Hatters Softball Team Headed to Florida for its Spring Training

As we enter February, the cold conditions of winter in Pennsylvania still have a few months to linger. However, in order to help prepare for the coming spring season, the Hatboro-Horsham Softball team will be headed south to Florida for some spring preseason practice.

While the Hatters’ baseball squad went south for its successful preseason preparations last season, this will be the first time the Hatter’s Softball team will be making the trek.

“It’s really a fantastic opportunity for our players for a variety of reasons. First, the warm weather of Florida gives our team a jump into early action to help them progress and come together as a squad. It also gives us an opportunity to play some different high-quality opponents to help prepare for the coming regular season,” second-year Hatter Head Coach Jen Tooley explained. “Beyond this, it’s a great chance for our players to connect and bond on and off the diamond on an extended road trip.”

Last season the Hatters had a strong PIAA playoff showing during Coach Tooley’s first season heading the program. Now, they are looking to build upon this, despite having a young squad.

“Although we’re a young squad, having this type of opportunity should really help us come together as a team early in the season,” senior pitcher Alyssa Tooley explained. She is one of four seniors, along with Gianna Salerno, Kiersten Rimer, and Alyssa Esack, who are expected to lead the Hatters this spring.

The Hatboro-Horsham team will head to the Orlando area in mid-March where they will practice and play a variety of games against teams from around the country. The team will have opportunities to spend time off the field together during the trip as well.

A tremendous amount of fundraising has been undertaken for this trip, with upwards of 30 local businesses, like Burkert Electrical Services, Turn 14, Bergey's Ford, and Liberty Urgent Care, providing generous support to the Hatter team.

“The Hatters Softball team is incredibly fortunate to have so many businesses and residents who are willing to provide continuous and generous support for the softball program and the team’s upcoming trip to Florida,” team coordinator Jessica Cassel explained. “We’re truly blessed to be part of the Hatters community, and I hope to see many of the Hatters Softball fans at the field during the regular season.”

The team is also holding a ‘Florida or Bust’ adult social event from 7 to 11 pm on Saturday, February 24, hosted at Horsham’s VFW Post 9788. The event will feature a buffet, beverages, DJ and dancing, games, prizes, silent auctions, and some incredible raffle baskets worth over $1500, featuring fantastic businesses from across the Hatboro-Horsham community, including Nabrasa Brazilian Steakhouse, Code Ninjas, Tiger Shulman’s Martial Arts, Urban Air, Philly Pretzel Factory, and many others.

Scan the QR code in the image below to reserve your tickets or make a donation to support the team. You can also follow the Hatter’s Softball team on Facebook @Hatboro-Horsham Girls Softball and Instagram @hh_softball.