FIELDS # 1 & # 2

    

1989 thru 2003:

PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL (FIELDS # 1 & # 2 - SEE PHOTO ABOVE)

LYONS PARK - PORT CHESTER (FIELDS # 1 & # 2 - SEE PHOTO BELOW)

PORT CHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL COMPLEX (SEE PHOTO BELOW)

2003 thru 2005:

SCHNURBUSCH PARK - FIELDS # 1, # 2 & # 3 (SEE PHOTO BELOW) *

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL (SEE PHOTO BELOW)

* IN 2005 IN ORDER TO GET THE SCHNURBUSCH PARK FIELDS PLAYABLE, THE MORABITO TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE USED A HELICOPTER TO DRY OUT THE FIELDS. BELOW IS A PHOTO OF THE HELICOPTER HOVERING OVER FIELD # 2 AT SCHNURBUSCH PARK

 

2006 thru 2011:

BAGSAI SOFTBALL COMPLEX - BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK (SEE PHOTO BELOW) 

 

 

2012 to 2023:

MUDVILLE SOFTBALL COMPLEX, HERKIMER, NEW YORK

 

2024-PRESENT

GREENLIGHT NETWORKS GRAND SLAM PARK, BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK

LONGEST HOME RUNS HIT IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY:

JULIE PACINO - TAPPAN ZEE H.S. - AT BAGSAI FIELD # 3

EMILY ACQUAVIVA - NEW HARTFORD H.S. - AT MUDVILLE FIELD # 5

MADDIE SHUFELT - TROY H.S. - AT MUDVILLE FIELD 2

BRANDI COON - VALHALLA H.S - AT MUDVILLE FIELD 5

KELLY BUCKLEY - HORSEHEADS H.S. - AT LYONS PARK #1

CHRISTINA KOWALSKI - HORSEHEADS H.S. - AT LYONS PARK #1

CINDY HARTMAN - MINISINK VALLEY H.S. - AT LYONS PARK #2

LEAH TRUNCALE - NEWBURGH F.A. - AT LYONS PARK #2

BONNIE BELL - EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL - P.C.MIDDLE SCHOOL

JOY JUDSKI - SETON CATHOLIC - P.C. HIGH SCHOOL #1

AMANDA KENT - HORSEHEADS H.S. - LYONS PARK # 1

SUE MAYO - VALLEY CENTRAL H.S. - P.C MIDDLE SCHOOL

CHRIS MOODY - PORT CHESTER H.S. - P.C. HIGH SCHOOL #1

LAUREN RENDE - ARDSLEY H.S. - AT MUDVILLE FIELD # 1

 

MEMORABLE NO HIT GAMES PITCHED:

1987: PAMELA FRANCELLA - PORT CHESTER (vs. RYE H.S.)

1989: CATHY TOOLAN - IRVINGTON (vs. HARRISON H.S.)

1990: JENNIFER SATRIALE - EASTCHESTER (vs. NORTH SALEM H.S.)

1992: CAROLYN COPCUTT - MINISINK VALLEY (vs. PORT CHESTER H.S.)

1994: JULIE STASHKO - SETON CATHOLIC (vs. CORNWALL H.S.)

1995: JULIE STASHKO - SETON CATHOLIC (vs. BREWSTER H.S.)

1995: KATE HANSEN - MINSINK VALLEY (vs. WARRENSBURG H.S.)

1996: CHRISTINA KOWALSKI - HORSEHEADS (vs. FORT ANN H.S.)

1996: SARAH MAIDA - NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY (vs. AFTON H.S.)

1996: AMANDA NOYES - AFTON (vs. SUFFERN H.S.)

1997: BARB COOK - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY (vs. AUSABLE VALLEY H.S.)

1999: SARA DeANGELIS - CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE (vs. HARRISON H.S.)

2002: RACHEL WIGGINS - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY & KRISTEN HALVORSEN - CORNWALL (2 - 10 INN. IN SAME GAME)

2003: A. BUCHANAN - WINDSOR (vs. IRONDEQUOIT H.S.)

