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"These girls train to be athletes for a living. Most of us work day jobs and this is our training," said Cheryl Pursell of Easton. "I've been playing in the league since the early 1980s. I've been the President since 1995. The league (which was originally the PARL (Palmer Adult Recreation League) has been in existence from the early '70s playing its games at the Palmer Elementary School complex before moving to Fairview and LaBarre Parks, and finally to the Bob Rute Complex at Hacketts Park, our home since the late '90s."
Pursell, along with field manager Al Cressman and All Army's Mike Puzauskie, organize the event.
"The All-Army team generally contacts us when they find out when they will be in camp (at Fort Indiantown Gap)," Pursell explained. "We try to find a common date not conflicting with anything. We ask the teams to play, and then it's a matter of generating some publicity to get the attendance up. And of course we make sure the complex is in top shape, which it usually is thanks to Mr. Al."
Adding to the experience of the well-manicured field, "mascot" Sharon Emery, who plays on Flynn's team within the league, danced around wearing a mask that transformed her face into a baseball. The self-proclaimed 'crazy one,' she is quick to announce that no one asked her to be there.
"I wanted to be here for them," Emery explained. "This is an awesome event."
Finnen's voice booms over the loudspeaker, and he takes a moment to express his pleasure for participating in this event for the seventh year.
"I've been announcing Lafayette basketball and football for 42 years," Finnen said. "This is an interesting assignment. I always enjoy learning of the ladies' military careers. It's also a pleasure to witness the great hospitality that Cheryl Pursell and Al Cressman always show."
Scorekeeper Hazel DeReamus, of Tatamy, helps out while watching her daughter, Donna Riegel, also of Tatamy, pitch. As Riegel throws another pitch, DeReamus tells the story of how her daughter has been playing softball for as long as she can remember.
The Army teams are made up of members who are flown in from all over the country and overseas. They try out for the Army teams and there are typically enough players for a couple of teams initially.
"In the past we used an All-Star team to play them and we may still do that again in the future," said Pursell. "But with the two games, they can take a closer look at more of their players. This is a part of the preparation for their upcoming championship tournaments."
Erica Biery, of Northampton, notes that win or lose, it is an exciting experience.
"We are playing against an official team-one that trains hard-and we have an announcer; it's very exciting. It's good for our league to play against such quality teams."
Pursell summed up her feelings, and possibly those of her teammates as well, on the reason for the popularity of women's softball.
"Softball is an escape from everyday life," she said. "It's a chance to be a part of a team, to be a hero, to relive your youth. You don't have to be all-star, but just be committed and give 100 percent. And of course we like to have fun. I could have a banner day in sales and I know it couldn't come anywhere close to the enjoyment I experience on the field. I just love the game of softball."
Jaye Kinnard is a sports writer for the Lehigh Valley News Group. She can be reached at jkinnard@lehighvalleynewsgroup.com.
