The CT Softball Blog

Last summer, the girls from the Guilford Little League Softball 12-year-old All-Star team lived the dream.

They won a Connecticut state championship. They battled their way through the New England Regional. Then they packed their bags for Greenville, N.C., becoming their region’s representative at the Little League Softball World Series, and experiencing something few young athletes ever will.

A year later, they’re watching from the sidelines.

Next week, four new teams—Bristol, Fairfield, East Lyme-Salem and Madison-Clinton—will chase the same dream Guilford did just 12 months ago, beginning with Monday’s Little League Softball State Tournament’s Final Four.

Before the first pitch is thrown, though, the members of last year’s Guilford squad wanted to pass along one message to the players hoping to follow in their footsteps.

It turns out, the advice had very little to do with softball.

Instead, it was about appreciating every second of the ride.

“No one realizes how good the memories are until it’s over,” Reagan Klein said.

Klein admitted Little League was “the best experience of my life,” encouraging this year’s players to soak in every moment while leaning on their teammates through both the highs and the inevitable lows.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” she said. “Our team was super supportive. We all showed grit and knew how to lift each other back up when we needed to.”

That theme echoed throughout nearly every response.

Shannon Winters reminded this year’s players to “have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime because you’re really gonna miss it later.”

Kali Reinhold offered a similar perspective.

“One day you’ll look back and realize how special this was,” she said. “Win or lose, hustle on every play, but laugh and have fun with your teammates in the moments in between.”

Maeve McGowan agreed.

“Play your best and be proud of yourselves for making it this far,” she said. “But don’t forget to have fun and make memories with your team.”

For others, the message centered on staying mentally strong.

Olivia Mahon’s advice was beautifully simple.

“Whenever you make a mistake, brush it off and be ready for the next play,” she said.

Maeve Eagleson expanded on that thought, reminding players that a game can change with a single swing or a single pitch.

“Never give up,” she said. “Lift each other up, be there for one another, believe in yourself and your teammates, and have fun.”

Leah Michalowski stressed the importance of continuing to fight until the final out.

“Even if you get down by however much, never stop fighting until the game is fully over,” she said. “It’s a team game, so pick each other up after a mistake.”

Confidence was another recurring theme.

Abby Volpe reminded the four remaining teams they didn’t arrive here by accident.

“You got to the state playoffs by being a great team,” she said. “Don’t change anything now.”

Adelina Pradith encouraged players to “play with confidence” while focusing only on the things they can control.

“Always remember to have fun playing the game you love,” she said.

Blake Bizzario’s message was equally direct: “Play hard, embrace the moment and don’t give up.”

Michaela Mascari added that believing in yourself is critical because “anything can happen at any moment.”

Perhaps the most mature perspective came from Maya Barbarito, who reminded this year’s players that younger athletes are watching.

“This opportunity is something only a select number of athletes have,” she said. “Many younger softball players will look up to you because of it. If you want to be recognized for your abilities, achievements and work ethic, you have to be the best person you can be on and off the field.”

It’s advice that extends far beyond the softball diamond.

A year ago, of course, Andrea Klein was the manager of this group that drew so much attention from their hometown; nay, let’s be honest, their whole state.

She too offered up advice she would pass on to the teams dreaming about tomorrow while taking things day to day, game by game.

“Play to make your town proud. Play to make your teammates proud. Play to make your families proud. But most importantly, play for yourself, for all the time, energy and effort you have dedicated to a game you love,” she said. “Soak in every single moment. The excitement, the friendships, the pressure, the laughs in the dugout, the big plays, and even the tough moments—because these are memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

And thats not all.

“Compete with heart,” she added. “Be sure to pick each other up. Respect the game. Never take a single pitch, inning, or game for granted. Good luck to all four teams competing this week. Play hard, have fun, and leave the field with no regrets. And be sure to thank your coaches and parents.”

Sage advice, for sure.

Soon enough, one of these remaining four teams will celebrate with a state championship trophy. It will earn the chance to represent Connecticut in the New England Regional. Maybe, just maybe, it will find itself making the trip to North Carolina later this summer.

The girls from Guilford know exactly what that journey feels like.

And if their biggest takeaway from an unforgettable summer can be boiled down to a single message, it’s wonderfully simple.

Enjoy it.

Because someday, you’ll realize these weren’t just softball games.

They were the moments you’ll still be talking about years later.

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