Ladies brave elements at Fall Mountain event

Cold, damp – and sometimes rainy – weather didn't deter four softball teams from Vermont and three more from New Hampshire a chance for some game-like action Saturday.

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2016-04-04 / Sports Ladies brave elements at Fall Mountain event «» View full-size Springfield pitcher Hannah Crosby puts a tag on a Stevens runner at the plate. — TIM TAYLOR http://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/SprSB-Crosby.jpghttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/WinSB-KristinClark.jpghttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/FMSB-SaraMarsden.jpghttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/SteSB-Ford.jpghttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/BFSB-DakodaCarter.jpg By TIM TAYLOR sports@eagletimes.com Newport’s Stephanie Carl goes through her windup during Saturday’s jamboree at Fall Mountain. — TIM TAYLOR Newport’s Stephanie Carl goes through her windup during Saturday’s jamboree at Fall Mountain. — TIM TAYLOR LANGDON – Cold, damp – and sometimes rainy – weather didn't deter four softball teams from Vermont and three more from New Hampshire a chance for some game-like action Saturday. Bellows Falls, Springfield, Windsor and Hartford made the trek across the border to join Fall Mountain, Newport and Stevens at the host Wildcats' preseason jamboree. Each team was scheduled to play at least two one-hour games against an opponent from the other state (the day’s final game was cut short due to heavy rain). In addition to testing players’ skills against someone other than a teammate, coaches had an opportunity to evaluate their squads as they prepare to set their lineups for opening day. FM coach Katie Hanatow said there are several advantages to participating in a multi-team event. “Not only for our girls, but for all the other girls it's the first time out on the field, so hitting, fielding, sportsmanship, getting used to playing outside in the cold weather — it looks like we're going to have a cold spring,” she said. “Not only that, but playing different teams out of league. We have a lot of teams from Vermont and New hampshire, so we're not playing teams we play in the regular season.” “I think all the coaches like the opportunity to get out and spread things out a bit, look at different things,” said Springfield coach Andy Bladyka. “The hour is a little tight on us sometimes, but that’s OK. We got a lot out of that first hour. “We don’t care what the scores are. I don’t think any of the coaches do. We all know what we have to work on this time of year and this is the opportunity we need, to set our team up against another team and let it go. We just hope we see good pitching … that makes it more beneficial. I think most the schools here have pretty decent first pitchers.” Several players were still trying to find their groove while others appeared to be in pretty good form. Newport pitcher Stephanie Carl and the Tigers looked sharp, but believes there is some work to do. “I felt like I was definitely rusty,” she said. “I haven't pitched to a batter in a while, but it definitely felt good getting back into it and my team looked pretty good. We're a little rusty. We had a couple errors, but we did pretty good all-in-all.” Like the coaches, the senior sees positives in playing in a jamboree. “It's always good to see other people you haven't played in preseason, like in regular season,” she said. “I just think the jamboree is definitely a good first time to get all the jitters out.” Regular season play begins this week in both states.