With the loss of the spring season, many local softball players lost out on an opportunity to make an impressive showing for college coaches. But luckily for them, the Lynn Invitational — normally a baseball showcase at Fraser Field — added a softball showcase this year to allow these players to show their skills.
“It was a great three days,” said Tim Fila, who has operated the Lynn Invitational for 15 years now. “The girls came out with a ton of energy and they were all really talented, and it was a great way to kick things off.”
“It was a fantastic bunch of girls,” said Derek Dana, who coached one of the teams during the showcase. “Everyone came out to play and really enjoyed being out there, and it was great to be able to get them some exposure since they all missed their seasons this spring.”
“The girls really brought the enthusiasm, and they came to compete,” said Dan Letarte, another coach at the invitational. “Everyone worked hard and I think they all learned a lot as well. It was great to get everyone out there.”
Letarte and Dana are both affiliated with Ryan Leahy’s Recruiting Edge Softball Angels program, and the duo coached a number of local players at the showcase.
Some of the players who competed included Lily Newhall, Kaelyn Jennings and Anna Fringuelli (St. Mary’s); Reece Brinkler, Abby Fila and Rachel Dana (Classical); Abby Bettencourt, Isabel Bettencourt, Emma Bloom and Logan Lomasney (Peabody); Lauren Donovan and Jolie Quintana (Marblehead).
“When you’re around a group like that who loves what they’re doing and is excited to play, you can’t help but enjoy being a part of that,” said Dana. “It was great to be around such a hardworking group.”
The three dozen players were split into three teams and played games and ran drills at Breed, with college coaches and scouts watching along both in person and via online stream.
“It was our first time using all the streaming systems, but things went well,” said Fila. “We’re adapting the best we can to this new normal, and I think all of the college coaches also appreciate the efforts we’re putting in to get them the information they need.”
Letarte and Dana, who coach the St. John’s Prep and St. Mary’s baseball teams, respectively, also have some players who are preparing for next week’s baseball showcase.
“The baseball showcase has really taken off, and we’re hoping for the same with the softball showcase eventually,” said Dana. “I think the guys are going to be really excited to get out on the field.”
“Tim Fila has done such a great job with the Invitational over the years, and I’ve had a lot of guys get recruited right off that field,” said Letarte, whose Eagles were the Division 1A runner-up in 2019. “To be able to give these guys an opportunity to showcase their skills after missing their seasons is phenomenal.
The Lynn Invitational Baseball Showcase will run from August 10-14 at Fraser Field.
“Everyone is really excited to get this going,” said Fila. “It will be a little different this year, but it’s still going to be a great week of baseball.”