High School Sports Team Conducts Sidewalk Sale

Folk festival season in Kittanning is time for sidewalk sales.

Yesterday in front of the courtyard at Bugsy’s Pizza, the Armstrong High School Softball Boosters were busy selling spirit-wear while the pizza shop was busy selling large pizzas. The proceeds from both were allocated for the Boosters.

Booster President Dr. Tracy Veri, whose daughter Madison plays for the senior softball team, said the girls program is much more intense than some people realize.

“What many people don’t realize is that we play ball all year round. We play fall ball; we play winter ball at Thiel College indoors. Then our normal season is in the spring. So we are selling this merchandise. Bugsy’s Pizza is going to donate a portion of the proceeds from the spirit-wear, pizza, and shaved ice over the weekend to the softball team so we can use that money to buy equipment, pay for referees and umpires, and anything else we may need during the softball season.”

“We are very excited to be down here and to earn money for the softball team and put that to good use for fall ball that will start here in a few weeks. The girls are getting ready!”

Veri said in addition to selling high school sports apparel, some customers are also giving a contribution.

“We look forward to any time we can work with the community. Any support that we get, we greatly appreciate it. We really don’t have a goal. We are happy to get anything. If anyone wants to give the softball team a donation, that will be greatly appreciated as well.”

Veri praised the school staff for their excellent training program.

“We have a great coaching staff with the inception of the River Hawks last year. Our coaches are doing a wonderful job bringing up younger girls now to work with the older girls so that there’s a smoother transition. Playing all year round is giving these girls an opportunity to see players with a different caliber than what we are used to - faster pitching - We’re coming up against a lot of bigger travel ball teams, so I am really excited with the coaching staff, because they are giving the girls opportunities they haven’t had before.”

The thrill of playing softball is not new to Veri, since she herself was a softball player in high school.

“I did play softball in Ford City. I was a Ford City graduate in 1993. I’m just a mom trying to help out. My daughter is a twin and so her brother plays baseball. So between baseball and softball, I just try to give back and do my part.”