Championships didn't tell whole story for Edison, Horseheads softball teams: Here's why

Achievements on the diamond were impressive for Thomas A. Edison and Horseheads during the recently completed high school softball season.

Edison captured the Section 4 Class C championship and a regional title before falling, 3-2, to eventual state champion Gowanda in a state semifinal. Horseheads overcame a slow start to win the Southern Tier Athletic Conference West Division title.

Those teams' stories were only partially about diamond doings.

They worked together to raise $1,000 for the Falck Cancer Center during a season in which Edison's varsity and JV teams were honored with the Elmira Softball Umpires Association's High School Softball Team Program Sportsmanship Award for 2023. Also nominated were Elmira, Notre Dame, Watkins Glen and Waverly.

Edison was presented the award Sunday, two days after the tough semifinal loss.

"I think it's my favorite award yet, if I'm being honest," Edison varsity coach Liz Warren said. "The accolades for skills are always wonderful and super appreciated, but to earn an award that is character based I think is most telling of what this group is and how they are not only as softball players, but also as humans."

Strike Out Cancer fundraiser a home run

Horseheads varsity coach Paul Richmond and players came up with the idea for a fundraiser that would have an action plan attached. With Richmond having coached at Edison and teaching in the New Visions Honor Academy at GST BOCES, the Spartans were a natural partner for the non-league game and fundraiser.

"All the girls know each other, we're real close to each other," Richmond said. "It was fun to do something for a cause, especially with (Edison) because they're such a top-class program."

Not surprisingly, players on both teams have seen firsthand the impact of cancer. Edison's extended family has been particularly hard hit by breast cancer.

To see $1,000 raised by the communities in a fundraiser put together in a week and a half was "absolutely" a surprise, Richmond said.

Donations came from fans at the game (a 6-1 Horseheads win), through a basket raffle put together by Michelle Slaven through Edison's booster club and from contributions made through a Venmo account, an idea Richmond praised Warren for and one he said no doubt significantly increased donations.

A check was presented to the Falck Cancer Center at Arnot Ogden Center, which was surprised to receive the donation because in the flurry to create the game no one informed the group additional help for patients was on the way.

"It's just a perfect match to have those two communities do something together," Richmond said. "It's fun, it's a lot of money. I was surprised."

Richmond said plans are in the works to grow the fundraiser next year, possibly adding a JV game between the schools, corporate sponsorship and finding a special venue.

Why Edison won sportsmanship award

What went into the decision to honor Edison with the sportsmanship award? From Warren's perspective, it's largely about taking a positive approach to the sport and appreciating the contributions umpires make to it.

"When you can be recognized by those who really keep the games together for us – being our officials – it’s a great feeling," Warren said. "It makes me feel very proud of the way they carry themselves."

Warren, a fourth-grade teacher at Cohen Elementary School in Elmira Heights, said she makes it a point to never go after umpires for a call. Edison had a tough call go Gowanda's way in the state semifinal, but the Spartans focused on moving forward. Warren said any mistakes made by umpires are "outweighed by all the amazing work they do."

"We always try to keep it positive and I think that has a trickle effect," she said. "We always talk about how there are things we can control and things we can't and when we have an approach about everything when it comes to the sport, it helps them to carry themselves in a positive manner and to really uplift each other instead of focusing maybe on what's not going their way."

The Spartans lose just two seniors to graduation from this year's team, setting them up to make another run in 2024. This season will be tough to beat, but not just because of the sectional title and deep run in states.

"It’s an amazing experience to be part of a team that shares such a close bond. I think I’m most grateful for that part of it," Warren said. "They are skill-wise an extremely talented team, but the bond that they’ve grown has been indescribable and I think a lot of that has to do with so many of them playing last year. They welcomed our two new players with open arms.

"I think it was just the perfect fit of young athletes and young women who are here to make a difference and here to play hard and to just enjoy the game for what it is."

Follow Andrew Legare on Twitter: @SGAndrewLegare. You can also reach him at alegare@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Edison, Horseheads softball teams' impact extended beyond their play