lady stingers

2014 New England USSSA Hall of Fame Team of Distinction 

Susan England’s reflections Lady Stingers selection for 2014 USSSA Hall of Fame Team of distinction: “While I was taken aback by the suggestion, I realized just how much time and effort the Lady Stingers have given to USSSA. There have been 24 years of devoted weekends in the summer and fall to the sport we all love; SOFTBALL. Although those weekends took us away from our family and friends, not one of us will look back and regret any minute of it.” 

“Although I may be biased of the Lady Stingers, having devoted 22 years to the team, it has made me think of just how much the team has done over the years. The team has consisted of many college players over the years who had competed in some great soft-ball programs. The talent level has never been questioned and that is how the team has been able to compete over the last 23 years in the USSSA. The level of competition in New England women’s softball has always been outstanding. To compete at this level with the other teams has always been an honor. But the talent on the Stingers is not the only part which makes the team deserving of this award.” 

“I think one of the greatest accomplishments of the team is that as a whole, the Lady Stingers have remained intact. In watching most teams in both the Men’s and Women’s softball programs, very few teams remain together. Some teams fold, some are constantly recruiting and changing players while others may have to combine with other teams to make sure they had enough players to field the team for the next season. The Lady Stingers typically are only in search of 1 or 2 players a year and sometimes the team has re-turned the next year with a full team. There is truly a family atmosphere on the team and each individual woman contributes her part to the success of the team. This I attribute to the quality of player, the commitment level, and the loyalty the women have to Roger & Leo, and each other.” 
 
“The Lady Stingers have been playing in USSSA since 1990.  Having competed in tournaments since 1992, the Stingers overall record is 380-214. The only year the Stingers did not play in USSSA was 2001. The team has played in a total of 91 tournaments over the years. These tournaments have taken place in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida. The list of the major tournaments include: 6 Mass State tournaments, 5 New England tournaments, 8 Northeast National tournaments, and 7 appearances at the World Series in Florida.” 

“Besides the family atmosphere on the team, a second important aspect of the Lady Stingers is how they have carried themselves on and off the field. The Lady Stingers are truly a class act. There is has always been respect for opposing players and coaches, respect for the umpires, and above all respect for the game of softball. We may have lost close championship games in tournaments, we may have been run ruled in the first game of a tourney, but we have never let ourselves be embarrassed by our actions and poor sportsmanship. Our class act is something that neither the game nor any person can take from us.”   

“Although some remain to possibly start the 24th season and others have decided to hang up the cleats, our bond with each other remains just as strong. Whether you retired 5 years ago, 2 years ago, or last month, we believe that “Once a Stinger, Always a Stinger. Stingers for Life!”  -Susan 

Congratulations Lady Stingers 2014 USSSA Team of Distinction​