BRAKETTES SOFTBALL WILL SPONSOR THIRD TEAM FOR THE 2021 SEASON

July 22 - While plans for the Stratford Brakettes 75th consecutive season of play in 2021 will begin immediately following this season, the organization has announced that to help celebrate the occasion they will be adding a third team to their program.

“There are so many talented young ladies who want to play softball at a higher level and to be part of the Brakettes family, it wasn't a difficult decision to make,” said General Manager Bob Baird.

The new team will be 18 & Under and play primarily in weekend tournaments throughout Connecticut and the region, while joining the Stratford Brakettes and Junior Brakettes in doubleheaders at the newly refurbished Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. They will also participate in the annual Women's Major Softball National Championship next August.

“We've had so many players contact us this summer about tryouts for the Brakettes,” added veteran Manager John Stratton. “It's really amazing when you look at their resumes and the college programs they will be attending. They all can play.”

And so can the 38 players the Brakettes already have on their two rosters. The Stratford Brakettes, who have won 37 national championships, don't figure to have too many retirees, if any, from their 18-player roster, especially with the U.S. Olympic Team visiting DeLuca next June. The Junior Brakettes, only in their second year, have a star-studded array of talent, featuring 14 Division I players.

“Part of our mission statement is to provide women the opportunity to continue their softball dream after high school. It would be a shame not to see that happen,” added Stratton.

The Brakettes have scheduled a tryout session for August 3 at 6:30 p.m. at DeLuca Field for candidates interested in participating. Players should arrive by 6 p.m. to complete the necessary paperwork. “At the end of the current season we will evaluate everyone in our program and advance those players we think are ready to be on our big team. Last year we had nine retirees and moved up nine players from our Junior Brakettes. In a doubleheader last week we had six of them all starting,” added Stratton, who is nearing the 1,400 mark for career wins.

Players who try out that are too old for the newest Brakettes team will be evaluated as well for a possible spot on one of the other teams. The name of the new team and its coach will be announced at the tryout.

Thursday night the Stratford Brakettes, who are 21-2, return to action against a group of select high school seniors from several area high schools. They will play a nine-inning game and recognize those senior players who didn't have a spring season because of COVID-19.

Friday night the Stratford and Junior Brakettes renew their rivalry in a 7 p.m. doubleheader at DeLuca, while both teams play twin-bills Saturday. The Junior Brakettes meet TC Futures of Westchester, NY, at 10 a.m. and the Stratford Brakettes host Newton, MA, Panthers at 7 p.m. Stratford and Newton also play Sunday at 10 a.m.