They are the only 1OU Girls Softball team to represent the Lower East Side in the 2014 Little League World Series, and they’re looking for the best players in the neighborhood. The Lady Furies started up last fall with a series of clinics. Now the organization is holding tryouts for 9 and 10 year old girls who want to play in the biggest softball tournament in the world.
A few weekends ago, we stopped by the gym at Henry Street Settlement, where a practice session was taking place. Ace pitching coach Elizabeth “Muneca” Sanchez was working with the girls — helping to get them prepared for the upcoming season. The inspiration for the Lady Furies is Damien Acevedo, a lifetime LES resident, who was frustrated because there was no league for his 10 year old to join. “I really wanted her to play,” he said. In a short time period, they’ve lined up some key sponsors, including Basketball City, the Pier 36 sports complex.
The Felix Millan Little League has the charter for the world series event, but they have no girls team. so there was an opening for the Lady Furies. Acevedo said it’s a great opportunity for everyone on the Lower east Side to come together. He thinks there’s too much politics among various leagues on the LES. “That just kills dreams,” he added.
The organization is looking for 9 and 10 year old girls who have played before. The tournament starts in late June with selected games televised on ESPN. If you’d like to find out more, visit the Lady Furies’ Facebook page.
