The Yankees better watch out because there is a new team in town.The recently formed all-female Diamond Dolls are getting ready for the upcoming season and this weekend hosted a fundraiser to support the Bronx’s newest traveling and tournament fast pitch softball team.
The City Island Yacht Club was filled with guests for “Dinner with the Dolls,” on Friday, March 19.All money raised during the event went towards supporting the new Diamond Dolls team.
Last season the all-star team was affiliated with the Pelham Bay Belles, until last July when Anthony Falciglia, Diamond Dolls head coach and president, separated from the team and created the Diamond Dolls.
“We are now officially a 12U travel and tournament team,” said Falciglia.“All the parents liked the product we put on field and wanted to bring it to the next level with a travel and tournament team, so that’s when I created the Diamond Dolls.We will be participating in seven to ten tournaments over the course of the summer.”
The team currently consists of 13 girls, ages 11 and 12, but in the future Falciglia hopes to expand the teams.
“By midsummer we hope to add a 10U team and for 2011 our plan is to have a 14U team,” said Falciglia.“Eventually we want to also add 16U and 18U elite teams.
The players have already begun workouts at Omni Fitness, in Pelham, and will be practicing and playing on fields at Fordham University, Pelham Bay Park and throughout Yonkers.The girls will be also be playing on the road in Long Island, Rockland County, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
“We have a very talented group, a very athletic group,” Falciglia said.“As we grow as an organization we are going to look for more of a commitment to softball, such as being able to work out two to three nights a week during the winter, and taking hitting lessons and pitching lessons.We currently have a hitting coach and pitching coach for the girls.”
Additionally, Falciglia guides his players in an academic and nutritional capacity to make sure they do well in school and remain healthy.
“These girls are working very hard,” Falciglia said.“Myself and the coaching staff are very proud of them for what they do on an everyday basis.”
The coaching staff includes Tony Cucci, Edward McCauley, and Ivan Aguirre.
For more information on the Diamond Dolls, contact Falciglia at (646) 296-0143 or dollsfastpitch@aol.com, or visit www.dollsfastpitch.com
