Local girls live out softball dreams
“Pinch me…make sure I’m not dreaming this.” That is what must have been going through the minds of three 21st Ward groomed players as they took the field recently in Los Angeles as part of the Jennie Finch Tournament.
The three young ladies, Chloe Meyers, Ava Lawrence, and Caylen Crump, are all products of the 21st Ward Fillies softball organization as well as CYO sports teams in our community. They are members of the Phillies sponsored Urban Youth Academy team that was invited to LA for the tournament and events associated with the MLB All-Star game in July.
The UYA, according to its web page, “strives to build contributors to society by instructing its youth in all aspects of the game and in all areas of opportunity that the game affords including field maintenance, umpiring, scouting, scorekeeping, athletic sports training, coaching, and other aspects of professional and interpersonal growth.
In addition to wearing their Phillies red and whites in the Commissioner’s Cup tournament sponsored by Olympic softball gold medalist Jennie Finch, the girls were also eyewitnesses to the Celebrity All-Star game and Home Run Derby that was won by the Nationals Juan Soto. They also spent some leisure time at Santa Monica Pier, interacting and making friends with girls from across the nation.
The Jennie Finch Classic, which was played in Compton, featured 10 MLB-sponsored teams from around the country competing in a culturally diverse setting and emphasizing respect for fellow competitors and empowerment for women athletes.
Meyers and Crump both participated in Archbishop Carroll’s softball program last Spring while Lawrence played 1st base and pitcher for Little Flower HS. Lawrence and Meyers are both graduates of Green Woods Char
ter while Crump is an IHM alum. Following their 21st Ward apprenticeship, all three have logged time for the Impact travel team under local softball guru Tim Bass.
Chloe Meyers, whose parents Chris and Sherry were able to watch their softball dynamo live-streamed throughout the tournament, felt that highlight of her trip was meeting Jennie Finch. What made the encounter extra special was that Finch, whose name is synonymous with women’s softball, knew who Meyers was when they met. Meyers had sent Finch a flattering message on social media prior to the trip and got a heartwarming response from Finch…another “pinch me” moment.
Caylen Crump, whose folks Chris and Leah are her #1 fans, was the youngest member of the UYA U16 team. She was elated to receive a” game ball” following a stellar performance at the plate in one of the contests. She got goose bumps meeting Jennie Finch and fellow softball goddess Lauren Chamberlain.
Ava Lawrence, who will be entering her Junior year at Little Flower this Fall, echoed the sentiments of her teammates in meeting Jennie Finch. But perhaps what was just as memorable for her is that she got to share the experience with her parents, Steve and Marcy, who accompanied her on her LA dream trip along with several other families supporting their inspiring daughters. The Lawrences had a blast watching Ava play in such an exciting venue and bonding with the other families in such a fabled location.
Even after the young ladies returned home, they are still on “cloud nine.” With the traveling to an iconic area, the adrenaline from competition, and the team comaraderie, it will take a while to come back to earth. Experiences like these can be deeply profound and create positive memories that will last a lifetime. Just ask the young women when they wake up from their dream.