Younger area softball players who’ve wanted to play in an accelerated program beyond Suburban League in past years have been forced to travel out of town, sometimes to programs based up to an hour away.
Well, a group of local coaches could have an option for some of those players who want to play high-caliber ball closer to home.
Jeff Burniske and Fred Warren, with help from Gary Deane and Bryon Fuller, have helped form the Valley Storm, a girls’ fastpitch softball program based in South Deerfield that will make its debut at the 14-and-under level for the summer tournament season.
According to Fuller, the squad is hoping to play between six and eight tournaments throughout New England. The Storm is scheduled to make its debut in June after the school season ends. He added that most school postseason tournaments are over by the time the valley’s Suburban Softball League season begins.
The Storm will carry a 14-player roster for its inaugural season, drawing players primarily from Franklin and Hampshrie counties. Fuller said the hope is that the program will also appeal to players from southern Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as Hampden County.
Due to the small age gaps and the fact that several girls would be ineligible to play 14U after this year, Fuller said that the program is already planning to add a 16U team next year. He added that, depending on the interest level, adding a 12U will also be considered.
Playing on a travel team can be a financial burden. Add in other costs like gas, food and lodging on the longer trips, and expenses quickly skyrocket.
Fuller said his own daughter was forced to play on a travel team in Brattleboro, Vt., last summer, “because there was nothing around here.”
Fuller said the team has already held about 15 practices between a private indoor facility and outside at Deerfield Academy and Merritt Field in Sunderland. The Storm is scheduled to make its debut in Keene, N.H., on July 17, with tourneys in Greenfield, Brattleboro and Warwick R.I., to follow. Events in Tewksbury and Leominster may also be added later in the year.
Fuller said the program is looking at playing in the fall, either in a rec program in Easthampton or the 14U league at Fastpitch Nation in East Hartford, Conn., near Rentschler Field.
One of the major factros supporting the program’s start has been the help of multiple sponsors and public donations, which covered approximately 75 percent of the operating expenses for this year.
A portion of those donations helped purchase uniforms, which will consist of orange shirts with the Storm logo on the front, black letters and numerals, black pants with orange stirrups, and orange and white batting helmets.
Fuller expressed optimism that the program will flourish – sooner rather than later.
“Our goal is to be part of the group of travel teams that everybody tries out for,” said Fuller.