In the 2021-22 season, Poly’s Varsity Softball team continued its amazing record of championship play, going undefeated in the league and winning the NYSAIS championship. The team outscored their opponents 200 to 20 on their way to winning the latest championship, which makes 10 out of the last 14 NYSAIS championships.

Winning Ways

It’s no accident that softball at Poly has been so successful through the years. The team is built on a legacy of lasting and cohesive camaraderie among the players, hard work developing skills, and a commitment to putting forth their best effort—all of which translates into racking up runs on the scoreboard as well as building lifelong friendships. What does Coach Renae Beauchman foresee for her 2023 team? She expects the team to be competitive in the NYSAIS again this year. “We lost Ella Carter ’22, which was huge for us,” said Beauchman, “and Emma Spring ’22, who was a great leader. Although we did not lose many [players], we are a young team.” While each year brings new students into the mix, the team culture and dedication never wavers.

A New Field

Anyone who has visited the Dyker Heights campus during the last year has seen a lot of construction as Poly has been in the midst of several major campus improvement initiatives, among them the spring 2022 completion of the new baseball field, the groundbreaking for the new Poly Arts Center, and in time for the 2022-23 season, a new field ready for softball.

As we celebrate 45 years of women’s sports at Poly, it’s fitting that in the upcoming season our student-athletes will enjoy a completely renovated softball field worthy of their championship-level status – and no doubt Blue Devil fans will be proud to cheer them on as they take to the new home field – complete with bleachers, a press box, a dugout, and scoreboard. What’s the latest one may ask? We are excited to update our community on the progress of the new softball complex.

Crews have been toiling for nearly a year. Work continues daily, but there have been issues, which impacted the original timeline, including supply chain delays and the relocation and addition of utilities. Many of the construction tasks are “under the hood” and not readily apparent. The good news is that to date, we have completed approximately 80% of the project.

Correcting the drainage issue has been a huge component of the athletic fields’ overhaul. No more post rain mud swamps for teams to endure. According to Poly’s Head of Operations, Matt Stelluto, “The drainage has been installed and the sub base is laser graded. The concrete pads have been poured for the backstop walls, bleacher, and dugout, while the fence work has started.” Recently, the turf was delivered and installed in the last days of September. The bleachers, scoreboard, and press box are expected to arrive in November. The much-anticipated field will be ready for action for the new season.

Poly is incredibly proud of our Varsity Softball team and its long history of NYSAIS and Ivy League championship seasons. We can’t wait for the first pitch on the state-of-the-art softball turf and look forward to watching them continue their winning ways on their shiny new home field.