She’s got
the spirit

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Next time you’re driving down the Boulevard and see a group of young athletes fund-raising, you might want to drop some change in the bucket.
Your generosity could pay off for their dreams.
Take the Philadelphia Spirit fast-pitch softball team, for example. Right now they’re preparing to compete in the National Softball Association World Series, held in Charlotte, N.C.
The 10 girls on the 12-and-under silver squad have been working toward this opportunity all year. They’ve practiced. They’ve raised money. And they’ve rightfully earned a chance to compete for the World Series crown.
The Spirit reserved their spot in the nationals early this season, when they earned first place in the Jersey Sharks’ "Best of the Best" qualifying tournament in March. The Spirit went 6-0 during the competition, held in Paulsboro, N.J.
"I’ve never been to North Carolina before, so I’m really excited," said centerfielder Chelsey Mather. "I love playing teams that we’ve never played before. It’s fun to meet new girls from all over."
The Spirit squad has already traveled and competed throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey this season, but the best is yet to come.
The most elite teams throughout the country will gather in North Carolina from July 21 through July 28.
"We’re an eleven-year-old team playing in a twelve-year-old division, but I think we’ll do well in North Carolina," said coach Ron Grzywna.
This isn’t the squad’s first appearance in a World Series competition. As a 10-and-under team, the Spirit traveled to the nationals in Ohio last year. They ranked ninth in the country.
"The tournaments are so much fun," said Mather. "I love to travel. My mom always drives and it’s fun to spend time with her in the car."
When traveling far distances for various tournaments, Mather usually spends the night in a hotel room with her mother. However, sometimes, the teammates gather in one room for a pre-game sleepover.
"This team is a lot of fun," said Mather. "The sleepovers are my favorite. I love the girls on this team."
Mather was introduced to the Spirit organization through her Little League team last year. She tried out for the 10-and-under squad and instantly impressed everyone who witnessed her skills on the diamond.
"I think it’s a great opportunity for her," said Mather’s mother, Mandy. "I think to play competitively, you have to start them young, and she really loves the game so it worked out well."
This season, Mather moved up to the 12-and-under team and has continued her softball success.
"Chelsey is a very good player," said Grzywna. "She has great hitting skills and she knows how to run the bases very well. She’s fast."
Mather’s speed has helped her defensive game as well. The centerfielder started her softball career at first base, but she later switched to the outfield.
"I like centerfield but my favorite part of the game is base-running," she said. "I run a lot during practices. Our coach always times our base-running at the end."
Mather’s time from home to first base: 3.91 seconds.
And she’s only getting better.
"Right now we have about two practices a week that are three hours long each," she said. "But I also run a lot and go to the batting cages as much as I can."
When the Spirit players aren’t traveling on the weekends to various tournaments, they usually practice and scrimmage at their home field — Pennypack on the Delaware, located on State Road. You can also see them in action at the Keystone Fields, at Levick and Magee, or at Eden Hall on Grant Avenue.
"I really like to travel, but it’s also a lot of fun to play around here," said Mather. "I guess it doesn’t really matter where we are. I just like to play softball."
Although she picked up a bat for the first time about four years ago, Mather has always loved the game.
"I’ve always really liked to watch baseball," she said. "I’ve been watching the Phillies for a long time now. I love them. And I think that’s what got me to play softball."
With her busy practice schedule and tournaments almost every weekend, Mather doesn’t have much free time to catch games at Citizens Bank Park. She watches the Fightin’ Phils as much as she can on television.
"My favorite is Chase Utley," said Mather. "But I like all the guys on the team."
Away from the softball field, the seventh-grader usually can be found hanging out with her friends and family.
After all, she is just a kid. But then again, age is just a number. And considering Mather’s love for the game, she’ll be hanging around the diamond for many years to come.
"I definitely want to keep playing softball," she said. "And I really like the Spirit, so I’ll keep playing with them. But I’d like to play on a professional team one day." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com