These Are the Champions

By Rob Potter
SULLIVAN COUNTY — August 25, 2000 – Pictured above are the coaches and members of the District 19 American Legion Big League Softball All-Star team that recently captured the New York State American Legion softball championship. Holding or standing directly behind the championship banner, from left to right, are Lindsay Johnson, Jessica Konefal, Jill Chetaitis, Beth Pagluighi and Adrianne Quinn. Standing behind them, from left to right, are coach Charlie Beamer, Michelle Danbury, coach Joe Meola, Kristie Beamer, District 19 Althletic Director Ray Terwilliger, Amanda Irwin, manager Tony Pagluighi, Kristen Yackel, Kristen Lempicki, Michelle Jones and Erin Jones.
The squad traveled to Lindenhurst, Long Island and defeated the Franklin Square American Legion team twice to capture the state title. District 19, consisting of players from four area teams — Newburgh, New Windsor, Pine Bush and Sullivan County — knocked off Franklin Square by a 11-7 margin in the Þrst game and 5-3 in the second contest.
By winning the state championship, District 19 earned the right to compete in the Big League Softball Eastern Regionals in Waldorf, Md. In its Þrst game there, District 19 defeated one of the host Maryland teams, 5-3. But on August 8, the squad was eliminated from the tournament with two defeats. Rhode Island knocked off District 19, 7-2 and Pennsylvania shut out the local team 13-0 in a Þve-inning game.