Garrett Coleman '25
Executive Editor
On Sunday, October 27, North Grounds Softball League (“NGSL”) held the first round of open tryouts for the Invitational teams. This is a first in recent memory and a step towards transparency in the draft process, according to its organizers.
The four students running the operation were Luke Mottola ’25, Jack Parker ’25, Matan Siskind ’25, and Regina Argenzio ’26. While players were warming up on the Park 6 field, Mottola explained the structure. Because of overwhelming interest, especially from women, there will be three co-rec teams, one more than last year. And there will continue to be two open teams. The tournament committee chose Siskind and Argenzio as co-captains for the first co-rec team. This means that they will get to select a full roster from all tryout participants, after which the committee will vote on a second team captain who will repeat the process. Later captains will rely on the diligent notes taken by Siskind and Argenzio during both rounds of tryouts.
After warm-ups but before drills began, Parker and Mottola gave brief introductions to the crowd. Parker was pleased to say that this tryout improved transparency and opportunity within the Invitational, and Mottola echoed the same. No longer is team selection going to be a “black box.”
The full day consisted of a warm-up, infield practice with grounders and line drives, long throws from the outfield, batting practice, fly balls, and a scrimmage. All participants, even those who have played in years past, were evaluated. The same setup is expected for the alternative tryout this coming Sunday, November 3.
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