2006: CHELSEA PLIMPTON - WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH (vs. SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY H.S.)*

2007: BECKAH WIGGINS - SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY (vs. WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH H.S. - 11 INNING LOSS)

2008: ERIN NARGI - VICTOR (vs JOHN JAY [East Fishkill] H.S.) *

2010: JULIE PINCKNEY - VALLEY CENTRAL (vs VESTAL H.S.)*

2016: KAYLA McDERMOTT - NORTH ROCKLAND (vs. MECHANICVILLE H.S.)

* PERFECT GAME

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HISTORY OF OUTSTANDING COACHING IN THE HISTORY OF THE TOURNAMENT (BY SECTION):

SECTION 1

JOHN JAY (EAST FISHKILL) HIGH SCHOOL:

BONNIE SCHILLING

JOHN JAY (CROSS RIVER) HIGH SCHOOL:

GEOFF LOVEDAY

PEARL RIVER HIGH SCHOOL:

MICHAEL CARLACCI *

NORTH ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL:

TONY TORONTO *

MICHELLE SHAW

JACKIE DiNUZZO

 

ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL (YONKERS):

TONY CALIENDO

ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL:

DICK BEAMS

PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL:

KATHY FEDERICI
BILL SHAW *
DON MILLS

EASTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL:

TOM "SKIP" WALSH *

SUFFERN HIGH SCHOOL:

RAY BUTEUX

SECTION 2:

COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL:

HELENE PIEL
GARY HOLTZ *

SARATOGA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL:

BRENDA ADAMS

WARRENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL:

CARRIE ANNE BUMP

MECHANICVILLE HIGH SCHOOL:

DON ARCENEAUX *

SECTION 3:

CICERO NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL:

KERRY BENNETT

SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL:

PAT McDOUGAL *

SECTION 4:

CHENANGO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL:

ERIC COLEMAN

BINGHAMTON SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL:

DAVE LIGEIKIS *

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL & BINGHAMTON HIGH SCHOOL:

DALE COOK *

HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL:

WARREN CONKLIN *

AFTON HIGH SCHOOL:

CINDY BOSTLEMAN *

SECTION 5:

VICTOR HIGH SCHOOL:

SHELLY COLLINS *

SECTION 6:

WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL:

GERRY GENTNER *

SECTION 9:

MINISINK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL:

BRUCE GUYETTE

NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY:

LOU "THE PROFESSOR" BUCCI

VALLEY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL:

SANDY STRAUSS *
FRANK JORDAN

MARLBORO HIGH SCHOOL:

JONNAH O'DONNELL

CORNWALL HIGH SCHOOL:

RICK MILLER *

 

SECTION 11:

BAY SHORE HIGH SCHOOL:

JIM McGOWAN *

 * INDUCTED INTO THE NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME

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MR. BILL SHAW RETIRES AS TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR - MORABITO TOURNAMENT

IN 2007, BILL SHAW, FORMER PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL COACH AND LONG TIME TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, RETIRED FROM THE MORABITO TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE, AFTER 27 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO THIS ANNUAL EVENT. HIS LOYALATY AND COMMITMENT TO THIS TOURNAMENT, AS WELL AS THE GAME OF HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IS SECOND TO NONE. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS WILL CERTAINLY BE MISSED BY ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAME AND WISH HIM NOTHING BUT THE BEST IN HIS FUTURE ENDEVOUS.


IN MEMORIUM - ANTHONY "ZIMBO" ZIMBALATTI - FOUNDING CO-DIRECTOR OF THE MORABITO TOURNAMENT AND FORMER ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT PORT CHESTER HIGH SCHOOOL

May 27, 2006 

Anthony F. Zimbalatti, age 79, passed away in his sleep peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at his home in West Harrison, NY. One of the most gifted athletes to grace the playing fields of Westchester County, Mr Zimbalatti was an outstanding physical education teacher and coach, serving as Athletic Director in the Port Chester Public Schools for over thirty five years. He started the James "Ace" Morabito Memorial Invitational Softball Tournament, and served as one of the Tournament Directors from 1981 to 1994. The Morabito Tournament has become the largest "In Season" High School Softball Tournaments in the Eastern United States.