From One Team to Eight: Massachusetts American Legion Softball Makes History with First-Ever All-Star Game

What began as one woman’s dream has grown into an eight-team league serving 120 student-athletes across Central Massachusetts.

Now in its third season, the Massachusetts American Legion Softball League reached another milestone on July 13 when it hosted the first Massachusetts American Legion Softball All-Star Game at Slater Field in Webster.

The East vs. West showcase celebrated more than outstanding play on the field. It honored the leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication and positive attitudes of the young women who have helped shape a growing program and create new opportunities for female athletes across the Commonwealth.

The league began with the vision of Jodie Pajak, Chairman of the Massachusetts American Legion Softball Committee. Pajak spent years working to bring American Legion Softball to Massachusetts, believing young women deserved the same opportunity to compete and represent their communities that American Legion Baseball has provided for generations.

That vision took a major step forward in 2023 when Mark McCue approached Sue Sears, president of the Leicester Girls Softball League, about forming a team through Cherry Valley Post 443.

Cherry Valley became the first team to commit, although there were not yet any other teams available to play.

Sears selected Jessica Parker to coach the first Cherry Valley team. Together, Sears and Parker used their softball connections throughout Central Massachusetts to recruit players, coaches, volunteers and communities interested in helping build the new program.

Their efforts, combined with Pajak’s leadership and the work of the Massachusetts American Legion Softball Committee, helped turn the idea into a functioning league.

The league began play with four teams in 2024, expanded to six teams in 2025 and grew to eight teams and 120 athletes in 2026. Sears and Parker now serve as liaisons to the Massachusetts American Legion Softball Committee and continue to work tirelessly to promote the program and expand opportunities for young women.

In June 2026, Sears received the American Legion Department of Massachusetts Youth Programs Outstanding Service Award in recognition of her dedication, leadership and service to fastpitch softball and youth programs.

The league’s growth was on full display during the inaugural All-Star Game.

These players were selected by their coaches because they embody the values the league is built on: sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, dedication, respect, integrity, and pride in representing both their team and the American Legion. They compete with heart, support their teammates, and represent their posts and communities with character both on and off the field. For one evening, regular-season opponents became teammates as the East and West squads came together to celebrate the league’s progress and its first class of All-Stars.

2026 Massachusetts American Legion Softball All-Stars

Cherry Valley Post 443

Ava Lamothe — Class of 2026

Grace Dias — Class of 2027

Makayla Higgins — Class of 2028

Jaclyn Sullivan — Class of 2029

Webster-Dudley Post 184

Sienna Stawiecki — Class of 2026

Madelyn Carpenter — Class of 2027

Reece Dickie — Class of 2027

Cadence Duval — Class of 2027

Charlton Post 391

Addison Dono — Class of 2027

Caroline Lambert — Class of 2029

Darci Potenti — Class of 2029

Kinley Sauvageau — Class of 2029

Sturbridge Post 109

Brynn Boucher — Class of 2029

Natalie Carson — Class of 2029

Kaelyn Pellicane — Class of 2029

Molly Beane — Class of 2030

Northborough Post 234

Sari Grenier — Class of 2028

Olivia Balicki — Class of 2030

Stella Laurie — Class of 2030

Leah Young — Class of 2030

Franklin Post 75

Emersyn Smart — Class of 2028

Isabella Barbato — Class of 2029

Elizabeth Burkeholder — Class of 2029

Chloe Rowe — Class of 2029

Framingham Post 117

Evy Gemelli — Class of 2028

Gigi Salvati — Class of 2028

Addie Willdridge — Class of 2028

Sloane Gaudreau — Class of 2029

Worcester Vernon Hill Post 435

Kheira Ashey — Class of 2028

Addison Fiume — Class of 2028

Julia Urato — Class of 2028

Rayna Bennet — Class of 2029

The first Massachusetts American Legion Softball All-Star Game marked far more than the conclusion of another summer event. It celebrated a league that has grown from four teams to eight in only three seasons and recognized the athletes, coaches, volunteers, committee members and American Legion representatives whose commitment made that growth possible.

Most importantly, it celebrated 32 young women who earned the distinction of becoming the first Massachusetts American Legion Softball All-Stars.

As the league continues to grow, it is creating new opportunities, strengthening communities and establishing a tradition that can serve young women across Massachusetts for years to come.