Gals raise bar to new heights

The CLCF-CWLL softball team stole just about every sports-related headline in Rhode Island this week, and for good reason.

For the first time since 2015, a Rhode Island team will be representing New England in the Little League World Series. The Gals earned their spot there with a dominant run through the state and regional tournaments.

What happens on the field from here on out is actually not as important as what has gone on off of it.

Let’s just get the X’s and O’s out of the way up front, though.

This team has a chance to do some serious damage in North Carolina. Sure, every team that is making the trip is probably saying the same thing, but Cranston’s team truly has all the makings of a nationally-talented group. Isabella Marcano is an All-American pitcher while Olivia Graziano is an unbelievable force in the circle behind her. They have split time and the fact that they have two aces that are capable of winning every outing should be reason enough for this group to have a chance in every game it plays.

The bats have also been on fire. Marcano, Alexa Okolowitcz, Ella Lamarre, Lawson Bastia, just to name a few, are all true top of the order bats. Even beyond them, this team can hit 1-9.

Lastly, it can play defense. In the New England Championship against Connecticut, the group committed zero errors. In a pressure-filled game, that is incredible, especially at the Little League level.

Everything changes at the national level. There is a bunch of Cranston’s there, if you get what I am saying.

However, if our Cranston plays to its ceiling, then a Little League World Series title may be coming back to the country’s smallest state.

Now, in terms of the big picture, there is a lot to chew on.

My email, Twitter, cell phone has been blowing up over the past two weeks, which has been fantastic. It also shows just how important sports are to the community, and I am thankful to be a part of something with this much passion.

That passion and commitment is shining through at the moment, as the CLCF-CWLL program has now cemented itself as the best youth softball league in Rhode Island and New England. The 10-U girls also won the state championship in dominant fashion and will be heading to regionals this week. The Gals program is the strongest it has ever been and is not going anywhere.

To build such a dominant league, it really is a team effort. Administrators, coaches, players, families. It takes a lot to just get a league off the ground, but to reach these heights, it’s a tremendous achievement. When speaking to the board members, it’s clear that this league has been built from the ground up since CLCF and CWLL merged in 2019.

In a time where there is such fierce competition between public and private high schools when it comes to student retention, these youth programs are critical. If Cranston East and West can stay involved and build a relationship with CLCF-CWLL, we could be seeing the formation of future powerhouses moving forward. Cranston East just won the DIII title while West reached the DI finals. Each program could have the state’s best feeder system if the league continues to churn out winners the way it has this year.

It’ll be fun to follow along next week. Let’s buckle up for what could be a thrilling ride.

The CJ Buckley Memorial Regatta held its 21st annual event earlier this week as well, and as always, it was a nice way to honor a local sailor that passed away while celebrating his life with his friends and family.

For the first time since I’ve been in Rhode Island, it was a rainy event. I knew it was rain or shine, but on Monday morning, I was not sure what would be different with the lousy weather.

Well, the event went on full force and many of the usual suspects were there, hosting nearly 200 sailors.

Like the softball program above, it is impressive to see this regatta become the well-oiled machine that it is considering it is run entirely by volunteers. Seventy-five volunteers stepped up this year and put on an exceptional event. It was a great blend of relaxed camaraderie and professional, businesslike operation. I can see why it is such a nationally-recognized sailing event.

Each year, I scoff at the notion that summer is a slow time of year for sports. Sure, there are not as many events on a daily basis, so in a way it is true, but some of the biggest and best events take place in July and August.

Let this entire column also be a reminder to volunteer your time when you can. Find something you are passionate about and give back. Communities are built on teamwork and events like these are Exhibit A of that dedication.