After years of planning and advocacy for field equity, Rye High School unveiled the new-and-improved home for the Garnets’ softball team Monday.
The renovation had been a conversation for upward of eight years, and was officially approved for budgeting 18 months ago, thanks in large part to Rye Girls Softball president Genevieve Weber (Gilmore). The multi-month rebuild began in September and was completed in time for the 2024-25 team to use for the second half of this season.
“After years of informal talks with administration about the need for this capital improvement for many reasons, the timing is such that parents were invited to the table for serious discussion about turning this dream of ours into a reality,” Weber said. “This whole field renovation process was priceless and shows the administration’s commitment to the sport of softball, the softball families and ultimately, our women athletes.”
Rye lost the home-opener 5-4 against Mahopac, but is proud to have a refurbished place to call home for the rest of this year, and years to come. The fenced-in field now sports a high backstop with netting, fully enclosed home and away dugouts, foul poles, two sets of bleachers, and soon to come, a scoreboard — funded by Rye Girls Softball and Rye Fund for Education.
Several alumni and supporters of the Rye softball community were in attendance for Monday’s field debut, including Weber and other members of Rye Girls Softball, the varsity and junior varsity players and coaches, and Rye High School administration.
The opening ceremony featured speeches from Weber, Rye softball coach Alex Tejera, and senior captain Ava Cross, as well as a ribbon cutting and a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Rye High School principal Andrew Hara to junior varsity coach Amanda Yannett.
“I know it was a huge undertaking just to get it ready for our season, so thank you for everything,” Tejera said. “The girls are very, very excited to play on here.”
The Rye Fund for Education was a big supporter for the [addition of the] scoreboard, with the parents and Rye Girls Softball. That was a huge boost for us as well because we’ve never had a scoreboard.”
Cross shared similar sentiments when addressing the crowd.
“[Gilmore] has poured an incredible amount of time, energy and heart into making this renovated field, the scoreboard and today’s ceremony possible,” she said. “Beyond that, she has done so much to grow and strengthen the softball program here in Rye — not just for us at the high school, but for players of all ages.”
Aside from the better playing conditions and aesthetic of the new field, the project signifies the bigger picture of equality in women’s sports and the softball community in Rye.
“This field is more than just a place where we play softball,” Cross said, “it represents years of memories, growth, and hard work … This renovation isn’t just about fresh dirt and grass, or our first new scoreboard that’s yet to come, it’s about recognizing all of the players and families who helped build this program over the years.”
