By William Sokolic
You can’t believe the pitches that came from a 10 year-old arm. Throw those balls to a 40 year-old Sunday morning warrior and he’d be lucky to foul a pitch off against Molly Rymas, one of the Egg Harbor Township All-Star Tornadoes whose prowess on a ball field earned them a spot in the Babe Ruth World Series in Jensen Beach, Florida.
Molly is part of 10 and under players in the Egg Harbor Township Youth Softball league. The best of the best play took hold of a second season of games, seeking to win the Mid-Atlantic region of South and North Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The team successfully maneuvered through the regionals and ended up in Florida for a shot at the Babe Ruth world series.
“I was excited. I didn’t expect to get to the World Series,” Rymas said. “I think we did something.”
They did, but the team didn’t make it all the way to the top of the 10 and under teams. They still earn praises for their season long effort.
“I thought my velocity was good,” Rymas said of her pitching.
Maggie Lamb knows about that. She crouches behind the plate catching Molly’s heat.
“It’s kind of scary,” said Lamb, a three year veteran of the EHT softball program, under the direction of the township recreation department. “We’re coming together, so I knew we can make it.”.
“They were disappointed to see their efforts end but took it in stride. They came a long way as players,” said head coach Christine Naughton who couldn’t be happier. “I love being with these girls, watching their progress. I’m not surprised. I knew they were special. The worked extremely hard. And grew as a team.”
At 9, Scarlett Held was one of the younger players.
“I was super excited but nervous,” said Held, who played right and left field and stole home on one at bat. “I think we did something big.”
The Tornados were a once in a lifetime team and the only one from the Mid-Atlantic region. The EHT program is a strong one. In 2019, the 12 and under team won the Babe Ruth title in that age group. That should give the older girls moving up incentive for next year and the younger players returning to the 10 and under.
Each girl is on a team for a regular season played week nights from April through June, culminating in a league championship. From June through July, an All-Star team plays in district, state, and regional tournaments leading up to the Babe Ruth World Series in Florida. Keep in mind that each level is permitted to roster only 15 players.
Designed for ages 4-18, age divisions offered by EHT include: 6 & Under, 8 & Under, 10 & Under, 12 & Under, 14 & Under, 16 & Under and 18 & Under. The primary emphasis of Babe Ruth softball is on education, skill development, participation for all levels of ability and of course, having fun.
“The Township is very proud of the EHT 10 & Under All-Stars team who recently competed in the World Series,” said Rick Audet, director of parks and recreation. “We would like to also congratulate the All-Star coaches for an outstanding season and the EHT Youth Softball organization who does a great job offering a softball program to our girls. We are always thrilled when our local teams go off and compete in regional, state and national tournaments. The girls I’m sure made great some memories and they should be very proud of themselves as well.”
Raina Cortes, 10, roams centerfield for the team and she made a couple of spectacular diving catches in the tournament. “We improved a lot this year. I felt the energy, soon as we stepped on the field.”
10 & Under All-Star Roster
for Babe Ruth World Series
- 98 Alanna Muniir
- 5 Elleana Jones
- 3 Hailey Renzi
- 9 Kinsley Henderson
- 16 Magdalena Lamb
- 7 Milina Carboni
- 99 Molly Rymas
- 01 Raina Cortes
- 10 Scarlett Held
- 12 Taliyah Ortiz
- 88 Tessa Gentile
- 36 Zoe Blankenbuehler
Photos courtesy of
Nichole Kilpatrick.
William Sokolic is a veteran journalist who has written for daily, weekly and monthly publications. He’s covered a wide range of news, features and entertainment stories. Much of his work concerns tourism, Atlantic City, and the gaming industry.
