Anthony Goularte honored as Spirit kicks off their season with
two new fields
Morgan Hill – It took more than four years of hard work and community support, but Morgan Hill Spirit Softball has two new fields to play on at San Martin Gwinn elementary school and will be able to provide their services to more girls.
On Saturday’s opening day, Spirit honored Anthony Goularte of Associated Concrete of Morgan Hill, for his tireless effort, rallying professional and personal contact and work with the school district to see the fields get completed. The Goularte family has been a vital part of Spirit softball for 27 years.
“It’s fantastic that they were able to get these fields together,” said Spirit parent Becky Obbema. “Anthony Goularte spearheaded this to make it happen. It’s nice to see people like him working in the community.”
“Opening day has been a tradition since Spirit started. It’s a nice way to kick off the season and bring the community together. We get to celebrate the season of softball starting,” added Obbema.
Spirit’s opening day was originally scheduled for Saturday March 11, but the stormy weather caused the festivities to be canceled for the first time. Board members decided to reschedule the ceremonies for Saturday and they were rewarded with a near perfect morning and afternoon to play softball.
“It was a pretty big turnout,” said John Thomas, former Spirit president and “Top Dog” at Friendly Fred’s who supplied concessions for opening day. “The new fields were very needed. “It’s very nice, I’ve been with the league 10 years and I’m glad all our efforts from the past and of the present paid off. It was a collaborative effort.”
Players, parents, coaches and sponsors seemed to be in agreement that the new fields would be a win-win for the community.
“These guys are awesome,” said PJ Foehr, principal of San Martin Gwinn, of Spirit Softball. “They’ve helped our school look better and they’re helping the kids. It looks great. This is the beginning.”
The opening day crowd was not only treated to plenty of opening day softball scattered around the playing fields at San Martin, but they also enjoyed listening to a DJ spin tunes before and after the opening ceremonies.
Members of the Bobcats team were excited about the new fields and the new season.
“It’s nice to have more fields,” said Bobcat Vanessa Tellez. “We’re excited about opening day.”
The two new fields will allow Spirit to take on 160 more girls into their recreational softball league. Spirit now provides softball for more than 425 girls.
“Without the support of the school and sponsors, this wouldn’t have happened,” said Sharon Doting, who has been involved with Spirit softball for 10 years. “It is a win-win for the league and community. It gives Spirit an opportunity to grow their membership and girls should have the same opportunity as boys.”
Spirit girls fastpitch softball was formed in 1980 and strives to strengthen fundamental softball skills in a friendly, non-competitive environment, “for the fun and enjoyment of any girl, at any skill level, to come and play softball.”
