Legion Softball Expands to Eight Teams, Hosts All-Star Game

League Takes Off Fast

After a quiet summer in 2023, Sue Sears, president of the Leicester girls’ softball league, saw an opening when Jodie Pajak offered to launch American Legion softball in Massachusetts. Sears, who had been working with Jessica Park, quickly organized the interested players and formed the first two‑team setup for the 2024 season. By 2025 the league doubled to four clubs, and 2026 added another quartet, creating an eight‑team structure that now includes Cherry Valley Post 443 (coached by Parker), Franklin Post 75, Charlton Post 391, Webster‑Dudley Post 184, Northborough Post 234, Vernon Hill Post 435, Framingham Post 117 and Sturbridge Post 109.

The season stretches through the end of the month, with Webster‑Dudley leading the standings at 3‑0, closely followed by Sturbridge (2‑0) and Vernon Hill. Teams travel to various fields, and the expanding schedule has begun to fill local calendars.

Interest grew so quickly that the league organized its first all‑star game on Monday at Slater Field in Webster, showcasing the region’s rising talent and giving players a chance to compete against teammates from other posts.

First All-Star Showdown

The all‑star event featured four players from each of the eight teams split into East and West squads. East Team rosters included Framingham, Franklin, Northborough and Vernon Hill, while Charlton, Cherry Valley, Sturbridge and Webster‑Dudley formed the West Team.

The West Team rolled to a 16‑1 victory. Stawiecki, Reece Dickey, Kaelyn Pellicane, Jaclyn Sullivan and Brynn Boucher each recorded a hit and scored. Addison Dono added two hits and two runs, and Lamont contributed two hits and a run. Sloane Gaudreau scored the lone run for the East Team in the fourth inning after reaching on a single and advancing home on two errors and a passed ball.

“It’s nice to play with my friends that play on all the teams,” said Cherry Valley’s Ava Lamothe, who attends Auburn High. “I know a lot of the girls on all the other post teams, so it’s like high school again.”

Vernon Hill’s Julia Urato echoed the sense of new competition. “It’s hard to play with girls we’ve never played with before,” she noted, “but we’ve got a good season going.”

Webster‑Dudley’s Sienna Stawiecki saw the all‑star format as a way to build connections. “I think it’s a really good opportunity with the rule of only five players per travel team,” she explained. “It builds really good friendships and gives us a chance to try different styles.”

Brynn Boucher’s single drove in a key run for the West Team, and she later celebrated the win. “Getting to know the girls as teammates is definitely a good strategy for college,” Stawiecki added, reflecting on how the experience mirrors the transition to higher‑level play.

Sari Grenier from Northborough highlighted the inclusive nature of the league. “It’s a good way to come together with girls from a bunch of different areas,” she said. “It’s a good experience for girls our age to try.”

Impact and Outlook

For players like Sienna Stawiecki and Lamont, the American Legion season serves as a bridge to college softball. The exposure to new teammates and coaching styles gives them a competitive edge as they prepare for higher‑level competition.

The league’s rapid growth mirrors the popularity of American Legion baseball. Sears expressed ambition to expand statewide, noting that Massachusetts is the only New England state with Legion softball so far. “We’re hoping to become as popular as Legion baseball,” she said, eyeing a broader reach across the region.

The eight‑team format also provides a platform for community building, giving girls from different towns a chance to bond both on and off the field. As interest continues to rise, the program looks set to strengthen its role in youth athletics for years to come.

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