These young ladies are no strangers to team spirit and the taste of victory at their young age. True Champions in more than the sense of sport but also defined as advocates or crusaders of hometown pride.
The SPC HOTSOX 04 and 05 Fast Pitch Travel Softball teams, based out of Highland Heights, have had a successful season with a combined record of 77 wins, 29 losses, 3 ties. This record afforded them a seat in the North American All Sanctioned World Series during the weekend of July 28 in Columbus, Ohio. The World Series tournament organizers encourage each team member to share a spirit gift bag with the first opposing team members.
Caydence and Montana McGranahan, students at J.A. Garfield Schools, were excited to share the fun fact about their hometown of Garrettsville, Ohio and the connection of Lifesavers. Their gift bag included Lifesaver sampling and a brief tutorial stating, “Candy manufacturer Clarence Crane of Garrettsville, Ohio (father of the poet Hart Crane) invented the brand in 1912 as a ‘summer candy’ that could withstand heat better than chocolate. The candy’s name is derived from its similarity to the shape of the life preservers used to save people who have fallen from boats.”
Other team mates from Portage and Geauga counties also shared local attractions and products such as maple sugar candies and information regarding the Great Geauga County Fair. The teams both went 3-1 in pool play placing them with the top 52 teams out of 110 to battle it out in the Platinum bracket. Most importantly they left athletes from Indiana and of opposite corner of Ohio with fascinating history of their small town, perhaps sparking an interest to visit.
