The 1st Annual Somerville SomerSlam Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament took place this past weekend in Somerville.

When city and youth sports organizations come together

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By Rebecca Danvers

Somerville Youth Softball Organization (SYSO) hosted the 1st Annual Somerville SomerSlam Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament this past weekend.

If you were out and about in the city and passed by any field in Somerville this weekend you must have seen softball games being played by some of the top 14U, 12U and 10U teams in New England.

Trum Field, Foss Park, Lincoln Park, Dilboy Field and Columbus Park in Medford played host to 65 games over a three-day period days.

27 teams, nearly 350 girls ages 14-9, and more than 900 family members visiting from CT, RI, NH, ME and MA took part in the event.

SYSO expressed its gratitude to the City of Somerville for supporting the efforts to prepare their fields.

Special thanks were also extended to the Building & Grounds for the outstanding efforts to prepare fields for tournament level playing conditions. Somerville Youth Softball Organization also wants to specifically acknowledge the following people as the true “Players of the Game” – Somerville SomerSlam 2015: Mark Ardolino, Steve Quinn, Sean Walshworry, Jacques Preval, Dave Keating, John Walsh, Tom Keenan, Rob Mercier, Ed Pelligrini, Tim McDonough, and Frank Fulco.

Special thanks are also offered to the many volunteers of Somerville Youth Softball Organization. They spent countless hours at the field welcoming visiting teams to Somerville.

Special thanks were extended to Tim Hawkins, Garrett Laws, Sean Faith, Nicole Viele, Eileen Schofield, Kevin Wilson, Stephanie Duquette, Mark Benevento, Paul French, and Chris Grover.

Organizers said that it was vital that everyone worked together to make this the best experience possible. Hospitality and field conditions were their primary focus.

Nearly all 24 visiting team coaches verbally committed to Somerville SomerSlam 2016. Parents and family members shared their uncertainties about attending a tournament in a city.

Next year they are planning their vacations around Somerville SomerSlam 2016 and will stay in the city and take advantage of the conveniences of easy access to Boston and the many dining and entertainment options here in Somerville; Assembly Row, Union Square, Davis Square and more.

Somerville Youth Softball Organization plans to use earnings from future Somerville SomerSlam Tournaments to fund renovations and upkeep of Somerville fields. Earnings will also be used to keep registration fees affordable for families. Earnings will also meet the expense of engaging in relationships with professional instructors and trainers; pitchers, catchers, hitting, fielding, softball IQ and strength and conditioning.

Future tournament plans include SomerSlam 12U & 10U and SomerSlam Showcase 14U. The Showcase tournament will include invitations to college recruiter with collegiate hosted clinics, and lectures.