LITTLE BIG LEAGUERS
Girl Power with the PawSox
PAWTUCKET — In the latest of their 50 Acts of Kindness throughout Rhode Island this year, the Pawtucket Red Sox had their top female leaders talk to and play with softball players in Smithfield, Thursday, Aug. 22, at Whipple Field.
“Girl Power with the PawSox” included panel discussions regarding how playing ball in high school and college – while securing a full college education – helped advance and accelerate their careers as executives in professional baseball.
PawSox officials participating included Executive Vice President & General Counsel Kim Miner, Intern Coordinator & Special Assistant to the President Jackie Dempsey, Senior Director of McCoy Events Grace Eng, and Senior Director of Ticket Operations Samantha Saccoia-Beggs. Brooke Cooper, Senior Director of Marketing & Merchandising, will moderate the panel discussion. All were college athletes.
After the discussion, which included questions and answers, the PawSox conducted a softball clinic.
Miner played softball at Tufts before earning her law degree at Harvard. Dempsey was an infielder and outfielder at Villanova, where she earned a master’s certificate. Eng earned her bachelor’s while pitching for Elon (NC), and Saccoia-Beggs played for the Pawtucket Slaterettes before graduating from Becker College. Cooper was a basketball star at Woonsocket High and Franklin Pierce University. She then earned her MBA at Providence College.
“These bright, educated young women play integral roles in the operation of the Pawtucket Red Sox,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “We hope their words and stories inspire more young women, including those who play and love diamond sports, to recognize that their dreams of becoming baseball executives are real, tangible and imminent.
“There was a time when women might not have been afforded the opportunities to ascend to the highest levels of baseball; those times are long gone.”
The Smithfield Girls Softball League celebrates its 48th season this year and hosts over 350 girls annually, ages 4 through 18.
“Smithfield Girls Softball and Smithfield Storm are excited to partner with the PawSox for this Girl Power event,” said Mario Vendittelli, President of the Smithfield Girls Softball League. “We are honored to be able to host an event like this. It should be a great night for all of the girls in our organization.”
Smithfield Town Council President Suzy Alba, who is a former softball player herself, also expressed her enthusiasm for the event by stating, “This is an amazing opportunity for girls in town to be inspired by these women who were former softball players themselves and how they made a career in the industry. We are truly grateful to the PawSox for offering this unique opportunity for our youth, as well as the clinics and refreshments; this is all so very exciting and generous.”
In addition to the panel discussion and clinic, the PawSox donated water, hot dogs, chips, and ice cream for all in attendance to enjoy. This event will was the 35th of the PawSox’ 50 Acts of Kindness being performed throughout Rhode Island in honor of the 50th year of affiliation with the Boston Red Sox.