Field of Dreams

"If you build it, they will come."

Even if you haven't seen the film Field of Dreams, you're likely familiar with the famous line whispered to Kevin Costner's character as he walks on his farm one summer evening. Inspired by the mysterious voice, he transforms an ordinary cornfield into a baseball field. And when the field is complete, something magical happens. The ghosts of legendary MLB players emerge from the cornfield, playing the game he loves. Building the field makes dreams come true for him and his family.

In the summer of 2020, Tom Pallante may have heard a similar whisper. While the world stood still during the pandemic, Pallante embarked on a mission to restore the lower softball field—a field that had been neglected and fallen into disrepair. Day after day, with the help of his wife Jayme and their children Ty and Lily, he toiled away. Some onlookers scratched their heads, wondering why he was working so hard on a field that had no purpose at the time. There were no students on campus to use it, and MSA didn't even have a softball team. What was the point? Did he expect the ghosts of great players to emerge from the woods once he finished?

Although baseball legends like "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver never materialized to play on the restored field, the ripple effects of Pallante's labor in the summer of 2020 were just as magical and inspiring.

As it turns out, Pallante was building more than a field. He was laying the foundation for the creation of a softball team at Miller School. "Once the field and the old backstop were restored, we began to believe that offering softball as a club sport was possible. In 2022, ten girls expressed interest, and we started that first year playing five games," Pallante shared.

MSA's inaugural team included two experienced players, one of whom was Pallante's daughter, Lily. Providing her with the opportunity to play softball for Miller School was one of the driving forces behind creating the team. "We had two female students, Presleigh Braxton and Lily, who played travel ball and didn't have the chance to play high school softball in the spring season. Lily developed a love for the sport during the summer of 2020 through the Braxtons," Pallante explained.

After the first season as a club sport, interest in the softball team grew rapidly. Several new students enrolled at MSA to join the team, while existing students decided to try their hand at a new sport. Consequently, the team entered the 2023 season as an official VISAA D2 team with a fifteen-game schedule.

Pallante attributes the team's growth to the leadership of the players. "Our five seniors—Presleigh Braxton, Lily May Holland, Lele Watson, Caroline Bush, and Ella Smith—all played on the club team last year. They promoted the sport and the team at MSA, which helped us attract two new students, Kalli Monahan and Jordyn Lohr, as well as more current students."

The team's success in its first official season is remarkable. With a 15-game regular season, the Mavericks achieved an 11-4 record, with their only losses coming from a 2A High School team. This achievement earned the Mavericks their first-ever State Tournament invitation.

The team's accomplishments are the epitome of a collective effort. Presleigh Braxton shone as a leader in center field, tightening the entire outfield defense. She led off the lineup every game and consistently put the ball in play, boasting a .611 batting average. Lily May Holland displayed tremendous growth as a defensive player, transitioning from third base to become a reliable first baseman. Her confidence and positive attitude inspired the team daily.

Lele Watson had a breakout season, showcasing her determination and grit as the "hot corner" third baseman. Caroline Bush joined the team later but immediately made an impact with her offensive prowess, consistently making contact with the ball.

Sophomore Lily Pallante, returning from the previous year, achieved outstanding numbers, leading the team in almost every offensive category. She finished the season with a remarkable .745 batting average, 32 RBIs, an .810 on-base percentage, and 5 home runs.

Newcomers Jordyn Lohr and Kalli Manahan formed a formidable duo throughout the season. Jordyn pitched nearly every inning, except for two, posting an impressive ERA of 2.00 with 94 strikeouts against 28 walks. Kalli, primarily a second baseman and shortstop, caught every pitch thrown this season—an exceptional accomplishment. She also led the team in doubles with ten.

Quinn Abdella and Parker Braxton, both newcomers, provided significant depth on the defensive front. Quinn emerged as a dual threat in the latter part of the season, performing well both at the plate and on the bases. Parker displayed remarkable versatility as a first-year player, occupying three different positions on the field.

The combination of a restored softball field, a dedicated and passionate coach, and a talented group of players has transformed MSA into a field of dreams in 2023. The team's success is a testament to the spirit of pursuing one's passions and heeding the whispers that urge us to make our dreams a reality.